Parish celebrates 60th anniversary November 17

photo courtesy of St. Elizabeth Parish

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Father Hernando Diaz stands outside St. Elizabeth Church in Monroe. The parish he pastors has a rich history. It's 60th anniversary will be celebrated Sunday, November 17 with a special Mass and festivities. 

MONROE —Since Dominican Father Joseph Valine became the first pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in 1947, the presence of the Catholic Church has been visible in Richfield, Ephraim, Gunnison, Torrey, Monroe, and all 30 towns and villages of the Central-Eastern region of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. This parish’s mission territory covers 12,000 square miles of the most beautiful country in the United States, from Fairview and Fount Green up north to Junction and Circleville down south and Torrey and Capitol Reef, in the eastern corner.

Our Patroness

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Born in 1207, the daughter of Andrew II, king of Hungary, Elizabeth was promised shortly after her birth to Louis, hereditary duke of Thuringia. At the age of 4, she was taken in a silver cradle to the castle of Marburg in Hungary, where her 11-year-old betrothed awaited her. They married in 1220 at the ages of 20 and 13, and had four children. Her husband went on one of the crusades, and died in the effort.

Elizabeth and her children were driven out of court by her dead husband’s uncle, who took her position as ruler, causing her great suffering. Finally, she was rescued by the Franciscans, who were keeping a promise they had made to her husband to protect his wife and children. His uncle, the usurper of the crown, and his mother then allowed Elizabeth and her children to return to court and recognizing their succession to the crown.

In 1227, Elizabeth became a Franciscan Tertiary and in 1229, she founded a convent of Franciscan sisters. She died at the young age of 24. Miracles were reported at her tomb, and Pope Gregory IX canonized her in 1235.

St. Elizabeth was known for her great charity and for building hospitals and orphanages. She lived a life of exceptional poverty and humility, wearing the Franciscan habit under her royal robes. She was proclaimed "Patroness of the Poor," and Pope Benedict XVI called her a new model for all Europeans this past summer. We are proud to celebrate our Patroness’ feast on Nov. 17 with Mass at 5 p.m., followed by a spaghetti dinner.

Our Parish History

Because of the distances to travel and the immense territory to be covered, the pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish and her missions must be a real missionary, capable of daily driving, always on the road, and ready for inclement weather. Nonetheless, throughout the parish’s 60-year history, it has had strong and faithful priests and pastors, ready to face the challenges of preaching the Gospel and making community in an extraordinary place. The last names of the priests who have served here are: Valine, Cullen, Curran, Flegge, Lucero, Rodriguez, Wixted, Robertson, Winterer, Montoya, Sandoval, Virgen, Sciumbato, Pires, Vidal, Elliot, and for the past four years, Father Hernando Diaz.

Until 1981, church celebrations were held in a house arranged as a little chapel east of the Taco Time Restaurant in Richfield. In 1984, a drive was started to obtain land for a church. Seven acres on the way to Monroe were purchased. Bishop William K. Weigand and some Sisters of the Holy Cross, along with then-Pastor Father Clarence Sandoval, with the help of the parish community, built the church, which was finished in 1991. Many generous donations were received from parishioners, donors from California, and the Catholic Church Extension Society. St. Elizabeth Parish became home to all Catholics living in Sevier County.

St. Elizabeth Parish’s

Missions

• St. Jude Mission, Ephriam: Until 1984, the Eucharist was celebrated at one of the rooms at Snow College, or in private homes. In 1984, a house was bought by the diocese and Father Michael Winterer began serving the Catholics in the area and students at Snow College. From this house, Holy Cross Sisters traveled to provide pastoral care, formation classes, and immigration services to people coming to work in the turkey plants of the region. With assistance from the Extension Society, generous donations, a church was built and blessed in 1984. Today we offer two Masses at St. Jude; one in English for 50 people, and one in Spanish for 250 people. St. Jude Mission serves the Catholics of Sanpete County.

• Saint Anthony of the Desert Mission, Torrey, began when five acres of land were donated by the Hendrickson family. In 1990, Bishop Weigand consecrated the new church for the Catholics of Torrey, Bicknell, Loa, Boulder, and surrounding areas of Wayne County. Tourists visiting the canyons and Capitol Reef find a Catholic presence there. The Diocese of Salt Lake City, the Catholic Church Extension Society, and members of St. Anthony Parish donated to make it possible to build the church.

• San Juan Diego Mission was founded to serve the spiritual needs of the mostly immigrant families in Fayette, Gunnison, Centerfield, Mayfield, and surrounding areas. To protect and keep their faith strong, a Catholic church was needed. Bishop George Niederauer and Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald bought the old post office building in Gunnison at the suggestion of Richard Salvitti, diocesan director of real estate, and with the assistance of the Catholic Church Extension Society and Juan Diego Catholic High School. On Dec. 11, 2005, Bishop Niederauer came to Gunnison to bless the Chapel of San Juan Diego.

• Prison Ministry at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison has been served out of St. Elizabeth Parish since the parish was first established. Many of the prison’s 1,300 inmates attend our Friday Mass. It is a wonderful experience to be able to support and help our suffering members at the prison.

We cannot forget the Sisters of St. Benedict, who served at St. Michael’s Hospital from 1960 -1963, and the Holy Cross Sisters who served in the area from 1983-1997. Retired Deacon Jim McElfresh served St. Elizabeth Parish from 1982-2004.

Fr. Diaz continues to fulfill the parish mission, "to embark on the spiritual journey, to explore the mystery of Christ, and become empowered to teach and proclaim the Gospel."

For comments or contributions, call 1-435-896-5539.