About St. Joseph · Scott City, Kansas
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 1002 S Main in Scott City, Kansas, in the heart of western Kansas. It is a parish of the Diocese of Dodge City, to which it was reassigned when that diocese was erected on May 19, 1951 from the former Diocese of Wichita. Today the parish serves about 367 registered families with weekend Mass offered in both English and Spanish, and offers a full range of faith formation, sacramental preparation, liturgical, and outreach ministries typical of a vibrant small-town Catholic community. Its mission statement commits parishioners, as 'brothers and sisters in Christ,' to know their faith, live in truth, love, and peace, and 'sow and harvest the seeds of justice and righteousness.'
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Donald Bedore
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dodge City (prior to May 19, 1951, the Diocese of Wichita)
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers a small-town Catholic community with a surprisingly wide range of ministries: weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, a Parish School of Religion for kindergarten through high school, a full OCIA (Becoming Catholic) process, and lay-led groups like the Knights of Columbus, the Helping Hands Altar Society, a Quilting Bee, Music Ministry, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, Greeters, and a Pro-Life Rosary. With about 367 registered families, there is room to belong and to serve — and the parish's own mission statement says it aims to be a family that 'knows our faith, lives in truth, love and peace, and sows and harvests the seeds of justice and righteousness.'
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before the Saturday evening Mass
- 8:00 am on the first Sunday of the month
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Joseph Catholic Church welcomes visitors and new parishioners to its campus at 1002 S Main in Scott City, Kansas. The parish mission, posted on the official website, reads: 'Saint Joseph parish, as brothers and sisters in Christ, endeavor to know our faith, live in truth, love and peace in order to sow and harvest the seeds of justice and righteousness.' Visitors are encouraged to introduce themselves, register as parishioners, and join one of the many lay ministries that animate parish life.
- Mission: to know our faith, live in truth, love and peace, and sow/harvest the seeds of justice and righteousness.
Our History
The parish traces its roots to 1905, when Capuchin friars from the Province of St. Augustine (Pittsburgh) accepted a vast five-county mission district in southwest Kansas. Bishop John J. Hennessy of Wichita formally dedicated the original wood-frame church on March 11, 1911, with six founding families and 23 members. The present brick church at 1002 S Main was dedicated October 30, 1945, built during WWII under Capuchin pastor Father Felician Brookman. As the parish grew, a former rectory (1952), brick garage (1970), and parish school (1969) were added. With the erection of the Diocese of Dodge City on May 19, 1951, St. Joseph was transferred to diocesan care; the Capuchins had by then departed for a new mission in Papua New Guinea at Pope Pius XII's request.
- March 11, 1911 — first church dedicated by Bishop John J. Hennessy, Wichita
- 1905 — Capuchins accept five-county Kansas mission
- October 30, 1945 — present brick church dedicated
- 1952 — former rectory built
- 1969 — parish school built
- May 19, 1951 — Diocese of Dodge City erected; parish transferred
- 1970 — brick garage added
- April 15, 2008 — rectory relocated, school demolition begins
- September 19, 2009 — first event in new parish center
- January 9, 2011 — new parish center dedicated
- June 19, 2011 — centennial Mass; new altar blessed by Bishop John B. Brungardt
Centennial Celebration (2011)
The parish's 100th anniversary coincided with the dedication of its new parish center and the blessing of a new altar. On June 19, 2011 — the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity — Bishop John B. Brungardt, Father Warren Stecklein, and overflow crowds gathered to mark the triple event. The new altar was constructed by parishioner Ron Horinek using funds donated by the Powers family in memory of Clarence Powers. Native sons present included Deacon Dwayne Lampe and the Most Rev. Norbert Hermes, retired Bishop of Tocantins, Brazil. Diocesan archivist Tim Wenzl produced a hardbound parish history book sold at the event.
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by Rev. Donald Bedore as pastor, supported by a parish secretary, bookkeeper, two directors of religious education, an RCIA director, and lay leadership including the Parish Pastoral Council president, Finance Council chair, and the Grand Knight of the local Knights of Columbus council. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
- Rev. Donald Bedore — Pastor (620-874-7688)
- Gale Pospichal — Parish Secretary (620-872-3644)
- Erica Stephens — Bookkeeper
- Challie Metzger — PSR Director
- Kylie Stoecklein — PSR Director
- Bill Simpson — RCIA / Becoming Catholic Director
- Chris Weathers — President, Parish Pastoral Council
- Jason Baker — Chairman, Finance Council
- Grand Knight — Knights of Columbus Council
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Joseph offers weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, plus a full weekday schedule. Weekend Masses include a Saturday Vigil at 5:30 pm (English), a Saturday Spanish Mass at 7:00 pm, and Sunday Mass at 11:00 am. On the first Sunday of the month, the Saturday Vigil is omitted and an additional 8:30 am Sunday Mass is added. Reconciliation is offered 30 minutes before the Saturday evening Mass and at 8:00 am on the first Sunday of the month.
- Saturday Vigil (English): 5:30 pm
- Saturday (Spanish): 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am (plus 8:30 am on the first Sunday of the month)
- Tuesday: 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 12:10 pm (1st & 3rd); 6:00 pm (4th & 5th); 7:00 pm (2nd)
- Thursday: 8:30 am
- Confession: 30 minutes before Saturday Mass; 8:00 am on the first Sunday
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Adults interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed through the Becoming Catholic process, formerly known as RCIA. The parish's RCIA director is Bill Simpson (620-765-0098). The process accompanies inquirers through the rites of catechumenate, election, and reception into full communion with the Church, typically culminating at the Easter Vigil.
- Contact: Bill Simpson, RCIA Director — 620-765-0098
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
St. Joseph runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children from Kindergarten through High School, with classes on Wednesday evenings from September through April. The program includes family activities and special events throughout the year. Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) is offered in conjunction with PSR; participants must be registered parishioners. Two directors, Challie Metzger (620-640-3536) and Kylie Stoecklein (719-355-9535), coordinate the program.
- Kindergarten–High School PSR classes on Wednesday evenings, September–April
- Family activities and special events through the year
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
- Registration as a parishioner is required
- Directors: Challie Metzger and Kylie Stoecklein
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish website emphasizes that 'the heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community.' A wide array of lay ministries supports the liturgical, spiritual, and social life of St. Joseph. The parish notes there is 'a constant need for help in all these ministries' and welcomes new volunteers via the parish office.
- Pro-Life Rosary
- Greeters / Gift Bearers
- Flowers and Grounds
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Music Ministry (Choir)
- Helping Hands (Altar Society)
- Lectors
- Liturgical Linen Service
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Offertory Counters
- Sacristans
- Senior Altar Servers and Altar Servers
- Stations of the Cross (Friday evenings during Lent)
- Fellowship Committee
- Knights of Columbus
- Quilting Bee (weekly women's gathering)
- Ushers
Facilities & Parish Center
The parish campus centers on the 1945 brick church at 1002 S Main, complemented by a 16,000-square-foot parish center dedicated January 9, 2011. The center includes a gathering space with accessible bathrooms, a social hall and kitchen, classrooms, and an ITV (interactive television) room — making the church campus fully accessible for the first time. The old parish center/school building was demolished in 2008 to make way for the new addition; the former rectory was relocated to a private residence. The new altar in the sanctuary was built by parishioner Ron Horinek and dedicated in 2011.
- 1945 brick church at 1002 S Main
- 16,000 sq ft parish center (dedicated Jan. 9, 2011)
- Accessible bathrooms and gathering space
- Social hall, kitchen, classrooms, ITV room
- New altar (2011) built by Ron Horinek
Diocese of Dodge City
St. Joseph belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City, which was erected on May 19, 1951 from the Diocese of Wichita. Before that date, St. Joseph was part of the Wichita Diocese. The current Bishop of Dodge City is John B. Brungardt, who presided over the parish's centennial Mass in 2011.
- Diocese erected May 19, 1951
- Previously part of the Diocese of Wichita
- Current bishop: Most Rev. John B. Brungardt
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Visitors and parishioners can reach the office at 620-872-3644 or by email at [email protected]. Pastor Rev. Donald Bedore can be reached at 620-874-7688. The church is located at 1002 S Main, Scott City, KS 67871.
- Parish office: 620-872-3644
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor: Fr. Donald Bedore — 620-874-7688
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 1:00 pm–5:00 pm
- Address: 1002 S Main, Scott City, KS 67871
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Felician Brookman, O.F.M. Cap.circa 1944–1945
Capuchin pastor credited with building the present brick church during WWII, dedicated Oct. 30, 1945.
- Rev. Warren Steckleinat least 2008–2011
Pastor who oversaw the new parish center addition, its dedication (Jan. 9, 2011), and the parish's 100th anniversary/altar blessing on June 19, 2011.
- Rev. Donald Bedorecurrent
Current pastor; listed on parish website and contact page.