About Holy Name of Jesus · Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Holy Name of Jesus Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Harrisburg, founded in 1960 to serve the growing Catholic population of Lower Paxton Township in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area. Located about five miles north and east of the city on Allentown Boulevard, the parish combines an active worship community with a parish school (Pre-K through Grade 8) operated by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Today the parish serves more than 3,200 households and offers a robust slate of daily and weekend Masses, a Catholic school, faith formation, and dozens of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. William C. Forrey
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus is a vibrant, multi-generational Catholic parish that combines a strong liturgical life with an extensive parish school and a wide network of lay ministries. Whether a family is looking for a parish school (Pre-K through Grade 8), faith formation for children, music ministry, scouting, CYO athletics, or service opportunities through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the parish offers a welcoming community rooted in 60+ years of faith in Lower Paxton Township. With daily and weekend Masses, regular confession times, live-streamed Sunday worship, and special devotions like the Saint Monica Society, newcomers can easily find a place to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00-9:30 AM
- Saturday 3:30-4:30 PM
- By appointment
Parish History
Holy Name of Jesus Parish was established in 1960 by Bishop Leech of the Diocese of Harrisburg to accommodate the steadily growing Catholic population of the Harrisburg area. Located in Lower Paxton Township, the new parish welcomed its first resident pastor, Father George Rost, who over the next eight years built a church, social hall, and convent and purchased land for a rectory.
- 1960: Parish founded by Bishop Leech; Father George Rost named first resident pastor
- 1961: Eight Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill arrive to open the parish school
- 1968-2002: Parish expands with a gymnasium, education center, and rectory
- 2002: Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence becomes pastor
- Annual summer festival and 'The Giveaway' at Christmas support parish finances and the needy
- 50th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Timothy C. Senior
Clergy & Staff
Holy Name of Jesus is led by a team of priests, deacons, religious, and lay staff who shepherd the parish's sacramental life, school, and faith formation programs.
- Rev. William C. Forrey — Pastor
- Rev. Richard J. McAlister — Parochial Vicar
- Very Rev. Mark M. Speitel — In Residence
- Deacon Jerome T. Foerster
- Sister Rita Smith, SSJ — Principal / Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Mary Beth Kuniega — Parish Business Manager
- Mrs. Anna Nicolella — Administrative Assistant
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic Sacraments and provides special accommodations so all parishioners can fully participate in the life of the Church.
- Baptism: every Sunday after the 12:00 noon Mass; baptismal registration available in the Parish Office or online
- Penance: Saturday 9:00-9:30 AM and 3:30-4:30 PM, or by appointment
- Matrimony: 9-12 months advance notification required per Diocesan Common Policy
- Visitation of the Sick: notify the Parish Office for hospital or homebound visits
- Celiac accommodations: separate chalice available at every Mass for those who cannot receive the wheat host
- Confirmation and Eucharist: through parish school or Religious Education program
Parish School (Pre-K through Grade 8)
Holy Name of Jesus School, located at 6190 Allentown Boulevard, has been in continuous operation since 1961 when the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill arrived to open the doors. Today the school serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade under the leadership of Principal Sister Rita Smith, SSJ, and a dedicated faculty and staff.
- Address: 6190 Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17112
- Principal: Sister Rita Smith, SSJ
- School Office / Fax: (717) 657-1704 / (717) 657-9135
- Faculty includes specialists in Reading, Music, Speech/Language, PE, Math, Counseling, and IIS/SST support
- Extracurriculars: Chorus, Liturgy Choir, Joyful Noise, Drama Club, Girls on the Run, STEAM, Student Council, CYO Basketball, Track & Field, Soccer, Cheering
- Partner high school: Bishop McDevitt High School
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation for children who do not attend the parish school is coordinated through the parish's Religious Education program under the direction of Sister Rita Smith, SSJ, who serves as both Principal and Director of Religious Education. Students in public schools prepare for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation through parish classes.
- Director of Religious Education: Sister Rita Smith, SSJ
- Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
- Religious Education available for students not enrolled in HNJ School
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Holy Name of Jesus is home to a wide range of lay ministries and parish organizations that serve the spiritual, charitable, and social needs of the community.
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — founded with the parish itself
- Knights of Columbus — Catholic laymen's organization
- Legion of Mary — world-wide lay apostolate
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — parish chapter
- Respect Life Ministry
- St. Monica Society — meets second Saturday of each month, 9:00-10:00 AM in St. Bernardine Hall
- That Man is You! men's program
- Women of Grace Study Program
- Wings of Yarn Prayer Shawl Ministry (since 2007)
- Prayer Line (about 60 members)
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish Advocacy Ministry for parishioners with disabilities
- Funeral Meals Ministry
- Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts
- Karate (founded November 1982)
- Music Ministry and Contemporary Guitar Choir
- Natural Family Planning
Youth & Family Programs
Families with children and teens have many ways to be involved at Holy Name of Jesus, from athletics and music to faith-based youth ministry.
- HNJ Youth Ministry: '(Re)ignite the Fire!'
- Boys CYO Basketball and Girls CYO Basketball (grades 5-8)
- Track & Field (in partnership with St. Margaret Mary)
- Soccer
- Wrestling with Bishop McDevitt (7th-8th grade)
- Field Hockey with Bishop McDevitt
- Band with Bishop McDevitt (5th-8th grade)
- Cheering (grades 1-8)
- Chorus (3rd-4th grade), Joyful Noise, Liturgy Choir (5th-8th grade)
- Drama Club, Girls on the Run, STEAM, HNJ Student News, Student Council
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is central to parish life at Holy Name of Jesus, with both long-standing traditions and ongoing ministries that serve the local community.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — parish chapter
- Respect Life Ministry — works throughout the year to end abortion and protect every human life
- Funeral Meals Ministry — provides a small cold luncheon after funeral Masses
- Wings of Yarn Prayer Shawl Ministry — comfort to those in need since 2007
- Prayer Line — about 60 members praying for parish intentions
- Annual 'The Giveaway' at Christmas — collects gifts and food for needy families
- Annual Summer Festival — major fundraiser for the parish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Rost1960-1968
First resident pastor; built the church, social hall, and convent and purchased land for a rectory.
- Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Lawrence2002-
Gifted administrator devoted to the Sacraments and visiting the sick and dying.
- Rev. Edward J. Quinlan
Listed as pastor in the 2015-2016 Diocese of Harrisburg Official Directory.
- Rev. Msgr. William J. King
Former pastor (also referenced as 'Very Reverend William C. Forrey, V.F.' in diocese directory listings).