About Church of the Resurrection - Rossiter · Rossiter, Pennsylvania
The Church of the Resurrection is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Greensburg, headquartered at 215 2nd Street in Rossiter, Pennsylvania. Formed on June 21, 1995, it is a unique multi-site parish that unites six former parishes and four mission churches across Indiana County's northern tier, with five church buildings used for worship in communities including Rossiter, Clymer, Heilwood, Ernest, and Glen Campbell. The parish is served by Pastor Rev. Craig Alexander, Sacramental Assistant Rev. James Watson, OFM Cap., and Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. Stephen Black. The Church of the Resurrection embodies a commitment to sustaining a viable community of faith across a large, geographically diverse region of western Pennsylvania through the work of its Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and Parish Staff.
- Established
- 1995
- Patron
- The Resurrection of the Lord (Jesus Christ, Risen)
- Rector
- Rev. Craig Alexander
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
The Church of the Resurrection offers parishioners a vibrant Catholic community rooted in over two centuries of faith in northern Indiana County, dating to a 1776 land grant for a Catholic church in the Cameron's Bottom area. As a multi-site parish spanning Rossiter, Clymer, Heilwood, Ernest, and Glen Campbell, it welcomes participation through ministries such as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server, Choir Member/Cantor, Money Counting, and Marriage Formation, alongside a year-round Faith Formation program for children in grades K–8. With daily and Sunday Masses available across its five worship sites and an after-hours emergency line (724-717-3203), the parish combines the warmth of small-town Catholic life with active ministries and lifelong faith formation for all ages.
Mass times at Church of the Resurrection - Rossiter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Clymer Church)
- Friday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (1st Fridays) — at Rossiter, per Discover Mass listing
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Clymer Church, alongside Confession)
History of the Parish
The Church of the Resurrection came into existence as a parish of the Diocese of Greensburg on June 21, 1995. Six parishes and four mission churches throughout Indiana County's northern area were brought together to form a single parish within which five church buildings are used as places of worship. While the consolidated parish is relatively new, an ongoing Catholic presence throughout the area dates to a 1776 land grant for the building of a Catholic Church in the Cameron's Bottom area. The parish's leadership — through its Pastoral Council, Finance Council, and Parish Staff — continues to work diligently to create and sustain a viable community of faith across the unique circumstances presented by its multi-site makeup.
- Canonically erected June 21, 1995
- Formed from six parishes and four mission churches
- Five church buildings currently used for worship
- Catholic presence in the area dates to 1776 (Cameron's Bottom land grant)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Craig Alexander, with Sacramental Assistance provided by Rev. James Watson, OFM Cap. (a Capuchin Franciscan). Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. Stephen Black also serves the parish. Marie Kirsch coordinates Faith Formation and can be reached through the parish office. For after-hours emergencies requiring a priest, parishioners may call 724-717-3203.
- Rev. Craig Alexander — Pastor
- Rev. James Watson, OFM Cap. — Sacramental Assistance
- Rev. Mr. Stephen Black — Permanent Deacon
- Marie Kirsch — Faith Formation
- After-hours priest emergency line: 724-717-3203
Parish Ministries & Service
The parish invites parishioners to share their time and talents through a variety of liturgical and service ministries. The website emphasizes volunteering: 'Take time to look at your schedule, to reflect and to decide how you can best utilize your talent in our parish.' More information on any ministry is available by calling the Parish Office at 724-254-3041.
- Lector — proclaims the Word of God at Mass and reads the general intercessions
- Eucharistic Minister — ministers the Body and Blood of Christ to the faithful (must be at least 16)
- Altar Server — assists the priest in the liturgy during Mass (open to children who have received First Holy Communion and adults)
- Choir Member / Cantor — supports liturgical music and congregational singing
- Money Counting — assists with the parish's collection and financial responsibilities
- Marriage Formation Ministry — prepares engaged couples for the Sacrament of Marriage in six one-to-one sessions
Faith Formation
Faith Formation is presented by the parish as a lifelong endeavor, not just for children but for 'ALL OF US.' Drawing on the General Directory for Catechesis, the parish describes catechesis as 'the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways.' The parish invites every member to consider participating in at least one form of faith formation during the year, growing together as disciples of Jesus.
- Open to adults, youth, and children
- Children's Faith Formation for Grades K–8
- Led by Marie Kirsch (724-254-3041)
- Rooted in lifelong catechesis through word, worship, service, and community
Children's Education (Grades K–8)
Classes for Faith Formation with children from Grades K through 8 are held every Monday at the Clymer and Glen Campbell sites. Parents are asked to come inside to pick up their children after class. In the event of inclement weather, the parish uses its snow chain call list to notify families, as it did the prior year.
- Glen Campbell site: 6:15 PM – 7:30 PM
- Clymer site: 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM
- Every Monday during the formation year
- Contact: Marie Kirsch, 724-254-3041
Sacraments
The Church of the Resurrection celebrates the sacraments across its five worship sites. Reconciliation is offered Tuesday evenings at Clymer (alongside Adoration) and on First Fridays at Rossiter. Marriage preparation is provided through the Marriage Formation Ministry, in which trained married couples meet one-on-one with engaged couples for a total of six hours. For Baptisms, Anointing of the Sick, and other sacramental needs, parishioners are encouraged to contact the Parish Office.
- Eucharist — Sunday and weekday Masses at five sites
- Reconciliation — Tuesdays at Clymer; First Fridays at Rossiter
- Marriage — six hours of one-on-one preparation with married couples
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the Parish Office
- Baptism — contact the Parish Office
Visiting the Parish / Directions
The parish's Rossiter worship site is located at 215 2nd Street, Rossiter, PA 15772. According to directions published on the parish's third-party listing, visitors can take Route 1043 north to Rossiter, turn left at the Brandon Hotel, and continue up two blocks to reach the church. The parish also maintains an after-hours emergency line at 724-717-3203 for anyone in need of a priest.
- Address: 215 2nd St., Rossiter, PA 15772
- Phone: (724) 254-3041
- Directions: Route 1043 north to Rossiter, left at the Brandon Hotel, two blocks up
- After-hours priest emergency: 724-717-3203
Diocese & Wider Catholic Resources
The parish falls within the Diocese of Greensburg, which it points parishioners to for additional faith, news, and event resources. The parish website lists the Diocese of Greensburg's Facebook page and YouTube channel, and notes EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) on television as another option for those without computer access.
- Diocese of Greensburg — parent diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg Facebook — search 'dioceseofgreensburg'
- Diocese of Greensburg YouTube channel
- EWTN television for those without computer access