Saint Catherine Laboure Parish-Saint Joan of Arc

History of St. Joan of Arc (1923–1949 as a Mission)

On January 1, 1923, Fr. Michael J. McBurney, then Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Finleyville, established a mission church in Library, PA dedicated to St. Joan of Arc — the first and only parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh to take her name, three years after Pope Benedict XV decreed her canonization on May 9, 1920. Sunday Mass was first celebrated in the Union Hotel (built 1918 and managed by Peter Burke, hence 'Burke's Hotel') at Piney Fork Road and Library Road; the building was later torn down by the Library Volunteer Fireman Company in March 1996 to enlarge its parking lot. On October 19, 1924, Bishop Boyle appointed Fr. F. J. Hertzog, the first resident priest of St. Francis of Assisi, to dedicate the new church in Joan's honor. Father Kevin Guinagh of Aliquippa preached the sermon and the Finleyville choir sang the Mass. For more than two decades St. Joan of Arc remained a mission, with the parish committee working to retire its debt to the Diocese — a debt finally paid in full on February 13, 1946 when Father Quilter presented a check for $3,001.66.

Becoming an Independent Parish (1949)

The mission's overflow crowd at a Confirmation administered by Bishop John F. Dearden — where confirmandi and sponsors filled every inch of the church while parents and friends had to remain outside — helped convince the Bishop to grant independence. In June 1949 Father Patrick W. Rice (later Monsignor) was assigned to establish St. Joan of Arc as an independent parish. Fr. Quilter of St. Francis turned over $13,804.94 to the new parish and the first Sunday Masses were set at 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00. In July 1950 Fr. Rice purchased a two-acre plot, farmhouse, and barn on Route 88 bordered by Montour Street and Trax Lane for $16,433.50 from Dr. Perry Engstrom; the farmhouse became a fundraising hall for card parties, spaghetti dinners, turkey dinners, and bingos. Father Sullivan became the second Pastor on February 7, 1952.

Building the Church-School (1955)

In 1954 and for several years thereafter, men of the parish canvassed families for pledges to the Building Fund. Contractor Mr. McCloskey was hired, the cornerstone was laid in December 1954, and on June 26, 1955 Bishop John F. Dearden officially dedicated the $150,000 school and church complex — the home of St. Joan of Arc School for the next 57 years.

Domremy Pavilion and the Pribonic Building Program

Father Pribonic, sensing the parish needed a true social/banquet hall, began advising parishioners in 1998-99 of a building program that included a hall adjacent to the school-church building — replacing the old farmhouse and bar — followed by remodeling of the church itself. Construction began July 12, 1999 and was completed March 10, 2000. With the help of many volunteer parishioners, the interior was finished in time to serve fish dinners during the last four weeks of Lent. When parishioners were asked to suggest a name for the new building, Father selected 'Domremy Pavilion' — suggested by Miss Kathleen Hall — after Joan of Arc's birthplace in Lorraine, France; the actual hall is called 'The Gathering Place.' On June 11, 2000 Mass was temporarily moved to the Gathering Place while the church was remodeled. The entire project cost about $1.4 million and was funded by an extraordinary response to memorials and other fundraising from the parish.

Closing of St. Joan of Arc School (2012)

On February 8, 2012, due to low enrollment, expected higher tuition fees, and increased parish subsidy for school operations, Father Pribonic asked Bishop Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, to close St. Joan of Arc School at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. On February 13, 2012 Bishop Zubik acknowledged that the school would close after providing a Catholic education to the South Hills communities for 57 years.

Merger into Saint Catherine Labouré Parish (2021)

On January 4, 2021, St. Joan of Arc and St. Louise de Marillac parishes were canonically merged into Saint Catherine Labouré Parish, a unified family of faith in the South Hills serving South Park Township, Upper St. Clair, and Bethel Park from two worship sites under the patronage of the Daughters of Charity saint to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in Paris in 1830 and entrusted the Miraculous Medal.

Clergy & Staff

Rev. Jeffrey M. Craig serves as Pastor of Saint Catherine Labouré Parish, with Rev. Jon J. Brzek assisting as retired Senior Parochial Vicar and Deacon Richard R. Cessar in diaconal ministry. The Faith Formation Office is staffed by Coordinator Lisa Ruggieri ([email protected], ext. 2328) and Administrative Assistant Nancy Beaver ([email protected], ext. 2230), reachable at [email protected] or 412-835-1155.

• Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey M. Craig
• Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jon J. Brzek (retired with assignment)
• Deacon: Richard R. Cessar
• Faith Formation Coordinator: Lisa Ruggieri
• Faith Formation Admin: Nancy Beaver

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The Faith Formation Office, located at the St. Joan of Arc Church campus (6414 Montour Street, South Park, PA 15129), shares the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ with all whom they encounter, inviting, engaging, and empowering children, youth, and adults to LEARN Jesus, LOVE Jesus, LIVE Jesus through evangelization, education, and formation. Programs include Family Catechesis, Middle School Ministry, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), supported by Sacramental Preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation. The office serves 325 families from the South Hills region of Pittsburgh, 550 students from kindergarten through eighth grades, and 90+ volunteer catechists, aides, and team members. Office hours during the catechetical year are Monday 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Tuesday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Wednesday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM, Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, and Friday closed. Programs typically begin on Catechetical Sunday in September and end in April.

• Family Catechesis
• Middle School Ministry
• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
• First Eucharist Sacramental Preparation
• Confirmation Sacramental Preparation
• 325 families, 550+ students, 90+ catechists

OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Formerly known as RCIA, the parish's OCIA program is designed for persons who wish to explore the Catholic faith and/or are considering entering the Church, and also for baptized Catholics who did not receive some or all of the sacraments beyond Baptism. The team journeys with inquirers through the Catechism of the Catholic Church in prayerful study and discussion, exploring Catholic teaching and practice in preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Inquirers are invited to email [email protected].

Youth, Young Adult & School Ministries

Labouré Youth Ministry offers high-school teens a place to belong, with events and 'Summer Mission' registration. Young Adult Ministry provides community for those in their 20s and 30s. St. Louise de Marillac School, located at the Upper St. Clair campus, is the parish's Catholic school; Vacation Bible School is offered each summer as well. The parish website describes the school as 'Inspiring Tomorrow's Leaders.'

• Labouré Youth Ministry (high school)
• Young Adult Ministry (20s and 30s)
• St. Louise de Marillac School
• Vacation Bible School
• Summer Mission registration

Spiritual, Liturgical, Service & Social Ministries

More than fifty parish ministries give parishioners many ways to live their faith. Spiritual and prayer groups include Adoration, Nocturnal Adoration, Divine Mercy Apostolate, Patriotic Rosary, Thursday Morning Prayer Group, Liturgy of the Hours Prayer, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Tuesday Adult Bible Study, Book Club, Sunday Mass Readings Explained, and Women's and Men's Retreats. Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Music Ministry, Wedding Coordinators, Funeral Liturgy Planners, and Dignity Robes. Service and outreach ministries include St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ladies of Charity, Appalachian Work Ministry, SHIM Garden, Respect Life (with a pro-life rosary every third Wednesday and a Spiritual Adoption program), Pastoral Care and Outreach, Homebound Eucharist, Nursing Home/Hospital Eucharist/Prayer Service, Martha Ministry, Parish Health Ministry, Grief Support / Grieving with Hope, Substance Addiction Ministry, Six Steps to Sanity, Mothers of Hope, and Monday Morning Monicas. Fellowship and social ministries include Knights of Columbus, Catholic Men's Fellowship, Catholic Women's Fellowship, Labouré Ladies Guild, Men's Fish Fry, Men's Golf League, Bowling, Boy Scouts, and the St. Louise de Marillac School Fish Fry.

• 50+ parish ministries across spiritual, liturgical, service, and social categories

Worship Sites & Facilities

The parish operates two worship sites. St. Joan of Arc Church at 6414 Montour Street, South Park, PA 15129 is the original 1924 mission church (expanded in 1955 with the church-school building, then again in 1999-2000 with Domremy Pavilion / 'The Gathering Place' under Father Pribonic). St. Louise de Marillac Church at 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 is the main weekend Mass site and houses the parish office and St. Louise de Marillac Catholic School; it has a hearing-loop induction system for those with telecoil-equipped hearing aids and receiver headsets available from the sacristan.

• St. Joan of Arc Church — 6414 Montour Street, South Park, PA 15129
• St. Louise de Marillac Church — 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
• Hearing loop system at St. Louise de Marillac
• Domremy Pavilion / 'The Gathering Place' at St. Joan of Arc

Parish Registration & Communication

New parishioners are welcomed to complete the parish registration form online or download a fillable PDF to return to the Parish Office in person. The parish uses Flocknote to send weekly emails and maintains a Facebook page and an Instagram account for the latest news. Live-streamed Masses from the local grouping are available at ghocatholics.org/tv-ministry.

• Weekly Flocknote emails
• Facebook and Instagram official accounts
• Online parish registration form
• Live-streamed Masses via ghocatholics.org