Mass is celebrated in a beautiful building just a block off the main street in town. There are many locals at mass along with a large number of tourists from around the world. Most visitors come to see the
St. Pius X Catholic Church ∙ 122 West 400 North ∙ P.O. Box 636 ∙ Moab, Utah 84532 ∙ Phone: (435) 259-5211 ∙ Fax: (435) 259-3984 ∙ Website: http://www.stpiusxmoab.org/ (check website for mass times)
Father William (Bill) Wheaton greeted everyone and was very welcoming to visiting and regular parishioners. He gave an inspiring homily using a humorous analogy. Being in a remote location with missions, Father Bill is stretched and has learned to do with what he has given. For more information, please click on the link: http://www.icatholic.org/article/utahs-missions-pose-challenges-to-ministry-8138849
The tan brick building is easy to locate with the high-pitched grey metal roof and cross on top. There are a few entrances into church, via the stairs in the front or handicap entrance around back, where there's plenty of parking. Two signs are in front, one toward the street with mass times and a smaller to the left of the building. A wooden double door entry leads into the back of the church. The walls have honey maple wood paneling that match the pews that are in two sections with a main aisle and two smaller side aisles. Carved wooden Stations of the Cross are divided evenly between the two side walls and just above the purple and gold glass panels. The brown colored ceiling is high pitched with exposed beams with plenty of lighting. An organ is in an alcove along the left wall toward the altar area and just before music board.
The altar table is adorned in white linen since it is the 6th Sunday of Easter. A candle is on a floor pillar on each side of the table and the pascal candle is just to the right. Wooden chairs are behind the candle for the celebrants of the mass. A lovely adoration area for Mary is in the right corner of the altar area. There is a podium to the left of the altar table and music equipment along the back left wall, just before a statue of Joseph with baby Jesus. There are two doors along the altar back wall that must be used for storage and preparation. An exquisite crucifix commands attention with the glass behind and the circle that reminds me of His holiness. An intricate carving of Jesus is similar to the detail that is shown on the panels on the sides of the tabernacle area that lead the to the ceiling. The tabernacle is gold-tone and has a white floral arrangement on each side.
The entrance to the vestment room is along the back wall and just next to the confessional. A plaque, a beautiful statue of Saint Pius X, baptismal font and picture of Jesus are along the back wall as well. Two glass doors along the back corner lead to the bathroom and hallway to the hall and other rooms. Above the confessionals and toward the ceiling pitch is a long banner that states, "St. Pius X Parish, A Community in Moab since 1955."
Thank you to Father Bill and the kind people who sat nearby. You helped make this pilgrim stop even more special. God, thank you for the blessings you have bestowed upon me today. Help me share your generosity and love. Amen.