May tends to start the traveling season in Utah with kids on vacation. If you find yourself about twenty-five miles north of Bryce Canyon National Park on a Sunday, please stop and attend church. Located in Panguitch, Utah is Saint Gertrude Catholic Mission ∙ 2 miles out of town on Panguitch Lake Road ∙ Panguitch UT 84759 ∙ Phone (435) 586-8298 ∙ Mailing Address: 690 South Cove Drive ∙ Cedar City, UT 84720. St. Gertrude Mission is a part of Cedar City's parish, Christ the King.
A “mission” is generally a small group of individuals who have formed a community that at some point would become a parish. Generally a mission is an offshoot of a “mother parish” or a completely new community which is started in an area where there had formerly been no Roman Catholic presence. does not have an assigned pastor of its own but has a priest visit with some regularity, sometimes even
A “mission” is generally a small group of individuals who have formed a community that at some point would become a parish. Generally a mission is an offshoot of a “mother parish” or a completely new community which is started in an area where there had formerly been no Roman Catholic presence. does not have an assigned pastor of its own but has a priest visit with some regularity, sometimes even
weekly. When the mission has grown sufficiently that it can support a priest of its own, it is usually elevated to the status of a “parish” or “church.”
As my pilgrim train pulled to a stop, the church was off to the left with ample parking spaces. For some reason, it felt very quiet and peaceful in the surroundings and perfect for Pentecost Sunday. Between the sign by the street and the cross on top of the mission, it was easy to locate the building. Because this is a mission, the clergy has to travel quite a ways to come and this church. The parishioners recognize this as you can tell by the "Priest Parking Only" sign located in front of one of the spaces in the parking lot. I am sure that the clergy appreciates the fact that they don't have to look for spaces and are respected.
After entering through the two sets of double doors, I arrived in the reception room area, which doubles as the back of church. The first item I noticed was the solid brass ornate Holy Water Font and have it pictured below. (I will be calling the inside of the building a church and not mission, because I feel we go to 'church' and not 'mission'. Perhaps it is wrong of me, but I am willing to deal with that.) On with the virtual tour. You enter in an area that is used for the reception after mass and directly to the left is the church portion. The two areas can easily be separated by a partition curtain that is also pictured below. There are two rows of pews and the altar is against the main wall. Directly behind the wall is a beautiful wooden panel that forms an arrow that leads your eye up to the cross and then to heaven. Directly to the left of the cross is the lecture podium and a lovely picture of Joseph. To the right of the the altar is a beautiful carving of Mary with baby Jesus. The Stations of the Cross line both the right and left sides of the church. They have a simple cross, but with a detailed square ceramic tile that illustrates each station.
Today's mass was a bit different because of the absence of a priest. This type of service is called a Liturgy of Communion and Deacon Denny was the officiant. Deacon Denny brought the Precious Body of our Lord having been reserved at Christ the King's Tabernacle prior to this service. Father Bob was not present during this Pentecost Sunday service, but that did not detour from the spirituality at all. One of the most amazing things I couldn't help but notice both before and after service, was the stewardship by the parishioners of this church. There are more of these 'helpers/volunteers' by percentage than anywhere I have been to thus far. Approximately seventy-five percent of the parishioners had an active roll while I was there. This parish would not survive without help and neither would any other parish, but the percentage is amazing. God has blessed them with a gift that keeps on giving. The parishioners were also very friendly and hospitable to each other and the many visiting from out-of-town that day. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. - 1 Peter 4:10
I pray that Saint Gertrude Catholic Mission/Church and its parishioners continues to be blessed by God's graces. Thank you to all for making this Church-Hopping Pilgrim feel very welcome and blessed.
As my pilgrim train pulled to a stop, the church was off to the left with ample parking spaces. For some reason, it felt very quiet and peaceful in the surroundings and perfect for Pentecost Sunday. Between the sign by the street and the cross on top of the mission, it was easy to locate the building. Because this is a mission, the clergy has to travel quite a ways to come and this church. The parishioners recognize this as you can tell by the "Priest Parking Only" sign located in front of one of the spaces in the parking lot. I am sure that the clergy appreciates the fact that they don't have to look for spaces and are respected.
After entering through the two sets of double doors, I arrived in the reception room area, which doubles as the back of church. The first item I noticed was the solid brass ornate Holy Water Font and have it pictured below. (I will be calling the inside of the building a church and not mission, because I feel we go to 'church' and not 'mission'. Perhaps it is wrong of me, but I am willing to deal with that.) On with the virtual tour. You enter in an area that is used for the reception after mass and directly to the left is the church portion. The two areas can easily be separated by a partition curtain that is also pictured below. There are two rows of pews and the altar is against the main wall. Directly behind the wall is a beautiful wooden panel that forms an arrow that leads your eye up to the cross and then to heaven. Directly to the left of the cross is the lecture podium and a lovely picture of Joseph. To the right of the the altar is a beautiful carving of Mary with baby Jesus. The Stations of the Cross line both the right and left sides of the church. They have a simple cross, but with a detailed square ceramic tile that illustrates each station.
Today's mass was a bit different because of the absence of a priest. This type of service is called a Liturgy of Communion and Deacon Denny was the officiant. Deacon Denny brought the Precious Body of our Lord having been reserved at Christ the King's Tabernacle prior to this service. Father Bob was not present during this Pentecost Sunday service, but that did not detour from the spirituality at all. One of the most amazing things I couldn't help but notice both before and after service, was the stewardship by the parishioners of this church. There are more of these 'helpers/volunteers' by percentage than anywhere I have been to thus far. Approximately seventy-five percent of the parishioners had an active roll while I was there. This parish would not survive without help and neither would any other parish, but the percentage is amazing. God has blessed them with a gift that keeps on giving. The parishioners were also very friendly and hospitable to each other and the many visiting from out-of-town that day. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. - 1 Peter 4:10
I pray that Saint Gertrude Catholic Mission/Church and its parishioners continues to be blessed by God's graces. Thank you to all for making this Church-Hopping Pilgrim feel very welcome and blessed.
 Street sign for the church  A unique cross I saw on one of the walls  The lecture podium and Joseph in the background  One of the Stations of the Cross |  A very handy sign, especially when the clergy has to travel.  The Altar  Beautiful carving of Mary with Jesus  Curtains after mass close for receptions |  A beautiful brass Holy Water Font located just inside the doors of church.  A close-up of the altar with Deacon Denny  Right side of church  One side of the Reception Hall |
Directions:
From town of Panguitch, turn on Panguitch Lake Road. Pass East 795 Street and just before 980 South, the mission is on the left. Just look for the bell tower. If you get to 980 South, turn back and it's a matter of yards behind you, but it will now be on your right.
There is no physical address to look up so the little yellow man
(on the left) is facing the virtual mission on the map.
From town of Panguitch, turn on Panguitch Lake Road. Pass East 795 Street and just before 980 South, the mission is on the left. Just look for the bell tower. If you get to 980 South, turn back and it's a matter of yards behind you, but it will now be on your right.
There is no physical address to look up so the little yellow man
(on the left) is facing the virtual mission on the map.
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