About St. Peter Claver · Wapato, Washington
St. Peter Claver Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Wapato, Washington, located in the lower Yakima Valley and belonging to the Diocese of Yakima. It is a bilingual community that 'ministers people of different nationalities and cultures' — English, Spanish, and a vibrant Filipino Catholic community are all part of its life. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, baptism preparation in both languages, religious education, and an active RCIA process. Its patron, St. Peter Claver (1580–1654), was the Spanish Jesuit missionary to enslaved people in Cartagena, Colombia, recognized as the patron saint of enslaved people and of human rights — a fitting patron for a parish rooted in agricultural immigrant communities.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- St. Peter Claver (1580–1654), Spanish Jesuit priest, 'apostle of the enslaved,' patron saint of enslaved people and human rights
- Rector
- Rev. Roleto B. Amoy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Yakima
Why belong here
St. Peter Claver is one of the most welcoming, multicultural parishes in the lower Yakima Valley. A visitor can attend Mass in English or Spanish any day of the week, sit in Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, bring a child for bilingual baptism preparation, or join the RCIA process. The parish is the spiritual home of long-established Mexican-American Catholic families, a flourishing Filipino Catholic community (with Sinulog and Santo Niño festivities), and English-speaking neighbors — making it a place where several generations and cultures worship side by side.
Mass times at St. Peter Claver
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Or by appointment during office hours
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (right after the morning Mass)
Parish Identity & Patron Saint
St. Peter Claver Parish takes its name from the Spanish Jesuit priest St. Peter Claver (1580–1654), who is widely known as the 'Apostle of the Slaves' for his lifelong ministry to enslaved Africans in the port of Cartagena, Colombia. He is the patron saint of enslaved people and of human rights. The parish's choice of patron reflects the lived reality of its congregation: generations of Mexican-American farmworker families, Filipino immigrants, and other working-class Catholics who shaped Wapato and the lower Yakima Valley.
- Patron: St. Peter Claver (1580–1654)
- Feast Day: September 9
- Established: 1908
- Diocese: Diocese of Yakima
Baptism Preparation
St. Peter Claver runs two parallel baptism tracks — one in English, one in Spanish — so that parents can prepare in their heart language. Baptisms themselves are normally celebrated on the first Saturday of the month, and registration forms are available on the parish blog.
- English Baptism Class: every first Tuesday of the month
- Spanish Baptism Class (Clase de Bautismo): every last Friday of the month
- Baptisms: first Saturday of the month
- Registration form available on the parish website
Religious Education & RCIA
Faith formation for children and youth, as well as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for those seeking to become Catholic, are coordinated by the parish's Director of Religious Education. The parish has historically relied on lay catechists and bilingual preparation for sacraments.
- Director of Religious Education: Leticia Rios (email: [email protected])
- Office hours during religious-ed weeks: Mon–Wed 1:00–5:00 PM; Thu–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- RCIA: contact the parish office
Parish Staff & Councils
The parish is led by a pastor appointed by the Bishop of Yakima, supported by a deacon, parish secretary, office assistant, bookkeeper, and Director of Religious Education. Two advisory councils — Finance Council and Pastoral Council — help guide parish life and decision-making.
- Pastor: Rev. Roleto B. Amoy (assigned September 2017)
- Deacon: Genaro Ramos
- Parish Secretary & Dir. Religious Education: Leticia Rios
- Office Assistant: Diane Baluca
- Bookkeeper: Barbara Reil
- Finance Council Chair: Ricardo Garcia
- Pastoral Council Chair: Maria Vijarro
Filipino Catholic Community
Wapato has a large Filipino community, and St. Peter Claver is the spiritual home for many of its Catholic families. The parish celebrates the Santo Niño and the Sinulog Festival each year, gatherings that draw Filipinos from across the Yakima Valley.
- Feast of the Santo Niño (annual)
- Sinulog Celebration in Wapato (e.g., 2024 Sinulog Celebration sa Wapato)
- Venue for related gatherings: Wapato Filipino Hall, 211 W. Second St., Wapato
Office & Contact Information
Parish business is handled through the parish office, with bilingual staff available during posted hours.
- Address: 509 S. Satus Avenue, Wapato, WA 98951
- Telephone: (509) 877-2813
- Fax: (509) 584-0199
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours (regular): Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Roleto B. AmoySeptember 2017–present
Current pastor; appointed by Bishop Joseph J. Tyson.
- Rev. David J. JimenezJuly 1, 2016–2017
Listed as pastor in the 2017 Diocesan Directory.