About Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church · Erie, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Peace Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Millcreek Township (Erie, Pennsylvania), established in 1955 by Archbishop John Mark Gannon. The parish serves roughly 2,000 families and includes a K–8 school that is part of the Erie Catholic School System. Under the current pastor, Rev. Richard (Rich) Toohey, OLP has become known for livestreamed Masses, lively parish life, and a wide network of ministries from the Altar Rosary Society to the Erie City Mission. The parish's mission is to "proclaim the greatness of the Lord through Worship, Service, Education and Ministry."
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- Our Lady of Peace (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Richard (Rich) Toohey
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
Our Lady of Peace offers a full Catholic life in one place: a historic parish of roughly 2,000 families in Millcreek Township, daily and weekend Masses with multiple Sunday options, a K–8 school that is part of the Erie Catholic School System, and an unusually broad set of ministries — from the Erie City Mission and Our Neighbor's Place emergency shelter to the Altar Rosary Society, Cursillo, Hearts and Hands outreach, and youth ministry. Under Father Rich Toohey, the parish has invested heavily in livestreamed and online formation (Masses on YouTube, parish Facebook and Instagram, adult formation on the four pillars of the Catechism), making it easy for newcomers and homebound members to stay connected.
Mass times at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 11:15 am – 12:00 pm
- Saturdays 8:30 am – 9:00 am
- Saturdays 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
- By appointment (call the Parish Office)
Adoration times
- Periodic Holy Hours (often Monday evenings, e.g. 6:30 pm) dedicated to vocations, the Diocese of Erie, graduates/transitions, and Pentecost
- First Friday Adoration — Eucharistic Adoration in the church following the 7:00 am Mass until Benediction at 7:00 pm
- Annual 24 Hours of Adoration (parish event)
- Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration following the 7 a.m. Mass, Monday through Friday during Lenten seasons
History of Our Lady of Peace Parish
Our Lady of Peace was established on September 30, 1955, by Archbishop John Mark Gannon, who had purchased a tract of nearly ten acres on the south side of West 38th Street earlier that September. Father James F. Daily, appointed October 1, 1955, was the founding pastor. He celebrated the first Sunday Masses on October 17, 1955, in the McDowell High School Auditorium with about 150 in attendance — the collection that first week was $95.77. A school groundbreaking followed on August 19, 1956, with the cornerstone laid in June 1957, and the school cafeteria serving as a temporary church starting September 8, 1957. The new church complex (church, rectory, sacristy, offices) was broken ground on January 12, 1976, with first Mass celebrated February 5, 1977.
- Established 1955 by Archbishop John Mark Gannon; founding pastor Fr. James F. Daily (later Monsignor).
- First Masses: October 17, 1955, in McDowell High School Auditorium.
- School opened September 9, 1957; first principal Sister Consuela Quinn, SSJ.
- New church opened February 5, 1977.
- Msgr. Daily made Prelate of Honor by Pope Paul VI in 1977.
- Parish debt retired August 1988 — witnessed by Msgr. Daily before his death October 31, 1993.
Other Devotions and Prayer Opportunities
Beyond Adoration, the parish prays the Rosary daily at 11:40 am, immediately before the 12:10 pm Mass, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy follows the 12:10 pm Mass in the Chapel. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are prayed on Fridays at 7:00 pm, preceded by Confessions at 6:00 pm. The parish has a Prayer Request Line staffed by volunteers during the day and evening.
- Rosary — daily 11:40 am, before the 12:10 pm Mass
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy — after the 12:10 pm Mass in the Chapel
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays 7:00 pm (Lent)
- Prayer Request Line: 9 am–3 pm Edie 814-651-5952; 3 pm–9 pm Barb 814-392-8348 (most recent bulletin)
Faith Formation (CCD) and Youth Ministry
Faith Formation at OLP serves students in Grades 1–8 on Sunday mornings from 9:15 am to 10:45 am in the parish school. Grade 9 Confirmation preparation meets Sunday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Church Social Room. The program follows the Child Protection Guidelines of the Diocese of Erie. Youth Ministry is led by Sarah Beaver and Chandler Villanueva.
- Grades 1–8: Sundays 9:15 am–10:45 am in the school
- Grade 9 Confirmation: Sundays 5:30 pm–7:30 pm in the Church Social Room
- Faith Formation Director: Tammie Mang (814-838-9983, [email protected])
- Youth Ministry: Sarah Beaver, Chandler Villanueva
- Programs follow the Diocese of Erie Child Protection Guidelines
Sacraments
Our Lady of Peace prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st Sunday (at the 11:00 am Mass) and 3rd Sunday (12:30 pm) of each month, with a mandatory parent preparation class. First Reconciliation is prepared in 2nd grade; First Eucharist in 3rd grade. Confirmation is celebrated in the spring for students in 9th grade (now 10th grade after a 7th/8th grade requirement). Marriages require an appointment with a priest at least six months in advance and Pre-Cana or Engagement Encounter attendance. OCIA/RCIA is available for those seeking to become Catholic.
- Baptism — 1st Sunday at 11:00 am Mass, 3rd Sunday at 12:30 pm; required parent prep class
- First Reconciliation — 2nd grade (or by arrangement)
- First Eucharist — 3rd grade (or by arrangement)
- Confirmation — 9th grade (now 10th grade after 7th/8th-grade faith formation per Bishop Persico)
- Marriage — priest appointment 6+ months prior; Pre-Cana or Engagement Encounter required
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- OCIA / RCIA — call Parish Office at 814-833-7701
Adult Formation and RCIA / OCIA
Adult faith formation at OLP is coordinated by Sister Kathleen Dietz, FSO. Recent programming has included a Lenten series walking through the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (the Creed, the Sacraments, Life in Christ/Morality, and Christian Prayer), with presentations and small-group discussion in the School Cafeteria. The parish also runs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) for those seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Coordinator of Adult Formation: Sister Kathleen Dietz, FSO
- Lenten series on the four pillars of the Catechism
- OCIA/RCIA — for those becoming Catholic or completing initiation
Music and Liturgy
OLP's liturgical music program is led by Brian Kuzmin, Music & Liturgy Director. Daily and weekend Masses are supported by cantors and parish musicians. Mass is livestreamed daily on the parish YouTube channel — 7:00 am Monday–Friday, 8:00 am Saturday, and 9:00 am Sunday — with recordings posted for later viewing.
- Music & Liturgy Director: Brian Kuzmin
- School Mass on Tuesdays (1:30 pm typical per bulletins)
- Livestreamed Masses on YouTube: M–F 7 am; Sat 8 am; Sun 9 am
- Recordings posted to the parish YouTube channel and Facebook
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is a central pillar of parish life at OLP. The parish sponsors the Casserole Club – Maria House Project, supports the Erie City Mission, runs the Hearts and Hands parish social ministry (founded on the Care and Concern model), and on a rotating basis serves as the lead church for Our Neighbor's Place — the emergency overflow shelter for Erie's homeless during winter months. The Knights of Columbus council at OLP actively supports parish pro-life efforts, including the annual Pro-Life Breakfast at the Bayfront Convention Center. Outreach is coordinated by Andrew Heinlein.
- Outreach Coordinator: Andrew Heinlein
- Casserole Club – Maria House Project
- Erie City Mission
- Hearts and Hands (Care and Concern model)
- Our Neighbor's Place (winter emergency overflow shelter)
- Knights of Columbus — pro-life initiatives
Parish School (Erie Catholic School System)
Our Lady of Peace School is a K–8 Catholic school that has been part of the parish fabric since opening on September 9, 1957. Today it is part of the Erie Catholic School System and serves roughly 404 students with an average class size of about 20. Past and current principals include Sister Consuela Quinn, SSJ (founding principal), Mrs. Lisa Panighetti (interim), Ms. Shivani Suri, and most recently Mrs. Emily Fluegel.
- K–8, ~404 students, average class size ~20
- Part of the Erie Catholic School System (eriecatholic.org)
- School phone: 814-838-3548
- Current principal (per March 2026 bulletin): Mrs. Emily Fluegel
- School Mass: typically Tuesdays 1:30 pm
Parish Ministries and Fellowship
OLP's parish ministries span Marian devotion, spiritual formation, family life, and fellowship. The Altar Rosary Society gathers monthly to grow in shared Marian spirituality. The Cursillo Movement sponsors three-day spiritual retreats for parishioners wanting a deeper encounter with Christ. The Families Together Ministry and parish-wide fellowship opportunities support families at every stage. The Parish Council is currently chaired by Dr. Herb Morrow; the Finance Council by Ms. Rami Sorge.
- Altar Rosary Society — monthly meetings; contact Marilyn 814-833-4683 or Debbie 814-812-0122
- Cursillo Movement — three-day retreats
- Families Together Ministry
- Pastoral Council President: Dr. Herb Morrow (per March 2026 bulletin)
- Finance Council Chair: Ms. Rami Sorge
- Parish Leadership Team: Fr. Rich Toohey, Gina Adams, Warren Beaver, Mary Beth Whitman
Staff and Pastoral Team
Our Lady of Peace is served by a parish pastoral team led by Pastor Rev. Rich Toohey ([email protected]). Support comes from Parochial Vicar Rev. Luke Daghir, Priest in Residence Rev. Shane Mathew, Permanent Deacons Ralph DeCecco and John Mang, Music & Liturgy Director Brian Kuzmin, Faith Formation Director Tammie Mang, Office Manager Mary Beth Whitman, Office Secretary Cynthia Berarducci, Youth Ministry (Sarah Beaver, Chandler Villanueva), Outreach Coordinator Andrew Heinlein, Coordinator of Adult Formation Sister Kathleen Dietz FSO, and Maintenance Supervisor Michael Przepierski.
- Pastor — Rev. Rich Toohey
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Luke Daghir
- Priest in Residence — Rev. Shane Mathew
- Permanent Deacons — Deacon Ralph DeCecco, Deacon John Mang
- Music & Liturgy Director — Brian Kuzmin
- Faith Formation Director — Tammie Mang (814-838-9983)
- Office Manager — Mary Beth Whitman
- Office Secretary — Cynthia Berarducci
- Youth Ministry — Sarah Beaver, Chandler Villanueva
- Outreach Coordinator — Andrew Heinlein
- Coordinator of Adult Formation — Sister Kathleen Dietz, FSO
- Maintenance Supervisor — Michael Przepierski
Contact, Location, and Visiting
Our Lady of Peace is located at 2401 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16506, in Millcreek Township. The Parish Office phone number is (814) 833-7701 and fax (814) 833-7702; general email [email protected]. The pastor can be reached at [email protected]. The Faith Formation Office has its own line (814-838-9983). Office hours are 8:00 am–8:00 pm daily, business hours 8:00 am–4:00 pm. The church remains open for private prayer Monday–Thursday 7:00 am–8:00 pm and Friday 7:00 am–4:00 pm. Registration forms for new parishioners are available online or in the Parish Office.
- Address: 2401 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16506
- Parish Office: (814) 833-7701 • Fax: (814) 833-7702 • [email protected]
- Faith Formation Office: (814) 838-9983
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm; Business Hours: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Church open for private prayer: Mon–Thu 7 am–8 pm, Fri 7 am–4 pm
- New parishioner registration forms available online and at the office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James F. Daily (later Monsignor, Prelate of Honor)1955–1981
Founding pastor; oversaw first Masses at McDowell HS auditorium, opening of OLP School (1957), the new church complex (1977), and the 1988 retirement of parish debt. Made a Monsignor by Pope Paul VI in 1977.
- Msgr. Louis Lorei1981–1985
Second pastor of OLP.
- Msgr. John Dollinger (then Father)interim, ~1985–1986
Served as parish administrator between Msgr. Lorei and Msgr. Daley.
- Msgr. Ernest J. Daley1986–
Celebrated his 40th anniversary as a priest the year the parish turned 40; under his leadership parish grew to ~2,000 families; oversaw stewardship appeal and the launch of the 'Hearts and Hands' outreach with Sister Ann Amen, SSJ.
- Rev. Thomas M. Brooks1999–
Led a pledge drive that raised over $1 million to expand the school (four classrooms, meeting rooms, expanded library and religious-ed office).
- Rev. Rich Toohey2017–present
Arrived after 6.5 years as pastor of St. Joseph, Warren; expanded livestreamed Mass and digital faith formation; named Priest of the Year by the Serra Club of Erie; OLP won a Parish Excellence Award for 'Adult Faith Formation via Technology.'