About St. Patrick · Colfax, Washington
St. Patrick Catholic Parish (est. 1878) is a historic Catholic community serving Colfax, Washington, and the surrounding Whitman County area under the Diocese of Spokane. The parish worships at 1018 S Main St., Colfax, and also ministers to a sister mission, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. John, WA. Under Pastor Fr. Jeyabalan Jesuraj, the parish combines a Eucharistic-centered mission statement with active faith formation for all ages, Knights of Columbus service, women's Bible study, Catholic Mothers fellowship, and community charity work such as Mobile Meals for local seniors.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Jeyabalan Jesuraj
- Diocese
- Diocese of Spokane
Why belong here
St. Patrick's offers Catholics in Colfax and the wider Whitman County area a deeply Eucharistic-centered parish life, with daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, Saturday Vigil, and Sunday morning Mass, plus a mission Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. John. The community is small enough to know one another but active enough to offer family faith formation (Family of Faith K–12), a youth group for grades 9–12, sacramental preparation, a long-standing Knights of Columbus council (chartered 1910), Women's Bible Study, Catholic Mothers fellowship, a Bethany Guild for funeral meals, and a prayer chain. Weekly Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday after the 8 AM Mass until 6 PM anchors the parish's spiritual life, and outreach such as Mobile Meals serves more than 100 Colfax seniors each year.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 8:30 a.m.
- Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday 4:30 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
- Anytime by appointment
- Sunday (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. John): Followed by 10:00 a.m. Mass, and anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday immediately following the 8:00 a.m. Mass until 6:00 p.m.
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Colfax, Washington, is a faith community 'under the patronage and protection of Saint Patrick' and part of the Diocese of Spokane. Its published mission statement centers parish life on helping parishioners become holy through the Catholic faith, with the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist at the core. The parish encourages a way of life revolving around the Church's liturgical calendar—especially Sunday—and reaches out to members who cannot be physically present at liturgical celebrations. Through evangelization it welcomes new members and hands the faith on to children through a strong catechetical program, striving to build up the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
- Affirms patronage and protection of Saint Patrick
- Centers parish life on the Real Presence in the Eucharist
- Prioritizes the liturgical calendar, especially Sunday
- Outreach to homebound members
- Evangelization and family catechesis as core mission
History
St. Patrick Catholic Church was formed in 1878 to serve the Catholic community surrounding Colfax, Washington. During its earliest years, with no building yet erected, visiting priests celebrated Mass in local homes. The parish's first church was built in 1894–1895, and that structure was replaced by the present church building in 1959. The parish later established a mission, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. John, WA, and in May 1910 received the charter of the Colfax Council of the Knights of Columbus, which continues to serve the parish today with 120 members.
- Founded 1878
- Original church built 1894–1895
- Current church building erected 1959
- Mission parish Our Lady of Perpetual Help (St. John, WA) added later
- Knights of Columbus Colfax Council chartered May 1910
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Fr. Jeyabalan Jesuraj, with parish office and rectory contact handled through 509-397-3921 and [email protected]. Parish Hall reservations are coordinated by Laura Appel (397-9227, [email protected]). A parish prayer chain is supported through the Parish Office.
- Pastor: Fr. Jeyabalan Jesuraj
- Parish Office / Rectory: 509-397-3921
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Hall Reservations: Laura Appel, 397-9227
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education at St. Patrick is described as 'for the whole family.' The parish uses 'A Family of Faith' family catechesis from Sophia Institute Press for families with children K–12, offering parent-and-children classes once a month along with a community fellowship and family activity from October through May. Sacramental preparation in second grade supports parents in preparing children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The youth group for grades 9–12 includes apologetics along with additional group activities through the school year, and adult education in individual or small group lessons is available upon request and approval.
- Family of Faith catechesis (Sophia Institute Press), K–12
- Monthly parent & children classes Oct.–May with community fellowship
- Sacramental Preparation: Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation (Grade 2)
- Youth Group (Grades 9–12): apologetics + group activities
- Adult faith education by request/approval
Knights of Columbus
The Colfax Council of the Knights of Columbus received its charter in May 1910 and has provided support and service to St. Patrick Church continuously since that time. The council currently has 120 members, and its activities fall into five general areas: Church, Community, Family, Youth, and Council. The council meets on designated evenings — meetings are noted in the parish's community calendar.
- Chartered May 1910
- 120 members
- Five service areas: Church, Community, Family, Youth, Council
Parish Groups & Fellowship
Beyond catechesis and the Knights, the parish supports a number of lay-led groups for spiritual growth and mutual support. The Women's Bible Study meets Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and explores Scripture in its historical context, sharing faith and building camaraderie among parish women. Catholic Mothers is a group for all mothers in the tri-parish community that meets monthly for spiritual reflection, fellowship, and support. The Bethany Guild reaches out to grieving families by providing a meal after a funeral service. A parish Prayer Chain offers prayer support for those in need.
- Women's Bible Study — Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. (contact: Tenny Brannan)
- Catholic Mothers — monthly (contacts: Liz Appel, Jenny Hanson, Tammy Roberts)
- Bethany Guild — funeral meal outreach (contact: Karen Hinnenkamp)
- Prayer Chain — through the Parish Office (509-397-3921)
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council of the Catholic Community of Colfax is described as 'one of the most vital and important ministries in the parish.' Through the council, the priorities and directions of the parish are determined, new ministries are undertaken, budgets approved, and buildings built. It serves as the primary advisory or consultative body for the pastor, handles long-range planning, and addresses the pastoral concerns the pastor brings before it, working collaboratively with him in the council's workings.
- Determines parish priorities and directions
- Approves budgets and oversees building projects
- Primary advisory/consultative body for the pastor
- Engages in long-range planning
Outreach & Community Service — Mobile Meals
The Mobile Meals Program was established to serve seniors ages 60 and older in the Colfax community and currently feeds more than 100 Colfax community seniors each year. The program is described as relying on private donations to supplement dwindling government support; those wishing to volunteer are invited to contact Heidi Danaher.
- Serves seniors ages 60+ in Colfax
- Feeds more than 100 Colfax seniors annually
- Funded in part by private donations
- Volunteer contact: Heidi Danaher
Communications & Parish Resources
The parish maintains a website (stpatrickscolfaxwa.com) as its 'virtual home on the Internet,' with pages covering parish discovery, contact information for key persons, activities and programs, lector schedules, and a weekly parish bulletin. Visitors are always welcome to review and explore the site, and the parish posts important announcements on its home page to keep parishioners abreast of goings-on.
- Discover St. Patrick Parish (parish introduction)
- Contact Information for Key Persons
- Activities and Programs
- Schedules for Lectors
- St. Patrick's Weekly Parish Bulletin
- Community Calendar (parish events, e.g., Knights of Columbus meetings)
Visiting & Getting Involved
The parish invites visitors to come to Mass, attend Eucharistic Adoration, and explore parish groups. Practical ways to get involved include joining the prayer chain, volunteering for Mobile Meals, attending Women's Bible Study on Wednesday mornings, joining the Knights of Columbus, taking part in Catholic Mothers fellowship, or supporting the Bethany Guild. Parishioners with children are encouraged to enroll in the Family of Faith family catechesis program for K–12 children or sacramental preparation for second graders.
- Attend weekday Mass or weekend Mass
- Spend time in Thursday Eucharistic Adoration
- Volunteer with Mobile Meals or Bethany Guild
- Join Women's Bible Study, Catholic Mothers, Prayer Chain, or Knights of Columbus
- Enroll children in Family of Faith or Sacramental Preparation