About St. Bede the Venerable · Holland, Pennsylvania
St. Bede the Venerable is a Roman Catholic parish in Holland, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Founded in 1965 as the first Catholic church in Northampton Township, it has grown into one of the larger parishes in the Bucks County deanery, with five Sunday Masses, a full week of daily Masses, a Perpetual Adoration Chapel, a regional Catholic school, an extensive youth ministry, a Padre Pio shrine, and one of the most recognized Padre Pio festivals in the Philadelphia region.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Bede the Venerable (8th-century English priest, Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Why belong here
St. Bede's is one of the most active parishes in Bucks County, with five Sunday Masses, daily Masses in both the Upper Church and a dedicated Daily Mass Chapel, Saturday Mass with the Miraculous Medal Novena, and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel that is open around the clock. The parish hosts vibrant ministries for every age — from OCIA for adults, an extensive CCD program, and a Teen Choir and Triple T youth group, to a parish nurse, Women's Club, Knights of Columbus Council 15478, and Padre Pio prayer and relic devotions. As an archdiocesan shrine for Padre Pio, it draws pilgrims from across the region for its annual Padre Pio Festival with healing services, a street procession, and veneration of the saint's relics.
Mass times at St. Bede the Venerable
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- By appointment with a priest
- Special times during the Padre Pio Festival (e.g., 12:30–4:00 PM Sunday)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Public access: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (open chapel entrance)
- 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM: secure access by combination for Adoration Society members committed to late-night/early-morning hours
Parish History
St. Bede the Venerable was founded May 26, 1965 by John Cardinal Krol as the first Catholic parish in Northampton Township. Reverend James P. Martin, an assistant at St. Richard Parish in Philadelphia, was named founding pastor June 9, 1965, and the decree of establishment was read at all Masses at St. Andrew in Newtown on June 13, 1965. The first parish Mass was celebrated June 20, 1965 in the Villa Joseph Marie auditorium, courtesy of the Sisters of St. Casimir. Edwin Fleming was architect and Feasterville Construction Company was general contractor for the new church, school, and rectory; groundbreaking was April 24, 1966. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated August 5, 1967 (the feast of Our Lady of Snows), and Cardinal Krol blessed the new buildings and celebrated the first Confirmations on May 28, 1968. A major renovation and capital campaign, announced by Monsignor Marine in November 2008, was completed and the renovated church was consecrated by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., on September 24, 2011. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary from May 2014 to May 31, 2015.
- Founded 1965 by Cardinal John Krol
- First Mass in new church: August 5, 1967 (feast of Our Lady of Snows)
- Cardinal Krol blessing of new buildings: May 28, 1968
- Church re-consecrated after renovation: September 24, 2011 by Archbishop Chaput
- 50th Anniversary celebrated 2014–2015
Music Ministry
The music ministry at St. Bede's currently includes an Adult Choir, Schola, Teen Choir, and a Guitar Group, all rotating weekly to serve regularly scheduled Masses and special liturgies (Confirmation, Forty Hours, Holy Days). They also perform at the annual July 3 Patriotic Concert and the annual Christmas Concert. The Teen Choir sings at the 5:30 PM Vigil Mass two or three times a month during the school year and at special liturgies such as the annual gift-giving Mass and the Padre Pio healing service. The Adult Choir (ages 18–80) rehearses weekly and sings at the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass. The Schola includes the cantors and two additional members who sing for special liturgies throughout the year. The Guitar Group leads music at the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, and two violinists accompany the 9:30 AM choir Mass each Sunday.
- Adult Choir — Sundays at the 9:30 AM Mass
- Schola — cantors plus two additional members for special liturgies
- Teen Choir — junior high/high school; sings the Vigil Mass and special liturgies
- Guitar Group — leads the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Music Director: Susan DiFlorio (215-891-0869)
Padre Pio Shrine and Festival
St. Bede the Venerable is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's designated shrine for Saint Padre Pio. A Padre Pio Prayer Group meets monthly on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the Padre Pio Chapel (Lower Church), beginning with the rosary, followed by a teaching and discussion, and concluding with prayers for the intercession of St. Pio. The parish's signature event is the annual Padre Pio Festival, held the weekend closest to Padre Pio's feast day (September 23) and hosted with the Knights of Columbus. The festival features relics of Padre Pio on display, Masses in his honor, a healing service with confessions and blessings with the relics, a street procession accompanied by the Verdi Band of Norristown, an Italian-themed family picnic, live entertainment (including past headliners like The Jersey Tenors and Steve Ritrovato's Sinatra tribute), a Kids' Padre Pio Pavilion, basket raffles, and food vendors. The bell tower mosaic depicts Padre Pio as a bridge between heaven and earth.
- Archdiocesan Shrine for Padre Pio (by decree)
- Padre Pio Prayer Group — monthly, Tuesdays 7:00 PM
- Annual Padre Pio Festival — weekend near September 23
- Relics of Padre Pio on display during festival
- Healing Service with confessions and relic venerations
- Street procession with Verdi Band of Norristown
Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic School (Pre-K–8)
Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic School (SKD) is the regional Catholic elementary school formed in January 2012 through the merger of St. Bede the Venerable School with Assumption BVM School in Feasterville. The school is located on the St. Bede parish campus at 1053 Holland Road and serves over 400 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, drawn from the Council Rock, Neshaminy, Bensalem, Pennsbury, and Centennial public school districts. The parish name "Saint Katharine Drexel" was chosen because the miracle advanced in her canonization was received by Miss Amy Wall, a St. Bede parishioner. SKD was named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and its mission is to form Catholic leaders through academic excellence, personal discipline, and Christian service. The 25-acre campus includes lighted soccer and baseball fields, basketball hoops, a track, separate playgrounds, a separate preschool facility, a gymnasium, an art and science center, a state-of-the-art media center, a TV production studio, and a fine arts music lab. Students attend Mass as a whole school community on every first Friday and lead special events such as the Rosary, Carol Night, Stations of the Cross, Passion Play, and May Procession.
- Founded January 2012 by merger of St. Bede and Assumption BVM Schools
- Located on St. Bede parish campus, 1053 Holland Road
- Over 400 students, Pre-K through grade 8
- 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- Principal: Laura Clark
- Vice Principal: Elise Romano
- Pastor: Monsignor John C. Marine
Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, and OCIA
The parish's faith formation programs are coordinated by Shawn Tobin (Director of Religious Education) and Kathleen Tobin (Adult Faith Formation). CCD/Religious Education classes meet Sundays and Mondays during the school year; sacramental preparation is offered for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion (typically grade 2), and Confirmation (typically grade 7). The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for unbaptized catechumens and baptized candidates seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The Youth Ministry program, led by Maritza Carmona-Kelly, supports two distinct groups — high school youth in grades 9–12 and 7th/8th graders. The Middle School Youth Group emphasizes service (Thanksgiving Food Drive, Jared Boxes, Twining Village visits, Aid for Friends meals), spiritual activities (Christmas and Easter Communion Calls with parish priests), and catechesis. Triple T (Thursday Teen Time) is a weekly evening gathering for high schoolers with dinner, discussion, and games. CYO Sports round out the youth programming.
- Director of Religious Education: Shawn Tobin (215-357-2130)
- Adult Faith Formation: Kathleen Tobin
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Maritza Carmona-Kelly (215-357-5113)
- Sacramental Prep / CCD Assistant: Lori Brown
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Middle School Youth Group and Triple T (high school)
- CYO Sports
Parish Staff and Key Contacts
The parish is led by Monsignor John C. Marine with parochial vicar Father Brendan R. Zehner and permanent Deacon Matthew J. Ruel. The lay staff includes a Director of Religious Education, Adult Faith Formation Director, Music Director, Youth Minister, Parish Business Manager, Parish Nurse/Outreach Coordinator, and CCD support staff. The Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic School is staffed by a lay faculty with a Principal, Vice Principal, Director of Special Education, Director of Advancement, school counselor, speech and language therapist, and Catapult school counselor.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Brendan R. Zehner
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Matthew J. Ruel
- Director of Religious Education: Shawn Tobin
- Adult Faith Formation: Kathleen Tobin
- Music Director: Susan DiFlorio
- Youth Minister: Maritza Carmona-Kelly
- Parish Business Manager: Barbara Rogowski
- Parish Outreach / Nurse: Kris Ingle
- Sacramental Prep / CCD Assistant: Lori Brown
- School Principal: Laura Clark
Parish Organizations and Outreach
Beyond the liturgy and faith formation, St. Bede's hosts a range of parish organizations. Knights of Columbus Council 15478, based at the parish, supports the annual Padre Pio Festival and participates in the Pennsylvania March for Life by chartering a motorcoach from St. Bede's to Harrisburg. The Women's Club fosters fellowship and hosts events such as the annual Women's Retreat. The Evangelization Committee and CCD Advisory Board help the parish reach out beyond its walls. The parish nurse and Outreach program (led by Kris Ingle) provides health-related and social support to parishioners and neighbors. Other annual events include the Parish Picnic, the July 3 Patriotic Concert, and the Christmas Concert.
- Knights of Columbus Council 15478
- Women's Club
- Evangelization Committee
- CCD Advisory Board
- Teen Advisory Council
- Parish Nurse / Outreach (Kris Ingle)
- Annual Parish Picnic, July 3 Patriotic Concert, Christmas Concert
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James P. Martin1965–1978
Founding pastor (appointed June 9, 1965 by Cardinal Krol); previously assistant at St. Richard, Philadelphia. Served 13 years; died August 1978.
- Rev. William C. Faunce1978–1986
Succeeded Father Martin; served 8 years until retirement in June 1986. Died September 1993.
- Rev. Peter Slane1986–1993
Established the Parish Pastoral Council and initiated the Catholic Life 2000 program. Served 7 years; died October 1993.
- Rev. Eugene Gordon Cusick ("Father Gordy")1993–2005
Built the Saint Katharine Drexel Center, a new school wing, and the parish gymnasium; established the Perpetual Adoration Chapel (dedicated 2003 as the Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine). Served 12 years; retired June 2005; remained Pastor Emeritus until his death in May 2012.
- Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine2005–present
Appointed June 2005 by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Ordained 1976; previously Dean of St. Charles Seminary and Vicar for Montgomery County. Led the 2008–2011 capital campaign and church renovation (consecrated Sept. 24, 2011), the 2012 formation of Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic School, the 2015 St. Francis Center, and the 50th anniversary celebration (2014–2015).