128-year-old Catholic church in Pocatello receives special designation as Jubilee begins

POCATELLO – Despite the Pope’s nearly month-long hospitalization, Jubilee continues for Catholics around the world and a local church has been designated a sacred site for that occasion.

For more than 2,000 years, the Pope has declared a jubilee every 25 years in commemoration of the “anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord,” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It’s a Holy Year for members of the faith to strengthen their relationship with God by traveling to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to obtain spiritual grace and blessings.

Catholic churches across the globe are designated as sacred sites for those unable to visit Rome who still want to participate.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 439 North Hayes Avenue in Pocatello is one of two chapels in Idaho designated as a sacred site. Most Reverend Peter F. Christensen, the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, issued this designation in a declaration dated Feb. 6.

“I hereby declare and decree St. Joseph’s Chapel in Pocatello, Idaho, a sacred place and pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Boise,” the declaration says.

The Diocese of Boise, according to its website, encompasses the entire state and includes 51 parishes, 31 stations and 25 chapels. St. Joseph’s Chapel is one of three churches in the Holy Spirit Catholic Community, which has about 300 members.

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The declaration cites multiple reasons why St. Joseph’s received this designation. Among them is the fact that it’s the oldest continuously operating Catholic Church in Idaho. A history of the parish says it was completed in 1897, making it 128-years-old.

It’s also a former cathedral for the diocese. St. John’s Cathedral in Boise, the other Idaho chapel designated as a sacred site, serves that function today.

“The church (in Pocatello) represents a spiritual bridge between past generations of Idaho Catholics and the present, creating a tangible connection to the faith heritage of the area,” Christensen writes in the declaration. “Its location enhances regional pilgrimage opportunities, allowing Catholics from smaller towns and rural areas to participate in Jubilee celebrations.”

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pocatello. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com

Kathleen Lewis, chair of the Holy Spirit Catholic Community, tells EastIdahoNews.com those who visit a sacred site during Jubilee are granted a plenary indulgence. In an Idaho State Journal article, Brad Bugger, a Catholic living in Pocatello, describes an indulgence as “a way to reduce punishment for sins that are already forgiven.”

“To obtain these indulgences, pilgrims can take part in special Masses, prayers, liturgical celebrations or penitential rites at these sacred sites,” Bugger writes.

Father Emile Parafiniuk, the pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Community, is out of town this week and was unavailable for comment. But he told the Journal that St. Joseph’s will be much more accessible during this Jubilee Year and they’re planning special events in connection with this event.

Nothing has been finalized, but they’re looking at holding Masses for special groups, hosting Stations of the Cross, adoration of the Holy Eucharist, night prayer vigils and Rosary processions. Special marches and gatherings at St. Joseph’s are being discussed as well.

Parafiniuk anticipates people from out of state taking advantage of the St. Joseph’s designation.

“I think the pilgrims will be coming from the whole state of Idaho, and even Utah, Montana and Wyoming, because there are not many churches (that have been designated as sacred sites),” he told the Journal. “For us, it is a great opportunity to show the beauty of St. Joseph’s Church to other people.”

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Jubilee typically has a theme. Pope Francis has declared 2025 a year of hope for members of the faith. Christensen noted that in the conclusion of his declaration about St. Joseph’s Chapel.

“May the church in Idaho come to know the truth reflected in the title of Pope Francis’ announcement of this Jubilee Year: Hope does not disappoint,” Christensen writes.