About Sacred Heart · Larned, Kansas
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church is a Catholic parish in Larned, Kansas, located at 1111 State Street in Pawnee County. Founded in 1912 as a mission church of nearby Seward and Kinsley, it became an independent parish in 1923 with the appointment of its first resident pastor, Father John F. Kraemer. Today the parish belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City and shares pastoral ministry with the mission church of St. Bernard in Belpre, serving roughly 275 registered households across rural central Kansas.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Patrick Otor, MSP (current Parish Administrator per the Diocese of Dodge City; Fr. Bernard Felix is listed as pastor on the parish staff page, indicating a recent transition)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a small, family-sized Catholic community of about 275 households that still puts its faith into action through concrete ministries: a Heart to Heart Ministry and a Ministry to the Elderly that bring parishioners to the homebound and to those in local hospitals and care centers; an active Altar Society and Knights of Columbus council; an RCIA process that welcomes new Catholics, returning Catholics, and anyone wanting to learn more about the faith; a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for grade-school children and a Summer Catechetical Program for grades 1–12; and a Prayer Line staffed by fellow parishioners. If you are looking for a parish where you will be known by name and can pray, serve, and grow with others in a close-knit rural community, Sacred Heart is that kind of church.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays from 4:00–4:30 pm
- Or by appointment — call 620-285-2035
Adoration times
- Saturdays 4:00–4:30 pm (in conjunction with confessions)
- 3rd Wednesday of each month, 5:00–6:00 pm
History of Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church traces its roots to the Catholic homesteaders of Pawnee County in the 1880s. A simple frame church dedicated to St. Agnes — nicknamed "The Dublin Church" — was built five miles east of the abandoned town of Zook by Irish and German settlers who had arrived under the Homestead Act. That building was abandoned after a late-1890s storm, taken apart, and reassembled in Belpre in 1899, where it served as the local Catholic church for years. In 1912 the Catholics of Larned built their first place of worship in town: a red-brick building on the corner of State and 11th Street, dedicated on October 24, 1912, with the encouragement of Father Dennis Healy, pastor of Seward. Still a mission at that time, it was served by pastors from Seward and Kinsley until 1923, when Father John F. Kraemer became the first resident pastor. A parish school was opened in 1936 under Father Thomas O'Brien, staffed by Dominican Sisters. The present 520-seat church and rectory were constructed and dedicated on December 11, 1960, during Msgr. A. F. Preisner's long pastorate (1949–1966), and have served the parish ever since.
- 1880s – St. Agnes "Dublin Church" built by Irish/German homesteaders between Larned and Belpre
- 1912 – Sacred Heart Church dedicated Oct. 24 as a mission served by Seward and Kinsley pastors
- 1923 – Father John F. Kraemer named first resident pastor
- 1936 – Parish school opened under Father Thomas O'Brien, staffed by Dominican Sisters
- 1949–1966 – Pastorate of Msgr. A. F. Preisner
- 1960 – Present 520-seat church and rectory dedicated Dec. 11
Mass & Worship Schedule
The regular Mass schedule centers on a Saturday Vigil and a Sunday morning Mass at Sacred Heart, with a second Sunday Mass at the mission church of St. Bernard in Belpre. Daily Masses are celebrated in the Holy Rosary Chapel, with one weekday Communion Service and a Friday Mass at Diversicare. Confessions are heard before Saturday Vigil Mass, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered weekly and once a month on Wednesdays.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 5:00 pm
- Sunday Mass — 10:30 am at Sacred Heart, Larned
- Sunday Mass — 8:30 am at St. Bernard, Belpre
- Weekday Masses (Tue/Wed/Thu) — 8:30 am in Holy Rosary Chapel
- Monday — 8:30 am Communion Service in Holy Rosary Chapel
- Friday — 9:30 am Mass at Diversicare
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Fr. Patrick Otor, MSP, who also serves St. Bernard Church in Belpre per the Diocese of Dodge City directory. The parish staff listing on the website names Fr. Bernard Felix as pastor, reflecting a recent transition. Sister Rebecca Otter, OP, serves as Pastoral Minister; Pam Hutfles is the Parish Secretary/Office Manager; Karl Grover is the Director of Christian Initiation (OCIA); LeAnne Hammeke is the Director of Religious Education (DRE); and John Hutfles serves as Custodial/Grounds Keeper. Dominican Sisters are reachable at (620) 804-6039.
- Rev. Fr. Patrick Otor, MSP — Parish Administrator / Pastor
- Fr. Bernard Felix — Pastor (parish website listing)
- Sr. Rebecca Otter, OP — Pastoral Minister
- Pam Hutfles — Parish Secretary / Office Manager
- Karl Grover — OCIA (Christian Initiation) Director
- LeAnne Hammeke — DRE (Director of Religious Education)
- Don Kazmaier / Regis Lopata — RCIA Director
- John Hutfles — Custodial/Grounds Keeper
- Don Jensen / Jason Hammeke — Maintenance
- Dominican Sisters — (620) 804-6039
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at Sacred Heart is the parish's welcoming process for anyone curious about the Catholic faith. It is designed for the unbaptized (catechumens) and for already-baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, but is also open to returning Catholics and inquirers who simply want to learn more. Sessions meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm throughout the school year. The parish RCIA team includes Sister Rebecca Otter, Don Kazmaier, Kathy Kazmaier, David O'Gwin, Regis Lopata, and Sharon Larsen.
- Meets Wednesday evenings, 7:15 pm, during the school year
- Open to catechumens, candidates, returning Catholics, and inquirers
- Director: Regis Lopata ([email protected], 620-285-2684)
Parish School of Religion & Summer Catechetical Program
Sacred Heart runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for parish children, directed by LeAnne Hammeke (DRE). Each summer the parish also hosts a week-long Summer Catechetical Program for grades 1–12 at the Sacred Heart Parish Education Center — a 1st–6th grade day program running Monday–Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and a 7th–12th grade evening program Sunday–Thursday from 6:30 to 8:45 pm.
- PSR — weekly religious education for parish children
- Summer Catechetical Program for grades 1–12
- 1st–6th Grade Program: Mon–Fri, 9:00 am–3:00 pm
- 7th–12th Grade Program: Sun–Thu, 6:30–8:45 pm
- DRE: LeAnne Hammeke
Parish Ministries & Outreach
The parish's mission statement organizes its life around worship, formation, and service. Heart to Heart Ministry and Ministry to the Elderly carry parishioners to the homebound and into local hospitals and care centers. The Altar Society and the Knights of Columbus council provide classic parish leadership and service. A Prayer Line at 620-285-6840 or 620-285-2076 fields prayer requests from the parish community. Parish councils — Pastoral Council, Finance and Property, Stewardship, Liturgy, Endowment Board, Parish Outreach, Adult Religious Formation, and PSR Committee — guide the parish's decisions and life.
- Heart to Heart Ministry
- Ministry to the Elderly
- Altar Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Prayer Line (620-285-6840 / 620-285-2076)
- Stewardship Council
- Pastoral Council
- Finance and Property Council
- Liturgy Committee
- Parish Outreach Commission
- Adult Religious Formation
- PSR Committee
- Endowment Board
Sacraments & Pastoral Services
Sacred Heart prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments through its liturgical and pastoral ministries. Baptisms are normally celebrated at Sunday liturgy with arrangements made through the parish office. Couples preparing for Marriage are asked to call at least four months before setting any date. The Reconciliation schedule (Saturdays 4:00–4:30 pm or by appointment) is also listed in every bulletin, and Anointing of the Sick is available through the parish office and through the parish's ministries to the elderly and to local hospitals and care centers.
- Baptism — at Sunday liturgy; arrange by calling 620-285-2035
- Marriage — call 620-285-2035 at least four months ahead
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:30 pm or by appointment
- RCIA / OCIA — for becoming Catholic
- Anointing of the Sick — through parish office and Ministry to the Elderly
Parish Mission Statement
The parish's published mission gathers the councils, ministries, and formation programs under one purpose: as the parish of Sacred Heart, to worship God together and serve this community in His name. The mission page lists the parish's councils and commissions alongside its ministries of outreach and formation.
- Parish councils: Stewardship, Pastoral, Finance & Property, Liturgy, Parish Outreach, Adult Religious Formation, PSR Committee, Endowment Board
- Outreach: Heart to Heart Ministry, Ministry to the Elderly, Altar Society, Knights of Columbus
Visiting & Contact Information
Sacred Heart is located at 1111 State Street on the corner of State and 11th Street in Larned, Kansas (ZIP 67550-2157). The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The mailing address, phone, fax, and email are listed on every bulletin and on the parish website. Newcomers are warmly invited to register by calling the parish office.
- Address: 1111 State Street, Larned, KS 67550-2157
- Phone: 620-285-2035 (if no answer: 620-804-1811)
- Fax: 620-285-3025
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–12:00 noon and 1:00–4:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John F. Kraemer1923
First resident pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.
- Father Thomas O'Brien
Opened the parish school in 1936; staffed by Dominican Sisters.
- Msgr. A. F. Preisner1949–1966
Long pastorate; oversaw 1950 school/chapel blessing and the 1960 dedication of the present 520-seat church and rectory.
- Father Warren Stecklein
Served Larned and Belpre parishes, the State Hospital facilities, the local hospital, and the health-care center.
- Fr. Bernard Felix
Listed as pastor on the parish website and bulletins through at least 2021.
- Rev. Fr. Patrick Otor, MSP
Current Parish Administrator of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Larned, and St. Bernard, Belpre, per the Diocese of Dodge City.