Saint Patrick - St. Oscar Romero Parish

Welcome & Mission

The parish's stated mission is: 'We, the Roman Catholic parish of St. Oscar Romero consisting of the churches of Holy Rosary, Miraculous Medal, and St. Patrick, enlightened by the Word of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and called to spread God's love, through our actions and words, strive to bring into an intimate relationship with Jesus all those living in North Central Washington County.' The parish describes itself as a compassionate, Christ-like presence in Washington County, PA, and a diverse Roman Catholic community that puts faith into action through many ministries.

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• St. Oscar Romero Bishop Decree

Worship Sites

The merged parish operates three historic worship sites across north-central Washington County, each retaining its own identity while sharing one pastoral team and bulletin.

• Saint Patrick Church — 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317 (parish headquarters)
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church — 300 Pike Street, Meadow Lands, PA 15347
• Holy Rosary Church — 1 Orchard Street, Muse, PA 15350

History

Saint Patrick Church traces its origins to 1855, when the pastor of Immaculate Conception in Washington began monthly visits to Catholic families in Canonsburg. Mass was first celebrated in homes, then in rented commercial space after 1884. In 1891 the community purchased the former First Methodist Episcopal Meeting House and dedicated it on April 12, 1891. After brief stints as a mission of the Morganza chaplain and then St. Agatha, Bridgeville, Saint Patrick became an independent parish on July 15, 1903. The parish built a larger church in 1907, a combined church-and-school in 1954, and the present Saint Patrick Church in 1956 (cornerstone December 28, 1955; dedicated August 25, 1956). The interior was renovated in the mid-1960s in response to Vatican II and again in 2004. In 1993, Saint Patrick merged with Saint Genevieve (keeping the Saint Patrick name); on July 1, 2020, Bishop David Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' reorganization added Holy Rosary (Muse) and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Meadow Lands) to form today's Saint Oscar Romero Parish.

• 1855 — Monthly visits from Immaculate Conception, Washington begin
• 1884 — Mass moves into rented commercial facilities
• April 12, 1891 — First Saint Patrick Church (former Methodist Meeting House) dedicated
• July 15, 1903 — Becomes an independent parish with a resident pastor
• April 7, 1907 — Second church dedicated
• March 21, 1954 — Combined church-and-school dedicated
• August 25, 1956 — Present Saint Patrick Church dedicated
• Mid-1960s — Interior renovated for Vatican II liturgical reforms
• 1993 — Saint Patrick and Saint Genevieve merge
• 2004 — Church renovated
• July 1, 2020 — Merged with Holy Rosary and Miraculous Medal to form Saint Oscar Romero Parish

Clergy & Staff

The parish is shepherded by Pastor Rev. Thomas L. Gillespie, with two Senior Parochial Vicars — Rev. George T. DeVille and Rev. John F. Donahue — and Deacons Brian M. Podobnik and Anton V. Mobley. The parish office can be reached at 724-745-6560; office email listed on the diocese site is [email protected].

• Rev. Thomas L. Gillespie — Pastor
• Rev. George T. DeVille — Senior Parochial Vicar
• Rev. John F. Donahue — Senior Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Brian M. Podobnik
• Deacon Anton V. Mobley

Liturgical & Music Ministries

The parish's Music Ministry is described as widely diverse in style — blending traditional, contemporary, classical, gospel, and chant — and uniquely united in praising God. Vocalists, cantors, instrumentalists (organ, piano, guitar, drums, flute, trumpet), and several dedicated ensembles support liturgies across the three sites.

• Altar Server
• Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
• Lector
• Home-Bound / Shut-in (monthly Communion calls; priests/deacons visit when needed)
• Adult Choir (18+) — traditional, contemporary, classical, gospel, chant
• Children's Choir — grades 3 through 8
• Latino Choir — for the weekly Spanish Mass
• Praise Band — grades 9 and up, monthly Teen Mass
• Handbell Choir — 14 ringers, special liturgies (Christmas, Easter, Confirmation)

Parish Organizations

Parishioners across the three sites are encouraged to share their gifts and talents. More than a dozen lay organizations offer fellowship, service, fundraising, and devotional opportunities.

• Altar Rosary Society (Miraculous Medal)
• Altar Society & Liturgical Maintenance (Miraculous Medal)
• Boy Scouts (St. Patrick)
• Catholic Men's Club – Ushers (St. Patrick)
• Christian Mothers / Altar Society (Holy Rosary)
• Christian Mothers & Guild (Miraculous Medal and St. Patrick)
• Holy Name Society (Miraculous Medal)
• Knights of Columbus (St. Patrick)
• Ladies of Charity (St. Patrick)
• Safety, Building & Grounds Ministry (all sites)
• Tuesday Nightingales – Women's Book Club (all sites)

Men's Ministries

The parish's men's organization was founded in 1925 as the Usher Club under the direction of Rev. Thomas M. Zacharski, the second Pastor of Saint Patrick Church. In 1970, under Monsignor Paul J. Simko, it was reorganized and renamed the Saint Patrick Catholic Men's Club. With the creation of Saint Oscar Romero Parish in 2020, it became the Saint Oscar Romero Parish Catholic Men's Club. Its purpose is to serve the parish, pastor, clergy, and staff through service, fellowship, and fundraising — including the Fish Fry and other activities at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. President: Mike Kub.

Outreach & Charity

Saint Oscar Romero Parish runs a number of outreach ministries that serve the materially poor, the elderly, the unborn, and children in need. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul — a Catholic lay organization inspired by the Gospels — meets every 2nd and 4th Monday from 1:00–2:30 PM at St. Patrick's Center and operates a DropBox in the St. Patrick parking lot. Helping Angels Quilters make blankets for Project Linus, meeting 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 10 AM–2 PM, in Rosary Hall at Holy Rosary. A pro-life prayer ministry focuses on the protection of the unborn and healing for those affected by abortion, while also serving the poor and elderly.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul — meets 2nd & 4th Mondays 1:00–2:30 PM, St. Patrick's Center
• St. Vincent de Paul DropBox — St. Patrick Church parking lot
• Helping Angels Quilters — 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 10 AM–2 PM, Rosary Hall (Holy Rosary)
• Pro-life Prayer Ministry (contact: Joan Dristas, 412-997-4246)

Live Streaming

The parish live-streams Sunday Mass via its website, allowing the homebound and traveling parishioners to stay connected.

• Live stream available at romeroparish.org/stream