Ely is situated in the eastern part of Nevada 6435 feet above sea level. Nestled between the Steptoe and Ward Mountain ranges, this high desert mining town of 5000 people sports many interesting seasons. We can have a beautiful warm summer, a short fall, a long winter, and a short spring. It can snow as early as September 24th and as late as May 11th. Ely residents, though a small community, have a variety of religions to choose from, for example Catholics, Baptist, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Greek Orthodox, Latter Day Saints, and Jehovah Witnesses. The Nevada Northern Railroad and mining in Ely attracted many different ethnic groups, Hispanics, Italians, Croatians, French and Spanish Basques, Greeks, and Chinese. Two colony sites of the Shoshone Indian tribe are also part of our parish. The main Shoshone Indian Reservation is located in Duckwater which is about 70 miles southwest of Ely.
Because we are in a rural area, hunting deer, elk, mountain sheep, and antelope is a major sporting event. People rely on this food and so we lose some of our parishioners at the weekend. They can be found in the “Chapel of the Mountains!”
This picture was taken on the way to Baker. The peak in the distance is Mt. Wheeler. Baker sits at the bottom. Mt. Wheeler is 13,000 ft. above sea level and is the center of Great Basin National Park. Our famous Lehman Caves are one of the many features of the park.
My ministry here began three years ago, when I came to Sacred Heart Parish, my home town and home parish, to serve as the Director of Religious Education. It was a whole new career for me as I had been an elementary school teacher for the last 27 years. A very dedicated staff of volunteer Catechists made the transition go very smoothly. We have nearly one hundred children in our program in grades one to ten. A volunteer Catechist in Duckwater instructs young Native American Catholics.
Last year, the program was extended to Baker, NV which is 60 miles southeast of Ely. A volunteer Catechist works with Hispanic families in Baker. Parents of the children are employed in the ranches of the area. A Communion Service is celebrated with the families twice a month. The children love to do the readings and prayers of the faithful. Celebrations for Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas, and Easter as well as the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation are joyful and truly celebratory events.
Another ministry here is visiting the ill and elderly, bringing Holy Communion to the Care Center and Hospital. Volunteers and I serve thirty of our parishioners at the moment.
White Pine Care Centre
We intend to extend visitation to all the families in the parish. I’ve known most of the parishioners all my life. Some of my past pupils still live here and some of them are now volunteers in our parish ministries as catechists and care of the church ministry.
Two years ago we had 13 parishioners of all ages, in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) Program. They received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. What a wonderful experience it is to work with people as they deepen their relationship with God. We journey together from late September, through the Easter Vigil, and on until the end of May. Many stories are told and in the sharing of these stories we became aware of God’s presence within each individual person.
Pre-Baptism Classes are another one of our ministries. Classes are offered in Spanish and English. We had 12 infant Baptisms last year and 17 so far this year.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is our Sunday School Program. Anywhere from 5 – 20 children leave Mass during the readings and homily to attend class. Basic prayers and Gospel readings from the Children’s Lectionary form the content of classes where we have lively and interesting discussions!
My ministry gives me great joy in serving God’s people in Ely, Nevada. I know about the very cold and long winters and the feeling of isolation being away from Community. However, God has granted me a special opportunity to minister in my home parish and for this I am truly grateful.
Sandy DiCianno rsm
US Province
