About Holy Rosary · Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Holy Rosary Parish is a Catholic parish in the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, situated on South Poplar Street and one of the historic Italian-founded parishes of the anthracite-coal region. It belongs to the Diocese of Scranton and was established in 1916 to serve the wave of Italian immigrants who came to work the coal mines and railroads of the Hazleton area. The parish is currently led by Deacon Vincent M. Oberto as Parish Life Coordinator, with Rev. Connell A. McHugh serving as Sacramental Minister and Rev. Michael J. Piccola (Dean of the Hazleton Deanery) as Priest Moderator. The parish is linked with Holy Name of Jesus Parish in West Hazleton and offers weekend and weekday Mass, daily adoration, the Fatima Devotions on the 13th of each month, a busy Religious Education program for children, RCIA, a Christian Women's Society, a Men's Group, and a strong liturgical music program.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rosary (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Deacon Vincent M. Oberto (Parish Life Coordinator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
Holy Rosary is a welcoming Italian-rooted parish where you can worship at a daily noon Mass, spend time in the Blessed Sacrament in a chapel that is open every day from 6 AM to 9 PM, and join in the parish's signature devotions — the monthly Fatima Devotions on the 13th, the Wednesday-evening Rosary Prayer Group, and the First Saturday Rosary before Mass. It is also a parish that invests deeply in formation: a Religious Education program for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, RCIA for adults exploring the Catholic faith, an Adult Faith Formation program, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, a Men's Group, a Christian Women's Society, and lively liturgical music by both an adult and a children's choir. With Deacon Vince Oberto — a 'native son' of the parish — coordinating its life together with Father Connell McHugh celebrating the sacraments, Holy Rosary offers the warmth of a neighborhood parish grounded in the Eucharist and devotion to Our Lady.
Mass times at Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 – 3:45 PM
- Saturday 4:15 – 4:45 PM (per parish-published bulletin times; check website for current)
- Also by appointment (call the parish office at 570-454-6693)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel, accessible day and night. Entrance is near the rear parking lot of the church; a keypad code is required (call the parish office at 570-454-6693 to obtain access). Chapel hours are 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM; outside those hours the building security system is armed.
Parish History and Identity
Holy Rosary Parish was founded in 1916 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, as an Italian national parish serving the Italian immigrant community of the anthracite-coal region. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Scranton and is one of several historic national parishes that grew up in Hazleton alongside Most Precious Blood (Italian), Our Lady of Grace (Italian), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Tyrolean), St. Gabriel (Irish) and Transfiguration (Polish). The parish's name honors the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Holy Rosary, and its feast is observed on October 7.
- Founded 1916 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
- Italian national parish — also listed as 'Holy Rosary [Italian]'
- Diocese of Scranton
- Patron: Our Lady of the Rosary (feast day October 7)
- Linked with Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton
Clergy and Staff
Because of the priest shortage affecting the Diocese of Scranton, Holy Rosary Parish is currently shepherded through a collaborative ministry model led by a Parish Life Coordinator rather than a resident pastor. Deacon Vincent M. Oberto — a native son of Holy Rosary who was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2015 — was installed as Parish Life Coordinator on February 10, 2024, by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. He is assisted by Rev. Connell A. McHugh as Sacramental Minister, Rev. Michael J. Piccola as Priest Moderator (who also serves as pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish and Dean of the Hazleton Deanery), and Father Sergio Leon Pamplona Henao, who serves the Spanish-speaking community at Holy Name of Jesus and assists in Masses at both parishes.
- Deacon Vincent M. Oberto — Parish Life Coordinator
- Rev. Connell A. McHugh — Sacramental Minister
- Rev. Michael J. Piccola — Priest Moderator
- Rev. Sergio Leon Pamplona Henao — Assistant Pastor (Spanish-speaking ministry at Holy Name of Jesus)
- Denise Minnick — Secretary
- David Eckrote — Maintenance
- Mel Makuta — Maintenance
Pastoral Leadership Transition
The most recent pastoral change at Holy Rosary came on January 27, 2024, when the Rev. J. Duane Gavitt retired for reasons of health. The Diocese of Scranton responded by formally installing Deacon Oberto as Parish Life Coordinator for both Holy Rosary and Holy Name of Jesus parishes on February 10, 2024, an arrangement recognized by Canon Law to maintain pastoral care when an ordained priest cannot be stationed as resident pastor. Earlier in the decade, Rev. Brian Clarke served as pastor and helped begin the linkage with Holy Name of Jesus Parish.
- Rev. J. Duane Gavitt — retired January 27, 2024 (health)
- Deacon Vince Oberto installed as PLC — February 10, 2024
- Earlier pastor: Rev. Brian Clarke
Marian Devotions and Prayer Groups
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a hallmark of parish life at Holy Rosary. Three signature devotions anchor the prayer calendar: the monthly Fatima Devotions on the 13th of each month, the Wednesday-evening Rosary Prayer Group in the chapel, and the Christian Women's Society Rosary recited before Mass on the First Saturday of each month. The parish also hosts 'BOW — Breaking Open the Word,' an informal Sunday-evening gathering in the Rectory Living Room where parishioners discuss the upcoming Sunday's readings and music.
- Fatima Devotions — 13th of each month, 7:00 PM (Rosary, Litanies, Mass)
- Rosary Prayer Group — Wednesdays at 6:00 PM, chapel
- Christian Women's Society Rosary — First Saturday at 3:40 PM, before Mass
- BOW — Breaking Open the Word — select Sundays, 6:00 PM, Rectory Living Room
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Holy Rosary's Religious Education Program supports parents as the primary educators of their children by providing formal classroom instruction in Catholic doctrine and a setting for children to apply those teachings in daily life. Classes meet on Sundays after the 9 AM liturgy from September through May and serve children entering kindergarten through eighth grade. The parish also runs RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults) for those inquiring into the Catholic faith, an Adult Faith Formation program of group studies and retreats, and a Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
- Religious Education Program (K–8, Sundays after 9 AM liturgy, September–May)
- RCIA (Right of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments with clear advance-notice requirements. Baptisms are scheduled at least one month ahead, with new parents participating in the Baptism Instruction Program. Marriages require at least six months of preparation, and couples join the parish's Marriage Preparation Program. Confirmation is offered every two years as part of Youth Faith Formation, with adults confirmed at special times. The parish also visits the sick, the confined and the homebound to bring Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion.
- Baptism — 1 month advance; Baptism Instruction Program for new parents
- Marriage — 6 months advance; Marriage Preparation Program
- Confirmation — every two years (youth); adults at special times
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion to sick/homebound — notify parish office
Liturgical Ministries
A full complement of liturgical ministries supports worship at Holy Rosary. The Music Ministry (with both an Adult Choir and a Children's Choir) and a team of Cantors lead congregational singing. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion distribute the Eucharist at Mass and to the sick and homebound. Altar Servers (open to boys and girls entering 3rd grade or older), Lectors who proclaim the readings and lead the Prayers of the Faithful, and Ushers/Greeters who welcome parishioners, help with seating and collections, and distribute bulletins round out the lay liturgical teams.
- Music Ministry (Adult Choir, Children's Choir)
- Cantors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Communion (including to the sick/homebound)
- Altar Servers (3rd grade and up)
- Lectors
- Ushers / Greeters
Parish Life and Service Organizations
Outside the sanctuary, Holy Rosary is sustained by several lay organizations. The Christian Women's Society unites and encourages the women of the parish through fundraising, spiritual, charitable and social activities, and includes a Hospitality Committee that welcomes new members, a Parish Life Committee that coordinates spiritual and social events, and a corps of volunteers. The Men's Group meets every other Friday at 6:30 AM in the Parish Hall for prayer, fellowship and discussion. The Pastoral Council advises the Parish Life Coordinator in pastoral planning and serves as a liaison with parish ministries, while the Finance Council oversees the temporal affairs of the parish.
- Christian Women's Society — fundraising, spiritual, charitable, social
- • Hospitality Committee
- • Parish Life Committee
- • Volunteers
- Men's Group — every other Friday, 6:30 AM, Parish Hall
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
Outreach and Stewardship
The parish extends its ministry beyond its walls through support of Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, whose local Hazleton office (214 West Walnut) provides counseling, a free monthly legal clinic, adoption and foster-care services, and materials assistance. The parish's stewardship supports faith formation within the parish, offers tuition assistance for students attending parochial schools, and helps with the general upkeep of parish buildings and grounds. Holy Rosary also lists 'Catholic Television' (the locally produced weekly Mass for Inspiration by Sam-Son Productions) and Lighthouse Media inspirational resources among its resources for parishioners.
- Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton — local office 214 W. Walnut, Hazleton (570-455-1521)
- Tuition assistance for students attending parochial schools
- Catholic Television — 'Mass for Inspiration' (Sam-Son Productions)
- Lighthouse Media — books and inspirational resources
Visit Us — Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Rosary Parish at 240 South Poplar Street, Hazleton, PA 18201 (phone 570-454-6693, fax 570-454-6694, email [email protected]). The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed on Fridays. The Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:15 PM is the main streamed liturgy for those at home, available on the parish website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. New parishioner registration forms are available in the back of the church.
- Address — 240 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, PA 18201
- Phone — (570) 454-6693
- Fax — (570) 454-6694
- Email — [email protected]
- Office hours — Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM (closed Friday)
- New parishioner forms available in the back of the church
- Livestream Mass — Saturday 4:15 PM via website, Facebook and YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J. Duane Gavittuntil January 27, 2024
Retired due to reasons of health; had served Holy Rosary and linked Holy Name of Jesus parishes.
- Rev. Brian Clarkeprior to Gavitt
Earlier pastor who oversaw the start of the linkage with Holy Name of Jesus Parish in West Hazleton.