About Saint Gabriel the Archangel [Ruthenian] · Las Vegas, Nevada
Saint Gabriel the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Byzantine rite) Catholic parish in Las Vegas, Nevada, serving faithful of the Eastern Catholic tradition west of the Mississippi. The parish is part of the Ruthenian Diocese of Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix (formerly the Eparchy of Van Nuys), and celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in English with sung congregational responses. Father Marcus Gomori serves as pastor, and the parish is known not only for its worship but for founding Saint Gabriel Catholic School (opened in 2012), an Eastern and Western rite Catholic K–8 school next door. The community identifies with the Archangel Gabriel — the herald of Good News — and emphasizes belonging, believing, and becoming as a parish family in full communion with the Pope.
- Patron
- Archangel Gabriel
- Rector
- Fr. Marcus Gomori
- Diocese
- Ruthenian Diocese of Holy Protection of Mary of Phoenix (Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix)
Why belong here
St. Gabriel's offers something rare in southern Nevada: a Byzantine Catholic, English-language Divine Liturgy with sung congregational responses, icons and an icon screen, frequent use of incense, and Communion received by intinction (the host dipped in the chalice and given on a spoon) — all in full communion with the Pope. The parish family is small enough that newcomers are personally welcomed, with coffee-and-fellowship gatherings in the Activities Center next door after Sunday Liturgy. It is also home to Saint Gabriel Catholic School, an Eastern and Western rite K–8 school founded by the pastor in 2012, and an Eastern Christian Formation program for children age four through high school, making it an unusually family-friendly Byzantine Catholic spiritual home in the Las Vegas valley.
Mass times at Saint Gabriel the Archangel [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 pm – 3:50 pm (one-half hour before the Vigil Liturgy)
- By appointment
Byzantine Catholic Identity and Mission
St. Gabriel's describes itself as a parish family 'anointed in Baptism and sent forth with compassion to witness to God's loving and liberating presence.' The community celebrates the Byzantine Catholic Tradition — its history, families, cultures, languages, and gifts — and explicitly affirms that Byzantine Catholics 'are a part of the Catholic Church, led by Pope Leo XIV in Rome,' in full communion with the Pope. The parish takes its mission cues from its patron, the Archangel Gabriel, the messenger who brought Good News. Father Marcus Gomori frames parish life around three commitments: belonging (taking personal ownership of the parish family), believing (deepening one's relationship with God so that 'faith expresses itself in love,' Gal 5:6), and becoming (growing to full maturity in Christ through liturgy, ministries, and service). His stated prayer is that the community live the Liturgy 'outside the walls, in the lives we live, the work we do, the prayers we pray, and the service we give.'
- Full communion with the Pope of Rome (Byzantine Catholic, not Roman Catholic)
- Three pillars: Belonging, Believing, Becoming
- Patron: the Archangel Gabriel, herald of Good News
- Mission to form leaders among children, youth, and adults
Weekly Liturgy and Sacraments Schedule
The parish publishes a stable weekly schedule so newcomers and visitors can plan around it. The Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy is celebrated at 4:00 pm, with Confessions heard about half an hour before (3:15 pm). On Sunday morning, the Third Hour (Terce) is prayed at 9:45 am, immediately followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. On Holy Days of Obligation celebrated during the week, the Divine Liturgy is offered at 6:00 pm; on weekends that fall on Holy Days, the regular Saturday 4 pm and Sunday 10 am schedule applies. Reconciliation is also available by appointment with Father.
- Saturday — Divine Liturgy (Vigil): 4:00 pm
- Saturday — Sacrament of Reconciliation: 3:15 pm (one-half hour before Liturgy), or by appointment
- Sunday — Third Hour (Terce): 9:45 am
- Sunday — Divine Liturgy: 10:00 am
- Holy Days of Obligation — 6:00 pm (weekday); weekend Masses apply on weekends
Saint Gabriel Catholic School (Preschool – Grade 8)
Saint Gabriel Catholic School sits next door to the church at 2170 E. Maule Ave., near Eastern Avenue and Sunset Road. It was founded in 2012 by Fr. Marcus Gomori, starting with just seven students and expanding rapidly: by the time Bishop Gerald Dino led the first-anniversary blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, the school already served more than 60 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The school has been described as a 'universal Catholic School' that is qualified to teach both Roman and Byzantine Catholic students, in an Eastern and Western rite curriculum. It uses Apple technology in the classroom (including iPads for in-school use) and aims to become an Apple Distinguished School; class sizes are capped at 24, with aides in the two youngest grades. The renovated building it occupies was previously used for rocket research by NASA. Subsequent growth expanded the school through eighth grade — at one point reaching roughly 115 students from pre-school through 8th grade. The school is independent of the parish and diocese in funding, relying on tuition, benefactors, and community fundraising; in difficult years, the school has publicly appealed to the community for support to remain open.
- Founded 2012 by Fr. Marcus Gomori
- Address: 2170 E. Maule Ave., Las Vegas (next door to the church)
- Grades: Preschool through 8th
- Universal Catholic School — Roman and Byzantine Catholic students
- Apple Distinguished School track; iPads integrated in classrooms
- Class size capped at 24; aides in youngest two classes
- First-anniversary blessing led by Bishop Gerald Dino
- Principal cited: Octavia Houtekier-Boyd
Faith Formation: Eastern Christian Formation (ECF)
The parish runs an Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) religious education program serving children age four through high school. It is the canonical channel for preparation of the Byzantine sacraments of initiation: arrangements for Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), and First Holy Communion must be made at least six months in advance for infants and children, and at least one year in advance for adults. Preparation for the Holy Mystery of Reconciliation / Penance is built into the 2nd Grade year of the program.
- Ages 4 through high school
- Includes sacramental preparation: Baptism, Chrismation, First Communion
- First Reconciliation prepared in 2nd Grade
- Parents coordinate adult sacraments one year in advance
Parish Membership and Stewardship
St. Gabriel's frames parish membership as something richer than registration. Members are those who wish to seek the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word and Sacraments, help form a spiritual community grounded in the Lord's love, accept the teaching of the Catholic Church, acknowledge the legitimate authority of the Pope, the Bishop, and the Presbyter, and who are committed to growing as Christians within the legitimate spiritual traditions of the Byzantine Catholic Church, attending liturgical services on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holy Days, and supporting the parish through time, talent, and treasure. Visitors are welcomed at Sunday fellowship in the Activities Center next door, and anyone looking for a spiritual home is invited to consider St. Gabriel Catholic Church.
- Members expected to attend liturgy on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holy Days
- Stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
- Welcome and fellowship in the parish Activities Center after Sunday Liturgy
- Contact Father to register as a parishioner
Sacraments — Arrangements and Pastoral Care
The parish publishes practical preparation timelines for the Byzantine Holy Mysteries: at least six months' notice for infant and child Baptism, Chrismation, and First Holy Communion, and one year for adult sacraments. Marriages require at least one party to be a registered member; the priest is approached at least six months before any arrangements, with a minimum six months of preparation and discernment before the ceremony. The infirm and home-bound are asked to contact Father when sick so they can be visited and receive Holy Communion. Funeral arrangements are made through the parish, and Mass intentions may be requested with a suggested donation of $20 or more.
- Baptism / Chrismation / First Communion: 6 months (children), 1 year (adults)
- Marriage: 6 months advance notice + 6 months preparation minimum
- Sick and home-bound visitation: contact Father
- Funerals: through the parish office
- Mass intention: $20 suggested donation or more
Byzantine Liturgical Customs at St. Gabriel's
St. Gabriel's celebrates the Byzantine rite in English, with sung congregational responses (a cappella) and no instrumental music. The parish describes its liturgy as reverent; rather than kneeling, parishioners generally stand or sit throughout. The liturgical environment features an icon screen with icons, a central 'Holy Table' (altar) bearing a decorative Gospel book, frequent use of incense, and frequent bowing and signing of the cross. Holy Communion is received by intinction: the priest or deacon dips the host into the chalice and administers it to the faithful on a spoon, and Communion is distributed to communicants of all ages together. These customs are explicitly identified in parish reporting as expressions of the Byzantine Catholic tradition inherited from Constantinople and brought to Central and Eastern Europe by Saints Cyril and Methodius.
- English liturgy, a cappella congregational singing
- No kneeling — standing or sitting
- Icon screen with icons; central Holy Table with Gospel book
- Incense, bowing, and frequent sign of the cross
- Communion by intinction, distributed on a spoon to all ages