About St. Brendan · North Olmsted, Ohio
St. Brendan Parish is a Roman Catholic community serving North Olmsted, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland in Cuyahoga County. Established on June 4, 1964, by Archbishop Edward Hoban under the patronage of St. Brendan of Clonfert ("the Navigator"), the parish grew from 600 founding families into a vibrant faith community with a parish school (PreK–Grade 8), daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and a family-based faith formation program. The parish describes its members as "The Navigators" — drawing on St. Brendan's legendary voyage in search of the "Promised Land of Saints" — and gathers around the liturgical year, the Sacraments, parish school, and Family Faith Formation.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. Brendan of Clonfert (Brendan the Navigator)
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas G. (Tom) Woost
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Brendan is a parish that takes literally its identity as "The Navigators" — worshipping together in a purpose-built church, walking the liturgical year together, and forming every member of the family in the faith. Daily Mass, daily Eucharistic Adoration (Monday–Friday, 1:00–8:00 PM), a seven-days-a-week parish rosary, Saturday confessions, a parish school serving PreK through Grade 8, the long-running Holy Family Program, and the new Family Faith Formation track (replacing PSR in 2024) all give parishioners of every age a concrete way to belong. It's a settled, mid-century suburban community that still invests in Catholic education, sacramental life, and youth ministry for its teens attending local Catholic high schools.
Mass times at St. Brendan
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Welcome to St. Brendan Parish
The parish's official "Welcome" page opens with St. Brendan's story: a monk born on Ireland's green pastures, drawn to the oceanic waters of discovery and exploration, casting off in a small boat with companions in search of the "Land of Saints." At St. Brendan Parish, parishioners — known as "The Navigators" — see themselves on the same search. According to the parish, this journey happens in the living Gospel preached in relevant ways; in praying through the liturgical year so as to enter into the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; in finding the Lord in the sacramental life of initiation, healing, and vocation; and in ministry of faith formation for all ages, from the parish school to PSR/Family Faith Formation to adult events. The site's invitation: "Step into the boat, pray with us at St. Brendan Parish, all are welcome!"
Parish History
See the full parish history above. Founded June 4, 1964 by Archbishop Edward Hoban; first Masses at Barrett Brothers Motors; permanent church and school dedicated August 29, 1965 by Bishop Clarence Issenmann; new church constructed 1985–1987 and dedicated December 12, 1987 by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla; three pastors in 60+ years — Fr. John Kenny (1964–1984), Fr. Cornelius Murray (1984–2007), and Fr. Thomas G. Woost (2008–present). Reed Lane was renamed Kenny Lane in honor of the founding pastor.
- 1964 — Parish established under the patronage of St. Brendan of Clonfert
- 1965 — First Mass in new church on August 1; school opens September 7
- 1967 — CCD (PSR) program launched; Grade 8 added
- 1969 — Holy Family Program begins
- 1984 — Fr. Kenny retires; Fr. Cornelius Murray succeeds him
- 1985 — Fr. Kenny dies; new church groundbreaking
- 1987 — Sister Victoria McQuaid lays cornerstone; Bishop Pilla dedicates new church
- 1987 — Kindergarten added to St. Brendan School
- 2008 — Fr. Thomas G. Woost installed as third pastor on the Feast of the Epiphany
- 2024 — Family Faith Formation announced, replacing PSR
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Thomas G. Woost, with the assistance of Parochial Vicar Fr. Dinyuy Paul Wirsiy and Deacon Robert D. (Bob) Herron. Parish staff include Mary Oldja (Director of Religious Education), Nancy Yantek (Religious Education Office / Parish Office Assistant), Ed DeVenney (Music Minister), Amy Laule (Parish Office Administrator), a Finance Manager, a Pastoral Minister, a Website Administrator, and a Maintenance staff. School leadership is provided by Vincent De Luca (Head of School) and Julie Onacila (Principal).
- Rev. Thomas G. Woost — Pastor
- Rev. Dinyuy Paul Wirsiy — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Bob Herron — Parish Deacon
- Mary Oldja — Director of Religious Education
- Nancy Yantek — Religious Education / Parish Office Assistant
- Ed DeVenney — Music Minister
- Amy Laule — Parish Office Administrator
- Vincent De Luca — Head of School
- Julie Onacila — Principal
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) and Healing (Anointing of the Sick), with the long-running Holy Family Program as the centerpiece for family-based First Communion preparation. Couples should contact the parish office for Marriage preparation; Reconciliation is available weekly on Saturdays and by appointment.
- Baptism — celebrated at St. Brendan Church
- Holy Family Program — First Eucharist preparation since 1969
- Confirmation Preparation for teens
- Marriage — contact Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick available on request
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM or by appointment
Faith Formation & Religious Education
On April 28, 2024, the Religious Education Office announced that Family Faith Formation will replace the Parish School of Religion (PSR) beginning with the 2024–2025 school year. Family Faith Formation brings families together once a month at the parish and provides weekly at-home Gospel reading and faith-sharing using the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. It expands participation beyond Grades 1–8 to include preschool, kindergarten, high-schoolers, and adults, and is open to any family — including those whose children attend public or non-Catholic schools. The parish's signature sacramental-preparation track is the Holy Family Program, in continuous use since 1969, which gathers parish families as the primary educators of their children in the Catholic faith.
- Family Faith Formation — new model replacing PSR starting 2024
- Holy Family Program — running since 1969
- Director of Religious Education: Mary Oldja (ext. 27)
- Religious Education Assistant: Nancy Yantek (ext. 13)
- Monthly Family Mass
- Family service opportunities throughout the year
St. Brendan School
St. Brendan Parish School opened on September 7, 1965 and now serves preschool through Grade 8 as a faith-based elementary school in the Diocese of Cleveland. Leadership is provided by Vincent De Luca (Head of School) and Julie Onacila (Principal). The school has adopted a true 4/5-year-old Pre-K model that offers half-day or full-day instruction five days per week as a more comprehensive Kindergarten Prep program.
- PreK–Grade 8
- Opened September 7, 1965; first principal Sister Mary Paula, SSJ
- Head of School: Vincent De Luca
- Principal: Julie Onacila
- K–8 Tuition: $7,600 per child
- PreK Tuition: $5,800 full day / $3,850 half day
- Contact: 440.777.8433
- Faculty include Frank O'Grady (Jr. High Religion/Social Studies) and Mark DeFrancisis (Etymology/Latin)
Youth Ministry
St. Brendan's youth ministry works in collaboration with the local Catholic high schools, where campus ministers support and engage the parish's teens. The parish encourages young parishioners to participate in liturgical ministries (Lectors, Altar Servers), service projects, leadership roles on the Parish Pastoral Council, and Confirmation Preparation, with periodic parish-wide evenings of prayer and connection.
- Local partner high schools: Holy Name, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Magnificat, St. Joseph Academy, Elyria Catholic, North Olmsted High School
- Youth liturgical ministries: Lectors, Altar Servers
- Confirmation Preparation integrated with parish life
- Student representation on Parish Pastoral Council
- Periodic parish-wide prayer and connection events for teens
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish's Music Minister, Ed DeVenney, leads liturgical music at weekend and daily Masses. The Music Ministry page on the parish site also links to current Ministry and Lector Schedules for parishioners who serve in these liturgical roles.
- Music Minister: Ed DeVenney
- Lector and other liturgical ministry schedules published online
- Family / monthly Family Mass opportunities
Parish Life & Organizations
Beyond the school and faith formation programs, St. Brendan supports the Holy Name Society, a Parish Pastoral Council on which teens and adults serve together, parish-wide service projects, and an active parish bulletin. The parish also publishes "Talent Treasure Time," obituaries, and regular updates for parishioners.
- Holy Name Society
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Parish Bulletin
- Talent Treasure Time stewardship program
- Service projects throughout the year
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Kenny1964–1984
Founding pastor; native of County Leitrim, Ireland; previously parochial vicar at St. Angela Merici, Fairview Park. After his retirement, the City of North Olmsted renamed Reed Lane to Kenny Lane in his honor. He died on March 11, 1985.
- Rev. Cornelius Murray1984–2007
Second pastor; had previously served St. Brendan for eleven years. Retired in 2007 after 34 years of dynamic ministry at the parish. Oversaw the New Beginning Drive and the construction/dedication of the new church in 1987.
- Rev. Thomas G. Woost2008–present
Third pastor; installed on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 2, 2008.