About St. Mary · Columbus, Montana
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a small Roman Catholic parish serving Columbus, Montana, and the surrounding Stillwater County area. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings and is clustered with St. Michael's in Absarokee and other nearby missions, with the same pastor, Fr. Navil Rodrigues, shepherding the cluster. The community gathers for Sunday Mass at 8:30 a.m. and weekday Masses on Tuesday and Friday, supported by an active Altar Society, Knights of Columbus council, religious education program, youth group, and lay-led Bible study. A welcoming small-town parish, St. Mary's emphasizes using the God-given gifts of its members to build up the family of faith.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Fr. Navil Rodrigues
- Diocese
- Diocese of Great Falls–Billings
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a warm, close-knit small-town Catholic parish where every member's gifts are valued. The parish runs a Strengths Finders-based ministry model that helps parishioners recognize and put their God-given talents to work through roles in music, faith education, homebound ministry, grounds and custodial care, and liturgical service. With active groups for adults (OCIA, Bible study, Altar Society, Knights of Columbus), children (Religious Education), and youth (Adventure & Adoration, grades 6–12), there is a clear path for every age and stage of life to grow in faith and serve the parish family.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — call the parish office at (406) 322-5541
Adoration times
- Friday after the 9:00 am Mass, beginning at 9:30 am
Parish History
The Catholic community in Columbus goes back to 1903, when the Diocese of Helena — then covering all of Montana — purchased property for a church originally to be dedicated to St. Christopher. By 1912 the plans were completed, but the original lot was sold and a new site selected; the parish was rededicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as St. Mary's Church. A new St. Mary's Church was built in 1957 at its present location in the center of Columbus and was formally dedicated by Bishop William J. Condon on October 5, 1958, during his visit to administer Confirmation. On November 21, 1966, the parish marked its 50th anniversary with a Solemn High Mass, at which Monsignor John E. Regan honored the founding families and 'old timers' for their steadfast faith and the work of building the new church. Father Navil Rodrigues was installed as the current pastor on August 5, 2018 by Bishop Michael Warfel.
- 1903 — Property acquired in Columbus under the Diocese of Helena
- 1912 — Parish formally established as St. Mary's Church
- 1957 — Current church building constructed
- October 5, 1958 — Dedicated by Bishop William J. Condon
- November 21, 1966 — 50th anniversary Solemn High Mass with Msgr. John E. Regan
- August 5, 2018 — Fr. Navil Rodrigues installed as pastor by Bishop Michael Warfel
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Mary's celebrates Sunday Mass at 8:30 a.m., with weekday Masses on Tuesday and Friday at 9:00 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration follows the Friday morning Mass, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Reconciliation is available by appointment through the parish office, and the sacrament is regularly offered on First Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the cluster schedule.
- Sunday Mass — 8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday Mass — 9:00 a.m.
- Friday Mass — 9:00 a.m., followed by Adoration at 9:30 a.m.
- Reconciliation — by appointment, (406) 322-5541
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff and lay leadership team working under Pastor Fr. Navil Rodrigues. The parish office is staffed by Renee Riehl; religious education is coordinated by Director of Religious Education Mandy O'Connor; liturgical life is coordinated by liturgists Katy Matovich and Jeff Ruffatto; and facilities are managed by Ed May.
- Pastor — Fr. Navil Rodrigues, (406) 977-8135
- Parish Office — Renee Riehl, (406) 322-5541 (Tue–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
- Director of Religious Education — Mandy O'Connor, [email protected]
- Liturgists — Katy Matovich (406-322-5546) and Jeff Ruffatto (406-321-3168)
- Facilities Coordinator — Ed May, (406) 780-1173
- Altar Society — Mary Blankenship, (406) 322-5542
- Knights of Columbus — George Worden, (775) 685-6622
- Finance Council & Parish Council — chaired by Fr. Navil Rodrigues
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Mary's runs a faith formation program for children under the direction of Mandy O'Connor, complemented by the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process for adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church or learn more about the faith, coordinated by Katy Matovich. The parish youth group, 'Adventure & Adoration,' serves students in grades 6 through 12 with faith, fellowship, and service activities, including the popular 'Pray, Hope, Don't Worry' T-shirt fundraiser.
- Religious Education for Children — contact Mandy O'Connor, (406) 322-5541
- OCIA for Adults — contact Katy Matovich, (406) 322-5542
- Youth Group: 'Adventure & Adoration' (grades 6–12)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Following its 'Strengths Finders' model, St. Mary's actively invites parishioners to share their God-given gifts in a wide range of ministries — from music and liturgy to grounds and custodial care, adult faith education, and outreach to the homebound. The two flagship lay organizations are the Altar Society (parish women's group / PCCW) and the Knights of Columbus council, which meet monthly and support both parish life and community charity.
- Altar Society (PCCW) — meets the second Sunday of the month
- Knights of Columbus — George Worden, (775) 685-6622
- Music Ministries
- Adult Faith Education
- Homebound Ministries
- Mass Ministries (liturgical roles)
- Environment Committee
- Grounds & Custodial Maintenance
- Gift Shop — contact Jeanne Harsha
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments, with preparation programs for First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before their proposed wedding date, and parents preparing children for First Communion or Confirmation should reach out to Mandy O'Connor for catechetical scheduling.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Communion & Confirmation — Mandy O'Connor, (406) 860-8318
- Marriage — contact parish office 6 months in advance, (406) 322-5541
- Reconciliation — by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
- OCIA (adult initiation) — Fr. Navil or Mandy O'Connor
Devotions & Outreach
Friday morning Adoration after the 9:00 a.m. Mass is a cornerstone devotion of the parish. The Monday-morning Divine Mercy Bible Study meets downstairs at St. Mary's from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. and is open to all. Outreach efforts include monthly Project Hope Food Bank collections on the first Sunday of each month and the Woltermann Scholarship, a $500 parish scholarship awarded annually to a graduating senior.
- Friday Adoration — 9:30 a.m. (after Mass)
- Divine Mercy Bible Study — Mondays, 8:30–10:00 a.m.
- Project Hope Food Bank — first-Sunday collection
- Woltermann Scholarship — $500 for a parish senior
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Mary's and asked to fill out a registration card found at the back of the church (or in the weekly bulletin) and return it to the parish office or place it in the collection basket. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Anyone interested in joining a ministry, scheduling a sacrament, or learning more about the Catholic faith is invited to call (406) 322-5541 or email the parish office.
- Address — 240 N. 4th St., Columbus, MT 59019
- Mailing — PO Box 956, Columbus, MT 59019
- Phone — (406) 322-5541 (office) / (406) 322-5542
- Email — [email protected]
- Office hours — Tue–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- New parishioner registration — cards in the back of church or in the bulletin
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor John E. Regan
Present for the 50th anniversary Solemn High Mass on November 21, 1966.
- Fr. Navil Rodrigues2018–present
Installed as pastor of St. Mary's by Bishop Michael Warfel on August 5, 2018.