About Holy Trinity [Ukrainian] · Carnegie, Pennsylvania
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite (Ukrainian Greek Catholic) parish located at 730 Washington Avenue in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, just southwest of Pittsburgh in the Chartiers Valley. The parish is part of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, in full communion with the Pope of Rome, and serves the spiritual and cultural needs of Ukrainian Catholics and anyone drawn to the Eastern Christian tradition. Today the community is led by Fr. Jason Charron, with two deacons — Fr. Deacon Myron Spak and Fr. Deacon Andrew Kurzawski — offering a Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy in English and two Sunday Divine Liturgies (one in Ukrainian, one in English), along with a rich calendar of ministries, festivals, and Byzantine spiritual formation.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Fr. Jason Charron
- Diocese
- Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is a place where Byzantine Christian worship, Ukrainian heritage, and ordinary parish life come together. The community gathers around the Divine Liturgy celebrated in both English and Ukrainian, supports strong family and women's ministry, runs a Ridna Shkola (Ukrainian heritage school) and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and is known for its warm festivals, pyrohy fundraisers, and outreach — both local and humanitarian. Whether you are Ukrainian Catholic by birth, a Roman Catholic curious about the Eastern tradition, or someone drawn to the beauty of Byzantine worship, the parish welcomes you to come as you are and pray with them.
Mass times at Holy Trinity [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
Parish History
Holy Trinity's roots lie in the early 20th-century Eastern European immigration to the Chartiers Valley, when Byzantine-rite faithful first worshipped with Sts. Peter & Paul in Carnegie (founded 1903). Under Fr. Marion Kucher in the 1940s, the community formally aligned with the Ukrainian Catholic Church, and in 1951 the faithful built the present church at 730 Washington Avenue under the long pastorate of Monsignor Russell Danylchuck (1951–1984). The parish has since been served by pastors including Fr. Richard Seminack (later Bishop of the Eparchy of St. Nicholas in Chicago), Monsignor George Appleyard, and Monsignor Peter D. Waslo. In 2014, Fr. Jason Charron was assigned pastor and continues to lead the community in the Kyivan Byzantine tradition.
- Parish community traces to early 1900s immigration to Carnegie
- 1951: current church built under Msgr. Russell Danylchuck
- Past pastors include Fr. Richard Seminack, Msgr. George Appleyard, Msgr. Peter D. Waslo
- Fr. Jason Charron assigned pastor in 2014
Clergy and Staff
Holy Trinity is served by Pastor Fr. Jason Charron — ordained in the Ukrainian Catholic Church since 2008, also pastor of St. Mary's in Wheeling, WV, and an active retreat leader and speaker. He is assisted by Fr. Ivan Smereka (Assistant Priest) and two deacons: Fr. Deacon Myron Spak, ordained by Bishop John Bura and long-serving in liturgical and pastoral ministry, and Fr. Deacon Andrew Kurzawski, a Theology and Philosophy teacher at Aquinas Academy High School in Gibsonia, a Hospice Chaplain, and the Assistant Vocation Director for the Eparchy of St. Josaphat (helping run the 'Called East' vocation initiative). Parish operations are supported by Parish Secretary Joann Bogdan Thomas.
- Fr. Jason Charron — Pastor (ordained 2008)
- Fr. Ivan Smereka — Assistant Priest
- Fr. Deacon Myron Spak
- Fr. Deacon Andrew Kurzawski — Aquinas Academy faculty, Hospice Chaplain, Vocation Office
- Joann Bogdan Thomas — Parish Secretary
Worship and Liturgy
The parish celebrates the Byzantine-rite Divine Liturgy, with a Saturday Vigil in English at 4:00 PM and two Sunday liturgies — 8:30 AM in Ukrainian and 11:00 AM in English. Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons from 3:15 to 3:45 PM or by appointment, and may also be received before or during the Divine Liturgy following Byzantine custom. Communion is distributed by spoon under both species, and after Liturgy the priest blesses and distributes Antidoron — blessed bread shared with everyone present as a sign of fellowship. The parish encourages daily prayer through the Byzantine Hours, Vespers, and Matins alongside its Sunday and feast-day schedule.
- Saturday 4:00 PM Divine Liturgy (English)
- Sunday 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy (Ukrainian)
- Sunday 11:00 AM Divine Liturgy (English)
- Confessions Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM or by appointment
- Communion received by spoon; arms crossed
- Antidoron distributed to all after Liturgy
Becoming Byzantine and Faith Formation
Holy Trinity is well known for its 'Becoming Byzantine' catechetical program, which welcomes inquirers — Roman Catholics, other Christians, and those returning to the faith — into the Ukrainian Catholic Byzantine tradition. The parish hosts in-person classes and points newcomers to the 'Becoming Byzantine' YouTube video series for accessible formation in theology, liturgy, and spirituality. Adult Faith Formation is led by Peter Leigh, and the parish also runs the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for children, coordinated by Pani Halyna Charron and Germaine Headrick.
- Becoming Byzantine — in-person classes and YouTube video series
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (children)
- Adult Faith Formation with Peter Leigh
Ukrainian Heritage and Ridna Shkola
A core part of parish life is the transmission of Ukrainian language and culture alongside the Byzantine faith. Holy Trinity runs a Ridna Shkola (Ukrainian heritage school) coordinated by Olexandra Korenovska, giving children and families a place to learn the language, traditions, and faith of their ancestors. The League of Ukrainian Catholics (led by Nick Kotow) keeps adult parishioners engaged with the broader Ukrainian Catholic community and heritage.
- Ridna Shkola — Ukrainian heritage school
- League of Ukrainian Catholics
Family and Community Life
The parish invests deeply in family and community through several lay-led groups. The Young Mothers Group (Rebecca Covel) supports mothers with young children, while the Men's Group (Jason Clark) gathers the men of the parish for fellowship and service. The 7 Sisters Apostolate (Leah Krummert) provides a holy hour of prayer coverage for the pastor. The Altar Guild (Arlene Esterburg) cares for the sanctuary and liturgical preparations, and the Parish Festival (led by Fr. Deacon Andrew Kurzawski) is the signature annual celebration of Ukrainian food, music, and culture.
- Young Mothers Group
- Men's Group
- 7 Sisters Apostolate
- Altar Guild
- Parish Festival
Music and Sacred Arts
Byzantine worship at Holy Trinity is supported by a dedicated Cantor/Music ministry under Peter Coelho-Kostolny, sustaining the chant and hymnody of the Kyivan tradition during the Divine Liturgy and major feasts.
- Cantor / Music ministry — Peter Coelho-Kostolny
Outreach and 412 Catholic Network
Beyond its own walls, Holy Trinity extends ministry to young adults through the 412 Catholic Network, helping connect them in faith and fellowship across the greater Pittsburgh area. The parish is also active in humanitarian outreach — both local and global — supporting those in need in times of crisis, and partners with neighboring churches in an ecumenical spirit of prayer and service.
- 412 Catholic Network — young adult outreach
- Local and global humanitarian outreach
- Ecumenical partnerships with neighboring churches
Parish Festival and Pyrohy Fundraisers
Food and fellowship are part of the parish's DNA. The annual Parish Festival, organized by Fr. Deacon Andrew Kurzawski, is a signature celebration of Ukrainian heritage, and the parish regularly hosts pyrohy (varenyky) pickup days in the parish hall under the church — a beloved fundraiser and community gathering.
- Annual Parish Festival
- Pyrohy (varenyky) pickup fundraisers in the parish hall
Leadership and Councils
Parish governance and stewardship are supported by the Pastor's Advisory Council (Zach Sudiak) and the Financial Advisory Council (Gary Shiwarski), which help guide the temporal and pastoral life of the community.
- Pastor's Advisory Council — Zach Sudiak
- Financial Advisory Council — Gary Shiwarski
FAQs for Visitors
The parish publishes a thorough FAQ page addressing common questions from first-time visitors, especially Roman Catholics unfamiliar with Byzantine practice. Topics include why people line up to talk to the priest before Liturgy (the Mystery of Holy Confession, often received before or during the Divine Liturgy), how to receive Communion (by spoon, arms crossed, no 'Amen'), why Byzantine priests can be married, why the Liturgy is not celebrated daily, and whether attendance fulfills a Roman Catholic's Sunday obligation (yes, it does). The parish warmly invites visitors to come as they are, observe quietly if they wish, and ask the priest any questions.
- Confession is common before/during the Divine Liturgy
- Communion is by spoon under both species
- Married clergy is an ancient Eastern Catholic tradition
- Daily Liturgy is not the Byzantine norm; Sundays and feasts are central
- Attending fulfills a Roman Catholic's Sunday obligation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Marion Kucher1940s
Led the community into formal alignment with the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
- Monsignor Russell Danylchuck1951–1984
Built the church and shepherded the parish for over three decades.
- Fr. Richard Seminack
Later appointed Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas in Chicago.
- Monsignor George Appleyard
Guided the parish through years of growth and liturgical enrichment.
- Monsignor Peter D. Waslo
Also served as pastor per parish directory listings.
- Fr. Jason Charron2014–present
Current pastor; also pastor of St. Mary's in Wheeling, WV.