About Sacred Heart of Jesus · Weston, Pennsylvania
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Weston, Pennsylvania, located at 554 Main Street in the Diocese of Scranton. Founded in 1898, the parish has served the faithful of Weston and surrounding communities in Luzerne County for over 125 years. Today Sacred Heart is part of the combined Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Parish family alongside Saint John Bosco Parish in Conyngham, under the pastoral leadership of Father Richard J. Polmounter, MS, with Father Patrick D. McDowell serving as Pastor Emeritus. The parish draws worshippers from Weston, Nuremberg, Sheppton, Fern Glen, Rock Glen, Sugarloaf, Hazleton, Oneida, and surrounding areas, and is approximately seven miles from West Hazleton. The original 19th-century church bell has been restored and rings daily at 8 a.m., Noon, and 6 p.m., as well as calling the faithful to Sunday Mass at 8:55 a.m.
- Established
- 1898
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Reverend Richard J. Polmounter, MS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Weston offers a deeply rooted Catholic community in the heart of Pennsylvania's anthracite region, where the restored 19th-century church bell still calls the faithful to daily prayer. Parishioners gather for Sunday Mass, weekday Mass, a daily Rosary after morning Mass (with special prayers for the unborn every Wednesday), and the sacrament of Reconciliation. The parish is part of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Parish family alongside Saint John Bosco, sharing priests, faith formation programs for youth and adults, and opportunities for fellowship — making it a welcoming home for both longtime Catholics and those returning to the faith.
Mass times at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:15–8:45 AM
- By appointment
Parish History
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish was founded in 1898 in Weston, Pennsylvania, to serve the Catholic families of the small anthracite-coal mining town and surrounding areas of Luzerne County. The parish marked its 125th anniversary in 2013 with a Pontifical Mass, and parish records preserve signatures from the 1936 rededication of St. Joseph's Church. A parish picnic was held on September 13, 2015, and a Living Stations of the Cross was performed on March 18, 2016. In more recent years, Sacred Heart has been paired with neighboring St. Joseph Parish and shares pastoral leadership with Saint John Bosco Parish in Conyngham.
- Founded 1898, Diocese of Scranton
- 125th Anniversary Pontifical Mass in 2013
- 1936 Rededication of St. Joseph's Church (signatures preserved)
- Parish Picnic, September 13, 2015
- Living Stations of the Cross, March 18, 2016
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently shepherded by Father Richard J. Polmounter, MS, who was appointed Pastor of Saint John Bosco Parish on August 16, 2015, and assumed leadership of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on July 1, 2021. Father Polmounter was ordained to the priesthood on May 6, 1978, by the Most Reverend J. Carroll McCormick, D.D., Bishop of Scranton. Father Patrick D. McDowell, who served as pastor from 1998 to 2021, now holds the title of Pastor Emeritus. Reverend Christian Ekeh serves as Associate Pastor. Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr., Reverend Steven J. Brosk (USAF, LT COL, RET), and Reverend Edward L. Michelini also assist in ministry. Lay staff include Robin Pottorff (Organist & Choir Director at Sacred Heart), Maureen Ciavarella (Youth Faith Formation Director), and shared parish support staff from the combined parish family.
- Rev. Richard J. Polmounter, MS — Pastor
- Rev. Patrick D. McDowell — Pastor Emeritus
- Rev. Christian Ekeh — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Maurice J. Cerasaro, Jr.
- Rev. Steven J. Brosk, USAF, LT COL, RET
- Rev. Edward L. Michelini
- Robin Pottorff — Organist & Choir Director (Sacred Heart)
- Maureen Ciavarella — Youth Faith Formation Director
The Sacred Heart Church Bell
The original 19th-century church bell in the steeple of Sacred Heart of Jesus has been restored thanks to the generosity of a parishioner. The bell now rings automatically each day at 8:00 AM, Noon, and 6:00 PM, and on Sundays at 8:55 AM as a call to Mass and at 9:00 AM for the start of Sunday Mass. It can also be rung manually for other Masses and tolled at funerals. The restoration was dedicated in memory of parishioner Jeffrey Allen Herring by his family, continuing the ancient tradition of bells calling the faithful to pause and pray.
- Bell restored from the 19th century — still in excellent condition
- Rings daily at 8 AM, Noon, and 6 PM
- Sunday Mass call at 8:55 AM; rings at start of 9 AM Mass
- Toll bell for funerals
- Restoration dedicated in memory of Jeffrey Allen Herring
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is shared across the combined Sacred Heart and St. Joseph / St. John Bosco Parish family. Maureen Ciavarella serves as Youth Faith Formation Director, coordinating religious instruction for the parish's young people. The parish supports catechesis and adult faith formation, and welcomes inquiries through the parish office. Faith Formation inquiries can be sent to [email protected] per the combined parish's published contact information.
- Youth Faith Formation / Religious Education
- Adult Faith Formation
- Youth Faith Formation Director: Maureen Ciavarella
Music Ministry
Sacred Heart's Music Ministry at the Weston church is led by Robin Pottorff, who serves as Organist & Choir Director. Sacred Heart shares the broader Music Ministry program with Saint John Bosco Parish (Conyngham), where Jennifer Gerhard directs Adult & Youth Choir and Cantors. Together they support sung liturgy at both worship sites.
- Robin Pottorff — Organist & Choir Director (Sacred Heart, Weston)
- Jennifer Gerhard — Music Ministry, Adult & Youth Choir, Cantors Director (St. John Bosco, Conyngham)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Baptisms, Confirmation, First Communion, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation are offered; the sacrament of Reconciliation is regularly scheduled on Sundays before Mass and by appointment. The parish observes the Diocese of Scranton's standard requirements, including the Sponsor Eligibility Card for Baptism and Confirmation.
- Baptism
- First Communion (Eucharist)
- Confirmation
- Matrimony (by appointment)
- Reconciliation (Sunday 8:15–8:45 AM or by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
- Sponsor Eligibility Card requirements per Diocese of Scranton
Visiting & Parish Information
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish is located at 554 Main Street in Weston, Pennsylvania (PO Box A, Weston, PA 18256), in Luzerne County. The parish office is open Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The church building is open on Sundays from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Sacred Heart is approximately seven miles from West Hazleton and serves parishioners from Weston, Nuremberg, Bloomsburg, Sheppton, Fern Glen, Rock Glen, Sugarloaf, Hazleton, Oneida, and the surrounding region.
- Address: 554 Main Street, PO Box A, Weston, PA 18256
- Parish Office: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Church open Sundays 8:00–10:00 AM
- Approximately 7 miles from West Hazleton
- Serves Weston, Nuremberg, Sheppton, Fern Glen, Rock Glen, Sugarloaf, Hazleton, Oneida, and surrounding communities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Joseph Meier1954–1966
Listed in former pastors photo on parish website
- Rev. Joseph Weber1974–1977
Listed in former pastors photo on parish website
- Rev. Martin Gaiardo1983–1985
Listed in former pastors photo on parish website
- Rev. Joseph Bonner1985–1998
Listed in former pastors photo on parish website
- Rev. Patrick D. McDowell1998–2021
Pastor for 23 years; transitioned to Pastor Emeritus effective June 30, 2021
- Rev. Richard J. Polmounter, MS2021–present
Assumed leadership of Sacred Heart on July 1, 2021, while continuing as Pastor of St. John Bosco Parish, Conyngham (appointed Aug 16, 2015). Ordained to the priesthood on May 6, 1978 by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick.