Sacred Heart

Parish Mission & Welcome

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish describes itself as the Catholic community of Mifflin County, 'a reflection of God's love for the world.' Its published mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in word, deed, and truth; to support one another by reaching out to those in need; to foster the beliefs and Tradition of the Universal Church; and to educate youth in knowledge and faith. The parish says it 'lives its faith through Word and Sacrament, prayer and action, commitment of time and talent, tithing, and using our resources to honor Christ and respect all human life,' striving to bring all people into Jesus' Sacred Heart and unite them by living the life He exemplified.

History of Sacred Heart of Jesus

Catholic life in Lewistown began in 1828 when the Bishop of Philadelphia purchased land here for a chapel, after Irish and German canal workers swelled the local Catholic population. All Saints Chapel was erected in 1830 next to a brick rectory. In 1871 a larger brick church replaced the original frame chapel and the parish was formally recognized under the name Sacred Heart of Jesus. A second, larger church (the current building, capacity 550) was begun in 1921, with the cornerstone laid on April 30, 1922 and the church dedicated on July 22, 1923. Religious orders served the parish school until 1994, and in 1995 Queen of All Saints Church in Burnham was merged into Sacred Heart of Jesus. The parish became a tithing parish in 2004.

• 1828: Bishop of Philadelphia purchases the Lewistown church site
• 1830: All Saints Chapel erected; brick rectory built
• 1871: Brick church built; parish recognized as Sacred Heart of Jesus with a resident pastor
• 1921–1923: Current 550-seat church constructed (cornerstone April 30, 1922; dedicated July 22, 1923)
• 1994: Religious orders withdraw from staffing the school
• 1995: Queen of All Saints Church (Burnham) merged into the parish
• 2004: Parish becomes a tithing parish

Sacred Heart of Jesus School

Sacred Heart of Jesus School is the parish's Catholic elementary school, serving students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 at 110 N Dorcas St, Lewistown. The school was founded in 1905 and partners with families of diverse cultures and faiths to provide a Christ-centered, affordable, quality education in a safe, nurturing environment. Students participate weekly in Mass, and the school offers small class sizes (about 12 students on average) with an enrollment near 74. Extracurriculars include an Art Club and a Reading Club. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Sacred Heart School Board of Education meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in the school.

• Grades: K–5
• Enrollment: ~74 students
• Average class size: ~12; student–teacher ratio about 9:1
• Yearly tuition: $4,500
• Founded: 1905
• Accreditation: Middle States Association; affiliation with NCEA
• Weekly Mass participation for students
• Extracurriculars: Art Club, Reading Club

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Sacred Heart educates children both through its parish school and through its Parish Religious Education program (CCD) for children of the parish who are not enrolled at Sacred Heart School. CCD classes meet on Sundays during the school year; registration is handled by Marcie Cirota through the Parish Office, and volunteers are needed as teachers, substitutes, and classroom aides. Adult Faith Formation supports those learning to become Catholic (sponsor/hospitality/instructor roles) and meets every Thursday at 7:00 PM in the parish office from September through May. An Adult Bible Study Group also meets, with topics and study programs announced in the parish bulletin.

• Parish Religious Education (CCD): Sundays during the school year; contact Marcie Cirota
• Adult Faith Formation (sponsor/hospitality/instructor): Thursdays 7:00 PM, Sept–May
• Adult Bible Study Group
• Vacation Bible School (summer week)
• School faith formation integrated into weekly Mass participation

Outreach & Charity

Service to those in need is central to the parish's identity. The St. Vincent de Paul Society conference at Sacred Heart plans meals for the needy that are provided every third Saturday of the month, and its office is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (phone 717-363-4812). Citizens Concerned for Human Life promotes respect for and protection of human life from natural conception until natural death. The parish also operates the Sacred Heart Thrift Shop, a renewed outreach to the poor in the Lewistown area.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society — meals provided every third Saturday
• SVDP office hours: Tue & Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; 717-363-4812
• Email: [email protected]
• Citizens Concerned for Human Life
• Sacred Heart Thrift Shop

Parish Organizations & Fellowship

Sacred Heart has a deep bench of parish organizations that build community across generations. The Knights of Columbus Council at Sacred Heart meets once a month on Tuesday evenings and runs activities for the parish and wider community; membership is open to men 18 and older. The Funeral Lunch Hospitality Group sets up, cooks, serves, and cleans up after funeral luncheons (contact Kay Parker via the parish office). The Red Hat Society 'Sassy Crimson Ladies' gathers ladies for a monthly outing and fellowship. A Prayer Chain carries parishioners' intentions by email and by phone, and parishioners can be on either chain or both.

• Knights of Columbus (men 18+, monthly Tuesday meetings)
• Funeral Lunch Hospitality Group
• Red Hat Society 'Sassy Crimson Ladies'
• Prayer Chain (email and phone)

Parish Staff

Sacred Heart's pastoral team is led by Rev. Kevin J. Coyle as Pastor. The parish office is staffed by Jodi Peters (Parish Office Manager / Finance) and supported by Cathy Stout (Pastoral Associate & Director of Music). The school is led by Principal Mrs. Deborah Henry, with Ashley Henry serving as Advancement Director & Executive Assistant and Carrie Thierwechter as Clerical Secretary.

• Pastor: Rev. Kevin J. Coyle — 717-242-2781
• Parish Office Manager / Finance: Jodi Peters — [email protected]
• Pastoral Associate & Director of Music: Cathy Stout — [email protected]
• Principal: Mrs. Deborah Henry — 717-248-5351 — [email protected]
• Advancement Director & Executive Assistant: Ashley Henry — 717-242-2781 — [email protected]
• Clerical Secretary: Mrs. Carrie Thierwechter
• Parish Religious Education contact: Marcie Cirota (via Parish Office)

Cemetery & Facilities

Sacred Heart maintains a parish cemetery whose grounds were secured in the 1870s shortly after the parish was formally established, and the Cemetery Perpetual Care committee assists with its upkeep. The parish also has an active Buildings and Grounds Committee that oversees maintenance, clean-up, and repairs of parish buildings and grounds. The current church (1921–1923) remains the primary worship site, with parking and restrooms available on site per the Diocese of Harrisburg's parish locator.

• Parish cemetery (ground secured in the 1870s)
• Cemetery Perpetual Care ministry
• Buildings and Grounds Committee
• Church (built 1921–1923, capacity 550) with parking and restrooms on site

Contact, Location & Practical Info

The parish church stands at 106 N Dorcas St, Lewistown, PA 17044, while the Parish Office is at 9 N Brown St, Lewistown, PA 17044. The parish office can be reached at (717) 242-2781 or by email at [email protected]. Sacred Heart also maintains an official Facebook page under the name 'Sacred Heart of Jesus Lewistown.' Weekend and weekday Mass schedules, confession times, First Friday Adoration, and ministry schedules are posted on the parish website and updated monthly; current bulletins and downloadable ministry schedules are available from the parish website.

• Church: 106 N Dorcas St, Lewistown, PA 17044
• Parish Office: 9 N Brown St, Lewistown, PA 17044
• Phone: (717) 242-2781
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.sacredheartlewistown.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartlewistown/