About Holy Guardian Angels · Reading, Pennsylvania
Holy Guardian Angels Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Hyde Park / Temple section of Reading, Pennsylvania (Berks County), founded in 1929 to serve Italian immigrant families who had settled in the area in the early 1920s. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Allentown (formed in 1961, the year Holy Guardian Angels transferred from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia) and continues today as a multi-generational community of sacred worship, faith formation, and service. The current Colonial-style church was built in 1963 to seat 700, and a separate educational facility was completed in 2001 to house Holy Guardian Angels Regional School, which serves preschool through eighth grade.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- Holy Guardian Angels
- Rector
- Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, M.Div.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Allentown
Why belong here
Holy Guardian Angels is a close-knit parish that combines traditional Catholic worship with a strong, active school and a wide range of lay ministries — from St. Vincent de Paul and Legion of Mary to Boy Scouts, the Knights of Columbus, and a young-adult group called Hope, Grace & Adulting. Daily Mass in the chapel, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and an extensive confession schedule (before every Sunday Mass and Saturday Vigil) make it easy to root your week in the Eucharist. A regional Catholic school (PreK–8), a faith-formation PREP program, OCIA for adults, and Heavenbound for older children mean every age and stage of life is welcomed and formed here.
Mass times at Holy Guardian Angels
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 8:30–9:00 am
- Wednesday 5:15–5:45 pm
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 pm
- Sunday 7:15–7:45 am
- Sunday 9:20–9:35 am
- Sunday 11:05–11:20 am
Adoration times
- Wednesdays in the Chapel, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Parish History
Holy Guardian Angels was established in November 1929 by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to serve Italian immigrant families of Temple, just outside the city of Reading. The men of the community had already built a small St. Anthony Chapel (1925–26) on Eighth and Columbia avenues; the Rev. Frederick F. Lanshe celebrated his first Mass there on November 23, 1929. A combination church-and-school was dedicated by Cardinal Dougherty on November 8, 1931. In 1961 the parish transferred to the newly created Diocese of Allentown, and in 1963 a $700,000 Colonial-style church (capacity 700), designed by Paul U. Koch and built by C.H. Schlegel and Son, was completed. A new education center was built in 2000–2001 and the original 1931 structure was decommissioned and demolished in June 2001.
- 1925 — Diocese approves plan for Italian community to build their own church
- 1926 — St. Anthony Chapel completed on 8th & Columbia
- Nov. 23, 1929 — Parish officially founded; first Mass celebrated by Rev. Frederick F. Lanshe
- Nov. 8, 1931 — New church/school dedicated by Cardinal Dougherty
- 1933 — Parish school opens under the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart
- 1956 — HGA Women's Club founded (now the Home and School Association)
- 1961 — Transfers to the new Diocese of Allentown
- 1963 — Present Colonial-style church completed
- 1978–1979 — New rectory built on Kutztown Road
- 1981 — Kindergarten added; 1984 — first lay principal (Philip J. Fromuth)
- 1992 — Msgr. Francis X. Barrett becomes sixth pastor
- 1998 — Rev. Dennis T. Hartgen becomes pastor; capital campaign launched for new school
- 2000–2001 — Education center built; old church and school demolished (June 2001)
- 2021 — Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, M.Div., installed as current pastor
Clergy, Staff & Parish Council
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, M.Div., assisted by Rev. Robert F. Rienzo, M.Div., M.A. (Assistant Pastor), Rev. William Kyere (Parochial Vicar) and Rev. E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C. (Weekend Assistance), with two deacons, John B. Gallagher and Timothy Ferguson. The lay staff includes Kari Mallozzi (Director of Religious Education & Evangelization), Wayne Rothenberger (Director of Facilities), Tricia A. Christ (Director of Technology, Activities and Communications), Anne Malinowski (Director of Office Administration, Special Events & Angel Earnings), Liz Taylor (Bookkeeper), Rachel Toledo (Parish Secretary), Kolbe Eide (Music Director) and Lisa Wood (House Decorator).
- Pastor: Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, M.Div. (ext. 2205; [email protected])
- Assistant Pastor: Rev. Robert F. Rienzo, M.Div., M.A. (ext. 2204)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. William Kyere
- Weekend Assistance: Rev. E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C.
- Deacons: John B. Gallagher; Timothy Ferguson
- Director of Religious Education & Evangelization: Kari Mallozzi (ext. 2203)
- Director of Facilities: Wayne Rothenberger
- Director of Technology, Activities and Communications: Tricia A. Christ
- Music Director: Kolbe Eide
- Parish Secretary & Admin Assistant to Staff: Rachel Toledo
- Parish Office: 610-921-2729; Rectory hours Mon–Thu 9–4, Fri 9–12
Holy Guardian Angels Regional School
Holy Guardian Angels Regional School is the parish's parish-school, housed in the education center completed in 2001. It serves preschool through 8th grade (about 315 students) and welcomes children from HGA as well as from St. Joseph (Reading), St. Mary (Hamburg) and St. Mary (Kutztown), plus other Berks County parishes and non-parishioners. The school is Middle States Certified, maintains a 20:1 student-to-teacher ratio with two classes per grade, and offers all-day kindergarten, all-day 4-year-old preschool, an integrated STEM and technology program, an extended after-care program, and numerous extracurriculars.
- Address: 3125 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605
- Phone: 610-929-4124 — Fax: 610-929-1623 — Email: [email protected]
- Head of School: Kelly Prechtl ([email protected])
- School Hours: 8:00 am – 2:20 pm
- Programs: Preschool, all-day Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
- Transportation available in most districts
- Extended after-care program
- All faiths welcome
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at HGA is centered on helping parents teach their children 'to know, to love, and to serve God.' The parish's PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) serves public-school students with regular classes, while Holy Guardian Angels Regional School integrates religious education into its PreK–8 curriculum. Kari Mallozzi, Director of Religious Education & Evangelization, oversees the programs.
- PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) for public-school students
- Religious education integrated into HGA Regional School (PreK–8)
- Contact: Kari Mallozzi, 610-921-2729 ext. 2203 — [email protected]
OCIA & Heavenbound
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) at HGA is a parish-wide journey of fellowship, prayer, and formation for adults preparing to enter or return to the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized Christians seeking full communion, fully-initiated Catholics refreshing their faith, or anyone wanting to continue a journey of faith. Heavenbound is the parallel Order of Christian Initiation of Children for unbaptized or uncatechized children ages 9–18 who have attained the use of reason.
- OCIA — adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist
- Heavenbound — children ages 9–18
- Both programs require regular Mass attendance, active participation, and a Catholic sponsor
- Contact: Kari Mallozzi, ext. 2203, [email protected]
Youth & Young Adult Ministries
HGA offers a full age-graded youth ministry program led by lay youth ministers and supported by Father Hoffa. Senior High Youth Ministry meets several times a year with engaging activities and faith formation, while Junior High Youth Ministry, Guardians Youth Ministry (Grades 3–5) and Holy Angels Youth Ministry (Grades K–2) round out programming for younger children. Hope, Grace & Adulting is the parish's young adult group for ages 21–35, offering casual gatherings to discuss Catholic social teaching, catechism, apologetics, Theology of the Body, and everyday life as a Catholic.
- Senior High Youth Ministry — Shannon Andres, Brittany Beck, Molly Gaffney, KayBe Spialek
- Junior High Youth Ministry
- Guardians Youth Ministry (Grades 3–5)
- Holy Angels Youth Ministry (Grades K–2)
- Hope, Grace & Adulting — young adults 21–35 (Kylie Madore, 610-781-0384)
- Youth Ministry contact: [email protected]
Parish Ministries & Organizations
HGA's ministries reflect its three-fold mission of sacred worship, apostolic faith, and generous service. Outreach is anchored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Legion of Mary, and a Culture of Life group; community life is supported by the Knights of Columbus Council 14847, the HGA Boy Scouts, the Prayer Shawl Ministry and the Pen to Paper Card Ministry; and parish life is enriched by the Home and School Association and the Christmas Craft Bazaar & Spring Craft Fair committee.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — [email protected]
- Legion of Mary — [email protected]
- Knights of Columbus Council 14847 — [email protected]
- HGA Boy Scouts — [email protected]
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — [email protected]
- Pen to Paper Card Ministry — [email protected]
- Culture of Life Group — [email protected]
- Home and School Association
- Christmas Craft Bazaar & Spring Craft Fair — [email protected]
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at HGA is directed by Kolbe Eide, Music Director, who serves on the Parish Council. The parish offers a full daily Mass schedule in the chapel in addition to weekend Masses in the main church, and hosts extended Eucharistic Adoration each Wednesday.
- Music Director: Kolbe Eide
- Weekend Masses in the main church; Daily Mass in the Chapel
- Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sacraments
All seven Catholic sacraments are celebrated at HGA. Initiation is provided through the parish school, PREP, OCIA (adults) and Heavenbound (children 9–18). Reconciliation is offered before every Sunday Mass and Saturday Vigil plus Wednesday sessions. Couples should contact the parish office to begin marriage preparation; the sick may call the rectory for Anointing.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- Confirmation & First Communion — through HGA School or PREP
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday Masses; live stream on Facebook & YouTube
- Penance (Confession) — see schedule above
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the rectory
- Holy Orders / Religious Life — encouraged through parish vocation awareness
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
Visit, Register & Stay Connected
Whether you are visiting, looking for a new parish home, returning to the faith, or exploring the Catholic Church, HGA welcomes you. New members can register by calling the Parish Office during rectory hours (Monday–Thursday 9 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 12 noon). ParishCast is the recommended channel for urgent announcements and weather-related schedule changes from Father Hoffa.
- Rectory Office: 3121 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605
- Phone: 610-921-2729
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9–4, Fri 9–12
- ParishCast (urgent alerts & weather notifications)
- Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube — @hgaparish / @hgachurch
- Bulletin submissions: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frederick F. Lanshe1929–
First pastor; celebrated first Mass at St. Anthony's Chapel on Nov. 23, 1929; oversaw 1931 dedication of combined church/school.
- Monsignor Francis X. Barrett1992–1998
Sixth pastor; established parish council and Parish Facilities Planning Committee.
- Rev. Dennis T. Hartgen1998–
Became pastor upon Barrett's retirement in 1998; led the 1998–1999 capital campaign and construction of the 2001 education center.
- Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, M.Div.2021–present
Current pastor; previously served St. Joseph of the Panther Valley.