The world renown city of Las Vegas, Nevada and its’ suburbs was the fastest growing among the largest U.S. cities between 2000 and 2010. It is estimated that there are several thousand Polish speaking Catholics and many more Catholics of Polish heritage or ancestry living here.
For many years pastoral ministry to Polonia was restricted to a monthly Mass with a priest coming from Utah or flying in from Chicago for Mass and confessions.

Attempts by lay leaders of the Polish Catholic Community to bring a priest to reside in Las Vegas were finally successful, when the Society of Christ for Polonia (Towarzytswo Chrystusowe dla Polonii) most willingly sent a priest to minister to Polish Roman Catholics after an agreement was reached between the Diocese of Las Vegas and the Provincial-Superior of the Society of Christ Fathers.

In September, 2008, Fr. Gerald Grupczynski S.Chr. was appointed parochial vicar (associate pastor) at St. Anthony of Padua Parish. He also began a chaplaincy to the Polish Community. Sunday Mass was celebrated weekly in the Mater Dei Chapel of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish.
In December, 2010, Fr. Grupczynski was appointed administrator of Our Lady of Las Vegas Parish where monthly Polish Masses were celebrated in the past. Another Society of Christ priest , Fr. Richard Philiposki was assigned to Las Vegas to replace Fr. Grupczynski at St. Anthony Parish and assist him in the ministry to Polonia.

Beginning in March, 2011, the center for Polish Ministry and the Polish Roman Catholic Community will relocate to Our Lady of Las Vegas Parish. This beautiful church is very centrally located at 3050 Alta Drive (between Rancho Drive and Valley View) and near the U.S. 95 and I-15 freeways. It is only a short cab ride from the north end of the famous Las Vegas Strip or the downtown area hotel casinos.

Holy Mass in Polish will be celebrated every Saturday(Vigil) at 6 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. There is usually coffee and pastry after the Sunday Mass in the parish hall. There are additional services and Masses scheduled in Lent, May and October. All Polish and Polish American Catholics are invited to us for worship and fellowship while vacationing or visiting in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Polonia is also home to the John Paul II Polish Saturday School with 45 children enrolled, an office for the honorary consulate of the Republic of Poland, a PNA (Polish National Alliance) lodge , the Polish American Social Club, a Polish Deli and several other businesses.

Source: ks. Ryszard Philiposki SChr.