Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, also known as Parroquia Santo Redentor, is at 1707 S 3rd Ave in Yakima in the Diocese of Yakima. Founded in 1962, it is known for a bilingual Catholic life: English and Spanish Masses, Eucharistic adoration, a substantial program of sacramental and faith formation, and ministries that reach homebound adults, families, men, women, and young people. A Holy Redeemer church is not simply a building; it is a community of the People of God, with the Eucharist at the heart of parish life.
From a New Parish in 1962
The parish was established on October 11, 1962, the day the Second Vatican Council opened and the announcement was made from Rome. Holy Redeemer was founded by people who trusted in the Lord and gathered under their bishop. A parish takes shape when the bishop establishes boundaries for an expanding flock, appoints a pastor, and the pastor gathers the people and builds a shelter for them. That pastoral story anchors a Yakima parish within the Diocese of Yakima, where worship, formation, sacramental life and service continue to shape the community.
Father Kurt Hadley serves as pastor, and Rev. Mr. Duane Berger serves as deacon. Maria Elena Ponce coordinates religious education. Carol Berger leads Thursday Adoration, and Janet LeBeau leads the Bereavement Ministry. Their work supports a parish that sees the Mass as the center of its life and sees formation and service as ways of sharing that life beyond the church doors.
Mass in English and Spanish Across the Week
- Saturday: English Mass at 5:00 p.m.; Spanish Mass at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday: English Mass at 9:00 a.m.; Spanish Mass at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Weekdays: English Mass at 8:00 a.m.
- Thursday: Spanish Mass at 6:00 p.m.
All celebrations take place at Holy Redeemer, 1707 S 3rd Ave in Yakima. Mass is the central act of Catholic worship, and the parish understands it as the saving death and resurrection of Jesus made present. The celebration has two parts. In the Liturgy of the Word, Scripture is proclaimed, the Psalm is sung, the homily is given, and the community professes its faith. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the community offers prayers, brings forward the gifts of bread and wine, and receives the Body and Blood of Jesus.
Holy Redeemer teaches that the risen Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, describing the conversion of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ as transubstantiation. The Mass is therefore understood as more than a spoken gathering: it is the sacramental expression of the Church, a place where the congregation is fed by the Word, joined in the Body of Christ and sent forth to proclaim the Good News. The Nicene Creed is recited each Sunday at Mass.
Thursday Adoration and Saturday Confession
Thursdays are anchored by Eucharistic Adoration from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This recurring period before the Blessed Sacrament gives the parish a substantial weekday prayer rhythm. Carol Berger's Thursday Adoration ministry helps organize this ministry, connecting the weekly prayerful gathering with the rest of Holy Redeemer's sacramental life.
Confession is available on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The parish teaches that the Sacrament of Reconciliation forgives sins committed after Baptism and restores the person to communion with God and the Church. Its four steps are:
- Contrition for sin and conversion of the heart.
- Confession of sins and human sinfulness to a priest.
- Acceptance of forgiveness and absolution.
- Celebration of God's everlasting love and commitment to Christian life.
Individual confession with a priest is the principal means of absolution for grave sins, and only ordained priests have the authority to absolve sins in the name of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is also understood as a path toward repairing relationships with God, self and others. Holy Redeemer recognizes that mature examination of sin includes thoughts, actions, omissions and the effects of sin on the wider community.
Wednesday RCIA and the Return to Catholic Life
RCIA classes meet every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Redeemer for registered participants. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a communal process of formal initiation into the Catholic Church. It restores the Church's ancient pattern of conversion, study, profession of faith and reception of the sacraments. Unbaptized adults and older children are invited to participate, as are people already baptized in another Christian tradition who seek full communion through the Eucharist and Confirmation.
The process introduces participants to the liturgy, the teachings of the Church and the way Catholics live. Regular ritual acts mark the journey, while prayer, faith-sharing, Scripture and the customs and doctrine of the Church support the formation of the whole community. Sponsors and the RCIA team accompany participants, helping them explore the faith and discern whether they are ready to become members of the Catholic community.
RCIA develops through several stages:
- Pre-Catechumenate: The Period of Inquiry, a time of seeking, reflection and openness to the call of Christ.
- Catechumenate: The longest phase, devoted to learning and formation through Scripture, shared stories, worship and study of the Church's traditions and doctrine.
- Rite of Election: Catechumens and candidates are chosen by the bishop and community to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
- Sacraments of Initiation: At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, those elected receive Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation and are formally welcomed into the community of believers.
- Mystagogy: A period of reflection and celebration after formal reception, helping new members explore the mystery of the faith and carry its mission into daily life.
Holy Redeemer also welcomes Catholics who have stopped actively participating in the Church. Its message to returning Catholics is direct: they are always welcome back. Whether someone is coming for a brief visit, searching for a parish home, returning to active Catholic life or considering conversion, the parish offers a path into its communal worship and formation.
Baptism, Confirmation, and the Other Sacraments
The seven sacraments frame the parish's sacramental life: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders. Each is described as a source of grace that expresses and builds up faith.
Baptism at the Fourth Saturday of Each Month
Baptism introduces a person into divine life, cleanses sin and initiates membership in the Christian community. Water symbolizes cleansing and renewal; oil connects the baptized person with Christ as priest, prophet and king; light represents Christ and the call to share that light; and the white garment signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life. Adults who have not been baptized are ordinarily initiated at the Easter Vigil through the restored Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. People who have received a valid Christian baptism are not baptized again in the Catholic Church.
Baptism classes meet on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m., and baptisms are held on the fourth Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Registration and documentation are required at least three weeks before the class date. Families bring a completed registration form, the child's birth certificate, applicable Catholic marriage and confirmation certificates for sponsors, and the $50 class fee.
Confirmation and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Confirmation perfects baptismal grace through the anointing of chrism and the laying on of hands by the bishop. Those confirmed renew their baptismal promises and are strengthened to bear witness to their Christian faith through words and deeds. Holy Redeemer's Confirmation preparation is divided into three groups that meet at 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall.
Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing
The Eucharist stands at the center of the Church's sacramental life. At Mass, the community is fed by the Word and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ. Receiving Communion signifies and effects the unity of the community and strengthens the Body of Christ. The parish teaches that those who have received First Holy Communion are welcome to receive the Eucharist, while those in mortal sin must first receive absolution through the sacrament of penance.
The Anointing of the Sick can be administered to anyone struggling with illness, not only to someone approaching death. Its healing is not necessarily physical; it gives strength, support and comfort and recalls God's presence in human suffering. Ideally, the sacrament is celebrated communally, and the priest blesses the oil with a prayer for healing in body, soul and spirit.
Marriage and Holy Orders
Marriage is a visible sign of God's love for the Church and a covenantal union that gives spouses the grace for a lifelong bond of faithful and fruitful love. The parish takes the permanence of this covenant seriously, describing Christian marriage as the union of Christ and the Church and a reflection of the Holy Trinity.
Holy Orders continues the mission entrusted by Christ to the apostles through three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate and diaconate. Ordination is the rite by which the bishop confers the sacrament through the laying on of hands and a prayer for the graces of the Holy Spirit required for ministry. Priests, deacons and bishops continue the work begun by the apostles, while the baptized share in the Church's priesthood through prayer, thanksgiving, witness, self-denial and active charity.
Religious Education, Prayer, and FORMED
Holy Redeemer places faith formation at the center of parish life. The parish is described as a center of formation for Catholics of every age, with each child and adult on a personal journey toward Christ and discipleship. Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation gives younger Catholics structured formation in the sacraments and the Church's life. OCIA and RCIC preparation accompany young people who are receiving the sacraments of initiation.
The parish also encourages adults to deepen their understanding of Catholic faith. RCIA provides a formal path into the Church, while prayer, study and the liturgical life of the parish support continued growth. The FORMED program extends that formation through Catholic video content that can be used on a phone, tablet or television. Tutorials explain how to download the FORMED app for different devices.
Prayer at Holy Redeemer is understood as communion with God. It may be public or personal, spoken or silent, and the Psalms remain central prayers of the Church. Traditional prayers include the Grace before Meals, Glory to the Father, the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, Act of Contrition and Hail Holy Queen. Alongside these familiar prayers, the parish recognizes silent prayer and meditation, Lectio Divina with Scripture, and keeping a prayer journal for needs, thoughts and reflections.
The Parish's Turn Through the Liturgical Year
The life of Holy Redeemer follows the Church's universal liturgical year. The rhythm moves through these seasons:
- Advent: The four Sundays before Christmas mark the beginning of the liturgical year.
- Christmas: The season begins on Christmas Eve, continues through the Epiphany and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and concludes with the Baptism of the Lord in January.
- Lent: The forty-day season of repentance and renewal begins on Ash Wednesday and continues through the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.
- The Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday commemorate the Last Supper, crucifixion and burial. The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night welcomes new members into the Church.
- Easter: The season celebrates Christ's resurrection and victory over death, his Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
- Ordinary Time: This season explores Christ's mission and message through the Gospels and includes Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi and the Solemnity of Christ the King.
Throughout the year, solemnities, feasts and memorials commemorate especially important events and people in the Church's tradition. These observances shape the worship and teaching of the parish alongside the regular Sunday and weekday Masses.
What It Means to Be Catholic at Holy Redeemer
Holy Redeemer's Catholic identity is grounded in the Trinity: God is revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a communion of knowledge and love. God created human beings in love, and the dignity of the person stands above all else. The Incarnation is the ultimate sign of God's love because God became human in Jesus. The crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus form the Paschal Mystery at the center of Catholic worship, especially in the Mass.
Revelation is received through Sacred Scripture and Tradition. The Church is one, holy, Catholic and apostolic, united under the Pope as chief pastor and the bishops in apostolic succession. Ordained clergy and the lay faithful have distinct roles, but together they form the living Body of Christ and are called to spread the Gospel and minister to people in need. The communion of saints, including Mary, Mother of God, is part of Catholic life, and prayer to Mary and the saints seeks their intercession.
Faith is joined to a responsibility for stewardship: everything comes from God, and people are called to share their time, talent and treasure with those around them. Catholic social teaching places special care on human dignity, the poor, the environment, just working conditions and equal treatment of people. The parish's immigration-justice message is that people are one family under God. Prayer, worship, moral formation and service therefore belong together in the life of Holy Redeemer.
Knights, Families, Women, Youth, and Evening Prayer
Parish life offers ways to participate through both worship and service. Its liturgical ministries include choir members, lectors, altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. Extraordinaries, readers and ushers also have their own ministry schedules. These roles make it possible for more of the community to assist at Mass and help the celebration of the liturgy.
Several groups meet for regular fellowship and formation:
- Knights of Columbus Council 17257 Monsignor Romero meets at the parish office on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
- The San Andrés Santo Redentor Evangelization School gathers on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. for prayer and praise.
- Familias Misioneras de Cristo welcomes people together with their families for shared Catholic life and mission.
- The parish women's ministry welcomes women to a morning of fellowship and learning.
Youth ministry is another part of parish life, giving young people a place to share faith and take part in the wider community. The parish also names an annual bazaar among its communal activities. The Bereavement Ministry, led by Janet LeBeau, accompanies the parish community in a ministry of care around loss and bereavement. Together with the liturgical groups, these ministries offer different ways to use time and talent for the Church and for other people.
Serving Beyond the Church Doors
Holy Redeemer's social-justice ministries include visiting homebound people, serving those who are poor, volunteering at food pantries and volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. These ministries extend the parish's concern for the dignity of the human person beyond the celebration of the sacraments. Catholic Charities of Central Washington also offers volunteer opportunities that the parish highlights as another way to serve.
The parish connects service to the wider responsibilities of Catholic social teaching. These teachings call attention to people experiencing poverty, the needs of the sick and homebound, the dignity of every human being from conception through natural life, care for the environment, and the creation of fairer working and economic conditions. Its immigration-justice work reflects the conviction that people are one family under God, even when they are far from home.
Newcomers, Returning Catholics, and Parish Giving
Holy Redeemer welcomes people in several circumstances: those visiting briefly, those looking for a new parish home, returning Catholics, and those who simply want to learn more about the Catholic Church. The parish identifies four paths: registering as a new parishioner, returning to active Catholic life, exploring Catholic beliefs, and becoming Catholic through RCIA. Parish registration is available online, and directions to Holy Redeemer bring visitors to 1707 S 3rd Ave.
Online giving provides one-time or recurring donations through the parish's secure giving platform. Donors can schedule gifts for a future date or recurring payment schedule, use a credit card, adjust contribution amounts and review upcoming and past gifts. Donations are credited to the annual tax statement unless given anonymously, and an account provides round-the-clock access for managing contributions.
The parish office is at 1707 S 3rd Ave in Yakima. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The general parish telephone number is 509-248-2241, and the parish email is holyredeemeryk@yakimadiocese.org.
At the center of Holy Redeemer is the Eucharist, surrounded by bilingual worship, weekly adoration, confession, formation for every age, family groups, service and the sacramental life of the Church. From its founding in 1962 to its work in the Diocese of Yakima, Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish gathers at 1707 S 3rd Ave as a community of faith, prayer and service.