About Our Lady of Sorrows · Monroe, Ohio
Our Lady of Sorrows is a Roman Catholic parish in Monroe, Ohio, located at 330 Lebanon Street. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and today is part of the Our Lady of Peace Family of Parishes, which also includes Holy Family and Holy Name of Jesus. The parish describes itself as a Eucharistic and Word-centered community whose mission is to proclaim and live Christ's message of love and service within Monroe and the wider world. Worship is offered in English, with weekday and weekend Masses, regular confession times, Eucharistic Adoration, and a Parish School of Religion serving children in grades K-8.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Seven Sorrows / Seven Dolours)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Gebhardt
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows offers a small-parish setting where parishioners can be known by name, with daily and weekly Mass, regular Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays, two monthly confession opportunities (Saturday afternoon and 1st/3rd Wednesdays), and a Parish School of Religion for K-8 faith formation. Members participate in a clear mission of proclaiming Christ's love through Word, Eucharist, and service, supported by an engaged staff including a Director of Music Ministry, Religious Education Coordinator, Pastoral Associate, and parish deacon. The parish is also integrated into the broader Our Lady of Peace Family of Parishes, giving parishioners access to additional resources, livestreamed Masses, and joint events with Holy Family and Holy Name of Jesus.
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays: 3:00 - 3:30 pm
- 1st & 3rd Wednesdays: 6:30 - 7:00 pm
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday: 9:00 am - 10:00 am (Eucharistic Adoration, per Discover Mass listing)
Parish Identity and Mission
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish describes itself as a Roman Catholic community of faith centered in the Eucharist and the Word of God. Its mission, guided by the Holy Spirit, is to proclaim and live Christ's message of love and service within the parish and in the larger world community. The parish vision statement, published on its website, calls members to know Jesus Christ, hold his Holy Spirit in them, and share the good news through both deeds and words.
- Mission: proclaim and live Christ's message of love and service
- Vision: know Christ, be trained in faith and mission, and serve Him in this life
- Parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
History of the Parish
Our Lady of Sorrows was organized in 1883 as a mission parish of St. Francis in Lebanon, Ohio, and was originally known by the devotional title 'Seven Dolours.' Over more than 140 years it has grown into the present Monroe parish served from 330 Lebanon Street, and is today clustered with neighboring parishes in the Our Lady of Peace Family of Parishes. GCatholic and the Butler County Catholic church listings both record 1883 as the parish's founding year.
- Founded 1883 as 'Seven Dolours,' a mission of St. Francis, Lebanon
- Now located at 330 Lebanon Street, Monroe, OH 45050
- Older parish in Butler County, Ohio
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Paul Gebhardt as Pastor, assisted by two Parochial Vicars — Rev. John Civille and Rev. Benjamin Mersch — and Deacon Jack Schaefer. A team of lay staff supports parish operations, faith formation, music, communications, and facilities.
- Rev. Paul Gebhardt — Pastor
- Rev. John Civille — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Benjamin Mersch — Parochial Vicar
- Jack Schaefer — Deacon
- Ava Bertsch — Business Manager
- Bob Drusky — Office and Technology Manager
- Gene Haas — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Michelle Markert — Director of Music Ministry
- Patrice Prebles — Bulletin Editor
- Karen Redmond — Pastoral Associate
- Joe Scarpa — Maintenance Worker
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Our Lady of Sorrows runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children in Grades K-8, coordinated by Gene Haas. The program requires both a registration form and an Archdiocesan permission form each year, and provides sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Families also use the FORMED digital platform for at-home faith formation content.
- PSR for Grades K-8, coordinated by Gene Haas
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation (teen years)
- FORMED digital platform access for every parishioner (parish ZIP 45050)
- 2025-2026 PSR Calendar and registration forms available on the website
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at Our Lady of Sorrows is led by Michelle Markert, Director of Music Ministry. The music program supports the parish's weekend and weekday Masses, holy day liturgies, and seasonal celebrations, drawing on the talents of parish musicians and cantors.
- Michelle Markert — Director of Music Ministry
- Music supports weekend, weekday, and holy day liturgies
Parish Communications and Giving
The parish uses multiple channels to stay in touch with parishioners, including a printed bulletin (edited by Patrice Prebles), a Flocknote email/text sign-up, online giving, and livestream links. Livestreamed Mass is currently broadcast from partner parish Holy Family in Middletown, with alternate streams available from the National Shrine in Washington, DC and EWTN.
- Bulletin Editor: Patrice Prebles
- Flocknote sign-up on the parish website
- Online giving via credit card or bank account, plus QR code option
- Livestream from Holy Family, Middletown; fallback streams from National Shrine and EWTN
Parish Registration and Becoming a Member
New parishioners can register with Our Lady of Sorrows by downloading a Parish Registration Form from the website and returning the completed form to the parish office. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, and is staffed to answer questions about Mass times, sacraments, faith formation, and giving.
- Registration form available on the parish website
- Office hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Phone: 513-539-8061; Fax: 513-539-0443; Email: [email protected]
Our Lady of Peace Family of Parishes
Our Lady of Sorrows is one of three parishes — together with Holy Family and Holy Name of Jesus — that together form the Our Lady of Peace Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. This Family structure allows the parishes to share resources, clergy support, livestreamed worship, and collaborative events while maintaining each parish's individual identity and worship schedule.
- Member parishes: Our Lady of Sorrows (Monroe), Holy Family (Middletown), Holy Name of Jesus
- Collaborative worship, formation, and pastoral resources
- Livestreamed Mass currently from Holy Family, Middletown