Holy Rosary - St. Oscar Romero Parish

Welcome & Parish Mission

Saint Oscar Romero Parish is a tri-site Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh whose mission statement reads: 'We, the Roman Catholic parish of St. Oscar Romero consisting of the churches of Holy Rosary, Miraculous Medal, and St. Patrick, enlightened by the Word of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and called to spread God's love, through our actions and words, strive to bring into an intimate relationship with Jesus all those living in North Central Washington County.' The parish describes itself as a 'compassionate, Christ-like presence' in this part of Washington County, PA — a diverse community that seeks to put faith into action through its many ministries and organizations.

History of the Parish

Holy Rosary Church in Muse was established in 1963 to serve the local coal-mining community. On May 28, 2020, Bishop David Zubik announced that Holy Rosary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Meadow Lands), and St. Patrick (Canonsburg) would be merged into a new parish as part of 'Disciples on the Way,' a multi-year reorganization that consolidated the Diocese of Pittsburgh's 188 parishes into 57. The new Saint Oscar Romero Parish took effect July 1, 2020; Rev. Carmen D'Amico was the initial parish administrator. The parish's three constituent churches continue to operate as distinct worship sites within the consolidated structure.

• 1963 — Holy Rosary Church established in Muse, PA
• May 28, 2020 — Bishop Zubik announces the merger
• July 1, 2020 — Saint Oscar Romero Parish officially formed
• Rev. Carmen D'Amico — founding parish administrator

Our Name: Saint Óscar Romero

The parish is named in honor of Archbishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador, the Central American prelate assassinated while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. According to local press coverage, parishioners submitted more than 30 name suggestions after the merger was announced; the pastoral council narrowed them to five finalists and Bishop Zubik chose the Romero name himself.

Three Worship Sites

Saint Oscar Romero Parish operates out of three historic church sites, each preserving its own schedule, identity, and community life.

• Holy Rosary Church — 1 Orchard Street, Muse, PA 15350 (parish phone 724-745-3531 per GCatholic)
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church — 300 Pike Street, Meadow Lands, PA 15347
• St. Patrick Church — 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317 (parish offices)

Live Streaming

The parish live-streams Masses from each of its three church sites via YouTube, with English and Spanish Sunday services available to the homebound. Stream tech support is coordinated by Bob Liekar; the parish actively invites high-school and college students to volunteer as live-stream technicians.

• Stream hub: romeroparish.org/stream
• Sunday 9:30 AM English — Miraculous Medal
• Sunday 11:30 AM Spanish — Miraculous Medal
• Holy Rosary and St. Patrick sites also stream with on-demand archives

Parish Clergy & Staff

Saint Oscar Romero Parish is served by a pastor, two senior parochial vicars, two permanent deacons, and a lay staff that includes a Director of Religious Education.

• Rev. Thomas L. Gillespie — Pastor
• Rev. George T. DeVille — Senior Parochial Vicar (regularly celebrates at Holy Rosary)
• Rev. John F. Donahue — Senior Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Brian M. Podobnik
• Deacon Anton V. Mobley
• Bob Liekar — Director of Religious Education (ext. 302, [email protected])
• Anthony Milbower — Music Ministry Director (724-255-1566)
• Garrett Andrae — Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus Council #3291

Liturgical & Music Ministries

The parish's Music Ministry is widely diverse: 'a community widely diverse in musical styles and traditions yet uniquely united in singing our praise to the Living God.' Director Anthony Milbower leads groups ranging from classical choral to contemporary and Latino. Liturgical volunteers serve as Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, and homebound visitors.

• Adult Choir (18+) — traditional, contemporary, classical, gospel, chant
• Children's Choir (grades 3–8)
• Latino Choir — supports the weekly Spanish Mass
• Praise Band — provides contemporary music at the monthly Teen Mass (9th grade and up)
• Handbell Choir — being restarted (14 ringers for Christmas, Easter, Confirmation)
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (must be 18+, confirmed, practicing Catholics)
• Home-Bound/Shut-In Communion calls (monthly rotation; deacon or priest visit when needed)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The Faith Formation program, directed by Bob Liekar, serves children in Kindergarten through Grade 7 with both a traditional classroom track and a home-school track, plus Confirmation preparation for 8th graders. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation is included in the program. The parish also runs OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adult initiation.

• Traditional classroom track — Sundays 8:45–10:00 AM, Faith Formation Building (former St. Patrick School)
• Home-school track (K–7) — uses 'Alive in Christ' and 'Allelu!' from Our Sunday Visitor; parents as primary teachers with catechist support
• Confirmation class for 8th graders — Sunday morning and evening sessions; service projects and day of prayer required
• OCIA — adult initiation into the Catholic Church (contact the rectory)

Parish Organizations & Men's Ministries

Parishioners across all three sites are encouraged to share their gifts and talents in a wide range of parish organizations — many with deep histories reaching back decades. The parish's men's groups include the Knights of Columbus and the long-running Catholic Men's Club, which traces its roots to a 1925 Usher Club at St. Patrick Church.

• Knights of Columbus Council #3291 — second Thursday of the month, 7–9 PM at Holy Rosary New Hall; food/clothing/blood drives, fundraisers, seminarian sponsorships, road cleanups, Mother's Day Breakfast
• Catholic Men's Club — third Wednesday, 6:30–8:00 PM, St. Patrick School Cafeteria (descended from 1925 Usher Club, renamed in 2020)
• Holy Name Society (Miraculous Medal)
• Christian Mothers / Altar Society (at all three sites)
• Altar Rosary Society (Miraculous Medal)
• Ladies of Charity (St. Patrick)
• Boy Scouts (St. Patrick)
• Safety, Building & Grounds Ministry
• Tuesday Nightingales — Women's Book Club

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments, with preparation programs tailored to each. Marriage preparation must begin at least six months before the desired wedding date. Adults seeking Baptism or Confirmation are directed to OCIA. The parish urges families to contact the office well in advance — 'before birth when possible' for infant Baptism.

• Baptism — register and attend Baptism Instruction; godparents must be 16+, confirmed, practicing Catholics
• Confirmation — youth in 8th grade; adults by contacting the rectory
• Reconciliation — Wed 6–7 PM (Miraculous Medal), Sat 9–10 AM (St. Patrick), or by appointment
• Matrimony — 6 months' notice; pre-marriage preparation required
• Anointing of the Sick, Holy Eucharist, Holy Orders — contact the parish office

Outreach & Community Life

The parish's outreach spans both material and spiritual works of mercy. Knights of Columbus Council #3291 runs food, clothing, and blood drives; seminarian sponsorships; semi-annual road cleanups; and fundraisers for the Bishop's Project, Special Olympics, college scholarships, and ultrasound machines for pregnancy centers. A dedicated team of Eucharistic Ministers brings Communion to the homebound and shut-in throughout the area. The parish also memorializes local veterans — most visibly through the WWII honor-roll monument at Holy Rosary, rededicated in May 2026 by Fr. Gillespie and Fr. DeVille.

• Knights of Columbus charitable drives and fundraisers
• Monthly homebound Communion visits
• Annual Mother's Day Breakfast and Parish Picnic
• Memorial Day veterans' rededication ceremonies at Holy Rosary

The Holy Rosary Veterans Memorial

A defining feature of the Holy Rosary site is its veterans' memorial plaza, relocated in 2026 to a location adjacent to the church parking lot so the parish can continue to care for it. The original honor-roll monument was commissioned in 1948 by United Mine Workers of America Local 5600 and bears the names of 407 local World War II veterans, including seven women who served during the war.

• WWII honor-roll monument (1948) — 407 names including 7 women
• U.S. Veterans monument — relocated to new plaza 2026
• Memorial Day rededication ceremony May 2026, blessed by Fr. DeVille
• Future plaque planned to honor community veterans from other wars

Contact & Visit

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 724-745-6560 or by email at [email protected]. The parish's main offices operate from St. Patrick Parish Center at 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317. Live-streamed Masses and parish bulletins are available at romeroparish.org.

• Parish office: 724-745-6560
• Email: [email protected]
• Holy Rosary (Muse): 1 Orchard Street
• Miraculous Medal (Meadow Lands): 300 Pike Street
• St. Patrick (Canonsburg): 317 West Pike Street