About Mother Cabrini · Shamokin, Pennsylvania
Mother Cabrini Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Formed in 1995 through the consolidation of five historic ethnic parishes (Assumption BVM, St. Edward the Confessor, St. Stanislaus Kosta, St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Anthony of Padua of Ranshaw), the parish takes its name from St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron of immigrants. It is served by Conventual Franciscan friars (OFM Conv.) and shares its historic worship site — the former St. Edward's Church on North Shamokin Street — with the broader 'Reviving. Together.' ministry of the Franciscan Friars across Northumberland County's coal country. The community worships in a spirit of 'Franciscan joy,' celebrating daily Mass and reaching out to transform its region.
- Established
- 1995
- Patron
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (patroness of immigrants)
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Mother Cabrini is a welcoming Conventual Franciscan parish in the heart of Pennsylvania's Northumberland Coal Region, with daily and Sunday Masses, regular confession, active religious education, and a parish community that draws on the rich ethnic heritage of the immigrant communities that built the local Catholic Church. As part of the 'Reviving. Together.' ministry, parishioners have a unique opportunity not only to worship in a historic church featuring a Coal Altar, but to be part of a Franciscan-led effort to renew Shamokin and surrounding coal towns alongside neighboring parishes.
Mass times at Mother Cabrini
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Thursday 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Welcome to Mother Cabrini Parish
Formed in 1995, the parish community of Mother Cabrini is dedicated to knowing, loving, and serving God through the communal celebration of the mysteries of Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus, parishioners welcome each other's God-given gifts, share their ethnic heritage, and reach out to transform their community in a spirit of Franciscan joy. The parish gathers at 214 N Shamokin Street, Shamokin, PA.
- Address: 214 N Shamokin St., Shamokin, PA 17872
- Phone: (570) 648-4512
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.revivingtogether.com/shamokin
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Our History
Mother Cabrini Parish was created in 1995 when the Diocese of Harrisburg consolidated five historic parishes in the Shamokin–Coal Township coal-mining region: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1892, Slovak), St. Edward the Confessor (1866), St. Stanislaus Kosta (1874, Polish), St. Michael the Archangel (1894, Lithuanian), and St. Anthony of Padua in Ranshaw (1919). The new parish took its name from St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the Italian-born missionary and patroness of immigrants — a fitting patron for a community uniting Slovak, Polish, Lithuanian, German, Italian, and Irish Catholic traditions. Pastoral care passed to the Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.), and the parish inherited the historic St. Edward's Church building on North Shamokin Street.
- Founded: 1995
- Successor parishes: Assumption BVM, St. Edward the Confessor, St. Stanislaus Kosta, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Anthony of Padua (Ranshaw)
- Named for: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
- Order serving the parish: Conventual Franciscans (OFM Conv.)
The Church Building (Former St. Edward's)
The Mother Cabrini worship site is the historic St. Edward's Catholic Church building on North Shamokin Street. Construction of the current church broke ground in September 1872 and was completed in 1879, succeeding earlier congregations that had served railroad workers and miners since 1866. The building is locally claimed as one of the first churches in the world to be lit by electric light, with light bulbs installed under the supervision of Thomas Edison's Edison Illuminating Company of Shamokin. After a 1971 fire destroyed much of the structure, the church was rebuilt and rededicated. Inside, a distinctive Coal Altar honors the region's anthracite mining heritage.
- Groundbreaking: September 1872
- Completed: 1879
- Notable: locally claimed first electrically lit church (Edison Illuminating Co. of Shamokin)
- Restored after 1971 fire
- Features a Coal Altar
- Participates in the annual Anthracite Heritage Festival
Sacraments
In addition to the Eucharist and Penance, Mother Cabrini celebrates the other sacraments of the Church. Couples preparing for marriage and families seeking Baptism are asked to call the parish office to make an appointment. Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral needs can be arranged by contacting the parish secretary.
- Baptism – call for an appointment
- Marriage – call for an appointment
- Anointing of the Sick – by request through the parish office
- Holy Days of Obligation – see bulletin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Mother Cabrini provides parish-based religious education for children and adults, coordinated by Mary Gillam, the parish's Religious Education Coordinator. The program supports sacramental preparation and ongoing catechesis for parishioners of all ages. Adult Faith Formation is also offered through the parish's connection with the Diocese of Harrisburg.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Mary Gillam
- Adult Faith Formation opportunities available
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
Reviving. Together. — A Regional Franciscan Ministry
Mother Cabrini is one of three parishes in the 'Reviving. Together.' collaborative ministry of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, alongside St. Patrick Parish in Trevorton and Our Lady of Hope in Coal Township. The collaboration works with neighbors, local government, and state and federal agencies to rebuild Pennsylvania's Northumberland Coal Region — uniting the spiritual mission of the friars with community development in an area shaped by anthracite mining.
- Partner parishes: St. Patrick (Trevorton) and Our Lady of Hope (Coal Township)
- Mission: spiritual renewal and regional rebuilding of the Northumberland Coal Region
- Served by Conventual Franciscan friars
Cemeteries
Mother Cabrini Parish manages the historic cemeteries of four former parishes — St. Edward, St. Mary, St. Michael, and St. Stanislaus. All of the cemeteries are located on top of the hill in the Springfield area of Coal Township, bounded by Thomas, Logan, and Eagle Streets. Graves are still available for purchase; families seeking to locate loved ones or arrange future burials should call the Parish Secretary / Cemetery Coordinator at the parish office.
- Locations: Springfield area, Coal Township (bounded by Thomas, Logan, and Eagle Streets)
- Former parishes represented: St. Edward, St. Mary, St. Michael, St. Stanislaus
- Contact: Parish Secretary / Cemetery Coordinator — (570) 648-4512
- Graves still available for purchase
Our Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Conventual Franciscan friars with support from a deacon and dedicated lay staff. The Diocese of Harrisburg currently assigns Rev. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv., as pastor, succeeding Friar Jim Fukes, OFM Conv. Rev. Timothy Geiger, OFM Conv., serves as Parochial Vicar.
- Pastor: Rev. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Timothy Geiger, OFM Conv.
- Deacon: Deacon Robert P. Wislock
- Parish Secretary: Ann Marie Drust
- Religious Education Coordinator: Mary Gillam
- Maintenance: Jim Yost
- Recent former pastor: Friar Jim Fukes, OFM Conv.
Devotions & Special Observances
Mother Cabrini hosts traditional Catholic devotions in addition to the regular Mass schedule. The parish has observed the Forty Hours Devotion, a Eucharistic devotion focused on adoration of the Blessed Sacrament over a period of days.
- Forty Hours Devotion (Eucharistic adoration over multiple days)
- Participation in the annual Anthracite Heritage Festival (Shamokin)
Visiting & Accessibility
The parish complex at 214 N Shamokin Street includes the church, parking, restrooms, and a social hall — making it well-suited for parish gatherings and community events. Assistive listening is available in the church. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- On-site parking
- Accessible restrooms
- Social hall available
- Assistive listening system in the church
- Office hours: Mon–Thu, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Safe Environment
Mother Cabrini follows the Diocese of Harrisburg's Safe Environment policies. Anyone who suspects abuse of a minor is urged to call the toll-free Pennsylvania Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313, and the diocese's reporting line at 1-800-626-1608.
- PA Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-932-0313
- Diocesabuse reporting line: 1-800-626-1608
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Friar Jim Fukes, OFM Conv.Through at least 2017 (celebrated 25th priestly anniversary June 2017)
Conventual Franciscan friar who served as pastor of Mother Cabrini; celebrated his silver jubilee of priesthood with an anniversary Mass at the parish.
- Rev. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv.Assigned by the Diocese of Harrisburg (effective following Bishop's announcement, succeeding Fr. Fukes)
Previously pastor of Our Lady of Hope, Coal Township, and St. Patrick's, Trevorton; assigned as part of a consolidation strategy in which one Conventual Franciscan pastor oversees multiple parishes.