Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."
St. Mary's was one of the earliest established churches and the first Catholic Community in Yucca Valley, originally a mission of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Twentynine Palms and Masses were offered at various locations and times. Considered a part of the Diocese of San Diego in 1953, Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, Bishop of the Diocese, sent Father Norman Smith to this growing desert community to establish a new parish. Father Smit obtained the use of a very small building on the site of the present Epsicopal Church, at the corner of Onaga and Church Streets and offered the first parish Mass on Palm Sunday 1953.
29 November 1953 Father Edward Creighton assumed St. Mary's pastoral duties. The first Sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated 06 February 1954 when Bishop Buddy confirmed fourteen. The First Holy Communion took place 30 May 1954 with four celebrants.
16 April 1954, Burton G. Ahola and Winifred K. Kozoil were the first couple married at St. Mary's. 25 October 1954 witnessed the sad occasion of the first funeral Mass when Mrs. Winifred Ahola (33 years of age) and her daughter Barbara Ahola (08 years of age) were killed in a traffic accident.
The Catholic extension society, a group that lends a hand to outlying parishes with limited resources, stepped forward with financial aid necessary to advance the development of St. Mary's. Ready help and support was forthcoming from the local parishioners and on 05 June 1955, they witnessed the fruition of their prayers and labors when Father Creighton offered the first Mass in their new home. At this special Mass, nine children received First Holy Communion. The needed addition of a parish hall followed, directed by local contractor Joe Arch, and the use of this facility began in 1956.
"The Old Church"
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Father Charles P Young performed pastoral duties during the absence of Father Creighton from late 1958 to 1959. Following his return Father Creighton remained serving the growing church for an additional seven years. When Father Creighton left in August 1966, a welcoming reception was held for Father Daniel J O'Donovan, who stayed to lead the faithful Catholic Community through a twenty-three year period of greater growth and change. Before departing for retirement to his homeland of Ireland in June 1989, Father O'Donovan had planted the seeds for a new, larger home for St. Mary of the Valley and much of the funding had been raised. Prior to Father O'Donovan's departure, parishioners enjoyed hosting his Golden Jubilee, 25 June 1989.
Father Edward Hayes, born in Cork, Ireland, a graduate of St. Patrick's College in Carlow, Ireland, ordained 15 June 1974, was St. Mary's next pastor. Along with his regular pastoral obligations, Father Eddie carried out the task of planing and over-seeing the construction of a new church.
This new church home had been eagerly anticipated, prayed and planned for, with parishioners working and sacrificing to realize the "dream come true". A groundbreaking ceremony took place on 24 October 1992, presided over by Most Reverend Bishop F. Straling, Bishop of San Bernardino. Bishop Straling was the first Bishop of the newly formed diocese of San Bernardino, when it was separated from that of San Diego 18 July 1978. Construction proceeded with Anton Meier as general contractor, David Miller architect, John Smith construction site coordinator and David Falossi, local sculptor who created the liturgical furnishings.
Sunday 29 May 1994 exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was held from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. The "packed house" congregation proceeded to the new church and service was concluded with Benediction, thus closing forty years of worship in the first St. Mary fo the Valley Catholic Community. Dedication of the NEW St. Mary's was celebrated at 12 noon, 12 June 1994, attended by an over-flow gathering of happy parishioners, guests and dignitaries.
The future vision of St. Mary's currently includes a new pastoral center. This center will house a multipurpose hall with kitchen, educational facilities for all ages, youth center, with offices and meeting rooms for these and other parish functions.
Parishioners were saddened to learn that Father Eddie had decided not to continue as pastor and a farewell party was hosted for him 25 June 1995. Appreciation was extended for the wonderful work he had accomplished is his six years stay.
Bishop Phillip Straling next appointed Father Raymond Rabatsky to assume St. Mary's leadership. Father Ray was ordained to the priesthood 24 March 1974. Believing that laughter was an important factor in life, he always had a pleasant little story to tell following Sunday worship. Suffering failing healt, Fr. Ray passed to Rest in Christ 12 June 1996. Parishioners were also saddened by the death of St. Mary's first Deacon, James Meader, a kind and caring man, 03 September 1996.
Continued
