About Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - St. Teresa of Avila Church · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh serving the North Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was formed on July 1, 2020, when Bishop David Zubik merged four historic parishes — Incarnation of the Lord (Observatory Hill/Perry North), St. Athanasius (West View), St. Sebastian (Ross Township) and St. Teresa of Avila (Perrysville) — as part of the diocesan 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative. All four church buildings remain open and active, and the parish administrative offices are housed in the Parish Center at 800 Avila Court in Perrysville. The combined parish is led by pastor Father John R. Rushofsky and offers daily and Sunday Masses across its four worship sites, along with faith formation, outreach, and devotional programs.
- Established
- 2020
- Patron
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel (parish patron); St. Teresa of Avila (patron of the Perrysville church)
- Rector
- Rev. John R. Rushofsky
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Our Lady of Mount Carmel brings together four worshiping communities under one parish family while keeping all four church buildings open, so parishioners can choose among Sunday Masses at Incarnation of the Lord, St. Athanasius, St. Sebastian, or St. Teresa of Avila. The parish runs a full sacramental life — daily Mass, Saturday confessions, First Reconciliation and Confirmation preparation, RCIA, and the annual Women's Retreat at St. Paul of the Cross — alongside active lay ministries such as the Knights of Columbus Council #11356, Ladies of Charity, the Spark of Hope food-recovery van, the Centering Prayer group, Bible study with Fr. DiPietro, the Spirit Refill monthly Rosary and talks, and Eucharistic Revival ministry. With pastoral staff at the Parish Center on Avila Court, livestreamed Masses via Facebook, and a unified faith-formation team, it offers both the stability of long-standing North Hills Catholic identity and the resources of a combined parish.
Mass times at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - St. Teresa of Avila Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. (Saint Teresa of Avila) — per 'Saturdays at 4:00 p.m.' line on official Mass Schedule
- Daily 8:30 a.m. Mass at Saint Athanasius — refer to bulletin for weekday confession availability
- For full schedule refer to the parish bulletin via the Reconciliation page
Adoration times
- First Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Saint Athanasius Church, with Reflection, Benediction and Reposition at 2:45 p.m.
Parish Identity & History
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish was canonically erected on July 1, 2020, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, bringing together four North Hills parishes under one parish family: Incarnation of the Lord (Observatory Hill/Perry North), St. Athanasius (West View), St. Sebastian (Ross Township) and St. Teresa of Avila (Perrysville). It is the fruit of Bishop David Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative launched April 12, 2015, in response to declining Mass attendance and a shrinking priest pool. All four worship sites remain active, with the Parish Center and administrative offices at 800 Avila Court, Perrysville.
- Established July 1, 2020 — Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Four original parishes: Incarnation of the Lord, St. Athanasius, St. Sebastian, St. Teresa of Avila
- Parish Center: 800 Avila Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
- Part of Bishop Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative (2015)
St. Teresa of Avila (Perrysville) — Origin Story
The oldest congregation in the merged parish, St. Teresa of Avila traces its roots to the farming hamlet of Perrysville. In 1783 Casper Reel came to Allegheny County; he took land in Ross Township in 1794 and built a family cabin. By 1842 the area had the first post office north of the Allegheny, but Catholics had to travel to St. Peter's in Allegheny City or St. Alphonsus in Wexford for Mass. In 1864 Bishop Domenec purchased two lots on Perry Highway for $400; the cornerstone was laid July 4, 1866, and the parish was named for St. Teresa of Avila.
- Lots purchased by Bishop Domenec in 1864
- Cornerstone laid July 4, 1866
- 100th anniversary celebrated 1967
- 150th anniversary celebrated 2017
St. Teresa of Avila School & the Benedictine Sisters
When Father Yochum learned the Benedictines were looking for a Motherhouse site in 1906, he urged them to buy property next to St. Teresa's. The remodeled old rectory opened as St. Teresa School in October 1906 — one classroom, 32 students, tuition 50 cents per month. For 111 consecutive years (1906–2017) the school was staffed by Benedictine Sisters, the last principal being Sr. Karen Brink, O.S.B. Students' farm families often paid with produce and meat. The school regionalized with other North Hills Catholic schools in 2017 to create Holy Cross Academy.
- School opened October 1906 with 32 students
- Tuition was 50 cents per month
- Benedictine Sisters staffed the school for 111 years (1906–2017)
- Final principal: Sr. Karen Brink, O.S.B.
- Regionalized into Holy Cross Academy for 2017–2018
Building the Current St. Teresa of Avila Church
St. Teresa's first church seated only 200; a third church was needed after the parish outgrew even three weekly Masses in the school gym. Groundbreaking on the present building took place October 9, 1982, and the finished church seats 905 with standing room for 250 and an enclosed chapel for 100. The project cost $2.9 million. The previous church was sold and is now known as 'The Great Hall,' used for wedding receptions and parish social events.
- Groundbreaking October 9, 1982
- Seats 905 + standing room for 250 + chapel for 100
- Project cost $2.9 million
- Former church repurposed as 'The Great Hall'
St. Athanasius (West View) History
Bishop Regis Canevin founded St. Athanasius Parish on April 25, 1907, and named Father A.M. Yochum its first pastor. A combined church-school building was dedicated June 6, 1909; the parish quickly outgrew it. The present church was dedicated May 2, 1943, under Father August Vogt, and Father Tomas Lappan directed the building of a new school in 1957. St. Athanasius, the great 4th-century champion against the Arian heresy and a Doctor of the Church, is honored as the parish's patron.
- Founded April 25, 1907 by Bishop Regis Canevin
- First pastor: Father A.M. Yochum
- Church-school building dedicated June 6, 1909
- Present church dedicated May 2, 1943
- New school built 1957 under Father Tomas Lappan
On Mission for The Church Alive!
Declining Mass attendance and a shrinking priest pool in the Diocese of Pittsburgh prompted Bishop David Zubik to launch the 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative on April 12, 2015 — a consultative strategic-planning process. After several years of consultation the four North Hills parishes were grouped and served by a single clergy team, and on July 1, 2020 they were formally merged into Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. The decision kept all four church buildings active while reducing 66 pre-merger staff positions to 36.
- Initiative announced April 12, 2015 by Bishop Zubik
- Parishes grouped under one clergy team beginning 2018
- Formal merger July 1, 2020
- Staff reduced from 66 to 36 across the combined parish
Clergy, Deacons & Parish Staff
Father John R. Rushofsky, who previously guided parish mergers in McKeesport in the 1990s, is the founding pastor. Father Michael Ruffalo was serving as parochial vicar in 2025, and Father Leroy DiPietro leads a weekly Bible study. Deacon David (Dave) Witter is active in parish ministry — including the 'McDonald's Ministry' outreach and vocation work — and staff include Executive Secretary Gina Harms (ext. 8410), Membership Services Coordinator Nancy Koslosky (ext. 8536), Receptionists Denise Wagner and Trish Monroe (ext. 8451), Financial Manager Patrice D'Amico (ext. 8436), and Bookkeeper Naomi Wells (ext. 8419).
- Pastor: Rev. John R. Rushofsky
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Michael Ruffalo
- Bible Study: Fr. Leroy DiPietro
- Deacon: David Witter
- Office: Gina Harms, Nancy Koslosky, Denise Wagner, Trish Monroe
- Finance: Patrice D'Amico, Naomi Wells
Devotions & Prayer Groups
The parish sustains a rich devotional life: Morning Rosary Mon/Wed/Fri after 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Athanasius (livestreamed), Afternoon Rosary Mon–Fri after Noon Mass, the Miraculous Medal Novena on Tuesdays, Centering Prayer on Wednesdays in the Parish Center Prayer Room, a weekly Bible Study with Fr. Leroy DiPietro, the Spirit Refill monthly Rosary and speaker series on the 13th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila, and a 'Return to Church' prayer gathering the first Wednesday of each month at St. Sebastian Chapel. Deacon Dave Witter also runs the 'McDonald's Ministry' at the West View McDonald's on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Morning Rosary Mon/Wed/Fri after 8:30 a.m. Mass
- Afternoon Rosary Mon–Fri after Noon Mass
- Miraculous Medal Novena — Tuesdays
- Centering Prayer — Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. (Prayer Room)
- Spirit Refill — 13th of each month, 7:00 p.m., St. Teresa
- Bible Study with Fr. DiPietro — Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m., St. Athanasius Rectory
- First Wednesday 'Return to Church' prayer — 7:00 p.m., St. Sebastian Chapel
- Rosary at the Haven senior residence on Babcock Boulevard
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Will Reaves serves as Director of Faith Formation and Intergenerational Catechesis, joined by Religious Education Associate Amanda Rodriguez and Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization Cecilia Anthony. The parish prepares children and teens for First Reconciliation (second grade), First Eucharist, and Confirmation, and welcomes older children (ages 4–18) and adults who missed the normal sacramental times. The RCIA process supports unbaptized adults and non-Catholic Christians seeking initiation, as well as adult Catholics preparing for missing sacraments.
- Director: Will Reaves
- Religious Education Associate: Amanda Rodriguez
- Youth & Young Adult Evangelization: Cecilia Anthony
- RCIA for adults and adapted RCIA for children
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Lay-led ministries include the Knights of Columbus Council #11356 (Catholic men 18+ committed to charity, fraternity, and protection of human life), the Ladies of Charity, the Spark of Hope food-recovery van (which picks up soon-to-expire food from local grocers Monday–Saturday and distributes it to over 20 North Side and North Hills pantries — every dollar donated produces over $20 in value), Eucharistic Revival Ministry led by Kathy Coll, Small Group Ministry, and Ambassadors for Christ. Deacon Dave Witter and the Vocation Committee also support discernment to Holy Orders.
- Knights of Columbus Council #11356
- Ladies of Charity
- Spark of Hope food-recovery van
- Eucharistic Revival Ministry (contact: Kathy Coll)
- Small Group Ministry
- Ambassadors for Christ
- Vocation Committee (Tom Dionise, Deacon Dave Witter)
Sacraments
The Faith Formation Office coordinates sacramental preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Marriage. Children and teens who miss the normal sacramental times, as well as unbaptized adults and non-Catholic Christians, are welcomed through age-appropriate RCIA models. The parish also accompanies couples preparing for marriage and supports discernment to Holy Orders.
- Baptism (infants and older children)
- First Reconciliation (second grade)
- First Eucharist / First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- RCIA (adults) and adapted RCIA (children ages 4–18)
- Anointing of the Sick / Holy Orders discernment
Women's Retreat & Special Events
The parish hosts an annual Women's Retreat at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center on the South Side. The 2026 retreat (April 17–19) carries the theme 'Pray Always — Pray All Ways' and includes prayer services, conferences, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a guided meditation, and Sunday Eucharistic celebration. Promotion team contacts are Julia Perkins, Dot Lydic, and Lindsay Quigley. Suggested offerings are $324 (renovated room with private bath) or $292 (traditional room, shared bath), with a $100 non-refundable deposit.
- Annual Women's Retreat at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center
- 2026 retreat: April 17–19, theme 'Pray Always — Pray All Ways'
- Promotion Team: Julia Perkins, Dot Lydic, Lindsay Quigley
Contact, Location & Livestream
Parish offices are open at the Parish Center, 800 Avila Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (phone 412-367-9001, fax 412-366-8415). The Saint Teresa of Avila worship site is at 1000 Avila Court. Selected daily and Saturday Masses are livestreamed on the parish Facebook page.
- Parish Center: 800 Avila Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
- Phone: 412-367-9001
- Email: [email protected]
- Livestream: Facebook (daily 8:30 a.m. + Saturday 4:00 p.m.)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ted Maida1975–c.1999 (resigned)
Appointed pastor Feb 4, 1975, replacing Msgr. Henninger; led during the era of overflowing Masses that prompted the third church building.
- Fr. Jim Ruggiero2001–c.2005
Installed by Bishop Donald Wuerl in 2001; stabilized parish finances after three years, then stepped aside for health reasons.
- Fr. Bob VularJune 12, 2005 – October 2018
Former parochial vicar of the parish selected by the bishop as Ruggiero's successor.
- Fr. John R. Rushofsky2020–present
First pastor of the merged Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish; previously guided McKeesport parish mergers in the 1990s.