About St. Nicholas of Myra · Hays, Kansas
St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Hays, Kansas, belonging to the Diocese of Salina. Founded in 1983 as the third Catholic community in Hays to relieve overcrowding at Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph parishes, it serves the east side of the city from its campus at 2901 E. 13th Street. The parish is noted for its strong lay involvement, lectionary-based catechesis, and meaningful liturgies enriched by quality liturgical music. Today it is led by Fr. Damian Richards and remains active in faith formation, sacramental life, and outreach, including a long-standing adopted mission to St. Paul's Mission on the Navajo reservation at Crownpoint, New Mexico.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- St. Nicholas of Myra
- Rector
- Fr. Damian Richards
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salina
Why belong here
St. Nicholas of Myra is a welcoming east-Hays Catholic community with strong lay involvement and a lively sacramental life — daily Mass Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7:00 AM, a Saturday vigil at 5:00 PM, and two Sunday Masses at 9:30 and 11:00 AM. The parish offers faith formation for children (CCD), a perpetual adoration chapel, vibrant liturgical music, active Ladies Guild and Knights of Columbus councils, and a meaningful commitment to its adopted mission at St. Paul's on the Navajo reservation in Crownpoint, New Mexico. New parishioners are warmly invited to register online, by phone, or by stopping by the parish office.
Mass times at St. Nicholas of Myra
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before all weekend Masses (Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM and Sunday before 9:30 and 11:00 AM)
- Anytime by request — call the parish office at 785-628-1446
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – Noon (Adoration with confessions available)
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel with current open hours including Sunday 12 PM and Saturday 1 PM, 3 PM, and 12 Midnight (contact Ger Rupp 785-638-5588 to fill open hours)
History of St. Nicholas of Myra Parish
St. Nicholas of Myra was founded in 1983 as the third Catholic parish in Hays, Kansas, after Bishop Daniel Kucera, OSB, decided that Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish had become too large for effective ministry. Fr. Daniel Scheetz was appointed founding pastor on May 18, 1983, and the canonical decree erecting the parish — with boundaries containing nearly 400 Catholic families — was published on May 23, 1983. The first weekend liturgies were celebrated July 2–3, 1983, in Room 100 of Hays High School, with about 175 founding families. The parish worshiped, met, and celebrated daily Mass in a purchased house at 1305 Agnes Drive until the new church was ready. Ground was broken on October 7, 1984 (the Feast of the Holy Rosary) by 255 families using an antique plow, with soil from parishioners' home sites mixed into the furrow as a 'planting roots' symbol. The architectural firm was Stecklein-Brungardt, and Pierce-Schippers Construction of Hays built the original structure for a $942,000 contract. The cornerstone was laid July 25, 1985, with a time capsule sealed into the church tower, and the new building was dedicated before a crowd of 1,000 in 1985. A rectory was added next to the church in 2007, and since 1995 the parish has officially adopted St. Paul's Mission at Crownpoint, New Mexico, on the Navajo reservation. On September 1, 2018, Bishop Jerry Vincke celebrated a Mass marking the complete remodeling of the worship space. Fr. Jarett Konrade led the renovation, which added a new limestone altar (quarried near Herington, Kansas), matching ambo and tabernacle stand, a 10-foot crucifix with the four evangelists' symbols, large statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Nicholas, new Stations of the Cross, reupholstered pews, light-colored sanctuary tile, renovated restrooms, a bride's room, a new sound system, and a baby grand piano.
- Founding bishop: Bishop Daniel Kucera, OSB (later Archbishop of Dubuque)
- Founding pastor: Fr. Daniel Scheetz (appointed May 18, 1983)
- Architect: Stecklein-Brungardt
- Original builder: Pierce-Schippers Construction, Hays (contract $942,000, September 1984)
- Office/living wing builder: Paul-Wertenberger Construction
- Cornerstone laid: July 25, 1985
- Rectory built next to church: 2007
- 2018 renovation led by Fr. Jarett Konrade; altar consecrated by Bishop Jerry Vincke on September 1, 2018
- Adopted mission since 1995: St. Paul's Mission, Crownpoint, New Mexico
Parish Staff & Pastoral Leadership
St. Nicholas of Myra is shepherded by Fr. Damian Richards, pastor. He is assisted by Deacon Steve Urban and Deacon Bill Meagher, who also serve as Director of Communications and Director of Youth Ministry and Religious Education respectively (per the Diocese of Salina parish page). The parish staff includes a catechetical director, music director, parish secretary/bookkeeper, and ministry scheduler.
- Fr. Damian Richards — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Steve Urban — Deacon ([email protected])
- Deacon Bill Meagher — Deacon
- Cody Marintzer — Catechetical Director ([email protected])
- Cheryl Glassman — Director of Music ([email protected])
- Ramona Weigel — Parish Secretary / Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Terri Braun — Ministry Scheduler / Data Support ([email protected])
- Samantha Baker, FCP — Natural Family Planning (785-639-3285)
Parish Councils & Commissions
St. Nicholas of Myra is administered by the canonical pastor together with an elected Pastoral Council that is advisory to the pastor. Reporting to the Pastoral Council are commissions for Liturgy, Christian Service/Family Life, Education, Building & Grounds, and Evangelization/Stewardship. A separate Finance Council assists with budgeting and acts as financial adviser.
- Pastoral Council Chair: Kelton Stecklein
- Vice-Chair: Karen Moeder
- Secretary: Rebecca Brady
- Finance Council Chair: Rebecca Brady
- Building & Grounds: Jason Kennedy
- Liturgy Commission: Karen Moeder
- Vocations: Karen Moeder
- Religious Education: Grant Stephenson
- Family Life: Rachel Robben
- Stewardship: Bill Meagher
- Evangelization: Kelton Stecklein
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
Lay-led groups at St. Nicholas of Myra include the Ladies Guild, Knights of Columbus, and Daughters of Isabella #254. The Ladies Guild meets monthly (often with a Stations of the Cross at 6:45 PM followed by the meeting at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall). The Knights of Columbus coordinate service projects and support the Hays CYO through events like the Lenten fish fries. The Daughters of Isabella #254 meet monthly, run a Food & Craft Bingo, and sponsor BINGO at Heritage Bingo on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Fridays.
- Ladies Guild — Co-Presidents Marie Froelich and Paula Flesher; parish rep Emily Hartman
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Austin Gabel; parish rep Bill Weber
- Daughters of Isabella #254 — monthly meetings; Food & Craft Bingo; Heritage Bingo sponsorship (1st, 3rd, 5th Fridays)
- Hays Catholic Moms Ministry — Mass & Social 2nd Thursday 8:00 AM at IHM; Confession 3rd Saturday 3:00 PM at IHM
- MAP (Men at Prayer) — Saturdays 7:30 AM
- Women of the Word — weekly meeting
- Sunday Scriptures Preparation with Fr. Reggie — Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 PM, St. Nicholas Room
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education (CCD) classes for parish children meet Wednesday evenings at 6:15 PM during the school year, with the Catechetical Director coordinating the program. The parish also supports adult faith formation through lectionary-based catechesis and the Rite of Election, and connects youth to local Catholic schools including Holy Family Elementary and Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, plus the Hays CYO and Junior CYO programs.
- Catechetical Director: Cody Marintzer
- CCD Classes: Wednesdays 6:15 PM
- Lectionary-based catechesis highlighted as a parish source of pride
- Holy Family Elementary School liaison
- Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP-Marian) High School liaison
- Hays CYO Director: Marc Hertel
- Junior CYO: Cody Marintzer
- RCIA / Rite of Election for adults
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Beyond Mass and Reconciliation, the parish celebrates the other sacraments and offers regular pastoral care. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment after required pre-Baptism instruction. Couples are asked to contact the pastor personally at least six months before the intended wedding date. Anointing of the Sick is arranged anytime by calling the parish office, and Communion visits to the homebound are made every Wednesday and Sunday morning.
- Baptism — by appointment after required pre-Baptism instruction
- Marriage — contact the pastor at least six months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — arranged by calling the parish office
- Communion visits to the homebound — every Wednesday and Sunday morning
- Viaticum / Prayers for the Dead / Apostolic Pardon available on request
Adopted Mission: St. Paul's, Crownpoint, New Mexico
Since 1995, St. Nicholas of Myra has officially adopted St. Paul's Mission on the Navajo Indian reservation at Crownpoint, New Mexico. The parish supports the mission financially and also delivers food, furniture, and clothing at least once a year.
- Adopted since 1995
- Located in Crownpoint, New Mexico, on the Navajo reservation
- Financial support plus annual delivery of food, furniture, and clothing
Music & Liturgy
Music and liturgical celebration are highlighted by the parish itself as sources of parish pride. The 2018 renovation installed a new sound system and a baby grand piano to enrich liturgical music, and Music Director Cheryl Glassman leads the parish's music program. The Liturgy Commission (chaired by Karen Moeder) coordinates the parish's liturgical life.
- Director of Music: Cheryl Glassman ([email protected])
- New baby grand piano installed during 2018 renovation
- New sound system installed during 2018 renovation
- Lectionary-based catechesis and meaningful liturgies highlighted as parish hallmarks
Visiting, Registering & Contact
New parishioners are warmly welcomed and invited to register on the parish website (www.stn-church.com), by calling the parish office, or by stopping by in person. Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. An emergency after-hours contact number (621-6200, press 3) is published in the bulletin.
- Address: 2901 E. 13th Street, Hays, KS 67601
- Phone: 785-628-1446
- Fax: 785-623-4207
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–12 noon and 1:00–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–12 noon
- Emergency after-hours number: 621-6200 (press 3)
- Bulletin deadline: Tuesday noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Daniel Scheetz1983 – (founding pastor)
Appointed by Bishop Daniel Kucera, OSB, as the first pastor; received formal letter of appointment May 18, 1983. Oversaw the canonical erection of the parish (May 23, 1983), purchase of the first rectory at 1305 Agnes Drive, the first liturgies at Hays High School in July 1983, groundbreaking in October 1984, and the dedication of the new church in 1985.
- Fr. Jarett Konrade
Led the 2017–2018 worship-space renovation project that added the limestone altar, ambo, tabernacle stand, 10-foot crucifix, statues of Mary, Joseph, and St. Nicholas, and the baby grand piano.
- Fr. Damian Richardspresent
Current pastor; shepherding the parish according to the parish's own history page.