About Saint Bernadette Church - Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish · Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Saint Bernadette Church is the Monroeville worship site of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh that also includes St. Susanna (Penn Hills), North American Martyrs (Monroeville) and St. Michael (Pitcairn) churches. The parish describes its mission as nourishing 'the Shepherd's flock by forging a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, worshipping authentically, [and] engaging community.' Sunday Mass is offered at St. Bernadette at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, with a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM, weekday Masses Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 AM, and a Thursday evening Mass at 6:00 PM. The parish campus at 245 Azalea Drive also houses Divine Mercy Academy, the parish school serving pre-K through eighth grade.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Bernadette Soubirous
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Roche
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Bernadette is a long-established Monroeville parish (founded 1955) that joined with neighboring Catholic communities in 2020 to form Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, so worshippers join a single flock served across multiple church sites while still belonging to the Azalea Drive campus that also hosts Divine Mercy Academy. The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Confession and Adoration, monthly Anointing of the Sick, sacramental preparation for Baptism and Marriage, and a wide range of lay groups — Knights of Columbus, Ladies of Charity, St. Vincent de Paul, Cursillo, Centering Prayer, Emmaus retreats, youth ministry, the school, and faith formation for all ages — making it a hub of both liturgical and social life for Catholics in Monroeville, Penn Hills and Pitcairn.
Mass times at Saint Bernadette Church - Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (St. Bernadette)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (St. Bernadette)
Adoration times
- Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (St. Bernadette)
- Thursday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (St. Bernadette) — note: Thursday adoration window listed in the bulletin also includes the 5–6 PM hour
History of St. Bernadette Parish
Saint Bernadette Parish traces its origins to 1951, when roughly 60 Monroeville families were driving to Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville for Mass. In June 1952 a meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cox created the Monroeville Catholic Guild, which organized Catechism classes and scouted property. The owners of Majestic Gardens, a bar at Old Wm. Penn Highway and Center Road, made the building available for those classes and for the celebration of Mass — about 400 people attended the first two Masses there. On June 9, 1955, Bishop Dearden signed the decree (effective June 16, 1955) canonically establishing the parish of St. Bernadette in Monroeville; Father Hugh F. Biedenbach was appointed first pastor.
- June 16, 1955 — parish canonically established by Bishop Dearden
- August 1956 — building contract awarded to Navarro Corporation of Pittsburgh
- September 1959 — St. Bernadette School opens with ~225 students, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph; Sr. Clementia Mabon named principal
- 1960 — Sisters' convent completed on campus
- September 1961 — 16-classroom school addition opens
- April 1965 — preliminary plans for a permanent church approved; architect Bertrand Marlier
- December 14, 1968 — first Mass in the new church
- December 22, 1968 — cornerstone laid by Monsignor Coyle
- September 27, 1969 — church solemnly dedicated by Bishop Vincent M. Leonard
Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish (2020 Merger)
On January 6, 2020, Saint Bernadette Parish in Monroeville merged with the Penn Hills parishes of St. Bartholomew, St. Gerard Majella and St. Susanna, and with the Monroeville/Pitcairn parishes of North American Martyrs and St. Michael, to form a new entity: Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish. The merger was the local fruit of Bishop David Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative, launched April 12, 2015 to address declining Mass attendance and a shrinking priest pool in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. After a consultative planning process that began grouping parishes under shared clergy teams in 2018, the five parishes formally united in January 2020. Today the combined parish is served from the Monroeville campus (St. Bernadette / Divine Mercy Academy), with worship sites at St. Bernadette, St. Susanna (200 Stotler Rd, Penn Hills), North American Martyrs (2526 Haymaker Rd, Monroeville) and St. Michael (Pitcairn).
- Formed January 6, 2020
- Member churches: St. Bernadette (Monroeville), St. Susanna (Penn Hills), North American Martyrs (Monroeville), St. Michael (Pitcairn)
- Earlier constituent merger: North American Martyrs + St. Michael, September 4, 2010
- Diocesan initiative: 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' (launched April 12, 2015)
Our Clergy
Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Michael Roche ([email protected]). He is assisted by two Senior Parochial Vicars, Rev. William D. Wuenschel and Rev. Thomas R. Miller; Rev. Kenneth Kezmarsky serves In Residence and as Hospital Chaplain (and was recently celebrated for 40 years of priestly ministry before his reassignment to Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Moon Township). Two permanent deacons support parish life: Deacon Michael W. Kelly, Pastoral Associate ([email protected]), who handles Marriage coordination, and Deacon Nick Wytiaz.
- Rev. Michael Roche — Pastor
- Rev. William D. Wuenschel — Senior Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Thomas R. Miller — Senior Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Kenneth Kezmarsky — In Residence / Hospital Chaplain
- Deacon Michael W. Kelly — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon Nick Wytiaz
Parish Staff
The lay staff keeps the parish running day to day. Music, faith formation, youth, safe environment, business and maintenance functions are all staffed by named lay leaders who can be reached through the parish office email ([email protected]) or directly at their extensions.
- Joshua Bandish — Sacred Music and Worship ([email protected])
- Celena Colcombe — Youth Minister ([email protected])
- Erin Zeigler — Director of Parish Formation & Discipleship ([email protected])
- Irene Swackhammer — Assistant Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Trish DiGiannurio — Safe Environment ([email protected])
- Gary Brueggman — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Kathy DeStefano — Secretary ([email protected])
- Sandy Palmieri — Secretary ([email protected])
- Ginny Beck — Secretary ([email protected])
- Tim Jacob — Maintenance Coordinator ([email protected])
- Eileen Almeter — Custodian ([email protected])
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Pre-Baptism classes are required and meet on the third Tuesday of every month (register by calling the parish office). Couples preparing for marriage are asked to email Deacon Mike Kelly ([email protected]). Reconciliation is offered at the times listed above. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated on the last Sunday of each month at noon at St. Bernadette (and 12:30 PM at St. Susanna). Children prepare for First Communion and Confirmation through the parish's Faith Formation program and Divine Mercy Academy.
- Baptism — pre-Baptism classes on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
- Marriage — contact Deacon Mike Kelly ([email protected])
- Reconciliation — Thursday 5–6 PM and Saturday 3–4 PM (St. Bernadette)
- Anointing of the Sick — last Sunday of the month, 12:00 PM at St. Bernadette
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
Devotions & Devotional Groups
Beyond the Sunday liturgy, Christ the Divine Shepherd supports a rich devotional life: monthly Anointing of the Sick, Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession, the Patriotic Rosary, Mary's Way of the Cross, and the Giving Tree hosted by the Ladies of Charity; ongoing Prayer & Rosary Groups, Purgatorian Society meetings, Centering Prayer, Cursillo, and Emmaus retreat communities for men and women; and the monthly blessing of graduating seniors. The parish publishes weekly bulletins with the full calendar of devotions.
- Anointing of the Sick (monthly)
- Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession
- Patriotic Rosary
- Mary's Way of the Cross
- Giving Tree (Ladies of Charity)
- Prayer & Rosary Group
- Purgatorian Society
- Centering Prayer
- Cursillo
- Men's and Women's Emmaus Retreats
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Lay-led ministries put Catholic social teaching into practice across Monroeville and Penn Hills. The Ladies of Charity — inspired by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac — visit the sick and shut-ins, lead rosaries at nursing homes, run seasonal food drives and the Patriotic Rosary. The parish Knights of Columbus council, St. Vincent de Paul conference, and various prayer and fellowship groups round out the social-mission arm of the parish.
- Ladies of Charity (visits to the sick, food drives, Patriotic Rosary, Mary's Way of the Cross, Giving Tree)
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul
- High School Youth Ministry
- Men's Group
- Women's Emmaus Retreat community
Faith Formation & Discipleship
Erin Zeigler directs Parish Formation & Discipleship, with Irene Swackhammer assisting as Assistant Director of Faith Formation. Together they coordinate sacramental preparation (Baptism classes, First Communion, Confirmation), adult faith formation, youth ministry, and ongoing discipleship for parishioners of all ages.
- Director of Parish Formation & Discipleship — Erin Zeigler
- Assistant Director of Faith Formation — Irene Swackhammer
- Youth Minister — Celena Colcombe
- Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
Divine Mercy Academy (Parish School)
Continuing a tradition that began when St. Bernadette School opened in September 1959, the parish now operates Divine Mercy Academy at 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146. The school serves preschool through eighth grade under Principal Nikole Laubham, with Erin Bozicevic as Administrative Assistant ([email protected]). Catholic identity is developed through preparation for First Communion, Reconciliation during Advent and Lent, and preparation for Confirmation. The school partners with families and the parish to celebrate Catholic Schools Week each year with Mass, open house, STEM projects and community service.
- Address: 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146
- Phone: (412) 372-7255
- Website: https://www.dmapgh.org
- Principal: Nikole Laubham ([email protected])
- Administrative Assistant: Erin Bozicevic ([email protected])
- Grades served: Preschool through 8
- Catholic identity focus: First Communion, Reconciliation (Advent/Lent), Confirmation preparation
Sacred Music & Worship
Sacred Music and Worship is coordinated by Joshua Bandish ([email protected]). The music ministry supports the parish's regular Mass schedule and special liturgies such as the Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession, the monthly Anointing of the Sick, and First Communion and Confirmation celebrations. The Divine Mercy Academy school choir also participates in parish Masses, including the annual kickoff Mass for Catholic Schools Week.
- Director — Joshua Bandish
- School choir participation at parish Masses (e.g., Catholic Schools Week)
- Music for Corpus Christi Procession, Anointing of the Sick, First Communion and Confirmation
Visiting & Joining the Parish
New parishioners are welcomed to register online at ChristtheDivineShepherd.org or by calling the parish office at (412) 373-0050. The parish office is open during regular office hours and can be reached by email at [email protected]. Bulletin submissions go to [email protected]. The parish's monthly calendar — published in the Sunday bulletin — includes meetings for every ministry, group, and devotion, so newcomers can find a meeting that fits their schedule.
- Register online at ChristtheDivineShepherd.org or call (412) 373-0050
- Parish office email: [email protected]
- Bulletin email: [email protected]
- Weekly bulletin lists every meeting, devotion and Mass intention
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Hugh F. Biedenbach1955–
First pastor; appointed from St. Mary's, Beaver Falls. Biedenbach Hall on the parish campus is named for him.
- Monsignor Coyle
Pastor who oversaw construction of the permanent church; laid the cornerstone on December 22, 1968.
- Rev. Jeremy Mohler
Left Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish effective July 15 (mid-2020s) to become administrator of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Duncansville, in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
- Rev. Kenneth Kezmarskylate 1990s; returned mid-2020s
Previously served at St. Bernadette in the late 1990s; returned as In Residence / Hospital Chaplain and Senior Parochial Vicar; in 2026 he marked 40 years of priesthood and was reassigned as Senior Parochial Vicar at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Moon Township.
- Rev. Michael Rochecurrent
Current Pastor of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish.