Prince of Peace Church

History of Prince of Peace Parish

Prince of Peace was created on July 5, 2000 when the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown merged five local ethnic parishes — Christ the King, Holy Cross, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Stanislaus Kostka — into a single new parish. As part of the consolidation, three of the original worship sites were closed; the merged community continued in what are now the parish's two remaining locations: the main church at 811 Chestnut Avenue and Holy Cross Chapel at 2410 Campbell Avenue. The parish acknowledges that the process 'was understandably painful for many' but says it has become, over the past 24+ years, an opportunity for spiritual growth and one unified family faith community.

• Founded: July 5, 2000
• Predecessor parishes: Christ the King, Holy Cross, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Stanislaus Kostka
• Worship sites that remained: Main Church (Chestnut Ave) and Holy Cross Chapel (Campbell Ave)

Our Locations

Prince of Peace Catholic Church worships and operates from two sites in Northern Cambria. The Main Church, which also houses the parish office, is at 811 Chestnut Avenue, while Holy Cross Chapel is at 2410 Campbell Avenue. Mail, phone calls, and sacramental scheduling are handled through the Chestnut Avenue office during weekday business hours.

• Main Church & Office: 811 Chestnut Avenue, Northern Cambria, PA 15714 — Phone (814) 948-6842
• Holy Cross Chapel: 2410 Campbell Avenue, Northern Cambria, PA 15714
• Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM (closed Fridays, Holy Days, and National Holidays)

Mission Statement

Prince of Peace Parish identifies itself as 'a Roman Catholic faith community dedicated to giving praise and glory to the One God in Three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.' The parish pursues that mission through prayer and liturgical worship, through proclaiming and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and through sharing His new life through Word, Sacraments, and deeds.

Parish Staff & Administration

The parish is led by a small but dedicated staff. Father Mark E. Groeger serves as Pastor (listed as Administrator in the diocesan directory), with Deacon Gary F. Gill assisting in sacramental and adult-faith ministry. Janet Barnosky coordinates Religious Education, Georgette Weiland directs the Music Ministry, Marissa Lashley serves as Administrative Assistant, and Mike Klapak handles accounting.

• Pastor: Rev. Mark E. Groeger — [email protected]
• Deacon: Gary F. Gill — Director of RCIA, Adult Faith, Marriage Prep & Family Life
• Director of Music: Georgette Weiland
• Religious Education Coordinator: Janet Barnosky
• Administrative Assistant: Marissa Lashley
• Accounting: Mike Klapak

Religious Education & Faith Formation

The Religious Education program at Prince of Peace begins its cycle on the first Sunday of October and meets on the first and third Sundays of each month at 9:00 AM; parents are expected to attend the first class with their children. Janet Barnosky serves as the Religious Education Coordinator. Sacramental milestones are scheduled into the parish year, with Confirmation currently set for April 28, 2026.

• Classes: 1st and 3rd Sundays at 9:00 AM, beginning the first Sunday of October
• Parents attend the first class with their children
• Coordinator: Janet Barnosky
• Upcoming Confirmation: April 28, 2026

RCIA, Adult Faith & Family Life

Deacon Gary Gill directs the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), Adult Faith, Marriage Preparation, and Family Life ministries. The RCIA process is the formal path for adults and children age 7 and older who wish to become Catholic; the parish encourages interested inquirers to 'come and see' Mass first and then reach out for the next steps when they are ready.

• Director: Deacon Gary Gill
• Audience: adults and children 7+ seeking to become Catholic
• Tied to Marriage Prep and Family Life ministry

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and posts detailed preparation pages for each. Baptisms, Confirmation, First Penance, First Eucharist, and Matrimony all require that families be properly registered at the parish. Anointing of the Sick is available in emergencies by calling the office, and Holy Orders vocation information is shared through the parish site.

• Baptism — preparation through the parish office; godparent certification form available
• Confirmation — sacramental preparation program required
• First Penance & First Eucharist — parish-based preparation
• Matrimony — contact parish at least 9 months before the wedding; FOCCUS inventory required
• Anointing of the Sick — call parish for emergencies; visits to ~90 homebound/nursing-care parishioners
• Holy Orders — vocation information on parish site

Marriage Preparation

Couples seeking a Sacramental Marriage at Prince of Peace must be registered parishioners, practicing their faith, and free to marry. The parish asks engaged couples to contact the priest or deacon who will witness their wedding as soon as they are engaged, and at least nine months before the wedding date. Preparation includes a diocesan Marriage Preparation Series (offered 8–12 months before the wedding) and the FOCCUS premarital inventory as a discussion tool.

• Required lead time: 9 months before the wedding
• Diocesan Marriage Preparation Series (schedule posted for 2026)
• FOCCUS premarital inventory and follow-up session
• If divorced, a decree of annulment is generally required

Anointing of the Sick & Homebound Ministry

The Anointing of the Sick is offered for parishioners facing critical illness, serious surgery, or near death, and may be arranged by calling the parish office. The parish also runs an outreach ministry that currently visits around 90 homebound or nursing-home parishioners with Holy Communion; parishioners are invited to add themselves or a loved one to the visit list by contacting the office.

• Emergency Anointing: call the parish office
• Homebound Communion visits: approximately 90 parishioners currently served
• Nursing-care visits currently suspended until further notice

New Members & Parish Registration

Prince of Peace welcomes new parishioners to register through a downloadable parish registration form on the website. The parish explains that registration lets the staff get to know you, establishes you officially as a member of a stable community of Christ's faithful under Canon Law, and allows the parish to testify to your good standing when you are asked to serve as a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor. Registration is also a prerequisite for admission to sacramental preparation programs and reception of the Sacraments.

• Registration form available as PDF on the New Members page
• Required for sacramental preparation and Godparent/Sponsor eligibility

Liturgical Ministries

Parishioners serve the parish's liturgical life as Lectors, Altar Servers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Schedules and substitute requests are communicated to volunteers through the parish's Flocknote email/text system.

• Lector
• Altar Server
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Music Ministry (Director: Georgette Weiland)

Parish Communications: Flocknote

Prince of Peace uses Flocknote to send email and text notifications to parishioners. Volunteer sign-up lists cover liturgical ministries (Lectors, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers), Dinner & Cooking Help, Physical & Maintenance Help, and Service Opportunities for Youth & Adults.

• Liturgical ministry schedules and substitute calls
• Parish dinners and kitchen help
• Maintenance and physical work around the church
• Service-hour opportunities for youth and adults

Livestream Mass

For parishioners who cannot attend Mass in person, Prince of Peace live-streams Masses on Facebook and YouTube. The livestream feed begins about 30 minutes before each Mass, and the parish provides instructions for watching on computers, phones/tablets, and smart TVs (Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Firestick).

• Facebook livestream (no Facebook account required to view)
• YouTube channel (search 'popnc')
• Begins ~30 minutes before Mass
• Available on Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Firestick, computer, phone, and tablet