About Holy Redeemer of Divine Grace Parish · Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Holy Redeemer of Divine Grace Parish is the Ellwood City worship site of Divine Grace Parish, the largest parish in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Divine Grace Parish was constituted on July 1, 2022, by Bishop David Zubik through the merger of three former parishes — Holy Redeemer (Ellwood City/Koppel/Wampum), Saint Ferdinand (Cranberry Township) and Saint Gregory (Zelienople) — all of which remain open as worship sites. Holy Redeemer Church is located at 415 Fourth Street, Ellwood City, PA 16117, and offers Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, daily Mass, an extensive Eucharistic Adoration schedule, and a full range of parish ministries shared with the wider Divine Grace community.
- Established
- 2000
- Patron
- Holy Redeemer (Most Precious Blood of Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. James A. Wehner, STD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Parishioners of Holy Redeemer are part of the largest parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a tri-site Catholic family spanning Cranberry Township, Zelienople and Ellwood City with abundant daily Mass, three Sunday Mass locations and rich Eucharistic Adoration. The community offers faith formation for every age — from OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, to second-grade sacraments, youth and young adult ministry, and CYO athletics — alongside active outreach through two Saint Vincent de Paul conferences, Knights of Columbus, Stephen Ministry, bereavement, liturgical, music, men's club and welcome/hospitality ministries. The parish's own statement of purpose is simple: to welcome all, worship together, and invite everyone to experience Jesus Christ.
Mass times at Holy Redeemer of Divine Grace Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (Holy Redeemer Church)
- Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Holy Redeemer Church)
Adoration times
- Sunday 12:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Holy Redeemer)
- Monday 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM (Holy Redeemer)
- Wednesday 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM — All Day Adoration (Holy Redeemer)
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM (Holy Redeemer)
- Friday 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM (Holy Redeemer)
About Divine Grace Parish
Divine Grace Parish was constituted by Bishop David Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, on July 1, 2022, to serve the People of God from the Cranberry Township, Ellwood City, and Zelienople areas. In creating this new parish, the Bishop united three former parishes into what is now the largest parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The parish mission is to unite all believers into the One Body of Christ and to invite everyone in the community to experience the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Parish Purpose: to use our faith and talents to welcome all and worship together so that everyone feels invited to experience Jesus Christ.
- Parish Vision: a thriving community of engaged believers in Jesus Christ vibrantly sharing the word of love for God and one another.
- Three worship sites: Saint Ferdinand (Cranberry), Saint Gregory (Zelienople), Holy Redeemer (Ellwood City).
- Administrative Center: 2535 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.
History
The parish draws its identity from generations of Catholic life in the Beaver River valley. In 1908, Cranberry, Zelienople, Evans City and Ellwood City were linked by the Pittsburgh, Harmony, Butler & New Castle interurban trolley. Though the trolley closed in 1931, the three communities remain linked by three tributaries of the Beaver River — Breakneck, Brush and Connoquenessing Creeks — which became the parish's image of unity: "joined together by the Grace of God as one people of God, one Parish, illuminated by the one light of Christ." The current parish is the result of Bishop Zubik's On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative (announced 2015), a consultative process that grouped parishes under shared clergy teams (2018) and culminated in the 2022 merger.
The History of Holy Redeemer Parish (Ellwood City)
Holy Redeemer Parish is the product of several prior parish mergers. St. Joseph Church (founded 1926) merged with Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in 1989. In 2000, Saint Agatha Parish (founded 1895) and Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (founded 1916) were officially merged as Holy Redeemer Parish. After Saint Monica Church in Wampum was damaged beyond repair in a 2005 storm, and Queen of Heaven Parish's church in Koppel was destroyed by fire in 2011, a 2011 decree merged Queen of Heaven into Holy Redeemer. Queen of Heaven itself had been established in 1992 from the merger of Saint Monica in Wampum (1902) and Saint Teresa in Koppel (mission 1871, parish 1962).
- Saint Agatha Parish — founded 1895
- Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary — founded 1916
- St. Joseph Church — founded 1926
- Saint Monica, Wampum — established 1902
- Saint Teresa, Koppel — mission 1871, parish 1962
- Queen of Heaven Parish — established 1992, merged into Holy Redeemer 2011
- Saint Monica Church building — irreparably damaged in 2005 storm
The History of Saint Ferdinand Parish (Cranberry Township)
Saint Ferdinand Mission in Cranberry Township was raised to parish status on May 31, 1961. The congregation had been a mission of Saint Alphonsus Church in Wexford since January 1960; early Masses were celebrated at Hartner's Restaurant on Route 19 and then at the Cranberry Fire Hall. The rectory was completed in 1962 and Mass moved into the rectory basement. A multi-purpose building (parish hall, CCD classrooms, temporary church) was dedicated February 20, 1966, and served for over 20 years before a larger church was dedicated December 23, 1990. In January 2002, parish boundaries were redrawn and parishioners east of Route 19 were transferred to St. Kilian. In 2018, Saint Ferdinand began sharing clergy with the Ellwood City and Zelienople parishes and merged into Divine Grace on July 1, 2022.
The History of Saint Gregory Parish (Zelienople)
Saint Gregory Church was founded by seventy families in 1906 on land donated by the Zelienople Land Company. The first parish school was built and opened in 1911 and has continuously served as a center of Catholic education in the region. In 1939, Saint Matthias Church in Evans City became a mission of Saint Gregory. Groundbreaking for the original Saint Gregory church took place in March 1964 and the first Mass was celebrated Easter Sunday 1965. On December 23, 1990, Bishop Donald W. Wuerl dedicated the present church. In 2017, Saint Matthias was merged back into Saint Gregory due to declining Catholic population in Evans City; Saint Matthias Church was struck by lightning in 2019, suffered extensive damage, and was demolished, with recoverable contents incorporated into Saint Gregory's liturgical life.
Holy Redeemer Church — Mass & Devotion Schedule (Ellwood City)
At the Ellwood City worship site, Holy Redeemer Church offers Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, a daily 9:00 AM Mass Monday through Saturday (with a 7:00 PM Mass on Wednesdays), plus regular Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday/Wednesday confession opportunities. The parish's full Eucharistic Adoration schedule also lists extensive Adoration at Saint Ferdinand and Saint Gregory.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
- Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM (Mon–Sat)
- Wednesday: also 7:00 PM
- Confession: Wed 6:00–6:45 PM; Sat 9:30–10:30 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Sun 12:15–4:00 PM; Mon/Thu/Fri 8:00–8:50 AM; Wed 9:30 AM–7:00 PM (All Day)
Clergy
Divine Grace Parish is led by a substantial clergy team including a Pastor, two Senior Parochial Vicars, a Parochial Vicar, four Deacons and a Seminarian, supported by an extensive lay staff for administration, faith formation, music, communications, maintenance and parish ministries.
- Bishop: Most Rev. David A. Zubik, DD (Diocese of Pittsburgh)
- Regional Vicar: Very Rev. Joseph McCaffrey, MDiv, MA
- Pastor: Rev. James A. Wehner, STD
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. John P. Gallagher, STL
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Joseph M. Freedy, STL
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Daniel Kushner
- Deacon Jeffrey J. Ludwikowski
- Deacon Donald C. Pepe (also Coordinator of Plant Operations)
- Deacon Joseph Ross
- Deacon Erik Pintar
- Seminarian: Chris Baker
Parish Staff & Coordinators
The parish runs a coordinated staff team across its three worship sites, with dedicated coordinators for faith formation, youth ministry, communications, music, finance, maintenance, social services and parish ministries. Jason Gawaldo serves as Director of Evangelization & Catechetical Ministries; Kevin Johnson is Coordinator of Music and Liturgical Ministries; Michael Assaf leads Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
- Luma Bunni — Executive Assistant/Office Manager
- Christine Kunz — Safe Environment & PDS Coordinator
- John Grenci — Coordinator for Finance; Linda McAfee — Sr. Bookkeeper
- Jason Gawaldo — Director of Evangelization & Catechetical Ministries (724-776-9177 X1317)
- Bob De Witt — Director of Communications
- Chris Razani — Maintenance Supervisor; Alena Kucan — Digital Media Specialist
- Emma Sabados & Kay Ann Bellissimo — Coordinators for Faith Formation
- Michael Assaf — Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Hannah Repasky — Assistant
- Jennifer Livorse — Facilitator of Parish Ministries (724-776-2888 ext. 1210)
- Kevin Johnson — Coordinator of Music and Liturgical Ministries
- Maintenance Leads: Jim Bucek (St. Gregory), Robert Kozminski (Holy Redeemer), Dennis Patsch (St. Ferdinand)
- Social Services (HR): Jan Baur, Cathy DeBlaso
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Divine Grace Parish spans every age and stage. The parish offers preparation for the second-grade sacraments (First Reconciliation and First Communion) with on-site classes and at-home family catechesis using the Bible and a catechism. Children with physical or learning disabilities are welcomed to receive the sacraments with their age peers, with adaptations available. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is offered for adults seeking to become Catholic, and youth/young adult ministry, CYO athletics, and a Director of Evangelization & Catechetical Ministries round out the formation offerings. St. Patrick School (PreK-8) and St. Gregory School are referenced as parish-associated schools for families seeking Catholic elementary education.
- Second-Grade Sacraments (First Reconciliation & First Communion)
- OCIA — Becoming Catholic
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- CYO Athletics
- Religious Education (CCD-style classes)
- Adult Faith Formation & RCIA/OCIA Team
- St. Patrick School (PreK-8)
- St. Gregory School (Zelienople)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for all the Catholic sacraments. Infant Baptism is coordinated by a parish Baptism Coordinator; marriage preparation begins with contacting the Wedding Coordinator; First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation are coordinated through the Faith Formation office; the Anointing of the Sick and funerals are coordinated through the parish's Bereavement Ministry. Sacramental records from before July 2022 (the date of the parish's merger) are accessible through the parish office.
- Infant Baptism — Infant Baptism Coordinator
- First Reconciliation (2nd grade or individualized)
- First Communion (2nd grade or individualized)
- Confirmation (Diocesan program)
- Marriage — Wedding Coordinator
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals / Bereavement Ministry
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
- Pre-2022 Sacramental Records — available from parish office
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a visible part of parish life at Divine Grace. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society operates two parish conferences — one serving the Cranberry community from Saint Ferdinand, the other serving the Zelienople community from Saint Gregory — providing confidential help with rent, mortgage, utilities, food, gas, clothing and household needs. The Knights of Columbus, Christian Service committee, and Stephen Ministry extend the parish's reach through parish-based service, spiritual companionship and one-on-one care for those experiencing difficulty.
- Saint Vincent de Paul — St. Ferdinand Conference (Cranberry)
- Saint Vincent de Paul — St. Gregory Conference (Zelienople)
- Knights of Columbus
- Stephen Ministry
- Christian Service
- Bereavement Ministry
- Welcome / Hospitality
Worship, Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life is supported by a robust music and liturgical ministry team led by Kevin Johnson, Coordinator of Music and Liturgical Ministries. The parish employs organists (Jeff Davis, David Kosior) and supports choirs and cantors across all three worship sites. Lay liturgical roles include lectors, sacristans, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and liturgical coordinators for weddings and funerals.
- Choir and Music Ministry
- Organists (Jeff Davis, David Kosior)
- Lectors, Sacristans, Altar Servers
- Wedding Coordinator
- Infant Baptism Coordinator
- Liturgical coordinator for funerals
Devotions & Special Services
The parish maintains a calendar of special devotions throughout the year, including a St. Anthony Novena led by Father Jim Wehner, a St. Peregrine Prayer Service (for those facing cancer and serious illness), a Living Rosary, and special holy-day Masses such as the Independence Day Mass held at all three worship sites.
- St. Anthony Novena (with Father Jim Wehner)
- St. Peregrine Prayer Service
- Living Rosary
- Eucharistic Adoration (all three sites)
- All-Day Adoration (Tuesday at St. Gregory; Wednesday at St. Ferdinand & Holy Redeemer)
- Independence Day Mass (all three sites)
Cemeteries
Cemeteries are listed among the parish's ministries, and parishioners can request more information about parish cemeteries through the parish office. (Specific cemetery names and locations are not detailed on the pages reviewed.)
- Cemeteries — contact the parish office for information
Getting Involved & New Members
The parish invites new members and returning Catholics to register and to explore its many ministries. The Parish Ministries Facilitator (Jennifer Livorse) helps connect newcomers to liturgical, faith formation, outreach and social groups. A New Member Registration form on the parish website lists dozens of ways to participate — from choir and OCIA team to Knights of Columbus, Stephen Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, CYO, altar serving, and welcome/hospitality — and lets new families indicate interest in sacraments, the parish school and Catholic youth athletics.
- New Member Registration form on divinegracepgh.org
- Parish Ministries Facilitator — Jennifer Livorse ([email protected], 724-776-2888 ext. 1210)
- Liturgical, formation, outreach, music and social groups available
- Flocknote email/text communication system