About Our Lady of Mercy Parish · Easton, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Allentown located at 132 South Fifth Street in Easton, Pennsylvania, overlooking downtown Easton. The parish was established on July 15, 2008, through the consolidation of three older Easton parishes — St. Bernard (1829), St. Joseph (1852), and St. Michael (1916) — and today continues that legacy of serving immigrant Catholics, first European (Lithuanian, German, Irish) and now Hispanic (Central/South American and Caribbean) communities. The parish is bilingual, celebrating Mass in both English and Spanish, and operates alongside its twinned parish, St. Anthony of Padua, as the Roman Catholic Churches of Easton.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- Our Lady of Mercy
- Rector
- Rev. Keith Laskowski (reassigned effective June 15, 2026; parish transitioning to new leadership)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Allentown
Why belong here
Our Lady of Mercy is a small, multicultural Catholic community where longtime Easton families worship alongside newer arrivals from Latin America and the Caribbean, with weekly Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish. The parish offers a deep devotional and formation life — including Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, a Rosary Ministry that donates handmade rosaries to prison chaplaincies, an active Bereavement Ministry, two parish book clubs, OCIA for adults, and pilgrimages to shrines such as the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Divine Mercy Shrine. Its mission statement commits the community to 'love and serve God and our neighbors' as 'a warm and welcoming multi-cultural Roman Catholic Community, showing mercy to all through every stage of life' — a fitting reflection of its name and of its Easton roots in successive waves of Catholic immigrants.
Mass times at Our Lady of Mercy Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
- By appointment (call 610-252-7381)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM (in Spanish, preceding the 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
Parish Identity & Mission
Our Lady of Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Allentown, located at 132 South Fifth Street in Easton, Pennsylvania. According to its official GuideStar mission statement, the parish exists 'to love and serve God and our neighbors by being a warm and welcoming multi-cultural Roman Catholic Community, showing mercy to all through every stage of life, and building the Kingdom of God through fellowship, evangelization, worship and stewardship.' The parish is twinned with St. Anthony of Padua Parish under Pastor Fr. Keith Laskowski, jointly forming the 'Roman Catholic Churches of Easton' (rccofeaston.org).
- Diocese of Allentown parish
- Bilingual: English & Spanish
- Twinned with St. Anthony of Padua
- Mission rooted in mercy across all stages of life
Parish History
The parish was canonically established on July 15, 2008 by consolidating three historic Easton parishes: St. Bernard (founded 1829), St. Joseph (founded 1852), and St. Michael (founded 1916). The former St. Joseph Church was renamed Our Lady of Mercy Church and the parish was led by Father Deogratias Rwegasira, A.J., as its first pastor. After several years of operating at two sites, the parish consolidated to one location at 132 S. 5th Street, and the former Our Lady of Mercy / St. Joseph building celebrated its final closing Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, May 29, 2016, with Mrs. Jeanette Lucey — one of the oldest parishioners — performing the ritual of the final locking of the church. Many of the building's stained-glass windows and religious items were subsequently redistributed to other Catholic churches in the United States.
- Established July 15, 2008
- First Pastor: Rev. Deogratias Rwegasira, A.J.
- Formed from St. Bernard (1829), St. Joseph (1852), St. Michael (1916)
- Final Mass at former building: May 29, 2016 (Corpus Christi)
Heritage of the Three Predecessor Parishes
Our Lady of Mercy inherits the deep immigrant history of Easton's three predecessor parishes.
- St. Bernard Parish (1829) — founded when Father John Fitzpatrick purchased land on South Fifth Street; dedicated by Bishop Kenrick 1836; rebuilt after 1867 fire; Father James McGeveran added marble altars and stained glass in 1898.
- St. Joseph Parish (1852) — founded by Bishop John Neumann sending Father Rudolph Etthofer; cornerstone laid October 3, 1852; brick church dedicated by Archbishop Ryan April 15, 1894; destroyed by fire March 10, 1911; rebuilt church dedicated May 19, 1918.
- St. Michael Parish (1916) — founded to serve Lithuanian immigrants; former Heptasoph Hall remodeled and dedicated by Monsignor Peter Mason August 5, 1917; bronze flèche installed 1958 after lightning destroyed the steeple.
- Monsignor John Campbell served as the last pastor of all three parishes at the time of the 2008 merger.
Sacramental Life
Our Lady of Mercy prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick. Children typically receive First Reconciliation in February of 2nd grade and First Holy Communion in May, while Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade and is celebrated in the Fall of 8th grade by the Bishop. Adults seeking full communion may enter OCIA in partnership with St. Jane's Church.
- Baptism Preparation Program
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (begins 7th grade)
- OCIA (adults) – partnered with St. Jane's
- OCIC (children)
- Anointing of the Sick
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a comprehensive Faith Formation program coordinated by Karina De Jesus Severino (PREP Coordinator and Easton Area Catholic Youth Group), with a staff team of catechists, aides, and family catechesis leaders supporting both English and Spanish tracks.
- Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) – weekly classroom model
- Family Faith Formation (FFF) – parent-led, home-based
- Order of Catholic Initiation of Children (OCIC)
- Order of Catholic Initiation of Adults (OCIA) – partnered with St. Jane's Church
- Easton Area Catholic Youth Group
Adult Faith Formation & Pilgrimages
Adult Faith Formation, coordinated by Karen Corpora, offers ongoing opportunities for spiritual growth including Adoration, Mornings of Reflection, the Saint Monica Ministry, Book Studies, and seasonal Advent and Lenten study programs. The parish organizes pilgrimages to local and regional Catholic shrines, and in March 2024 hosted the Blessed Carlo Acutis – Eucharistic Miracles Display.
- Mornings of Reflection
- Advent and Lenten studies
- Book Studies (Sunday Morning and Tuesday Evening via Zoom)
- Saint Monica Ministry
- Pilgrimages: Divine Mercy Shrine (Stockbridge, MA), St. Padre Pio Shrine (Barto, PA), Blue Army Shrine (Washington, NJ), National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Washington, DC)
- Blessed Carlo Acutis – Eucharistic Miracles Display (March 2024)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Our Lady of Mercy offers a wide range of ministries rooted in mercy and community service. The parish's Rosary Ministry partners with local and statewide prison chaplaincies, the Bereavement Ministry runs six-week healing sessions twice a year, and the parish actively supports the Easton Area Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at 841 Washington Street — about 120 volunteers from the three Easton Catholic Churches (Our Lady of Mercy, St. Anthony, St. Jane Frances de Chantal) sustain the pantry, which is open on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
- Rosary Ministry (mission-style rosaries for prison chaplaincies)
- Bereavement Ministry (six-week healing sessions)
- Baptismal Preparation Program
- Backpack Pals Community Food Drive (with Easton Area School District)
- Easton Area Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry (841 Washington St., Easton)
Clergy, Staff & Office
The parish is served by a pastor, a Carmelite priest assisting with Catholic Ministry to the Sick, two permanent deacons (plus a Deacon Emeritus), and a dedicated lay staff team handling liturgy, religious education, music, bilingual secretarial work, and cemetery coordination. The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and Wednesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- Rev. Keith Laskowski — Pastor (since June 2014; reassignment announced for June 15, 2026)
- Fr. James Chalangadi, O.C.D. — Catholic Ministry to the Sick
- Deacon Jose Santos — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon James Wallaesa — Permanent Deacon & Cemetery Coordinator for St. Anthony
- Deacon Charles A. DeBellis — Deacon Emeritus
- Dora Gaviria — Business Manager
- Stephanie Chinchar — Office Coordinator
- Karen Corpora — Liturgy and Adult Faith Formation
- Anette Maritza Gallego — Bilingual Secretary & Cemetery Coordinator for Our Lady of Mercy
- Karina De Jesus Severino — PREP Coordinator and Easton Area Catholic Youth Group
- James Convery — Our Lady of Mercy Parish Music Director
Visiting Our Lady of Mercy
The parish welcomes visitors to its bilingual liturgies, Wednesday evening Adoration and Reconciliation, and parish book clubs. From I-78, take the Easton exit to Old Philadelphia Road north, turn left at McDonald's, proceed up Washington Street hill, and turn right onto S. 5th Street. The church overlooks downtown Easton.
- Address: 132 S. 5th Street, Easton, PA 18042
- Phone: (610) 252-7381
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://rccofeaston.org
- Office Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu 9 AM–1 PM; Wed 9 AM–8 PM
- Live-streamed Sunday Masses on YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Deogratias Rwegasira, A.J.2008–
First pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish following the July 15, 2008 consolidation of St. Bernard, St. Joseph and St. Michael parishes.
- Rev. Keith LaskowskiJune 2014–June 2026 (announced)
Current/longest-tenured pastor of Our Lady of Mercy; also served as twinned pastor of St. Anthony of Padua; recently celebrated his 24th anniversary of priesthood. Announced May 2026 reassignment to St. Ann's Parish, Emmaus, effective June 15, 2026 by Bishop Alfred Schlert.
- (Pastoral line inherited through three predecessor parishes)1829–2008
St. Bernard Parish pastors (founded 1829): Father John Fitzpatrick (purchased land 1829), Father James Maloney (first resident pastor, after 1836 dedication by Bishop Kenrick), Father Thomas Reardon (1847; built rectory, school; church rebuilt after 1867 fire), Father James McGeveran (1887; marble altars, pews, stained glass 1898), and last pastor Msgr. John Campbell (closed 2008).
- (St. Joseph Parish pastors)1852–2008
Founded 1852 by Bishop Neumann sending Father Rudolph Etthofer; Father Hubert Schick (1871; repaired church, built school, brought Benedictine Sisters); Father Maurice Graetzer (1878; new rectory, Sisters of St. Francis, 1890 school, 1894 brick church); last pastor Msgr. John Campbell (closed 2008).
- (St. Michael Parish pastors)1916–2008
Lithuanian parish founded 1916 after Father Kaulakis visited Easton in 1907; Father Gudaitis (remodeled Heptasoph Hall, dedicated 1917); Father Rastutis (first resident pastor, 1917); Father Thomas Benestad (1980; 1985 renovations, Holy Family Residence from former convent); last pastor Msgr. John Campbell (closed 2008).