St. Patrick

About St. Patrick Catholic Church

St. Patrick Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Wichita in Chanute, Kansas, the county seat of Neosho County in southeast Kansas. The parish's stated mission is: "We are called to be disciples of Christ, expressing our love for God through the Eucharist, Education, and Charity." Through its parish church on South Central Avenue, its attached Catholic school, and its many volunteer ministries, St. Patrick serves a diverse community that includes both English- and Spanish-speaking families.

Parish History

The Catholic community in Chanute began as a mission before being formally organized into a resident parish in 1901 under Father Patrick J. Nagle, an Irish-born priest from Cork. Under Father Nagle's tenure, the parish grew to roughly 400 members and dedicated a new church building on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1907 — a triple celebration that also fell on his birthday. The accompanying school was founded in 1920, taught first by the Sisters of Loretto and then the Sisters of St. Joseph, expanded with a junior high and gymnasium in 1955, closed in 1972, and reopened in 1992 under Father Michael Maybrier.

• Pre-1901: St. Patrick's existed as a mission church
• 1901: Father Patrick J. Nagle appointed first resident pastor
• 1907: New church building dedicated on St. Patrick's Day
• 1911: Foundation laid for parish school
• 1920: St. Patrick School opens (Sept. 29) with 65 pupils
• 1955: Junior high and gymnasium added
• 1972: School closes due to declining enrollment
• 1989: Father Michael Maybrier arrives
• 1992: St. Patrick School reopens with grades K–2
• 2007–2018: MCP sisters serve southeast Kansas parishes including Chanute

Mass & Liturgy

St. Patrick offers weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, plus weekday Masses four days a week. Confessions are heard before every Mass, and Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM is live-streamed for parishioners who cannot attend in person.

• Saturday Vigil Mass — 5:30 PM (English)
• Sunday Mass — 10:00 AM (English, live-streamed)
• Sunday Mass — 12:30 PM (Spanish)
• Weekday Mass — Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00 AM; Tuesday 6:30 PM
• Confession — before all Masses

Sacraments

The parish prepares parishioners for and ministers the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptisms, weddings, communion for the sick, RCIA, and adoration sign-ups are coordinated through the parish office.

• Baptism — one month's prior notice; call the Parish Office
• Matrimony — contact the Pastor at least six months in advance
• Communion to the Sick and Shut-Ins — Communion brought each Sunday and on the first Friday of the month
• RCIA — for inquirers, catechumens, and baptized Catholics seeking deeper formation
• Eucharistic Adoration — sign up for a holy hour at Bethlehem Chapel

St. Patrick Catholic School

St. Patrick Catholic School, located at 409 South Malcolm in Chanute, partners with families in an environment of excellence and stewardship to form children in the Catholic faith as disciples of Jesus Christ who know, love, and serve God. The school is open to Catholic and non-Catholic families, holds state accreditation, and provides Title I services along with scholarships.

• Address: 409 South Malcolm, Chanute, KS 66720
• Phone: 620-431-4020
• Founded: 1920 (reopened 1992)
• Principal: Mrs. Mary Durand
• Pastor (School): Fr. J.D. Betzen
• Accredited by Kansas State Department of Education
• Low teacher-to-student ratio
• Title I services provided
• Scholarships available
• Open to Catholic and Non-Catholic families

Faith Formation & Adult Education

Beyond the parish school, St. Patrick supports lifelong formation through RCIA, ongoing adult religious education on Tuesday evenings, and family-life programs that walk couples through marriage preparation and enrichment.

• RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Adult Religious Education — Tuesday evenings following 7:00 PM Mass (~7:30 PM)
• Natural Family Planning classes
• SEK Catholic Engaged Encounter — marriage preparation weekend

Parish Life & Outreach

St. Patrick's Parish Life ministries connect parishioners to one another and to the wider Chanute community. The Welcome Committee delivers parish welcome packets to new families, while other groups plan receptions for First Communion, Confirmation, and graduating seniors. The parish also represents the Church in community athletic leagues.

• Welcoming Committee for new parishioners
• Sacramental Reception planning (First Communion, Confirmation, graduates)
• Community Athletics
• ESL program — Basic English classes for local immigrants; teacher and babysitter volunteers welcome
• Stewardship Committee (Time, Talent, Treasure)

Spiritual & Vocations Ministries

Parishioners are invited to deepen their spiritual lives through several ongoing groups, including the Cursillo Movement, the parish Prayer Line, the Vocations Committee, and parish-led adult education. Marriage support includes Marriage Encounter weekends, Retrouvaille (marriage recovery), and Beginning Experience (grief support for loss through death, divorce, or separation).

• Cursillo Movement
• Prayer Line (coordinated by Sherri Watson)
• Vocations Committee (Fr. J.D. Betzen)
• Marriage Encounter
• Retrouvaille (via Spiritual Life Center, 316-744-0167)
• Beginning Experience

Parish Staff & Contact

The parish is led by Fr. J.D. Betzen, Pastor, with Jordan Spielbusch serving as Office Manager and Sherri Watson as Publications Coordinator. The school is led by Principal Mrs. Mary Durand.

• Fr. J.D. Betzen — Pastor
• Jordan Spielbusch — Office Manager
• Sherri Watson — Publications Coordinator
• Mrs. Mary Durand — Principal / PreK 3 (School)
• Parish Office: 620-431-3165, fax 620-431-6587
• School Office: 620-431-4020
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Monday CLOSED; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM