About Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish (Extraordinary Form) · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish is a personal Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh that celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) daily. Established on July 1, 2019 by Bishop David Zubik, it grew out of a Latin Mass community that had been gathering in the diocese since 1989 and was previously organized as the St. John XXIII quasi-parish beginning in 2015. Pastoral care is provided by priests of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP), an international society of apostolic life dedicated to the classical Roman Liturgy. The parish draws faithful from across the diocese to its church on California Avenue on Pittsburgh's North Side, overlooking the Ohio River.
- Established
- 2019
- Patron
- The Most Precious Blood of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Canon William Avis
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Most Precious Blood of Jesus offers daily access to the Traditional Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, including a sung High Mass every Sunday and a robust schedule of weekday Masses and confessions. The parish is supported by an unusually full sacramental and devotional life — weekly Catechism for over 240 children in K-12, a Schola Cantorum performing Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony, First Friday and First Saturday devotions, an active Confraternity of Christian Mothers, a Respect Life Group, and the Sursum Corda young-adult fellowship. Pastoral care is provided by the international Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, and visitors regularly travel from across the diocese for the prayerful tranquility the parish is known for.
Mass times at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish (Extraordinary Form)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM and 10:00 – 11:00 AM
- Monday – Friday: 11:15 – 11:45 AM
- Tuesday: also 6:15 – 6:45 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 – 8:45 AM
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 7:00 PM Low Mass followed by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart devotions
History & Identity
Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish was established on July 1, 2019 by Bishop David Zubik as a personal parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite). It is the direct continuation of a Latin Mass community that has been gathering in the diocese since 1989, first at the Duquesne University Chapel and at Ss. Peter and Paul in Beaver, then at St. Boniface Church on the North Side as part of Holy Wisdom Parish, and then as the St. John XXIII quasi-parish from 2015. The parish is staffed by priests of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest and serves faithful from across the diocese who seek the prayerful tranquility of the classical Roman Liturgy.
- June 11, 1989: Latin Mass first celebrated twice monthly in the diocese (Duquesne University Chapel; Ss. Peter and Paul, Beaver).
- January 7, 1990: Community moves to St. Boniface Church, North Side, part of Holy Wisdom Parish.
- October 11, 2014: Bishop Zubik announces the Community will become the St. John XXIII personal quasi-parish.
- January 1, 2015: St. John XXIII quasi-parish established.
- July 1, 2019: Quasi-parish suppressed; Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish established; community relocates to the former Risen Lord Church on the North Side.
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by two priests of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, supported by a dedicated lay staff and many volunteers. Canon William Avis serves as Pastor and Canon Heitor Matheus as Parochial Vicar.
- Rev. Canon William Avis – Pastor
- Rev. Canon Heitor Matheus – Parochial Vicar
- Bill Warnagiris – Business Manager
- Gail Buchman – Administrative Assistant
- John Rokosz – Music Director
- Charles R. Friend – Budgets & Financial Reporting
- Geraldine M. Redic – Bookkeeper
- Jeannine M. Goelz – Office Coordinator
- Jack Aul – Project Superintendent
- George Wright – ERT/Usher Coordinator
- Michael Eyler – Catechism Administrator
- Karen Kondracki – Safe Environment Coordinator
Devotions
Two monthly devotions form the backbone of the parish's reparative life: the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the First Saturday devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament is celebrated following the First Friday evening Mass.
- First Friday (Sacred Heart): 12:00 Noon Low Mass followed by the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; 7:00 PM Low Mass followed by Benediction and Sacred Heart devotions.
- First Saturday (Immaculate Heart): 9:00 AM Low Mass followed by Marian devotions, including the Five First Saturdays practice of confession, Communion, five decades of the rosary, and fifteen minutes of meditation on the mysteries.
Catechism & Religious Education
The parish runs a full, accredited catechetical program for children in grades K through 12, meeting on Sundays from September through May in the school adjacent to the church. The program serves over 240 children from 100 registered families; all teachers are devout Catholics who have completed 'Protecting God's Children' and other diocesan requirements. Donuts and drinks are available before each session.
- Class time: Sundays 9:25 – 10:15 AM, September through May
- Open to children of registered parishioners only
- Baptismal certificate required before reception of a new sacrament
- Annual registration fee: $15/child, capped at $45 for three or more children
- First Holy Communion and Confirmation are received through the Catechism Program
- Registration for 2026-27 opens July 12, 2026; classes begin September 13, 2026
Adult Faith Formation
Non-Catholics, lapsed Catholics, and anyone with questions about the Catholic faith are invited to learn more about the Church's claims and teachings by contacting the parish to set up a meeting with one of the canons. A weekly Adult Convert Class is held on the parish campus, with announcements emailed to registered participants.
- Initial appointment with one of the canons (call 412-761-1508 or email the parish office)
- Current class began in October 2025, preparing participants for reception of the Sacraments of Initiation in 2026
- Classes meet once a week on the parish campus; dates, times, and subjects announced by email
Music Program — Schola Cantorum
The Schola Cantorum provides music for the High (Sung) Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Its purpose is to prepare the chants of the Mass — the responses, the Ordinary, and the chants of the Roman Gradual proper to the choir — and to intone the singing proper to the people. On the most solemn occasions the Schola substitutes polyphonic compositions for the Ordinary chants, drawing on a repertoire of sacred polyphony that ranges from medieval works to compositions of recent years. Those wishing to join are encouraged to contact the Music Director for an audition.
- Music Director: John Rokosz ([email protected])
- Sings Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony at the 11:00 AM High Mass and Holy Days
Parish Groups & Fellowship
Beyond the liturgies, the parish sustains a network of groups that serve different seasons of life — mothers, young adults, and those devoted to the pro-life cause. All adult women are welcome to the Confraternity of Christian Mothers; young adults ages 18–35 are invited to Sursum Corda; and the Respect Life Group organizes around the Gospel of Life through legislation, education, and advocacy.
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers — meets on Saturdays beginning with the 9 AM Mass; all adult women welcome ([email protected])
- Respect Life Group — subcommittees in Legislation, Education, and Advocacy; contact Brenda Briola at 724-650-5767 or [email protected]
- Sursum Corda Young Adults (ages 18-35) — nationwide ICKSP initiative; contact José Piñero at 863-450-5143 or [email protected]; text Corda to 84576 and choose 'SC Pittsburgh'
Volunteers & Getting Involved
Canon Avis has often emphasized that the parish is built largely by volunteers willing to share their professional experience — in business, carpentry, construction, engineering, IT, law, mechanical systems, garment production, communication, and more. As little as one hour a week, he notes, can make a significant difference in maintaining the church and its buildings and in running social events.
- Contact the Volunteer Coordinator (Jeannine Goelz, [email protected])
- Opportunities in business, carpentry, construction, engineering, IT, law, mechanical systems, garment production, and more
Sacraments & Sacramental Records
Arrangements for Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funerals are made through the Parish Office. Sacramental records from the predecessor communities of Holy Wisdom Parish and St. John XXIII Quasi-Parish were transferred to the Diocesan Archives and Records Center when Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish was established.
- Infant Baptism: call the Parish Office prior to the baby's birth to begin arrangements; should occur within the first weeks after birth.
- Holy Matrimony: contact the Parish Office at least six months in advance.
- Anointing of the Sick: do not wait until the patient is no longer conscious; every hospital in the diocese has a priest-chaplain for emergencies.
- Visitation of the Sick: Canon Avis or Canon Matheus will bring Holy Communion to the home; call to make arrangements.
- Funerals: coordinated with the funeral home; call the Parish Office for assistance.
- Records of Holy Wisdom Parish and St. John XXIII Quasi-Parish: contact the Diocesan Archives and Records Center, 412-456-3158, open Mon–Fri 9 AM – 4 PM.