About Saint Paul of the Cross Parish · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saint Paul of the Cross Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, formed on July 1, 2019, when Bishop David A. Zubik merged Saint Anne Parish (Castle Shannon) and Saint Winifred Parish (Mount Lebanon) under the diocesan 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative. The parish name honors Saint Paul of the Cross (1694–1775), founder of the Passionist order, whose South Side Pittsburgh monastery and preaching missions gave rise to many local Catholic congregations beginning in 1852. Today the parish operates across two worship sites — Saint Anne Church at 400 Hoodridge Drive and Saint Winifred Church at 550 Sleepy Hollow Road — offering daily Mass, Confession, all-day Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays, OCIA, K-8 faith formation with South Hills Catholic Academy, and a broad ministry network serving the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Established
- 2019
- Patron
- Saint Paul of the Cross
- Rector
- Father Joseph Uzar
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Paul of the Cross Parish welcomes anyone seeking an active, sacramental Catholic life in Pittsburgh's South Hills. Parishioners can worship at either of two historic church sites — Saint Anne in Castle Shannon or Saint Winifred in Mount Lebanon — with daily Mass, weekly Confession, all-day Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, and a Tuesday Novena Mass. The parish runs a full K-8 faith formation program in partnership with South Hills Catholic Academy (using the Sophia Institute 'Spirit of Truth' curriculum), an OCIA journey for adults discerning the Catholic faith, and a remarkable roster of outreach including St. Vincent de Paul, Ladies of Charity, Lunches for the Hungry, a Food Pantry, Respect Life, Substance Addiction Ministry, Journey of Grief, and a Homebound Ministry — making it a place where faith is formed, celebrated, and lived in service to neighbors.
Mass times at Saint Paul of the Cross Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays: 5:15–6:15 p.m. (Saint Anne Church)
- Saturdays: 11:00–11:45 a.m. (Saint Anne Church)
- Saturdays: 4:45–5:15 p.m. (Saint Winifred Church)
Adoration times
- All-day Eucharistic Adoration at Saint Anne Church on Tuesdays, following the 8:00 a.m. Mass, with a Divine Mercy Holy Hour at 3:00 p.m. and Benediction at 6:15 p.m.
History of the Parish
Saint Paul of the Cross Parish was formed on July 1, 2019 by Bishop David A. Zubik, merging Saint Anne Parish of Castle Shannon and Saint Winifred Parish of Mount Lebanon as part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative. The parish name honors Saint Paul of the Cross (1694–1775), founder of the Passionist order, whose 1852 arrival from Rome at Bishop Michael O'Connor's invitation planted the roots of Catholic life across the South Hills.
- 1852 — Four Passionists arrive in Pittsburgh at Bishop O'Connor's request.
- 1854 — St. Paul of the Cross Monastery ready for occupancy.
- 1858-59 — Adjoining monastery church built and solemnly blessed Nov. 13, 1859.
- 1889 — St. Anne Parish established as a mission of St. Michael's, South Side.
- May 30, 1893 — First St. Anne church dedicated.
- April 14, 1963 — Current St. Anne Church building dedicated.
- July 1, 2019 — Merger creates Saint Paul of the Cross Parish.
Saint Anne Church (Castle Shannon)
Located at 400 Hoodridge Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15234, Saint Anne Church is the main worship site of the parish and the home of daily Mass, Tuesday Novena Mass, all-day Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, and the largest weekend Mass schedule. It was originally established in 1889 as a mission of St. Michael's, South Side, and the present church was dedicated April 14, 1963 after rapid post-WWII growth in Castle Shannon.
- Weekend Vigil Mass: Saturday 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
- Daily Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Tuesday Mass: 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Novena)
- Saturday Morning Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Confessions: Tuesdays 5:15–6:15 p.m.; Saturdays 11:00–11:45 a.m.
- All-day Tuesday Adoration with Divine Mercy Holy Hour 3:00 p.m. and Benediction 6:15 p.m.
Saint Winifred Church (Mount Lebanon)
Located at 550 Sleepy Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, Saint Winifred Church is the second worship site of the parish, sharing clergy and a joint bulletin with Saint Anne since before the 2019 merger.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday Mass: 11:30 a.m.
- Weekday Mass: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 9:00 a.m. (when South Hills Catholic Academy is in session)
- Confessions: Saturdays 4:45–5:15 p.m.
Clergy & Parish Staff
Father Joseph Uzar, a native of Carnegie, PA, serves as Pastor. He was ordained for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and previously served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (North Hills) and St. Andrew the Apostle Parish (Mid Mon Valley); he studied Theology at St. Vincent Seminary and Philosophy at Duquesne University. Father Richard Infante is Retired-In-Residence. Two deacons — Deacon Victor DeFazio and Deacon Philip Martorano — assist in ministry.
- Pastor: Father Joseph Uzar ([email protected])
- Retired-In-Residence: Father Richard Infante
- Deacon Victor DeFazio ([email protected])
- Deacon Philip Martorano ([email protected])
- Office Manager: Brendan Lowery
- Business Manager: Mary Weaver
- Director of Music: Don Fontana
- Sacristan (Saint Anne): Isabel Heard
- Director of Faith Formation (Adult): Don Fontana
- Director of Faith Formation (Elementary): Beth Guzowski
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Don Fontana
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish partners with South Hills Catholic Academy (SHCA) to deliver K-8 faith formation using the Sophia Institute 'Spirit of Truth' curriculum. Two catechetical options are offered: in-person classes on Monday evenings at the SHCA Saint Winifred campus, or a homeschool track with twice-yearly teacher meetings. Adult faith formation includes OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), which meets every other Wednesday from 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the Convent Dining Room.
- K-8 Faith Formation — Mondays 5:00–6:00 p.m. at South Hills Catholic Academy
- Homeschool option with required teacher meetings
- OCIA for Adults — every other Wednesday 7:00–9:00 p.m.
- Contact: Harmony Stewart, Head of School, [email protected], (412) 631-3131
- Contact: Megan Christ, Faith Formation Assistant, [email protected]
Ministries & Outreach
Saint Paul of the Cross Parish runs an extensive network of ministries across caring, fellowship, youth, and liturgical service. Outreach is a hallmark, with hands-on programs feeding and accompanying neighbors in need.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Ladies of Charity
- Lunches for the Hungry
- Food Pantry
- Homebound Ministry
- Caring Companions
- Journey of Grief Ministry
- Respect Life
- Substance Addiction Ministry
- Vocation Council
- Knights of Columbus (Council 3084)
- Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Catholic Men's Fellowship
- Women's Guild
- Book Club
- Fair / Fish Fry Committee
- Funeral Mass Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Liturgical Ministries: Lector, Cantor, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server, Music
Liturgy & Devotions
Beyond Sunday and weekday Mass, the parish offers a robust devotional life centered on Eucharistic Adoration, novenas, and the Divine Mercy devotion. Confession is offered weekly at both church sites, and seasonal extra Confession times are announced at Advent and Easter.
- Tuesday Novena Mass at Saint Anne — 6:30 p.m.
- All-day Tuesday Adoration (Saint Anne) with Divine Mercy Holy Hour 3:00 p.m. and Benediction 6:15 p.m.
- Weekly Confession at both Saint Anne and Saint Winifred
- Examination of Conscience resource linked on parish website
- Funeral Mass Ministry for bereaved families
Getting Involved & Parish Office
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to register, volunteer, and worship. The parish office serves both worship sites, with extended hours on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings for convenience.
- Parish Office Phone: (412) 531-5964
- Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Wednesday 8:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Sunday 8:30–11:30 a.m.; Saturday closed
- Register online via the parish website
- Bulletins published weekly and archived on the parish site