About Our Mother of Sorrows · Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Our Mother of Sorrows (OMOS) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Westmont neighborhood of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown. The parish serves its community at 407 (also referenced as 415 and 424) Tioga Street and partners with nearby St. Michael's Church in Brownstown as a linked faith community under one pastor, Father Mark Begly, VF. The parish is known for its active youth ministry, RCIA-style adult formation (Alpha), small groups, outreach, and weekly livestreamed Masses.
- Patron
- Our Mother of Sorrows (the Sorrowful Mother / Our Lady of Sorrows)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Mark S. Begly, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
Why belong here
Our Mother of Sorrows welcomes new parishioners into a warm, multi-generational Catholic family that shares its life with neighboring St. Michael's in Brownstown. Worshippers can attend daily and Sunday Mass in person or via livestream, with confession offered three times a week. The parish is especially active in faith formation for children, junior high, high school, and adults (through the Alpha course and small groups), and runs outreach, welcome, and prayer ministries that let parishioners support one another and the wider Johnstown community.
Mass times at Our Mother of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:15 AM (or by appointment)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Saturday 3:00 PM (or by appointment)
- All confessions are heard at OMOS
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM (per Discover Mass schedule)
- Tuesday 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Thursday 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Friday 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- First Friday of each month, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (partner site St. Michael's, with Mass at 6:00 PM)
Parish Identity & Diocese
Our Mother of Sorrows is a Catholic parish in Westmont, Johnstown, PA, within the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown. It is one of two parishes served by its pastor, Father Mark Begly, VF — the other being St. Michael's in the Brownstown neighborhood — and together they form one family of faith ministering to Johnstown and surrounding communities.
- Diocese: Altoona–Johnstown
- Pastor: Very Rev. Mark S. Begly, V.F.
- Linked parish: St. Michael's, Brownstown
Faith Formation
The parish builds faith from early childhood through adult life, with weekly programs for children, junior high, high school, and adults.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Grades K–2) during Mass
- Junior High Ministry (Grades 6–8), Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM
- High School Ministry (Sundays and/or Wednesday evenings)
- Confirmation preparation (begins in high school)
- Adult Formation / Alpha course
- Small Christian communities / small groups
Children's Ministry
Each week during Mass, children in kindergarten through second grade are invited forward after the opening prayer to hear the Gospel at their own level through the Children's Liturgy of the Word. They return to the Mass celebration after the priest's homily.
- Grades K–2
- Led by parish catechists including Carol Battaglia
Junior High & High School Youth Ministry
Junior high students in grades 6–8 gather on Sunday mornings between the Sunday Masses (9:30–10:45 AM) for formation classes led by parent volunteers who teach age-appropriate Catholic teaching, prayer, and activities. High school students meet Sunday mornings and/or Wednesday evenings, and are invited into parish life, service, and the confirmation process.
- Grades 6–8 formation: Sundays 9:30–10:45 AM
- High School: Sunday mornings and/or Wednesday evenings
- Confirmation preparation in high school
Adult Formation & Small Groups
Adults grow in faith through the parish's Alpha program, facilitated by Karen Blaisdell, and through small Christian communities coordinated by Julie Sheehan, the Pastoral Administrator. The Alpha Coordinator role is built into the parish team.
- Alpha course
- Small Christian communities / small groups
- Pastoral Administrator: Julie Sheehan
- Alpha Coordinator: Karen Blaisdell
Parish Staff & Team Directory
OMOS is led by its pastor and supported by a staff and ministry-lead team that runs everything from faith formation to facilities and outreach. The parish invites parishioners to contact the office with questions at (814) 535-7646 or [email protected].
- Father Mark Begly — Pastor
- Julie Sheehan — Pastoral Administrator & Coordinator of Small Groups
- Joyce Dailey — Coordinator of Weekend Ministries, Student Ministries, and Giving
- Kim Hill — Director of Outreach & Office Administration
- Kathleen Ingram — Director of Business Services
- Logan Peterson — Director of Technology
- Heather Salat — Facilities
- Karen Blaisdell — Adult Formation / Alpha Coordinator
- Kimberly Belskey — Eucharistic Ministers Ministry
- Patty Campagna — Welcome Ministry
- Andrew Wolf — Campus Care
- Carol Battaglia — Children's Liturgy of the Word
Music & Liturgy
OMOS maintains a Music ministry that supports the Sunday and daily Mass schedule, including the livestreamed 8:30 AM Sunday Mass. The parish website features a dedicated 'Music' page outlining the liturgical role of music in worship.
- Music ministry page on omostoday.com
- Sunday 8:30 AM Mass livestreamed
Outreach, Welcome & Prayer
Outreach is central to OMOS life. The parish runs a Prayer Ministry where submitted intentions are prayed over by the prayer team, a Welcome Ministry to greet newcomers, and broader Outreach directed by Kim Hill, the Director of Outreach & Office Administration. The parish website invites visitors to 'come and find your place in our family of faith' alongside partner church St. Michael's.
- Prayer Ministry (online prayer request form)
- Welcome Ministry (Patty Campagna)
- Outreach (Kim Hill)
- UNBOUND prayer ministry sessions by appointment (call parish office)
St. Michael's Partner Parish, Brownstown
OMOS shares pastoral leadership with St. Michael's, a historic Catholic parish in the Brownstown neighborhood of Johnstown. According to the parish website, St. Michael's was organized in 1906 by a group of concerned citizens and its current church was built in 1929. Confessions for both parishes are heard at OMOS.
- St. Michael's founded 1906
- Current St. Michael's church built 1929
- Sunday 9:00 AM Mass (1st Sundays)
- Saturday 6:00 PM Vigil Mass (2nd, 3rd, 4th Saturdays)
- First Friday Adoration 6 AM – 6 PM
Visiting & Contact
Newcomers and returning parishioners are warmly invited. The parish office is reachable by phone or email, and Mass, confession, and formation programs are open to all in the Johnstown area. The Sunday 8:30 AM Mass is also available online via livestream for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 407 Tioga Street, Johnstown, PA 15905
- Phone: (814) 535-7646
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: omostoday.com
- Sunday Mass livestream: omostoday.com