About Epiphany · Sayre, Pennsylvania
The Church of the Epiphany is a Roman Catholic parish in Sayre, Pennsylvania, located in the Diocese of Scranton about two hours north of Scranton near the New York State border, halfway between Elmira and Binghamton. The parish was canonically established on January 15, 1888, growing out of the earlier Holy Ghost Parish in Athens as Irish, Italian, and Eastern European Catholic immigrants poured into Sayre to work for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Today Epiphany Parish is served by a pastor and assistant pastor, runs an attached Catholic elementary school (Pre-K through Grade 6) that has been in operation since 1929, and supports CCD faith formation, a music ministry, and outreach to the wider Sayre-area community.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel A. Toomey, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
Epiphany Parish offers the full rhythm of Catholic sacramental life — daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, RCIA, and Confirmation preparation — supported by a long-running parish school and an active CCD program. Music ministry is central to worship, with the Adult Parish Choir, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Choir, a Youth Choir, and trained cantors leading song at weekend Masses. The parish also runs outreach, community, and service ministries through its Parish Pastoral Plan, and welcomes parishioners and visitors into a community that explicitly values its immigrant heritage, the Eucharist as 'the source and summit' of parish life, and vocations to priesthood and consecrated religious life.
Mass times at Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:30 PM (per Diocese of Scranton listing)
Adoration times
- Saturday: Perpetual Adoration at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Parish History
Epiphany Parish was born of the railroad era. In 1878 Sayre became the Lehigh Valley Railroad's division headquarters; by 1890 the town had grown from 800 to about 3,200 residents, many of them Catholic immigrants from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe. For two decades these families had been served from Holy Ghost Church in Athens under Father John Costello. The resulting mission territory was canonically established as Epiphany Parish on January 15, 1888. (The Diocese of Scranton's online directory lists a 'Year Founded' of 2009, reflecting a later reorganization; the parish itself celebrates 1888 as its founding.) A full narrative history is offered as a downloadable PDF on the parish history page.
- 1875 — Father John Costello (age 28) appointed pastor of Holy Ghost, Athens
- 1878 — Sayre becomes Lehigh Valley Railroad division HQ
- 1880 — Sayre population ~800
- 1888, January 15 — Epiphany Parish canonically established
- 1890 — Sayre population ~3,200
- 1929 — Epiphany School opens
- 2015 — Parish Pastoral Plan developed by Parish Pastoral Council
Vision, Mission & Pastoral Plan
Epiphany's vision is to be 'a vibrant Catholic community of faith, hope and love serving Jesus Christ and His Gospel, both here and throughout the world.' Its mission statement commits the parish to forming a welcoming family that lives God's word through love, worship, education, and service; preserves its cultural heritage; fosters vocations; and is nourished by the Eucharist as 'the source and summit of all that we are.' In 2015 the Parish Pastoral Council used an Appreciative Inquiry Process with parishioner input to draft a 3–5 year Pastoral Plan organized around Word, Worship, Community, and Service ministries; the full plan is available as a PDF download.
- Vision: vibrant Catholic community of faith, hope and love
- Mission rooted in Baptism, Eucharist, vocations, and stewardship
- Four ministerial pillars: Word, Worship, Community, Service
- Pastoral Plan developed 2015 via Appreciative Inquiry Process
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Daniel A. Toomey, V.F., as Pastor, with an assistant pastor. The parish office staff includes the parish secretary, a Director of Music, and maintenance personnel. Additional clergy, parish-school leadership, and faith-formation staff are listed on the 'About Us' page.
- Rev. Daniel A. Toomey, V.F. — Pastor
- Rev. Joe Joseph Kuriappilly — Assistant Pastor (parish website)
- Rev. Shinu Vazhakkoottathil John — Assistant Pastor (Diocese of Scranton listing)
- Ms. Betsy Mooney — Secretary
- Larry W. Hoey — Director of Music (570-888-0631, [email protected])
- Mr. David Bean — Maintenance
- Mr. Anthony Cochi — Maintenance
Sacraments
Epiphany's catechists prepare parishioners and families for the Sacraments as they occur within the liturgical year. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received through a two-year preparation program that begins in second grade, with parents attending classes together as the primary educators of their children. Confirmation preparation is a two-year program for seventh and eighth graders that includes continuing faith formation, 50 hours of community outreach, a Day of Retreat, and attendance at the Holy Week liturgies. Baptism preparation is flexible and is keyed to the readiness of the family or catechumen. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) serves non-Catholics preparing for full communion with the Church.
- Baptism — preparation keyed to readiness of family or catechumen
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — two-year program beginning in 2nd grade
- Confirmation — two-year program in 7th–8th grade, 50 hours service, retreat, Holy Week liturgies
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Faith Formation (CCD) & Youth
CCD is Epiphany Parish's religious education program, running September through May. Elementary-grade studies introduce children to the life of Jesus, prayer, and Christian service, with parents taking an active role. Older children who have not yet received First Reconciliation or First Eucharist are accommodated. The parish stresses that weekly attendance at Mass is primary and essential to religious faith formation.
- Elementary religious studies and enrichment, September–May
- Confirmation preparation, 7th–8th grade
- Contact: Elizabeth Molnar, 570-250-8323, [email protected] / [email protected]
- CCD registration open annually; classes begin in October
Epiphany School
Epiphany School has served the Valley since 1929, offering a Christ-centered Catholic education for Pre-K through Grade 6 under the influence of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and following the curriculum guidelines of the Diocese of Scranton. The school day runs 7:55 AM to 2:45 PM. The Pre-K program offers flexible half-day and full-day options for ages 3–5, and a Before/After Care program is available. The school's mission is to prepare students to be faith-filled leaders and life-long learners dedicated to serving the Church and society.
- Founded 1929
- Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Grades K–6
- School day 7:55 AM – 2:45 PM
- Before/After Care program available
- Major fundraisers: Junior High Basketball Tournament, Epiphany Four-Month Lotto Calendar, RACE for Education
- Activities: Father/Daughter Dance, Boys & Girls Basketball (5th–6th), Christmas & Spring Concerts, Spelling Bee, Mission Day, Fun and Field Day
- Principal: Sr. Kathleen Kelly, 570-888-5802
Music Ministry
Music is central to worship at Epiphany. The Adult Epiphany Parish Choir sings weekly at the 9:00 AM Mass from September through May; the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Choir sings at the 6:00 PM Mass; a Youth Parish Choir sings once monthly at the 9:00 AM Mass and is open to school children. Trained cantors lead song at weekend Masses, funerals, and weddings, and instrumentalists from the parish community are always welcome to participate. Weekly rehearsals are held in the Epiphany Church choir loft.
- Adult Epiphany Parish Choir — weekly at 9:00 AM Mass, Sept–May
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Choir — at 6:00 PM Mass
- Youth Parish Choir — monthly at 9:00 AM Mass
- Cantors — lead song at weekend Masses, funerals, weddings
- Instrumentalists welcomed
- Director of Music: Larry W. Hoey, 570-888-0631, [email protected]
Ministries of the Word
Epiphany organizes its parish life around four ministerial pillars: Word, Worship, Community, and Service. The Word pillar encompasses catechetical education for children in elementary, junior high, and senior high grades, sacramental preparation, the parish school, RCIA, and ongoing faith formation for all ages.
- Religious Faith Formation and Education of Youth
- Epiphany School (Pre-K–6)
- Catechists (sacramental preparation)
- RCIA
- ECHO and other faith-formation opportunities
Visit, Contact & Practical Information
Epiphany Parish and its school are centrally located in Sayre, Pennsylvania, with the rectory, church hall, school, and convent all reachable by phone. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Address: 304 South Elmer Avenue, Sayre, PA 18840
- Rectory: (570) 888-9641
- Church Hall: (570) 888-9710
- Father Toomey: (570) 888-9641
- School: (570) 888-5802
- Convent: (570) 888-1120
- Parish Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Costello1875–c.1899
Founding-era pastor of Holy Ghost Church, Athens (1875), whose territory later became Epiphany Parish; served the 'Valley' for 24 years before Epiphany was established in 1888.