About Queen of the Holy Rosary · Bucyrus, Kansas
Queen of the Holy Rosary is a historic Catholic parish in the rural Wea community of Bucyrus, Kansas (Miami County), serving the Kansas plains since the 1860s. Part of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, the parish is currently pastored by Father Jerry Arano-Ponce and includes Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic School (preschool through 8th grade), a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, and a wide range of ministries rooted in Marian devotion. Despite looking like a 'sleepy little country parish' from the road, it is a deeply active community anchored by 24-hour adoration, the Rosary, and Catholic education.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Queen of the Holy Rosary
- Rector
- Father Jerry Arano-Ponce
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Why belong here
Queen of the Holy Rosary Wea offers the rare combination of a small-country-parish feel with an unusually full Catholic life: a Perpetual Adoration Chapel open 24 hours a day, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, three Sunday Masses, a parochial school serving preschool through 8th grade, a Monday-evening family Rosary, a Knights of Columbus council (#12546), Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Ministry of Care that brings Holy Communion and support to the homebound, and a deeply Marian identity. As the parish itself says, you don't see the full reality until you come inside — the activity, the faith in action by Father Jerry, volunteers, teachers and staff, and the strong sense of community make it a special place.
Mass times at Queen of the Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:45 pm
- Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 pm
- Lenten Adore & Restore: Wednesday, March 4 and Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
- Lenten Penance Service: Palm Sunday at 3:00 pm
- Additional times available by appointment through the parish office (913-533-2464)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Our History: From 1858 Settlement to Today
The parish's roots reach back to 1858, when William Schwartz and Anthony Vohs each received a parcel of land in lieu of back wages — only four years after Kansas was organized as a territory. Brothers Jacob and Joseph joined them in 1860 to form what became the Wea Catholic Community. The Wea Indians had previously inhabited the land, giving the community its name. By 1869, the congregation needed a church of its own; the first was built that year and dedicated in 1870 under the title Queen of the Holy Rosary. The community functioned as a mission until 1887, when Fr. Augustine Wieners became the first resident pastor.
- 1858: William Schwartz and Anthony Vohs settle; brothers join in 1860
- 1869–1870: First church built and dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary
- 1887: Fr. Augustine Wieners becomes first resident pastor; rectory and school added
- 1895: Larger brick church designed by architect Q. V. McAfee of Garnett ($15,000)
- April 9, 1905: Lightning strikes the steeple, burning the church
- Cyclone destroys the McAfee rebuild before completion
- May 29, 1906: Present church dedicated
- 1915: Fr. Henry Freisberg becomes pastor; expands Catholic education
- September 1921: New building opens housing elementary, high school, and parish hall
- 1970: School closed due to financial pressures
- October 17, 1999: Groundbreaking for new school/parish hall with Archbishop James P. Keleher and Fr. Tony Lickteig
- August 2000: New school opens; first 8th-grade class graduates 2005
- 2006: Parish celebrates 100th anniversary
- 150th anniversary commemorative video produced
Clergy, Staff & Parish Leaders
Queen of the Holy Rosary is currently pastored by Father Jerry Arano-Ponce, who was reinstated to full active ministry by Archbishop Shawn McKnight effective December 15, 2025. During his 2025 suspension, Deacon Tom Doyle had been appointed temporary parish coordinator. The parish school is led by Principal Nick Antista, and longtime staff include Mrs. Beth Jacobs, K–3 Reading Specialist, who was honored as Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Teacher of the Year after 25 years at the school.
- Pastor: Father Jerry Arano-Ponce (reinstated Dec. 15, 2025)
- Temporary Coordinator (2025): Deacon Tom Doyle
- School Principal: Nick Antista
- Reading Specialist / Archdiocese Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Beth Jacobs (25 years at QHR)
- Ministry of Care Coordinator: Julie Seefeldt ([email protected])
- Virtus Coordinator: Denise Godinez (913-722-2206)
Holy Week & Liturgical Calendar
Queen of the Holy Rosary observes the full Easter Triduum. On Holy Thursday, the parish holds a 7:00 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper with adoration at the Altar of Repose continuing until midnight. Good Friday brings Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm and the Passion of the Lord with Veneration of the Cross at 7:00 pm. The Easter Vigil is celebrated at 7:00 pm on Holy Saturday, with Easter Sunday Masses at 8:30 am (held in both the church and the gym for overflow) and 11:00 am in the gym.
- Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper — 7:00 pm; Altar of Repose adoration until midnight
- Good Friday Stations of the Cross — 3:00 pm
- Good Friday Passion of the Lord — 7:00 pm
- Holy Saturday Easter Vigil — 7:00 pm
- Easter Sunday — 8:30 am (Church & Gym) and 11:00 am (Gym)
Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic School
Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic School reopened in August 2000 after a successful two-phase capital campaign that raised more than $2.3 million in pledges. The school continues the parish's long educational tradition — Catholic education at Wea has roots going back to the 1880s, including a high school that operated from 1921 to 1970. Today the school serves preschool through eighth grade and features a STREAM lab (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) with project-based learning, along with a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to meet academic needs.
- Preschool through 8th grade
- Principal: Nick Antista
- STREAM lab with project-based learning
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Longtime educator Mrs. Beth Jacobs honored as Archdiocese Teacher of the Year
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education is offered through the parish's SOR (Sacramental preparation) program and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium. Registration is organized each year, with a Sept. 7 deadline cited for the 2025–2026 year. The parish school also partners with faith formation through the Wednesday 8:15 am school Mass during the academic year.
- SOR (Sacramental preparation)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- Yearly registration with fall deadlines
- Wednesday school Mass during the school year
Parish Ministries & Service
Queen of the Holy Rosary lives out its Catholic identity through a wide range of ministries. The Ministry of Care brings the parish to those who cannot easily come to church, offering grief support, transportation, visits to the homebound, Holy Communion, and meal support in times of crisis. The Knights of Columbus Wea Council #12546 serves the parish and broader community, and the parish participates in American Heritage Girls alongside neighboring parishes.
- Ministry of Care (Julie Seefeldt, [email protected])
- Knights of Columbus — Wea Council #12546
- American Heritage Girls (cross-parish)
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel ministry
- Rosary path stewards
Building the Future: New Church Campaign
Having rebuilt the school in 1999–2000, the parish has turned its attention to a new church. A Capital Campaign Committee has been organized and town-hall meetings have been held in the parish hall to share up-to-date information and gather parishioner input. A dedicated Building Committee webpage keeps the community informed as plans move forward.
- Active Capital Campaign for a new church
- Town-hall meetings in the Parish Hall
- Dedicated Building Committee webpage on the parish site
- Parish Hall and gym used for overflow Masses (e.g., Easter Sunday)
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Beyond Mass and the Eucharist, the parish prepares families and individuals for the Sacraments of Initiation and other rites. The Ministry of Care ensures that those who are homebound, in care facilities, grieving, or in crisis remain connected to the parish through visits, Holy Communion, transportation, and meal support. Additional reconciliation times can always be arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism preparation
- Marriage preparation
- First Reconciliation / First Communion
- Confirmation preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Communion brought to the homebound
- Grief and crisis support through Ministry of Care
Safe Environment & VIRTUS
Queen of the Holy Rosary takes seriously the protection of all youth in the parish, school, religious education, sacrament preparation, youth ministry, scouting, sports, and Early Education/After School Care programs. All employees and adult volunteers working with minors or vulnerable adults are required to complete VIRTUS 'Protecting God's Children' training, a background screening, and to read and sign the Archdiocesan Code of Ethics, Child Protection Policy, and Harassment Policy before beginning service.
- VIRTUS training — Protecting God's Children for Adults
- Background screening required
- Three Archdiocesan policies signed (Code of Ethics, Child Protection, Harassment)
- Virtus Coordinator: Denise Godinez (913-722-2206)
Visit, Register & Stay Connected
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish encourages online registration for those who wish to make Queen of the Holy Rosary their home. The parish also communicates regularly through Flocknote, and reminds parishioners to verify any unusual emails or texts — the parish notes that scammers sometimes impersonate Father Jerry, and that authentic parish emails can always be confirmed by calling the office at 913-533-2464.
- Online registration available via the parish website
- Flocknote communications (qhrwea.flocknote.com)
- Scam alert: Father Jerry never asks for gift cards or links by email/text
- Parish office: 913-533-2464
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Augustine Wieners1887
First resident pastor; oversaw addition of rectory and school
- Fr. Henry Freisberg1915
Determined Wea children should receive both Catholic elementary and high school education
- Fr. Tony Lickteig1999
Presided over groundbreaking for new school/parish hall with Archbishop James P. Keleher
- Fr. Jerry Arano-Ponce
Current pastor; reinstated to full active ministry by Archbishop Shawn McKnight effective December 15, 2025