About Sacred Heart · West Reading, Pennsylvania
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish serving the Catholics of western Berks County, Pennsylvania, from its home in West Reading. Erected in 1917 to minister to primarily German-descent Catholics living west of the Schuylkill River, the parish has grown from 180 souls into a thriving community that operates its own parish school, Sacred Heart School, and a wide array of liturgical, educational, and outreach ministries. As a parish of the Diocese of Allentown, it now offers daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the OCIA process for adults, religious education for children, multiple choirs, and a strong Catholic school serving grades K–8.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. DeSantis, M.A.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Allentown
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers the full rhythm of Catholic life—daily and weekend Masses, two weekly evenings of Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, and Holy Day schedules—wrapped in a tight-knit western Berks County community. Families can hand their children on to Sacred Heart School, an inter-generational K–8 Catholic school that has served the region for over a century, while adults grow in faith through OCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), Religious Education, and a robust music ministry that includes both Contemporary and Classical choirs.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Additional times by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Thursday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Parish History
From its 1917 founding by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast at the recommendation of Monsignor George Bornemann to its 2006 church rededication under the sixth pastor, Sacred Heart's story is told in full on the parish website's Parish History page. The parish began with 180 souls, celebrated its first Mass in the Wyomissing town hall, and grew steadily through the 20th century, twice spinning off daughter parishes (Saint John Baptist de LaSalle, Shillington, 1947; Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Whitfield, 1965) and weathering the post-Vatican II liturgical transition.
- Founded 1917 by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast on the recommendation of Monsignor George Bornemann
- Founding pastor: Father Charles Bornemann (1917–1928); 180 souls at founding
- First Mass: 8 July 1917, Wyomissing town hall
- 1919: brick church-school completed; Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary begin teaching
- 1928–1943: Father John Wachter builds the granite church-school on Franklin & Seventh (cornerstone 1929)
- 1943–1979: Monsignor Theodore Wagner — mother-parish of St. John Baptist de LaSalle (1947)
- 1960–62: current granite church built at Franklin & Lakeview Drive; first Mass April 1962
- 1965: parish splits to create St. Ignatius of Loyola in Whitfield; sanctuary adapted for Vatican II
- 1979–1989: Father Alfred Ott — Parish Center, offices, and rectory completed October 1982; 1987 church interior remodel
- 1989–2003: Father James Reichert — 75th anniversary (1992); school renovation; 65-foot granite campanile (2000)
- 2003–present: Msgr. Joseph A. DeSantis — 3R's Restoration, Renovation, and Repair; church rededicated December 2006 by Bishop Edward P. Cullen
- 2019: parish/school educational endowment launched
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by its sixth pastor, Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. DeSantis, M.A., who has served since June 2003 and directed the major church restoration of 2003–2006. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Father Samuel Yeboah and two deacons, Deacon Thomas J. Devaney and Permanent Deacon Christopher May. A lay staff directs communications, music, religious education, business, the school, and parish activities.
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. DeSantis, M.A. — Pastor (since 2003)
- Rev. Father Samuel Yeboah — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Thomas J. Devaney
- Deacon Christopher May — Permanent Deacon
- Mr. Joseph Oros — Director of Music Ministry
- Mrs. Regina Doyle — Director of Communications & Parish Activities
- Mrs. Caitlin Sparr — Religious Education Secretary
- Mrs. Kate Banta — Parish Secretary
- Ms. Wendy S. Krisak, M.A., NCC, LPC — Business Manager
- Mrs. Susan Larkin — Principal, Sacred Heart School
- Mrs. Joan McNeil — Sacred Heart School
- Mr. Justo Sanchez — Custodial Supervisor
- Miss Patricia Addams — Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator
Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School has been a vibrant part of the educational community in Berks County for over 100 years. Committed to passing on the traditions and teachings of the Catholic faith, the school promotes academic excellence and educates lifelong learners who aspire to meet the challenges of life and render service to others in diverse communities, all to the honor and glory of God. The school is a K–8 elementary school located at 701 Franklin Street, West Reading, and is supported in part by the parish's educational endowment launched in 2019.
- Catholic K–8 elementary school at 701 Franklin Street, West Reading
- School phone: (610) 373-3316
- School website: www.sacredheartreading.com
- Principal: Mrs. Susan Larkin
- Enrollment and registration information handled through the school office
- Supported by a parish/school educational endowment created in 2019
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at Sacred Heart reaches every age and stage. Children in grades 1–8 attend Religious Education classes on Tuesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. in the IHM Room at Sacred Heart School, September through April; attendance in 1st grade is required for First Communion in 2nd grade. Adults who wish to become Catholic, complete their initiation, or simply renew the essentials of the faith enter the OCIA process, with classes running from September each year through May or June.
- Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) — classes September through May/June
- Religious Education for grades 1–8, Tuesday evenings 6:15–7:30 p.m., IHM Room at the school
- First Communion preparation begins in 1st grade; sacrament received in 2nd grade
- Adults needing Holy Communion and/or Confirmation welcomed through OCIA
Liturgical Ministries and Music
Sacred Heart's music ministry is one of its hallmarks, offering two distinct choral traditions to accompany Sunday worship. The Contemporary Choir accompanies the 9:30 a.m. Mass and rehearses on Wednesday evenings; the Classical Choir sings at the 11:15 a.m. Mass and at special parish celebrations from September through May. Cantors, lectors, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, altar servers, and a children's liturgy during the 9:30 a.m. Mass round out the liturgical life of the parish.
- Contemporary Choir — 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass; Wednesday 7:30 p.m. rehearsals, September–May
- Classical Choir — 11:15 a.m. Sunday Mass and special celebrations, September–May
- Cantors — lead the congregation in song at Mass and other liturgies; training provided
- Lectors — proclaim the Word of God at Mass
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist — assist priests and deacons in distributing Holy Communion
- Altar Servers — students in grade 5 and up who have received First Communion
- Children's Liturgy — during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Chapel, September–May
Sacraments
Information about the celebration of the sacraments at Sacred Heart is published in the parish's Frequently Asked Questions section. Baptisms are scheduled on the third Sunday of the month after the 11:15 a.m. Mass, with a required preparation class on the Thursday before at 7:00 p.m. in the Bornemann Room. First Communion is received in 2nd grade after Religious Education in 1st grade; Confirmation and adult sacraments are handled through OCIA; weddings and funerals are coordinated with the clergy through the Rectory.
- Baptism — 3rd Sunday of the month after 11:15 a.m. Mass
- Baptism preparation class — Thursday before the 3rd Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in the Bornemann Room
- First Holy Communion — received in 2nd grade
- Confirmation — prepared through Religious Education or OCIA for adults
- Matrimony and Funerals — coordinated with the Rectory
Parish Life and FAQs
The parish's Frequently Asked Questions page is the practical entry point for newcomers and active parishioners alike. It explains how to register, when the office is open, and how to volunteer (with the required Pennsylvania and FBI background clearances coordinated free of charge through the parish office). It also answers the most-asked questions about weekend and daily Masses and about notifying the parish when moving.
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
- Register as a parishioner through the Parish Office
- Volunteers must complete PA Criminal Background, PA Child Abuse, and FBI fingerprinting clearances
- Notify the Rectory when moving or changing parishes
Visiting and Getting Involved
Beyond the Mass schedule and parish office, Sacred Heart encourages participation through its ministries, the school, its bulletin, and its online presence. The main parish site (shrcparish.org) links to bulletins, the school website (sacredheartreading.com), the Diocese of Allentown schools page, and a Facebook page where parish events such as food and paper drives benefitting the St. Joseph Food Pantry are posted.
- Main website: https://shrcparish.org/
- School website: https://www.sacredheartreading.com/
- Diocese of Allentown schools page lists Sacred Heart School for Catholic Schools Week open houses
- Facebook: facebook.com/shrcparish
- Bulletin and Donate links posted on the homepage
- Join the Parish form available under Contact Us
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles (Charles) Bornemann1917–1928
Founding pastor; nephew of Monsignor George Bornemann of Saint Paul Parish, Reading. Celebrated first Mass on 8 July 1917 in the Wyomissing town hall; oversaw completion of the 1919 brick church-school.
- Rev. John Wachter1928–1943
Built the new granite combination church and school on the corner of Franklin Street and Seventh Avenue; cornerstone laid by Cardinal Dougherty in 1929; building put into service in 1930.
- Rev. Theodore Wagner (Monsignor)1943–1979
Made Sacred Heart the mother-parish of Saint John Baptist de LaSalle in Shillington (1947); oversaw the 1956 school expansion and the building of the current church (ground broken July 1960, first Mass April 1962). Died 20 June 1979.
- Rev. Alfred Ott1979–1989
Built new Parish Center, offices, and rectory (completed October 1982); remodeled the church interior in 1987 with wider aisles, a new sanctuary, and face-to-face confessionals.
- Rev. James Reichert1989–2003
Former assistant to Monsignor Wagner; led the 75th anniversary (1992) and the school renovation/addition (library, IHM Room, science lab, computer room, loggia); in 2000 the 65-foot granite campanile replaced the weakened aluminum bell tower.
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. DeSantis, M.A.2003–present
Sixth pastor; directed the 2003–2006 Restoration, Renovation, and Repair of the church with Rambusch Design Studios; altar consecrated and church rededicated December 2006 by Bishop Edward P. Cullen; launched the parish/school educational endowment in 2019.