Forget about Nevada’s reputation as a state of sin. A priest known locally as Father Charlie regularly celebrates Mass and takes confession in a Laughlin casino.

Laughlin Catholic Mass

The Rev. Charlie Urnick leads parishioners each week in Mass and hears confession at Laughlin, Nevada’s Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino. (Image: The Los Angeles Times)

A stay at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino places you in the heart of Laughlin, steps from Casino at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort and Riverside Casino. This casino resort is 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Laughlin Event Center and 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Edgewater Casino. Popular Hotel Amenities and Features. Answer 1 of 3: Hello We are thinking of spending several days including Christmas in Laughlin. Hotels near Casino at Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort. 12:00 Noon Mass - Limited Seating Time: Sunday, 12:00 PM Location: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - 3055 El Mirage Way Laughlin NV 89029 Call church on Thurs/Fri between 9 AM - 3 PM to reserve a seat. Must wear a mask and bring your own sanitizer. 1 review of St John the Baptist Catholic Church 'Always welcoming community whether one attends Mass at the Church itself, or at Riverside Casino. Father Charlie is so personable that is well known by Catholics, Protestants, and Mormons on both sides of the Colorado River!'

The Rev. Charlie Urnick, 71, leads his parishioners at the Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino. He is also the administrator at the nearby St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Mass is held inside the 700-seat Don’s Celebrity Theater. When not used as a temporary church, it is often the site of musical performances or magic shows.

Finding God in All Things

“The pope says priests should be where the people are,” the Rev. Urnick recently told the Los Angeles Times. “There are 11 casinos in Laughlin, so this is where we have taken our services. And to those who might say that God could not possibly be here, I say he is.”

When asked for comment, the Rev. Richard McGowan, a Jesuit priest who teaches at Boston College and has widely studied gambling trends, recalls how Pope Francis said in 2013 he wanted priests to go out among the flocks and be with the faithful who they serve.

The pope told a crowd of about 10,000 in St. Peter’s basilica during his first “Chrism” Mass priests should be like shepherds, living with “the smell of the sheep.”

Pope Francis wants his priest to ‘smell like their sheep,’” McGowan told Casino.org. “So, Father Charlie is certainly doing that in Vegas.”

McGowan points to a tradition of his own order, the Jesuits, whose motto is to “find God in all things.”

Still, there are some gambling themes associated with Father Charlie.

During the passing of a collection basket some worshipers put in casino chips or slot machine receipts, the AP said.

Church Souvenir Casino Chips

The parish also sells a souvenir chip that is used for fundraising. It says, “Pray with us… It’s a sure bet.” It lists hours for Mass.

The parish also proudly proclaims on its website it is the only US Catholic Church which “meets every weekend in a casino (Riverside Resort, Laughlin, Nevada) so, of course, we have our own casino chips.” The price at the parish gift shop is $3.

To celebrate the parish’s 25^th anniversary in 2017, it began to offer silver casino chips, too.

Only a limited supply is offered, and they will not be recast when the original supply is sold. They sell at the gift shop for $7.

In Father Charlie’s church office, visitors will additionally spot two slot machines, with one called the “God Game.”

Masses in the casino commenced in 1992 by Father John McShane. There are now three Masses each weekend in the casino. The regular church offers Masses, as well.

The Rev. Urnick came to Laughlin in 2008. Earlier he served in various clergy roles in his home state of New Jersey, such as Air Force chaplain, teacher and parish priest.

During sermons, he often jokes with parishioners. He also likes to tell stories.

A popular one, recounted by the Times, is when a priest came to visit Laughlin. The visiting priest complained about the sin found in the city, and chastised “all those pathetic old people putting money into machines and they don’t know God.”

To which Father Charlie responded, “Those pathetic old people are my parishioners.”

The post Laughlin, Nevada Worshipers Find Inspiration from Mass, Confession in Casino appeared first on Casino.org.

Wednesdays

• A.A. meets on the second floor of the Riverside Casino each Wednesday at 2 p.m. PST. For more information call the hotel operator; Alano Club, 384 Marina Boulevard in Bullhead City, holds meetings each Wednesday at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. MST. For information call 928-763-5105; The Alano Club 801 Third Street in Needles holds meetings each Wednesday at noon and 7 p.m. PST. For more information, call 760-326-4222; Sunrise Serenity Group at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 580 Hancock Road, Bullhead City, meet at 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. MST; Men’s Stag, 11 a.m. For more information, call 928-763-1881.

• Al-Anon meets each Wednesday, for noon to 1 p.m. MST lunch brunch at Valley Christian Church 1706 N. Oatman Road (south on Ricca) Bullhead City. Call Chris at 702-509-0580.

• The Laughlin chapter of Rotary International meets Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m. PST at Harrah’s Laughlin Casino and Hotel in the buffet. For information on how to become a member of the Rotary Club of Laughlin, contact info@laughlinrotary.org.

• American Legion Post 60, 1510 Bruce Woodbury Dr., serves a spaghetti dinner the third Wednesday of the month, from 5 - 7 p.m. PST. The post is open to the public. Call 702-299-1510.

• For the Love of Bridge Club offers ACBL sanctioned games and Double deck pinochle on Wednesdays at 12:30 MST at the Senior Association, 967 Hancock Rd., Ste. 101, Bullhead City. Call Bob King at 928-300-8553.

• Narcotics anonymous offers help to anyone with substance abuse. For meeting times and locations, call 928-768-6467

Thursdays

• A.A. meets on the second floor of the Riverside Casino each Thursday at noon and 7 p.m. PST. For more information call the hotel operator; Alano Club, 384 Marina Boulevard in Bullhead City, holds meetings each Thursday at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. MST.; Young People’s meeting at 5 p.m. For information call 928-763-5105; The Alano Club, 801 Third Street in Needles at 7 p.m. PST. For more information, call 760-326-4222.; Sunrise Serenity Group at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 580 Hancock Road, Bullhead City, meet at 7 – 8 a.m. MST. For more information, call 928-763-1881.

• Al-Anon Let It Begin With Me meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. MST at Mohave Valley United Methodist Church 1593 Lipan, Fort Mohave. Call Christy at 806-303-8462.

• The Alzheimer’s Association support group of Laughlin meets the third Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 60, 1510 Bruce Woodbury Dr. Call 702-248-2770.

• For the Love of Bridge Club offers ACBL sanctioned games and Double deck pinochle on Thursdays at 12:30 MST at the Senior Association, 967 Hancock Rd., Ste. 101, Bullhead City Call Bob King at 928-300-8553.

• Gamblers Anonymous meets each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. MST at The Senior Nutrition Center, 2285 Trane Road, Bullhead City. For more information call 928-758-1538. Bullhead City hotline: 928-763-0888.

• Narcotics anonymous offers help to anyone with substance abuse. For meeting times and locations, call 928-768-6467

• The Tri-City Community Prayer Shawl Group meets at 10 a.m. to noon PST every second and fourth Thursday of each month at the American Legion Post 60, 1510 Bruce Wood bury Dr.

For more information, call 702-357-9372.

Fridays

• A.A. ‘Friends of Bill W.’ gathers for its weekly meeting on the second floor of the Riverside Casino each Friday at 2 p.m. PST For more information call the hotel operator; Alano Club, 384 Marina Boulevard Bullhead City, holds meetings each Friday at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. MST. For information call 928-763-5105; The Alano Club, 801 Third Street in Needles, holds meetings each Friday at noon and 7 p.m. PST. For more information, call 760-326-4222; Sunrise Serenity Group meet at 7 – 8 a.m. MST and the Three Legacies (for ladies) meet at 11 a.m. MST each Friday at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 580 Hancock Road, Bullhead City, For more information, call 928-763-1881.

• BPO Elks Lodge 2408 Auxiliary offers bingo, with a 70 percent payout, each Friday night. Members of the community are invited. Games begin at 6:30 p.m. MST. Visit the lodge at 1745 Emerald Dr. at Hancock Road in Bullhead City. Call 928-758-2408.

• American Legion Post 60, 1510 Bruce Woodbury Dr., serves dinner every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. PST. The menu includes choice of deep-fried beer battered cod, shrimp, combo plate, baked cod, chicken strip dinner or chicken strip combo with fish and shrimp. All include choice of potato, salad and coleslaw. The post is open to the public. Call 702-299-1510.

• For the Love of Bridge Club offers ACBL sanctioned games on Fridays at 12:30 MST at the Senior Association, 967 Hancock Rd., Ste. 101, Bullhead City Call Bob King at 928-300-8553.

•Gamblers Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. MST at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 580 Hancock Road, Bullhead City. For more information, call 928-763-1881.

• Mohave Duplicate Bridge club offers duplicate bridge on Fridays at 1 p.m. PST at the Riverside Resort Hotel-Casino. Call Bob King at 928-300-8553.

• Narcotics anonymous offers help to anyone with substance abuse. For meeting times and locations, call 928-768-6467

Saturdays

• A.A. meets on the second floor of the Riverside Casino the first Saturday at noon PST. For more information call the hotel operator; Alano Club, 384 Marina Boulevard Bullhead City, holds meetings each Saturday at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. PST. For information call 928-763-5105; Ladies tea party meets at 2 p.m. PST the third Saturday of each month at Church of the Holy Spirit Episcopal, 580 Hancock Road Bullhead City. For more information, call 928-763-1881.; The Alano Club, 801 Third Street in Needles, at 7 p.m. MST. For more information, call 760-326-4222.

• St. John the Baptist Catholic Church celebrates Mass at 4 p.m. PST in Don’s Celebrity Theater at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort, Hotel and Casino and 6 p.m. PST at the main church.

• Al-Anon meets at 9 a.m. MST Saturdays at Faith Community Church 1725 Shamrock Bullhead City. Call Marsha at 928-234-2337.

• Laughlin Senior Association offers Double decker pinochle on Saturdays at 12:30 MST at the Senior Association, 967 Hancock Rd., Ste. 101, Bullhead City. Call Bob King at 928-300-8553.

• Living Water Ministry offers services on Saturday at 1:30 a.m. PST on KLBCTV channel 2 and at 5 p.m. PST at Spirit Mountain Activity Center, 1975 Arie Avenue. Both are Nevada time. Call 702-477-9370.

• Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Rocks meet Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. MST at the Suddenlink Community Center, 2380 Third Street, Room 308, Bullhead City. For more information, call 928-768-6467.

• Narcotics Anonymous Together We Can meet Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. MST at Hope United Methodist Church, 1325 Ramar Road in Bullhead City. For more information, call 928-768-6467.

Sundays

• A.A. meets on the second floor of the Riverside Casino each Sunday at noon PST. For more information call the hotel operator; Alano Club, 384 Marina Boulevard Bullhead City, holds meetings each Sunday at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. MST. For information call 928-763-5105; The Alano Club, 801 Third Street Needles, at 10 a.m. MST. For more information, call 760-326-4222.

• Living Water Ministry offers services on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. PST on KLBCTV channel 2 and at 5 p.m. PST at Spirit Mountain Activity Center, 1975 Arie Avenue. Both are Nevada time. Call 702-477-9370.

• St. John the Baptist Catholic Church celebrates Mass on Sundays at 8 a.m. PST in the church at 3055 El Mirage Way, at 10 a.m. and noon PST at Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort, Hotel and Casino. For more information call 702-298-0440.

• Living Christ Lutheran Church meets every Sunday in the Harbor Port 1 and 2 of the Riverside Resort and Casino. Services are at 10 a.m. PST Communion service is the second Sunday of each month. The church is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

• Laughlin Community Church, 2910 Needles Highway, holds worship services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. PST, adult Bible study and Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. PST and Pro-teen fellowship study 12:30 to 2 p.m. PST. Gene Lee is pastor.

Call 702-989-1228.

• Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 580 Hancock Road, Bullhead City, holds regular services Sundays at 9:30 a.m. MST. For more information, call 928-763-1881.

• Community Lutheran Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2275 Ricca Road (two blocks east of Highway 95 between N. Oatman Road and Riverview Drive) welcomes everyone to worship each Sunday at 9 and 11 a..m. MST. Children may also attend the Children’s Worship and Learning Center, open Sundays beginning at 9:15 a.m. MST. Pastor is Robert Jones. For more information, call 928-763-2422.

• American Legion Post 60, 1510 Bruce Woodbury Dr., serves brunch every Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon PST. The menu includes eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, SOS, French toast or pancakes, toast and coffee. The post is open to the public. Call 702-299-1510.

• Narcotics anonymous offers help to anyone with substance abuse.

Riverside Laughlin Mass Schedule

For meeting times and locations, call 928-768-6467

Mondays

• A.A. meets on the second floor of the Riverside Casino each Mondays at 2 p.m. PST. For more information call the hotel operator; Alano Club, 384 Marina Boulevard Bullhead City, holds meetings each Monday at 7 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. MST. For information call 928-763-5105; The Alano Club, 801 Third Street in Needles, at 7 p.m. PST. For more information, call 760-326-4222; Sunrise Serenity Group at Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 580 Hancock Road, Bullhead City, meet at 7 – 8 a.m. MST.

For more information, call 928-763-1881.

• Al-Anon meets each Monday at 6 p.m. MST at Valley Christian Church 1706 N. Oatman Road (South on Ricca) Bullhead City.

Call Jan at 928-234-2722.