The Rectory's new entrance location has added a new door, front walkway and a wider parking area.

Dear Parishioners, 

   A question has been raised regarding the Rectory, the pastor's house for serving the Catholic Parishes of South Stevens County (SSC), and how the renovation project is being funded.

   In the past there were several priests in this area to serve each of the different Catholic communities. Because of the priest shortage and dwindling and aging congregations, these parishes are a fraction of the community they once were. There is need now for only one priest to serve this entire area.

   The Diocese of Spokane decided to put Sacred Heart, Holy Ghost, St. Joseph and St. Mary’s under one Priest/Pastor. At first the Priest who served these communities lived at Valley because that is where the original Rectory was located. Then some years ago, a decision was made to sell the Rectory in Valley and relocate the priest to the convent that is on St. Mary’s property in Chewelah. When the convent was first moved to St. Mary’s property, an agreement was made that when the nuns no longer needed it, the ownership of the building would revert to St. Mary of the Rosary.

   It has been the expressed wish of the Bishop and the Diocese of Spokane that a proper Rectory be provided for the priest who serves these parishes of SSC. The convent renovation is presently underway to create a more suitable priest's residence/rectory. To fund the project, I decided to draw on the funds of the sale of the rectory in Valley with the approval of the SSC Finance Council. Some have said that that is, “Valley’s money and why is it going to Chewelah? That money should stay in Valley.” My response is that the Rectory in Valley, now sold, was to house the priest who served Holy Ghost, who also now serves St. Mary's and Sacred Heart. So the proceeds from the sale of that original Rectory are still being used to house the priest who will continue to serve all the SSC parishes including those located in Valley.

    The reality is that the four parishes in South Stevens County, for the foreseeable future, will only be served by one priest. As you may realize all across the country parishes are closing because of lack of priests, resources and dwindling and aging congregations. An argument could be made to close some parishes here if they cannot support or financially sustain a priest living here. However, by renovating the former convent into a proper Rectory, we are ensuring that there will be a place for the priest to live who serves all these parishes and thus helping secure a future in keeping all our churches open. 

    Another way to look at it is that Holy Ghost is providing the funds to renovate the convent while St. Mary's has provided the land and the structure. We are grateful that both these parishes have been able to provide resources to secure a Rectory for their priest who serves them.

   Though we have four different parishes geographically and historically, this community is served by one Pastor. We have to start thinking and acting as one community of parishes. Together we can be viable, individually we can’t. My hope is that we will see the Rectory not as St. Mary's Rectory but as the South Stevens County Rectory.

The 2023 Catholic Extension Feasts and Saints calendars have finally arrived! 

We apologize for the delay. Calendars are available at each parish and in the parish office. Please take one.