About Our Lady of the Assumption - Coral · Coral, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Greensburg, serving central Indiana County, Pennsylvania, from two worship sites: the St. Francis site in Coral and the St. Louis site in Lucernemines. Formed on October 30, 2008, by the merger of the former St. Francis Parish in Coral and St. Louis Parish in Lucernemines, it is named after the diocesan patroness of the Diocese of Greensburg. The parish family is led by the Capuchin Franciscans (OFM Cap.), with the Very Reverend John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F., as pastor. The community gathers for daily and weekend Mass, the sacraments, faith formation for children and adults, and parish life in the Indiana Deanery (Deanery 2) of the diocese.
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Assumption
- Rector
- The Very Reverend John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg (Deanery 2 — Indiana Region)
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish welcomes newcomers to a true two-site Catholic family in central Indiana County, with weekend Mass in both Coral and Lucernemines, weekday Mass at the Coral site, and the regular availability of Reconciliation before weekend liturgies. The parish offers a full sacramental life — Baptism, Marriage, the Eucharist, and Confirmation — along with parish-based faith formation for children and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Guided by Capuchin Franciscan leadership and supported by active Pastoral and Finance Councils, it is a place where long-time residents and travelers passing through are invited to gather around the Lord's word and altar.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Assumption - Coral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Lucernemines / Lucerne Site)
- Sunday: 8:30 a.m. (Coral Site)
Welcome & Who We Are
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish was established in 2008 with two worship sites — Coral and Lucernemines — serving all of central Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Its stated mission is to provide for the spiritual needs of families, friends, and neighbors; to follow the teachings of the universal Catholic Church; and to be guided by the Holy Spirit on a lifelong journey. The parish community opens its welcome to all, inviting them to share in the mystical Body of Christ through the celebration of Mass and Eucharist. As one community they celebrate, teach, and share the Catholic faith, seeking, through the intercession of Mary, to become more unified in Christ.
- Two worship sites: Coral (St. Francis) and Lucernemines (St. Louis)
- Pastoral care for all of central Indiana County
- Diocesan patroness name: Our Lady of the Assumption
Our History
The parish traces its roots to St. Francis Parish in Coral, which built its first church in 1904–1905 as a mission of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Indiana under Father McNelis. Father Francis Leo Wieczorek was appointed first resident pastor on June 11, 1910, when the congregation numbered around 500. After a fire destroyed St. Francis Church on August 3, 1936, the present brick church was built with its cornerstone laid on July 5, 1937, and blessed May 30, 1938. Bishop William G. Connare dedicated a new parish assembly hall in 1972 and celebrated the 75th anniversary on October 6, 1985. Decades of declining clergy led to the closing of St. Bonaventure in Black Lick (2002) and the partnership of St. Francis with St. Louis in Lucernemines (2002), and finally to Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt's announcement of the merger of those parishes into Our Lady of the Assumption Parish on October 30, 2008.
- St. Francis Parish founded c. 1904–1905 as a mission of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Indiana
- Father Francis Leo Wieczorek appointed first resident pastor, June 11, 1910
- St. Francis Church destroyed by fire, August 3, 1936; rebuilt brick church blessed May 30, 1938
- St. Bonaventure Parish, Black Lick, closed September 24, 2002
- St. Francis partnered with St. Louis, Lucernemines, October 9, 2002
- Our Lady of the Assumption Parish formed October 30, 2008, by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is staffed by Capuchin Franciscan clergy and a team of lay and regional collaborators. The Very Reverend John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F., serves as pastor and as Vicar Forane of Deanery 2; Father Joseph Pham, OFM Cap., serves in pastoral supply. The day-to-day operations are led by the Parish & Financial Secretary / Office Coordinator, a Maintenance & Facilities Coordinator, the Director of Parish & Family Life, the Regional Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship (Indiana Region, Deanery 2), the Regional Director of Youth Ministry (Deanery 2), and the Director of Liturgical Music.
- Pastor: Rev. John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F.
- Pastoral Supply: Father Joseph Pham, OFM Cap.
- Parish & Financial Secretary / Office Coordinator: Kathryn Henry (ext. 10)
- Maintenance & Facilities Coordinator: Mark Pavlick
- Director of Parish & Family Life: Cindy Marcoline (ext. 15)
- Regional Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship: Danielle Cribbs (Indiana Region / Deanery 2)
- Regional Director of Youth Ministry: Jessica Thompson (Deanery 2)
- Director of Liturgical Music: Joseph Petruna
Pastoral & Finance Councils
Two canonical councils assist the pastor. The Pastoral Council is a consultative body governed by the norms of the bishop of Greensburg (Canon Law 536), appointed to advise on pastoral ministry. The Finance Council assists the pastor in preparing the annual budget and monitoring the stewardship of parish funds, as required by Canon 1280 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law and diocesan norms.
- Pastoral Council members include Michael Bertig, Mark Pavlick, Sherry Renosky, Greg Mitchell, Caden Costello (Student Rep), Kathryn Henry, Veronica Stabile, Kim Kordell, Marianna Reed, Cindy Marcoline, Clyde Palmer, and Father John Pavlik.
- Finance Council members include Darrick Bertig, Ann Esachina, Mary Kay Yarchak, Alex Uher, Jim Gatski, Blaise Kordell, Jerry Bertig, Stephanie Radakovich, Terri Tedeschi, and Father John Pavlik.
Worship Sites
The parish gathers for Mass and the sacraments at two worship sites in Indiana County. Visitors are welcomed at either location.
- Coral Site — St. Francis Church, 250 First Street (also listed as 555 First Street on the home page), Coral, PA
- Lucernemines Site — St. Louis Church, 403 Lucernemines Road (also referenced as 403 Lucerne Road), Lucernemines, PA
Faith Formation
Faith formation at Our Lady of the Assumption is a lifelong endeavor that begins in the home. The parish program supports parents — described as the primary educators of the faith by example, love, and instruction — with catechetical instruction, prayer, community, leadership, and service opportunities led by volunteer catechists. Cindy Marcoline, Director of Parish & Family Life, coordinates registration, which is available through forms in each worship site and at the parish office.
- Parish-based faith formation for children
- Volunteer catechists serving without compensation
- Registration via forms in each worship site or the parish office
- Confirmation celebrated regionally (e.g., recent class received Confirmation at the regional Mass at St. Bernard's)
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is the parish's process for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholic but never confirmed. Restored after the Second Vatican Council but rooted in the ancient order of catechumens, the journey moves through four periods and three rites, supported by instructors, personal sponsors, and a community of inquirers. Inquiries are directed to Cindy Marcoline at 724-479-9542, ext. 15.
- Open to unbaptized adults, Christians from other traditions, and Catholics completing initiation
- Four periods and three rites structure the journey
- Contact: Cindy Marcoline, Director of Parish & Family Life, 724-479-9542 ext. 15
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with Baptism and Marriage given dedicated attention on the parish website. Couples preparing for Marriage are asked to contact the parish office one year before their desired date, while Baptisms are arranged through the parish office (ext. 15), in accordance with the Diocese of Greensburg's qualifications for baptism sponsors.
- Baptism: arrangements via parish office (ext. 15); Diocese of Greensburg sponsor qualifications apply (e.g., fully initiated Catholic, at least 16 years old, life in harmony with the faith, not a parent of the one to be baptized).
- Marriage: contact the parish office at least one year before the desired date.
- Confirmation: celebrated regionally; eighth-grade candidates are prepared through parish faith formation.
- First Communion and ongoing Eucharist at weekend and weekday Masses.
Joining the Parish
Anyone wishing to register with Our Lady of the Assumption Parish may complete a Family Census Form, available from the parish office or worship sites. The completed form may be returned in the offertory collection, by mail, or by email to the parish secretary / office coordinator.
- Family Census Form available at each worship site and the parish office
- Return via the offertory, mail, or email to the parish secretary
Office, Contact & Practical Information
The parish office, located at the Coral site, is staffed during posted hours. The parish publishes its phone, fax, and a directory of staff extensions on the website. Visitors and parishioners are directed to the weekly bulletin for any changes to the weekday Mass schedule.
- Parish Office: 724-479-9542; Fax: 724-479-1130
- Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; closed Friday
- Maintenance line: 724-762-3744
- Director of Parish & Family Life ext. 15
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father McNelis
Pastor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Indiana; credited with constructing St. Francis Church and establishing its congregation.
- Father Francis Leo Wieczorek1910–
First resident pastor of St. Francis Parish, Coral; appointed June 11, 1910 (congregation ~500). Also appointed pastor of St. Bonaventure Church, Black Lick in 1910.