About Risen Christ Catholic Community · Boise, Idaho
Risen Christ Catholic Community is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, located at 11511 Lake Hazel Road in southwest Boise, Idaho. Established in 1992 to serve the growing southwest Boise and southwest Ada County area (including Kuna), the parish began by gathering in the gymnasium of Lake Hazel Elementary School before building its own social hall in 1994 and dedicating its current church building in the mid-2000s. The parish community describes itself as Christ-centered, mission-oriented, and life-giving in spirit, offering weekend and weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacraments of Initiation, faith formation for children and youth, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), outreach ministries, and small-group Bible study.
- Established
- 1992
- Rector
- Father Ben Uhlenkott
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise
Why belong here
Risen Christ is a Christ-centered, mission-oriented parish that emphasizes 'radical hospitality' — actively seeking out, noticing, and engaging newcomers as well as existing members. The community gathers for Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, midweek daily Mass on Wednesday through Friday at noon, weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation, rosary led by the Legion of Mary, Bible studies and small groups, a robust youth ministry for grades 6–12, faith formation and OCIA for adults and children, and a variety of outreach ministries. It is a growing parish in southwest Boise and Kuna that explicitly works to help parishioners 'set roots' and grow together in the love of Christ.
Mass times at Risen Christ Catholic Community
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office at 208-362-6584)
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
About Risen Christ Catholic Community
Risen Christ Catholic Community is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, located at 11511 Lake Hazel Road in southwest Boise. Established in 1992, it serves the growing communities of southwest Boise and Kuna. The parish describes itself as a community of 'open, flexible leaders who welcome and engage our parishioners and friends,' guided by the anchors of Sacred Heart, Sacred Land / America's 250; helping people 'set roots' at Risen Christ; radical hospitality; engaging, life-giving leaders; and remaining a unified Catholic community in Christ.
- Founded in 1992 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise
- Serves southwest Boise and southwest Ada County (including Kuna)
- Pastoral anchors: Sacred Heart, Sacred Land; Setting Roots; Radical Hospitality; Life-giving Leaders; Unified Catholic Community
- Currently planning Phase 2 capital campaign: 'Rooted in Christ; Rising Together'
Parish History
The parish was established in 1992 and began gathering that fall in the gymnasium of Lake Hazel Elementary School. Its first building — a social hall — was completed in fall 1994. In 2000 a building committee was formed, working with Hummel Architects and liturgical design consultant Fr. Mark Joseph Costello, Capuchin. A capital campaign called 'Raising Sacred Space' launched in 2002; the foundation stone was dedicated in February 2004; the church broke ground in 2003 and was dedicated by Bishop Michael Driscoll. Phase 1 is complete; Phase 2 ('Rooted in Christ; Rising Together') is upcoming.
- 1992 — parish established; first Masses at Lake Hazel Elementary gym
- 1994 — first parish building (social hall) completed
- 2000 — building committee formed
- 2002 — 'Raising Sacred Space' capital campaign launched
- 2003 — groundbreaking of current church building
- February 2004 — foundation stone dedicated
- Phase 2 — 'Rooted in Christ; Rising Together' upcoming
Architecture & Liturgical Art
The parish church was designed by Hummel Architects, P.A., Boise's oldest architectural firm (founded 1896). Project Manager and Designer Greg Ugrin, a University of Idaho graduate who joined Hummel in 1994, led the design work. Liturgical design consultant Fr. Mark Joseph Costello, Capuchin, guided the parish's vision for a worship space that 'elicits the transcendent without neglecting the assembly.' The building uses natural Oakley stone and cedar ceilings, and is decorated with art from three Boise-area artists: sculptor John Taye (Boise State University professor), Francis Fox (whose eight-foot bronze 'Portal' stands outside Boise City Hall), and Christopher Schofield of Schofield Design, who also sculpted the parish baptismal font.
- Architect: Hummel Architects, P.A., Boise (founded 1896)
- Designer: Greg Ugrin
- Liturgical Design Consultant: Fr. Mark Joseph Costello, Capuchin
- Artists: John Taye, Francis Fox, Christopher Schofield
- Materials: natural Oakley stone, cedar ceilings
- Construction Manager: CM Company (Ray Hoobing, Nate Crofts)
Devotions & Small Groups
The Legion of Mary leads the rosary at Risen Christ on Saturday at 4:30 PM and on Sunday at 11:30 AM. The parish also offers Bible studies and small groups as a regular part of its formation life.
- Rosary led by Legion of Mary — Saturday 4:30 PM
- Rosary led by Legion of Mary — Sunday 11:30 AM
- Bible studies and small groups
Parish Staff & Clergy
Risen Christ is currently pastored by Father Ben Uhlenkott, a Diocese of Boise priest originally from Cottonwood, Idaho. Two deacons — Deacon Ramey Uriarte and Deacon Ted Vermaas — assist with parish ministry. The lay staff includes Nick Shama (Director of Business and Finance), Audrey Weiss (Coordinator of Parish Life), Barbara Girard (Parish Secretary / Bookkeeper), Sharleen Thurston (Administrative Assistant; OCIA coordinator), Melissa Guerra (Youth Minister; Religious Education Assistant), and Paula Uriarte (Co-Director of Religious Education).
- Father Ben Uhlenkott — Pastor
- Deacon Ramey Uriarte
- Deacon Ted Vermaas
- Nick Shama — Director of Business and Finance
- Audrey Weiss — Coordinator of Parish Life
- Barbara Girard — Parish Secretary / Bookkeeper
- Sharleen Thurston — Administrative Assistant
- Melissa Guerra — Youth Minister / Religious Education Assistant
- Paula Uriarte — Co-Director of Religious Education
Becoming Catholic (OCIA & OCIC)
Risen Christ runs the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) for adults and older children seeking to enter the Catholic Church — open to both the unbaptized and to those baptized in another Christian tradition. Classes meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM. A parallel Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) is offered for youth in grades 6–12 who are unbaptized or have not yet received First Communion; these classes are held Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
- OCIA — adults/older children, Wednesdays 6:00 PM
- OCIC — youth grades 6–12, Mondays 6:30–7:30 PM
- Contact: Sharleen Thurston, [email protected] or 208-362-6584 ext 107
Risen Christ Boise Youth Ministry (RCBYM)
RCBYM serves all youth in grades 6 through 12. Junior High (grades 6–8) meets Sundays 12:00–1:30 PM in Room 2 (August 10, 2025 – May 26, 2026). High School (grades 9–12) meets Sundays 12:00–1:30 PM in Room 1 (September 14, 2025 – May 26, 2026). Youth group alone is $60/student; youth group plus sacrament prep (Confirmation or Becoming Catholic) is $100/student. Financial assistance is available — no youth is denied participation.
- Junior High: Sundays 12:00–1:30 PM in Room 2
- High School: Sundays 12:00–1:30 PM in Room 1
- Confirmation prep included in RCBYM
- Hosts the Idaho Catholic Youth Conference (ICYC) — largest Catholic event in Idaho
- Contact: Melissa Guerra, [email protected], 208-957-3167 ext 107
Religious Education & Sacraments
The parish runs an elementary Religious Education program for faith formation, co-directed by Paula Uriarte, with Melissa Guerra serving as the Religious Education Assistant. Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage Preparation each have their own registration pathways, and Returning Catholics and Becoming Catholics are welcomed with dedicated intake.
- Elementary Religious Education (co-directors: Paula Uriarte and a second Co-Director of Religious Education)
- Infant Baptism registration
- Marriage Preparation registration
- Returning Catholics registration
- Becoming Catholic registration (OCIA / OCIC)
Outreach & Parish Life
Risen Christ maintains a dedicated Outreach Ministries program and encourages parishioners to 'set roots' through parish-wide engagement. The parish participates in the annual Idaho Catholic Appeal, publishes a weekly bulletin, and maintains an active Parish Leadership Team to guide its mission-oriented life.
- Outreach Ministries
- Idaho Catholic Appeal (annual diocesan campaign)
- Parish Bulletin (weekly)
- Parish Leadership Team
- Mass Intentions
Visit, Register & Contact
Everyone is welcome to worship at Risen Christ. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, and closed Friday and Saturday. Phone: 208-362-6584. General email: [email protected]. The parish offers online registration for new parishioners, as well as separate registration links for Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Marriage Preparation, Infant Baptism, Returning Catholics, and Becoming Catholic.
- Address: 11511 Lake Hazel Road, Boise, ID 83709
- Phone: 208-362-6584
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM; Sun 9:30 AM–12 PM; closed Fri–Sat
- Parish registration available online
- Facebook: Risen Christ Catholic Church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph da Silva
Blesses the foundation stone; led the parish during the groundbreaking and early building phase (2003 dedication era).
- Father Ben Uhlenkott2008–2010 (Parochial Vicar); returned May 2022–present (Pastor)
Born Feb. 17, 1979 in Cottonwood, Idaho; studied at Mount Angel Seminary; ordained June 8, 2006 by Bishop Michael Driscoll at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. First assignment: Parochial Vicar at Holy Apostles, Meridian (2006–07), then Holy Spirit, Pocatello (2007–08), then Risen Christ (2008–10). After a year of Spanish study in Mexico (2010), served as Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mountain Home (2010–13) with mission churches in Glenns Ferry and Bruneau; then Pastor of St. Mark's Parish (2013–Oct 2021); on sabbatical before his May 2022 appointment as Pastor of Risen Christ.