About Seven Sorrows of the B.V.M. · Middletown, Pennsylvania
Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in Middletown, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish was built by its people in 1986 and is served today by Father Timothy J. Sahd as pastor, with Father Joshua R. Weaver (Diocesan Vocations Director) in residence. Parish life centers on three Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, daily morning Mass, Eucharistic Adoration in a dedicated chapel, a full calendar of ministries for every age and stage, and the parish school (founded in 1951 as St. Mary's Catholic School and renamed Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic School).
- Established
- 1986
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy J. Sahd
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Seven Sorrows is a growing parish family that pours its faith into something for everyone: three Sunday Masses plus a Vigil, a daily morning Mass schedule, an Adoration Chapel open several days a week, a Rosary prayed after the 10:30am Sunday Mass (with a separate children's rosary the first Sunday), and well over a dozen ministries — from Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Council of Catholic Women, Marriage Mentors and That Man is You, to youth ministry for middle and high schoolers, Senior Ministry (55+), Room at Our Table (ages 36–54), a Mental Health Ministry, Bereavement and Arimatheans groups, and outreach like Off the Streets and Smiles for Abby. Families also have the parish school (founded 1951, PreK–8) and the Children's Playroom during the 10:30am Mass, so children and parents can worship together without worry.
Mass times at Seven Sorrows of the B.V.M.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:00–5:45 PM
- Saturday 8:15–8:45 AM
- Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM
- Saturday 7:15–7:50 AM (as listed by the Diocese of Harrisburg)
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: Closed (for the 4th of July); check bulletin for holiday hours
Our Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Timothy J. Sahd as Pastor, with Father Joshua R. Weaver (Diocesan Vocations Director for the Diocese of Harrisburg) in residence. The office team includes a Finance Manager, two Administrative Assistants, and the Director of Religious Education.
- Rev. Timothy J. Sahd — Pastor
- Rev. Joshua R. Weaver — In Residence; Diocesan Vocations Director
- Carole Larry — Finance Manager
- Kristin Stetler — Administrative Assistant
- Tina D'Angelo — Administrative Assistant
- Lisa Fortunato — Director of Religious Education / Website
Office, Contact & Location
The parish office is open Monday through Friday on North Race Street in Middletown, with phone (717) 944-3133 listed as the main contact line.
- Address: 280 N. Race Street, Middletown, PA 17057
- Phone: 717-944-3133
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Diocese venue listing notes accessibility at Church, Parking, Restrooms, and Social Hall, plus an Assistive Listening system
Our Church History
The current Seven Sorrows church on N. Race Street was built in 1986, and the parish has preserved the story of that effort through a 'Video of Our Church History' told by parishioners and the people who helped build it. That sense of a community-built parish continues to shape its identity today.
- Current church building constructed in 1986
- Parish website hosts a parishioner-told video history of the building
- Today the parish continues to invest in its facilities through the 'Our Faith, Our Future' Capital Campaign (gym and cafeteria renovation)
Our School (Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic School)
The parish school was founded in 1951 as St. Mary's Catholic School and now serves as Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic School, with a mission to develop each child spiritually, emotionally, academically, physically, and socially through a loving union of family, parish, and community.
- Founded 1951 as St. Mary's Catholic School; now Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic School
- Address: 360 E. Water Street, Middletown, PA 17057
- Principal: Mrs. Angela Warner; Pastor: Father Timothy Sahd
- Serves PreK–8th grade
- 75th Anniversary marked by the launch of the Heart of Mary Fund annual giving program
- 75th Anniversary Diamond Gala planned for March 21, 2026
Parish Ministries
The parish website groups its ministries into Liturgical, Faith & Formation, Outreach, and Enhancement/Fundraising. Whether you're a parent, retiree, teen, or someone looking for support, there is a group — the parish's mission is to 'bring the traditions and teachings of our Catholic Faith into all we do.'
Liturgical & Devotional Ministries
These ministries serve the Mass and parish prayer life directly.
- Altar Servers
- Legion of Mary
- Rosary Making
- Children's Rosary (1st Sundays, after 10:30 AM Mass)
- Arimatheans (funeral ministry)
- Bereavement Ministry
Faith Formation & Education
Faith formation for every age, anchored by the parish's Director of Religious Education, Lisa Fortunato.
- Religious Education (CCD) program
- Bible Study
- Youth Ministry (6th–8th grade)
- High School Youth Ministry (9th–12th grade)
- That Man is You (men's faith program)
- Marriage Mentors
Community Life & Fellowship
Parish groups organized around life stage, interest, and recreation.
- Council of Catholic Women
- Knights of Columbus
- Senior Ministry (55+)
- Room at Our Table (ages 36–54)
- Adult Basketball
- Athletics
- Parish Playroom (open during 10:30 AM Sunday Mass for young children)
Outreach & Charity
Parish-organized works of mercy, including a distinctive Mental Health Ministry and several named outreach efforts.
- Off the Streets (outreach to those experiencing homelessness)
- Smiles for Abby
- Mental Health Ministry
Enhancement & Fundraising
Efforts that sustain and build up the parish campus — from the annual festival to the major capital campaign.
- Parish Festival
- Finance Council
- Parish Council
- 'Our Faith, Our Future' Capital Campaign ($3.7M renovation of shared 32,000 sq ft gym & cafeteria)
- Live Nativity
Sacraments & Devotions
Regular sacramental and devotional opportunities are woven into parish life.
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel (Mon–Thu, 9 AM – 10 PM)
- Weekly Rosary after the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass (children's group on 1st Sundays; adult group 2nd–4th/5th Sundays)
- Blessing of Religious Articles on the 1st Saturday of every month
- Sanctuary flowers for special occasions or in memory of a loved one (contact Deb Breon at 717-986-1959)
- Confession Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings/afternoons
Facilities & Capital Campaign
The parish campus includes the church building (built 1986), a dedicated Adoration Chapel, the school gym/cafeteria, a Social Hall, parking, restrooms, and an assistive listening system. A current 'Our Faith, Our Future' Capital Campaign is raising $3.7 million for comprehensive renovations to the shared 32,000-square-foot gym and cafeteria for use by both church and school.
- Built in 1986
- On-site Adoration Chapel (Mon–Thu 9 AM – 10 PM)
- Social Hall, parking, restrooms
- Assistive Listening available
- 'Our Faith, Our Future' — $3.7M capital campaign targeting the gym and cafeteria
Getting Involved as a Newcomer
The parish maintains a dedicated 'Newcomers' page welcoming those considering Seven Sorrows as their parish home — a simple invitation to join a thriving Catholic community in Middletown, PA.
- Visit the 'Newcomers' page on ssbvm.org
- Weekend Mass options: Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM; Sunday 8:00, 10:30, and 6:00 PM
- Children's Playroom available during the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass