About Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish is a Catholic parish in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, founded in 1931 and part of the Diocese of Scranton. The parish serves Wyoming County from its main worship site — Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at 99 East Tioga Street in Tunkhannock — and is also home to a second worship site, Saint Joachim Church in Meshoppen, which was joined to the parish in 2022. Father Patrick L. Albert, a Scranton native ordained in 1992, serves as pastor, alongside Deacon Raymond Pieretti and assisting priests Rev. Dennis Bajkowski and Rev. Kevin Miller. The parish supports a robust range of liturgical, faith-formation, service, and fellowship ministries, including CCD religious education, RCIA, prison ministry at the Wyoming County Correctional Facility, and ongoing support for the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth at their Mother of God Convent in Tunkhannock Township.
- Established
- 1931
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick L. Albert, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
Nativity BVM offers parishioners a deep well of Catholic life in the rural heart of Wyoming County — daily and weekend Mass at its Tunkhannock church, a second worship site in historic Meshoppen, Eucharistic Adoration and First Friday devotions, and a Hispanic Mass at Saint Joachim's that welcomes the area's Spanish-speaking Catholics. The parish is a center for faith formation across the lifespan, with RCIA, Adult Faith Formation, and CCD for children, plus a strong music ministry, Altar and Rosary Society, and active scout program (Troop 518 and Pack 518). Members also reach outward through Prison Ministry at the Wyoming County Correctional Facility, Pro-Life work, Social Concerns, Bereavement Ministry, and ongoing financial support for the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth, giving newcomers many ways to belong and serve.
Mass times at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:15 PM (45 minutes before the 5:00 PM Mass)
- Wednesday: 45 minutes before 5:00 PM Mass (per diocesan schedule)
- Sunday at Saint Joachim's: 8:30 AM
Adoration times
- Friday: 6:30 PM (Following First Friday Mass)
Parish History
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish was founded in 1931 in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, as part of the Diocese of Scranton's outreach to Wyoming County. The parish's main church sits at 99 East Tioga Street in Tunkhannock, where it anchors Catholic life for the surrounding rural communities. In 2022, Nativity BVM was joined by Saint Joachim Church in Meshoppen as a second worship site, deepening its reach into Susquehanna and Bradford counties. The Meshoppen community of faith itself dates back to the 1870s, and on October 13, 2024, Saint Joachim's celebrated its 150th anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving at which Father Patrick L. Albert served as principal celebrant.
- Founded 1931
- Joined with Saint Joachim Church, Meshoppen in 2022
- Saint Joachim's 150th anniversary celebrated October 13, 2024
Worship Sites
The parish maintains two worship sites that together cover a wide rural area. The main parish church — Nativity BVM Church — stands at 99 East Tioga Street in Tunkhannock and hosts the bulk of weekend Masses, daily Masses, and parish ministries. Saint Joachim Church on Sterling Street in Meshoppen offers a 9:00 AM Sunday Mass on the first and third Sundays, a 9:00 AM Thursday weekday Mass, and the parish's 3:00 PM Sunday Hispanic Mass.
- Nativity BVM Church, 99 East Tioga Street, Tunkhannock
- Saint Joachim Church, Sterling Street, Meshoppen
Sacramental Life
Beyond the regular Mass schedule, the parish celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation before weekend Masses and offers Adoration on First Fridays. The full sacramental life of the Church — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick — is supported through the parish office.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 PM (45 minutes before 5:00 PM Mass) and Sunday 8:30 AM at Saint Joachim's
- Adoration: Friday 6:30 PM after First Friday Mass
- First Friday Mass and Adoration
- Contact parish office for Baptism, Marriage, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick
Our Pastor and Clergy
Nativity BVM Parish is led by Rev. Patrick L. Albert, V.F., a Scranton native who was ordained as a diocesan priest in 1992. Father Pat's first assignment was at Saint Mary's in Dickson City, and he previously served as pastor in Forest City before coming to Tunkhannock. He is assisted by Deacon Raymond Pieretti — who also coordinates the parish's Prison Ministry at the Wyoming County Correctional Facility — and by assisting priests Rev. Dennis Bajkowski, Rev. Kevin Miller, and Rev. Edward Michelini.
- Pastor: Rev. Patrick L. Albert, V.F.
- Deacon: Raymond (Ray) Pieretti
- Assisting Priests: Rev. Dennis Bajkowski, Rev. Kevin Miller, Rev. Edward Michelini
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of lay liturgical roles keep the parish's Masses and devotions running smoothly, from the sanctuary to the entrance doors.
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (grade 3+)
- Adult Funeral Servers
- Music Ministry — Choir, Cantors, and Musicians
- Ushers
- Collection Counters
Faith Formation
Religious education is offered for both adults and children through the parish's RCIA and CCD programs. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults walks newcomers from September through Pentecost, with reception of the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Adult Faith Formation sponsors Bible Study and other enrichment programs, while CCD provides K–adult religious education Sundays from September through May following the 9:00 AM Mass.
- RCIA — runs September through Pentecost, reception at the Easter Vigil
- Adult Faith Formation / Bible Study
- CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) — Sundays after the 9:00 AM Mass, Sept–May
Service and Outreach Ministries
Nativity BVM parishioners carry their faith into the wider Wyoming County community through a rich set of service ministries.
- Prison Ministry at Wyoming County Correctional Facility (monthly religious service; Coordinator: Deacon Ray Pieretti)
- Bereavement Ministry — All Souls' Day liturgy in November
- Social Concerns Ministry — expressing Faith, Hope, and Love locally
- Pro-Life Ministry
- Support for the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth at the Mother of God Convent, Tunkhannock Township
- Digital Disciples Ministry — website, Facebook, bulletins, YouTube
Parish Life and Fellowship
Stewardship and fellowship are a visible part of parish identity at Nativity BVM, with signature events that fund the parish and connect it to the community year-round.
- Pierogi Making and Sales
- Valentine's Day Dance
- Spring and Fall Dances
- Wyoming County Fair Food Sale
- Founders Day Food Sale
- Ash Wednesday Food Sale
- Airing of the Quilts
- Christmas in Our Hometown
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Boy Scout Troop 518 / Cub Scout Pack 518 (sponsored by Nativity)
- Buildings and Grounds Committee
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish Finance Council
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 99 East Tioga Street in Tunkhannock (mailing PO Box 186, Tunkhannock, PA 18657) or by phone during office hours.
- Phone: (570) 836-3275
- Fax: (570) 836-4268
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.nativitybvmparish.com/
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM