About St. Agnes · North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
St. Agnes Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Greensburg, located at 11400 St. Agnes Lane in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, just outside the borough of Irwin and a few miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Irwin Exit. The parish serves the western suburbs of the Pittsburgh metro area with daily Masses, a Saturday vigil and two Sunday liturgies, a robust faith-formation program for children and youth, an active RCIA process for adults, and a wide array of liturgical, musical, service and pastoral-care ministries. The parish mission statement describes the community as 'inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit' and committed to spreading the Good News, loving and supporting one another, giving witness to Christ, and welcoming all who wish to join the parish family. The current pastor is Rev. Daniel J. Ulishney, JCL, appointed in March 2023 by Bishop Larry J. Kulick.
- Patron
- St. Agnes of Rome
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel J. Ulishney, JCL
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Agnes is a welcoming Catholic faith community that offers something for every age and stage of life: weekday and Sunday Masses, a thriving music ministry and children's choir, family-based faith formation (Generations of Faith), K–12 Bible Drama Camp, regional 412 Youth Ministry, Confirmation mentoring groups, RCIA for adults, and a full sacramental life including baptism, marriage, and anointing preparation. Rooted in the Diocese of Greensburg and conveniently located just outside Irwin near the PA Turnpike Irwin Exit, the parish invites visitors and newcomers into a community committed to 'love and support each other, give witness to Christ, and welcome all who desire to be part of our Parish Family.'
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 1:00 PM
- Thursdays after morning Mass
- Always by appointment
About the Parish
St. Agnes Parish describes itself as 'a Catholic Faith Community inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit,' sharing in the mission of Jesus Christ and committed to spreading the Good News of God's love within the parish and the wider world. The parish pledges to love and support one another, give witness to Christ, and welcome all who desire to be part of the parish family. It is conveniently located just outside Irwin, Pennsylvania, a few miles from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Irwin Exit, and belongs to the Diocese of Greensburg.
- Parish Mission Statement: We, the People of St. Agnes Parish are a Catholic Faith Community inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Convenient location just outside Irwin, PA near the PA Turnpike Irwin Exit
- A parish of the Diocese of Greensburg
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Rev. Daniel J. Ulishney, JCL, who was appointed pastor on March 23, 2023 by Bishop Larry J. Kulick. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Matthew Morelli and Permanent Deacon Al Rosker. A larger staff supports faith formation, music, business, communications, administration, housekeeping and maintenance.
- Rev. Daniel J. Ulishney, JCL — Pastor
- Rev. Matthew Morelli — Parochial Vicar
- Al Rosker — Permanent Deacon
- Mary Blythe — Director of Faith Formation
- Karen Kustra — Director of Music Ministry
- Jessica Cochenour — Director of Joyful Noise Choir (children's choir)
- Anita Holland — Business Manager
- Marti DiToppa — Parish Secretary
- Robin Hoffman — Communication Coordinator
- Marie Tatarek — Clearance Coordinator
- Stephanie Williams — Faith Formation Admin. Assistant
- Courtney Pozzuto — Administrative Assistant
- George Odell — Special Projects Manager
- Carol Lieberum & Claudia Brady — Housekeeping
- Kory Bulloch — Maintenance
- Keith Salmon — Custodian
Family & Youth Faith Formation
St. Agnes runs an extensive family and youth faith formation program for children in Grades 1–7, with several flexible models to fit family life. Generations of Faith (GOF) gathers parents and children monthly on Friday nights from 6:30–8:30 PM, September through April, with student learning, parent teaching tips, group activities, and prayer. Small Home Study Groups and a Home Schooling option allow families to work at their own pace. The parish also offers K–5 Liturgy of the Word for Children during the 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Sunday Masses.
- Generations of Faith (GOF): monthly Fridays 6:30–8:30 PM, Sept–April
- Small Home Study Groups
- Home Schooling option
- K–5 Liturgy of the Word for Children during Sunday Masses
- Contact: Mary Blythe or Stephanie Williams — 724-864-5393
Confirmation Preparation (Grade 8 & Older)
Confirmation at St. Agnes uses a mentoring-group model that begins with 'Confirmation Boot Camp' in the summer. In the fall, gender-specific small groups of about 6–8 students meet biweekly with two adult mentors to study, pray, and serve together until Confirmation in the spring. A Confirmation Retreat, service projects, and prayerful reflection experiences round out the year.
- Confirmation Boot Camp in the summer
- Gender-specific small mentoring groups (6–8 students with 2 adult mentors)
- Biweekly meetings through the year
- Confirmation Retreat and service projects
- Confirmation received in the Spring
Senior Youth Ministry — 412 Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12)
412 Youth Ministry takes its name from 1 Timothy 4:12 — 'Don't let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers…' Students from three area parishes meet Sundays, 6:00–8:00 PM at Queen of Angels Catholic School for fellowship, faith, and service. Registration is separate from parish Faith Formation.
- Sundays 6:00–8:00 PM
- Location: Queen of Angels Catholic School
- Open to students from three area parishes
- Contact the parish office at 724-863-2626
Bible Drama Camp (K–12)
St. Agnes' Bible Drama Camp is a four-day Vacation Bible School for students in Grades K–12, run by the 'Not Quite Ready for Heaven Players.' The camp prepares and performs a musical on the last day at Saint Agnes Church. Adult volunteers are welcome.
- Open to Grades K–12
- Four-day format
- Musical performed on the last day at St. Agnes Church
- Adult volunteers welcome
Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
St. Agnes offers a full RCIA process with weekly meetings from September through Easter for those seeking a deeper understanding of God, a faith community, or a greater sense of purpose. Adult Faith Formation throughout the year includes short courses on scripture, Catholic living, Lent, novenas, the papacy, and American Catholic history — many delivered via Flocknote and saved on the parish website. Resources like 'Deacon Bill's Diary' (the late Deacon Bill Wilson's reflections), 'The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,' and Ray Takacs' 'Unraveling the Mysteries of Holy Mass' are available for self-study.
- RCIA — weekly meetings September through Easter
- Occasional scripture studies and mini-courses via Flocknote
- Deacon Bill's Diary (former deacon Bill Wilson)
- Unraveling the Mysteries of Holy Mass by parishioner Ray Takacs
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for and celebrates the seven sacraments: Baptism (with a required preparation session for first-time parents), Confirmation, Eucharist (daily and Sunday Masses), Penance (Reconciliation) on Saturdays at 1:00 PM and Thursdays after morning Mass, Anointing of the Sick, and Marriage. Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays at 2:00 PM.
- Baptism — preparation required for first-time parents
- Confirmation — see Confirmation program
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday Masses
- Penance — Saturdays 1:00 PM; Thursdays after morning Mass; by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony — Saturdays at 2:00 PM
Marriage Preparation
Couples preparing for marriage at St. Agnes may use either the parish's 'Sponsor Couple' program (one-on-one with a Marriage Sponsor couple) or the diocesan Engaged Encounter Weekends (offered periodically at a cost to the couple). All weddings are celebrated on Saturdays at 2:00 PM.
- Sponsor Couple Program (one-on-one)
- Diocesan Engaged Encounter Weekends
- Weddings on Saturdays at 2:00 PM
Liturgical, Music & Service Ministries
The parish maintains a wide range of ministries under three broad umbrellas: Liturgical Ministries (including the children's Liturgy of the Word, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers, and ushers), Music Ministries (the parish choir led by Director of Music Karen Kustra, and the children's Joyful Noise Choir led by Jessica Cochenour), and Service Ministries together with Social Groups and Pastoral Care. Various service projects and activities run throughout the year and are publicized through Saint Agnes Flocknotes, the online bulletin, and the parish website.
- Liturgical Ministries
- Music Ministries — adult choir and Joyful Noise Children's Choir
- Service Ministries & Social Groups
- Pastoral Care
- Updates shared via Flocknote, the online bulletin, and stagneschurch.info
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Roger A. Statnick1996–1997
Administrator of St. Agnes Parish
- Msgr. V. Paul Fitzmaurice2008–2022
Pastor; previously served St. Agnes as Parochial Vicar 1978–1988; returned as Administrator pro tem in 2023
- Father Lawrence L. Manchas2022
Administrator; previously Associate Pastor 1987–1994
- Rev. Daniel J. Ulishney, JCL2023–present
Appointed by Bishop Larry J. Kulick on March 23, 2023