Saints Peter and Paul Parish celebrates 40 years

Intermountain Catholic

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(From left) Father Omar Ontiveros, pastor of Saint Peter and Paul Parish in West Valley City, is shown with Father Roberto Montoro and Father Javier Virgen at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Saint Peter and Paul Parish. IC photo/Laura Vallejo

WEST VALLEY CITY – Saints Peter and Paul Parish celebrated their 40th anniversary with a gathering in which the community enjoyed music, raffles, food, and a lot of fun.

The history of the parish goes back to when the Most Rev. Joseph L. Federal, sixth Bishop of Salt Lake, established it as a part of West Valley City (then known as Granger) in August 1972, dedicating it in honor of the two Apostles.

As stated in Salt Of the Earth: The History of the Catholic Church in Utah, 1776 – 2007, at that time Dick Tretman and his wife offered the use of the Granger Weight Watchers Building as a temporary church. The parish’s first pastor, Father (later Monsignor) Victor Bonnell, celebrated Masses in that building for over two years.

In March 1974 parishioners purchased property at 3580 West 3650 South and began the construction of a new building that would serve as church, religious education center and social center.

Bishop Federal celebrated the first Mass in the new building on Feb. 1, 1975; the dedication was on June 1, 1975.

Pastors following Monsignor Bonnell were Monsignor Francis B. Pellegrino, Father Javier Virgen, Father Stanislaw Herba and Father Omar Ontiveros. Among the parish’s parochial vicars are Father Rene Rodillas, Father Jose Barrera and Father Roberto Montoro.

At the celebration Fr. Ontiveros greeted the community as he thanked them for their support and participation in the celebration. Among those who attended were Fr. Virgen, Fr. Herba, Fr. Rodillas, Fr. Barrera and Fr. Montoro.

"We all are the body of Christ and we all need to work as a community," said Fr. Ontiveros, referring to the fact that the parish has grown and evolved; these days, the community is mostly formed with parishioners from the Latino, Anglo and Asian cultures.

"It’s good to always remember our history," Fr. Ontiveros said. "We are a multicultural community."

The celebration was framed by the mariachi music of El Sol de Jalisco Mariachi Band, and by the diverse and tasty number of dishes that were donated by the parishioners.

"To celebrate is important because we all think that back then someone took the initiative and created this parish and now we can all be together," said Delfia Gutierrez, who has been a parishioner for eight years. During that time, the biggest changes that she has witnessed is the growth of the Hispanic community as well as more Spanish Masses celebrated in the parish, she said.

Eusebio Rendón, another parishioner, said that some of the changes he has seen are that "the praying groups have grown a lot and there is more preparation."

Fr. Ontiveros referred to the community as "a visible way of showing that we all are one in and with Christ."

"It’s great it’s great to be united in our faith," said Rendón.

Among the organizations at Sts. Peter and Paul are three adult choirs: Spanish, English and Tongan; prayer and youth groups in English and Spanish; the Knights of Columbus, Mary’s Helpers, RCIA classes, and Bible classes.