About Saints Joachim and Anne Parish - Saint Eugene Church · McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Saints Joachim and Anne Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh that includes Saint Eugene Church in McKeesport (Liberty Borough), Pennsylvania. The parish describes itself as 'a community of believers rooted in the abiding presence of Christ, centered in the Holy Eucharist, proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus, and serving in the tradition of the early Church as his disciples.' Saint Eugene Church, located on Liberty Way, is one of the parish's worship sites and traces its origins to a local Catholic movement in the Liberty Borough area in the mid-1950s.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Saint Eugene (church's patron; Saints Joachim and Anne are patrons of the overall parish)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas J. Burke, MDiv
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saints Joachim and Anne Parish welcomes new members and invites anyone seeking a Catholic community in the McKeesport / Liberty Borough area to register as parishioners. The community is centered on the Holy Eucharist and supports adults preparing for initiation through its OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) process. Worship at Saint Eugene Church offers a Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Mass, with weekly confessions, making the parish a steady sacramental home for local Catholic families.
Mass times at Saints Joachim and Anne Parish - Saint Eugene Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 7:00 - 7:30 PM
- Saturday 5:15 - 5:45 PM
About Saints Joachim & Anne Parish
Saints Joachim and Anne Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh that brings together the faithful of the McKeesport / Liberty Borough area under one canonical parish. Its mission statement is to be 'a community of believers rooted in the abiding presence of Christ, centered in the Holy Eucharist, proclaiming the Gospel message of Jesus, and serving in the tradition of the early Church as his disciples.' The parish is pastorally served by Rev. Thomas J. Burke and shares its name with the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, traditionally commemorated on July 26.
Saint Eugene Church
Saint Eugene Church is one of the worship sites of Saints Joachim and Anne Parish, located at 3210 Liberty Way in Liberty Borough (McKeesport mailing address), PA. It serves as the parish's home for the Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Masses, and also hosts Tuesday evening and Thursday morning Masses. The campus includes the church itself and the attached rectory/Catechetical Center.
- Cornerstone laid March 26, 1961
- First Mass celebrated in the new church August 13, 1961
- Church dedicated May 6, 1962
History of Saint Eugene
The origins of Saint Eugene go back to November 9, 1954, when local Catholics gathered to plan for a parish in Liberty Borough. The Diocese purchased land in February 1955 and, on June 13, 1957, the bishop established Liberty Borough as a mission of St. Peter, McKeesport. The mission's first Mass was celebrated three days later at the Mother's Club. On June 10, 1959, St. Eugene was erected as an independent parish. Ground was broken for a new church with attached Catechetical Center on June 19, 1960, the cornerstone was laid on March 26, 1961, the first Mass was said August 13, 1961, and the finished building was dedicated on May 6, 1962. Following population decline in the 1980s and 1990s, St. Eugene merged with St. Joseph of Port Vue in 1993 to form St. Mark Parish; St. Eugene Church remained open and today worships as part of Saints Joachim and Anne Parish.
Saints Joachim and Anne — Patrons of the Parish
According to tradition, Saint Anne was born in Bethlehem and married Joachim of Nazareth; both were descendants of David. They raised Mary in faith and entrusted her to the temple as a child. Their names come from the apocryphal Proto-Gospel of James (2nd century), and devotion to them is documented in the East from the 6th century and in the West from the 10th–14th centuries. The Byzantine rite commemorates the dedication of a basilica in honor of Saint Anne on July 25; the Roman calendar marks Saints Joachim and Anne on July 26. The parish honors them as a quiet, faithful generation who prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah.
- Feast day: July 26
- Patronage: Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Clergy Team and Staff
The parish is currently led by Rev. Thomas J. Burke, MDiv, who was ordained in 2001 and serves as Pastor of Saints Joachim and Anne Parish. Parish office staff can be reached through the main parish office in Elizabeth, PA, which handles bulletin submissions and general inquiries.
- Rev. Thomas J. Burke, MDiv — Pastor (ordained 2001)
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
The parish runs OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly known as RCIA) — for adults who wish to learn about the Catholic faith, prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist), or be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Inquiries are welcomed through the parish office.
- Adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Communion
- Adults seeking reception into the Catholic Church
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers are warmly invited to register as parishioners of Saints Joachim and Anne Parish. Registration can be completed online through the parish website, or by contacting the Parish Office at 412-751-0663 to request a printed Registration Form by U.S. mail. After submission, the Parish Office will follow up for any additional information needed.
- Online registration form on the parish website
- Registration Form available by mail via the parish office
Contact and Parish Office
The Saints Joachim and Anne Parish Office is located at 101 McLay Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037. Office hours are 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bulletin publication requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance. The parish can be reached by phone, fax, or email during office hours.
- Phone: 412-751-0663
- Fax: 412-751-2161
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Mon–Fri
- Bulletin submissions: two weeks advance notice
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas J. Burke, MDiv
Current pastor of Saints Joachim and Anne Parish; ordained in 2001.