About Saint Catherine Laboure Parish - Saint Louise de Marillac · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saint Catherine Labouré Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh that serves the South Park and Upper Saint Clair communities south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formed on January 4, 2021, it is the product of the diocese's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative and unites the former parishes of Saint Joan of Arc (South Park/Library) and Saint Louise de Marillac (Upper Saint Clair), both of whose church buildings remain open as worship sites. The parish describes its mission as helping members 'Learn Jesus, Love Jesus, and Live Jesus' and to invite others into the sacramental life of the Catholic faith.
- Established
- 2021
- Patron
- Saint Catherine Labouré
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey M. Craig
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Catherine Labouré Parish is a faithful Catholic community in the South Hills of Pittsburgh that combines two historic worship sites — Saint Louise de Marillac (Upper Saint Clair) and Saint Joan of Arc (South Park) — under one parish family. Members grow in faith through a robust Faith Formation program serving more than 550 students and 325 families, a vibrant Music Ministry with adult, children's, handbell and cantor ensembles, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a Nocturnal First Friday Adoration, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference helping local families in need, and a Homebound Ministry bringing the Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass. With multiple weekend Masses, daily Mass, regular Confession, and ministries for every age and stage of life, it is a welcoming place to encounter Christ and serve neighbors.
Mass times at Saint Catherine Laboure Parish - Saint Louise de Marillac
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at St. Louise de Marillac Church
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM at St. Louise de Marillac Church
- Additional opportunities during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:45 PM at St. Louise Church (Weekly Adoration)
- Nocturnal Adoration: 10:00 PM on the First Friday of the month at St. Louise Church
Our Parish
Saint Catherine Labouré Parish is a single Catholic parish with two active worship sites: Saint Louise de Marillac Church in Upper Saint Clair (320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241) and Saint Joan of Arc Church in South Park (6414 Montour Street, South Park, PA 15129). The parish was created on January 4, 2021, by uniting the two predecessor parishes, both of which had already been sharing clergy and a joint bulletin. The parish's mission statement is to 'Learn Jesus, Love Jesus, and Live Jesus' and to invite others to share in the sacramental life of the Catholic faith.
- Saint Louise de Marillac Church — 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
- Saint Joan of Arc Church — 6414 Montour Street, South Park, PA 15129
- Parish Office: 412-833-1010 | [email protected]
- Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
History of the Parish
Saint Catherine Labouré Parish traces its origin to Bishop David Zubik's April 12, 2015 announcement of 'On Mission for The Church Alive!', a consultative strategic-planning initiative in response to declining Mass attendance and fewer priests in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. After years of consultation, Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Louise de Marillac were grouped under one clergy team, and on January 4, 2021, they were formally merged into the new parish.
- April 12, 2015 — Bishop Zubik launches 'On Mission for The Church Alive!'
- 2018 — parishes grouped under a single clergy team
- January 4, 2021 — Saint Catherine Labouré Parish formally established
- Saint Louise de Marillac Parish founded May 25, 1961 by Bishop John Wright
- First Mass of St. Louise celebrated June 3, 1961 in St. Clair Township Municipal Building
- Permanent St. Louise church dedicated August 23, 1981
- LeGras Parish Center dedicated January 25, 2004 by Bishop Wuerl
St. Louise de Marillac Church History
Saint Louise de Marillac Parish was established on May 25, 1961 on land that had once been the Baldesberger family farm, with Father John Schonhardt as founding pastor. The first Masses were held in the municipal building and then at Fontbonne Academy before a school/church building was begun in October 1962. The school opened in September 1963 and the temporary church hosted its first Mass on Christmas Day 1963. The permanent church was dedicated in 1981, and the parish continued to expand facilities through the LeGras Parish Center in 2004.
- Founding pastor: Rev. John Schonhardt (assigned May 31, 1961)
- Felician Sisters staffed the school from early days
- Father Thomas E. Kredel led during a period of growth to ~3,000 families
- Father Michael A. Caridi installed as sixth pastor August 3, 2008
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, and a deacon, supported by Faith Formation and Music Ministry staff.
- Rev. Jeffrey M. Craig — Pastor
- Rev. Jon J. Brzek — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Richard R. Cessar
- Lisa Ruggieri — Faith Formation Coordinator ([email protected], 412-833-1010 Ext. 2328)
- Nancy Beaver — Faith Formation Administrative Assistant ([email protected], 412-833-1010 Ext. 2230)
- Greg Fincham — Music Ministry ([email protected], 724-747-5877)
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul office: 412-283-9450
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Office, located at the St. Joan of Arc campus (6414 Montour Street, South Park, PA 15129), coordinates the parish's religious-education programs. Programs typically begin on Catechetical Sunday in September and end in April, following the liturgical calendar. The office serves 325 families and more than 550 students from kindergarten through eighth grade with a volunteer team of 90+ catechists, aides and team members.
- Family Catechesis
- Middle School Ministry
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- Sacramental Preparation for First Eucharist and Confirmation
- Office phone: 412-835-1155
- Email: [email protected]
- Coordinator: Lisa Ruggieri
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry's goal is to enhance the celebration of Mass and other liturgical services with appropriate music, helping the congregation participate fully and creating a mood of reverence. It includes the parish choir, children's choir, a handbell choir, instrumentalists and specially trained cantors. Music-reading ability is helpful but not required for the parish choir.
- Parish Choir — sings at 10:00 AM Sunday Mass, Christmas Midnight Mass, Easter Vigil and special occasions
- Children's Choir — open to all parish children in 2nd grade and older
- Handbell Choir — open to new ringers; possible youth handbell group for grades 7–12
- Cantors — auditioned vocalists for varied musical styles
- Contact: Greg Fincham ([email protected], 724-747-5877)
Service, Outreach & Charity
The parish runs a wide range of service and outreach programs. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates a parish conference and a thrift store, supporting local families with rent, utilities, vehicle repair, clothing, groceries and beds. Other ministries extend care to those who cannot come to Mass and engage youth and adults in charitable works.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (412-283-9450) — 5th Sunday collection and direct aid
- St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store — volunteer opportunities
- Ladies of Charity Poor Box at St. Louise
- Homebound Ministry bringing the Eucharist to the homebound
- Nursing Home Ministry
- Altar Servers
- Children's Choir
- Health Ministry
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Sacramental preparation is provided for First Eucharist and Confirmation through the Faith Formation Office. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly and additionally during Advent and Lent.
- Baptism (with preparation)
- First Eucharist (sacramental preparation)
- Confirmation (sacramental preparation)
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Matrimony / Wedding
- Anointing of the Sick & Funeral Ministry
- RCIA / Adult Initiation
Get Involved — Youth & Young Adults
Saint Catherine Labouré offers formation and fellowship opportunities for every age group, with a particular emphasis on Laboure Youth Ministry for middle and high school students and a Young Adult Ministry for those beyond high-school age. Vacation Bible School, Christmas parties and other events run throughout the year.
- Laboure Youth Ministry (middle/high school) — contact Kirstin at [email protected]
- Young Adult Ministry
- Vacation Bible School
- Family Catechesis
- Middle School Ministry
Visit, Contact & Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can register, sign up for email updates, and stay in touch through the parish website, Flocknote, Facebook and Instagram. Saint Louise de Marillac Church offers hearing-assistance receiver headsets for those using hearing aids with a telecoil.
- Parish Office: 320 McMurray Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
- Phone: 412-833-1010 | Fax: 412-833-6624
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sclpgh.org
- Facebook & Instagram (parish pages)
- Flocknote: text SCL2023 to 84576
- Faith Formation Office: 412-835-1155
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Schonhardt1961–
Founding pastor of Saint Louise de Marillac Parish, assigned May 31, 1961
- Rev. Robert Reardon
Pastor until July 1, 1991, when named Pastor at St. John Capistran Church
- Rev. Albert J. Semler1992–1996
Appointed June 1992; left July 1, 1996, to head the Department for Clergy Personnel
- Rev. Thomas E. Kredel1996–
Appointed July 22, 1996; led major parish-center expansion serving ~3,000 families
- Rev. Michael A. Caridi2008–
Installed as sixth pastor of St. Louise de Marillac by Bishop Zubik on August 3, 2008
- Rev. Jeffrey M. Craig
Current Pastor of Saint Catherine Labouré Parish (per parish staff directory)