About Sacred Heart · Othello, Washington
Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic parish in Othello, a small farming community in the Columbia Basin of central Washington. Part of the Diocese of Spokane, the parish is distinctly bilingual, celebrating Mass in both English and Spanish every Sunday and on weekday mornings, with a Wednesday evening Mass in Spanish. It is served today by Father Alejandro Zepeda, supported by three deacons and parish staff who coordinate faith formation, sacramental preparation, and the parish office. The parish traces its roots back to 1915 and was formally established as Sacred Heart in 1956.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Alejandro Zepeda
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a bilingual parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship side by side, with three Sunday Masses (one in English, two in Spanish), weekday morning Masses, and a Wednesday evening Spanish Mass to fit working and family schedules. A standing Religious Education program prepares children from fourth grade onward for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, while three deacons and the parish staff assist with baptisms, marriages, and ongoing sacramental life. Visitors and parishioners alike are welcomed with a simple message from the pastor: 'May God continue blessing your life and keep you safe.'
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM
Parish History
Catholic life in the Othello area dates to 1915, when Fr. John Herman came by train from Odessa to celebrate Mass once a month in the homes of about twenty Catholic families. The parish's formal history begins with the 1923 dedication of the first church on Pine Street, the formation of an Altar Society by 1925, and the 1954 construction of the present building — built entirely by volunteer labor and now serving as the church's basement. On July 26, 1956, Bishop Bernard J. Topel raised Sacred Heart from a mission of St. Agnes in Ritzville to a full parish and appointed Fr. John J. Kelley as its first pastor.
- 1915 – First Masses celebrated in homes by Fr. John Herman traveling from Odessa
- 1923 – First Catholic church dedicated on Pine Street (still standing as a residence)
- 1925 – Local Altar Society recorded as caring for the church
- 1954 – Current church building constructed by volunteer parishioner labor
- July 26, 1956 – Elevated to parish status with Fr. John J. Kelley as first pastor
Clergy & Staff
Father Alejandro Zepeda currently serves as pastor of Sacred Heart and offers a personal welcome on the parish website. He is assisted by three permanent deacons who minister alongside him, as well as parish office and faith-formation staff.
- Pastor: Rev. Alejandro Zepeda
- Deacon Jesse Rodelo
- Deacon Antonio Beraza
- Deacon Joel Pruneda
- Parish Secretary: Angie Sanchez
- Religious Education Coordinator: Anna Salmeron
Parish Office & Religious Education Office
The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a lunch closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM; the office is closed on weekends. The Religious Education Office, run by Anna Salmeron, keeps longer afternoon and evening hours to accommodate families and students preparing for sacraments.
- Parish Office: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM); closed Sat/Sun
- Religious Education Office: Mon–Fri 3:00–7:00 PM
- Parish Secretary: Angie Sanchez
- In charge of Religious Education: Anna Salmeron
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program (CCD) forms the heart of children's faith formation at Sacred Heart. Children typically begin their preparation for the sacraments in 4th grade and follow a two-year track. First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are all prepared through this program, and registration is required before children can receive the sacraments. A suggested donation of $75 applies to each sacrament.
- Two-year preparation for the sacraments through CCD classes
- Children begin preparation in 4th grade
- Registration required before sacramental preparation
- Suggested donation: $75 per sacrament
- Coordinator: Anna Salmeron
Sacraments
Sacred Heart prepares and celebrates Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. Each sacrament has its own preparation requirements, and the parish publishes these clearly in Spanish and English so families know what to do ahead of time.
- Baptism – 4th Saturday of the month at 11:00 AM; speak with Anna Salmeron at least two months in advance; parents and godparents must attend pre-baptismal talks; godparents must be Catholic with all sacraments and recent certificates; suggested donation $75
- First Eucharist / First Reconciliation / Confirmation – prepared through the two-year CCD program beginning in 4th grade; suggested donation $75 per sacrament
- Marriage – 1st or 2nd Saturday of the month at 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM; no weddings during Lent or Advent; $50 cleaning deposit; both parties must be at least 19 and free to marry; required documents include recent Baptismal (with notations), Confirmation and First Communion certificates, birth certificates, and any Declaration of Nullity or Lack of Form if previously married
Parish Ministries & Programs
Beyond Mass and the sacraments, Sacred Heart runs several parish-wide programs aimed at building up community and keeping members — especially children — safe. A parish community-building initiative called 'God's love unites us / El Amor de Dios nos Une' is promoted as a way to strengthen relationships among members, with the parish seeking full participation. The parish also implements the Diocese of Spokane's Safe Environment Program, 'Protecting God's Children.'
- Religious Education / CCD
- God's love unites us / El Amor de Dios nos Une (community-building initiative)
- Safe Environment Program – Protecting God's Children (Diocese of Spokane)
- Altar Society (in continuous service since 1925)
- Online giving through Sunday Visitor
Giving & Online Donations
Parishioners and visitors can support Sacred Heart through online giving via the parish's Sunday Visitor donation platform. Donations can be set up as a one-time gift or scheduled as weekly, monthly, or yearly recurring contributions, with the option to choose from multiple parish funds.
- Donate through the parish's Sunday Visitor online portal
- Choose one-time, weekly, monthly, or yearly giving
- Select from a list of parish funds
- Create a personal account to manage giving and receive confirmations
Visit & Contact
Sacred Heart welcomes visitors and newcomers at 616 East Juniper Street in Othello, in the heart of Washington's Columbia Basin farming region. The parish office can be reached by phone, fax, or email during regular weekday hours, and the Religious Education Office is open in the afternoons and evenings for families involved in sacramental preparation.
- Address: 616 E Juniper St, Othello, WA 99344
- Phone: (509) 488-5653
- Fax: (509) 488-5654
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Diocese of Spokane
- Liturgy: Roman Rite
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John J. Kelley1956–
First pastor appointed by Bishop Bernard J. Topel when Sacred Heart was elevated from mission to parish on July 26, 1956.