About St. Catherine of Siena · Priest River, Idaho
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the small northern Idaho town of Priest River, where the Priest River meets the Pend Oreille River, just seven miles from the Idaho-Washington border. It belongs to the Diocese of Boise and is served today by Father Reginald Nwauzor and Deacon Dick Hamm, with the parish also staffing the seasonal mission of St. Blanche's Station on Priest Lake. The parish worships in the church built by its own members in 1949 and shares a deep history with the Jesuit missionaries who evangelized the Pacific Northwest.
- Established
- 1949 (present church); mission established 1894; first church building 1902
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena (Caterina Benincasa)
- Rector
- Father Reginald Nwauzor
- Diocese
- Diocese of Boise (Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise)
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena offers the small-town warmth of a parish where members built their own church in 1949 and still carry on ministries from Knights of Columbus and Women's Guild fundraisers (such as the annual Football Fundraiser) to Religious Education, a Homebound Ministry, and a new Grief Ministry Group supporting those journeying through loss. Daily Mass is offered throughout the week, with Tuesday adoration at St. Catherine and Wednesday adoration at St. Blanche's Station — a parish that takes seriously being present for its neighbors in both Priest River and Priest Lake year-round.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:00–8:20 AM (½ hour before 8:30 AM Mass)
- Anytime by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 10:00–11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena (followed by 11:00 AM Mass)
- Wednesday 11:00 AM at St. Blanche's Station (followed by 12:00 PM Mass)
- 1st Friday 11:00 AM at St. Blanche's Station (replaces first-Wednesday Adoration)
Parish History
Catholic life in Priest River began with Jesuit missionaries who for years attended to the area's Indian camps. The town itself was born with the Great Northern Railroad in 1891, and Father F. A. Becker of Coeur d'Alene began monthly visits in 1894, saying Mass in the local Post Office. Father Thomas Purcell built the first frame St. Catherine of Siena church in the Italian 'Settlement' in 1902. In 1910 Bishop Glorieux invited Father M. Balestra, S.J., who erected an Immaculate Conception church in the Settlement by 1915. The Jesuits ministered to Priest River for nine years before diocesan priests took over. Bishop Gorman visited in his chapel car 'St. Peter' in 1923 and assigned Father Remi Pecoul, who was followed by Father Coleman King, then a rapid procession of pastors including Father P. Casey, Father Daniel Lunch, and Father Arthur Corley (who served ten years until his death). After the Settlement church closed around 1944, the present 240-seat church was built in 1949 through donated and paid labor from parish families.
- 1894 — first monthly Mass by Father F. A. Becker in the Post Office
- 1902 — first St. Catherine of Siena frame church erected in the Italian Settlement
- 1910 — Father M. Balestra, S.J., invited from Gonzaga
- 1915 — Immaculate Conception church built in the Settlement
- 1921 — Jesuit era ends; diocesan missions continue
- 1923 — Bishop Gorman visits in chapel car 'St. Peter'; first resident pastors assigned
- c. 1944 — Settlement church closed; families join St. Catherine's
- 1949 — present church built (240 seats, donated and paid labor)
Patron Saint: Catherine of Siena
The parish is named for Catherine of Siena (birth name Caterina Benincasa), born March 25, 1347 in Siena, Tuscany, and died April 29, 1380 in Rome. A Dominican tertiary and mystic, she was canonized in 1461, declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970, and named patron saint of Europe in 1999. The parish celebrates her feast day on April 29.
- Born Caterina Benincasa, March 25, 1347, in Siena, Tuscany
- Died April 29, 1380, in Rome
- Canonized in 1461
- Declared Doctor of the Church in 1970
- Declared patron saint of Europe in 1999
- Feast day: April 29
St. Blanche's Station, Priest Lake
St. Catherine of Siena Parish operates the seasonal mission church of St. Blanche's at 27832 Highway 57, Nordman, on the shores of Priest Lake. The two worship sites share one pastor and one mailing address (P.O. Box 445, Priest River). St. Blanche's offers Sunday 11:30 AM Mass, Wednesday noon Mass preceded by Adoration, a 1st-Friday Mass, and a Summer Saturday Vigil Mass from July 4 through September.
- Address: 27832 Hwy 57, Nordman / Priest Lake, ID 83848
- Sunday Mass: 11:30 AM
- Wednesday Mass: 12:00 PM (Adoration at 11:00 AM)
- 1st Friday Mass: 11:00 AM
- Summer Vigil Mass: Saturdays 5:00 PM (July 4 – Sept 4)
- Deacon Dick Hamm serves as St. Blanche's deacon
- Council: Elizabeth Willyard (President), Suzy Luckey (Secretary), Joey McCanna (Financial Secretary), Martha Wright (Music Director), Bob Stutz (Maintenance)
Parish Staff & Parishioner Leaders
St. Catherine of Siena is pastored by Father Reginald Nwauzor and assisted by Deacon Dick Hamm. The parish secretary Diane Madoski is in the office on Wednesdays. Other staff include the Religious Education Coordinator, Music Director, and Finance Chair; volunteer leaders head the Knights of Columbus and Women's Guild.
- Pastor: Father Reginald Nwauzor
- Deacon: Deacon Dick Hamm
- Parish Secretary (Wed only): Diane Madoski — (208) 448-2127
- Parish Council President: Kathy Robinson
- Finance Chair: Roberta Bagley
- Religious Ed Coordinator: Roxanne Gawel — (208) 597-5106
- Music Director & Homebound Ministry: Anita Buhl
- Assistant Music Director: Nancy Thompson
- Bulletin Editor / Sacristan: Diane Madoski
- Knights of Columbus Grand Knight: Rush Balison
- Women's Guild: Roberta Bagley
- Website: Kathleen Cook
Ministries, Outreach & Fundraisers
Parish life runs through several lay-led groups. The Knights of Columbus host the annual Football Fundraiser each autumn, and the Women's Guild supports the parish through service and fellowship. Religious Education is offered for children, coordinated by Roxanne Gawel. The Music Ministry, under Anita Buhl, supports weekend liturgies, while a Homebound Ministry brings Communion to those unable to attend. The newer Grief Ministry Group gathers parishioners journeying through loss from death, divorce, or difficult relationships, centering on God's Word.
- Knights of Columbus (Grand Knight: Rush Balison)
- Annual Football Fundraiser (Knights of Columbus)
- Women's Guild (Roberta Bagley)
- Religious Education / Faith Formation (Roxanne Gawel)
- Music Ministry (Anita Buhl / Nancy Thompson)
- Homebound Ministry (Anita Buhl)
- Grief Ministry Group
- Parish Council (Kathy Robinson)
- Finance Committee (Roberta Bagley)
- Bulletin / Sacristan (Diane Madoski)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates Sunday and daily Mass throughout the week, offers Eucharistic Adoration, and hears Confessions before Sunday Mass and by appointment. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, Marriage, and other rites is coordinated through the parish office.
- Sunday and daily Mass (see Mass Times section)
- Confession: Sundays 8:00–8:20 AM and by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration (Tuesday St. Catherine, Wednesday & 1st Friday St. Blanche's)
- Religious Education for children
- Homebound Ministry visits
- Baptism, Marriage, and other sacramental preparation via the parish office
Visit, Contact & Giving
Visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish is at 393 Summit Blvd., Priest River, on the corner of Lincoln and 3rd; the door nearest the parking lot is recommended for weekday Mass. The office phone is (208) 448-2127 and email is [email protected]. The parish provides online giving through its website.
- Address: 393 Summit Blvd., Priest River, ID 83856
- Mailing: P.O. Box 445, Priest River, ID 83856
- Phone: (208) 448-2127
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stcatherinepr.com (with online giving)
- Daily-Mass entrance: door nearest the parking lot
- Northern Deanery, Diocese of Boise
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father F. A. Becker (Coeur d'Alene)from 1894
Began monthly missionary excursions to Priest River; celebrated Mass, instructed, and baptized in the little Post Office building near the confluence of the rivers.
- Father Thomas Purcellfrom 1897
Came once a month on Saturdays; built the first St. Catherine of Siena frame church in the Italian 'Settlement' in 1902 (60 x 26 feet, central tower, seating 120).
- Father James Kelly (Rathdrum)from c. 1903 to 1912
Reported 28 families in 1903, then 10 by 1909; discontinued monthly calls in 1912.
- Father M. Balestra, S.J.from 1910
Italian Jesuit from Gonzaga invited by Bishop Glorieux; secured two acres from the railroad for $10 and built the Immaculate Conception church in the Settlement by 1915.
- Father McElligottfrom September 1921
Assistant at Spirit Lake in charge of missions; took Priest River onto his mission list.
- Father Remi Pecoul1923
Sent by Bishop Gorman; secured a parish rectory at about $2,000.
- Father Coleman Kingfrom August 1923 (about 3 years)
Succeeded Father Pecoul; his 1924 census recorded 60 American, 25 Italian, and 7 Laclede families.
- Father P. Caseymid-1920s
One of three pastors in successive 12 months after Father King was transferred.
- Father Daniel Lunchmid-1920s
Short-term pastor in the procession of three following Father King.
- Father Arthur Corleylate 1920s/1930s (about 10 years)
Remained with the congregations until his death ten years later; remembered as a 'zealous sacrificing priest.'
- Father Bolfini
Recalled from the Settlement church (Immaculate Conception).
- Father Piano
Recalled from the Settlement church (Immaculate Conception).
- Father Zoore
Recalled from St. Catherine's.
- Father McCarthy
Recalled from St. Catherine's.
- Father Kunkee
Recalled from St. Catherine's.
- Father Don Simmons
In recent memory.
- Father Mike Scarcello
In recent memory.
- Father Thomas Guadian
In recent memory.
- Father Timothy O'Donovan
In recent memory.
- Father Don Turner
In recent memory.
- Father Robert Bargen
In recent memory.
- Father Reginald Nwauzorpresent
Current pastor; also serves St. Blanche's Station at Priest Lake.