About St. Casimir Church - Our Mother of Sorrows Parish · Erie, Pennsylvania
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Erie, Pennsylvania, formed in 2009 by the merger of three historic east-side Erie churches: St. Casimir, St. Ann, and Holy Family. St. Casimir Church, the parish's main church since 2017, sits at Hess Avenue in the heart of Erie's old Polish community, where it has been a landmark since 1914. The parish is part of the Diocese of Erie and, as of July 9, 2024, is partnered with neighboring St. Stanislaus Parish under a single pastor, Rev. Jason Glover. Today Our Mother of Sorrows describes itself as 'a wonderful welcoming Family of Faith' with three places to worship and a mission 'committed to loving God, loving others, and making disciples.'
- Established
- 1914 (St. Casimir); 2009 (Our Mother of Sorrows Parish)
- Patron
- Saint Casimir (Kazimierz Jagiellon), 15th-century Polish-Lithuanian prince
- Rector
- Rev. Jason Glover
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
Our Mother of Sorrows welcomes parishioners, newcomers, and visitors to a tri-church family of faith on Erie's east side, with St. Casimir (the parish church), St. Ann, and Holy Family all offering regular Mass and the sacraments. The parish is deeply rooted in the city's Polish-American heritage — especially the 1914 founding of St. Casimir — and continues traditions such as the 107th Annual Novena to Good Saint Ann. Under the 2024 partnership with St. Stanislaus Parish, parishioners now benefit from shared clergy, bulletins, and faith-formation offerings, including Eucharistic Adoration and a strong Eastside Faith Formation program for children.
Mass times at St. Casimir Church - Our Mother of Sorrows Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Prior to Mass (per the official website and the Diocese of Erie listing)
- Daily Confessions 11:30–11:55 a.m., Monday–Friday at St. Ann (per parish bulletin)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration hosted periodically at St. Stanislaus Church (partner parish) following the 9:00 a.m. Mass until 11:00 a.m. (e.g., 3rd Saturdays/quarterly; check bulletin for current dates)
- Eucharistic Adoration 11:00 a.m.–12:00 noon on Fridays of Lent at St. Ann's
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish at a Glance
Our Mother of Sorrows is a Roman Catholic parish in Erie, Pennsylvania, serving the east side of the city through three worship sites: St. Casimir Church (the parish church), St. Ann, and Holy Family (now closed for regular worship). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Erie and, since July 9, 2024, has been partnered with neighboring St. Stanislaus Parish under one pastor, Rev. Jason Glover. The parish describes itself as 'a wonderful welcoming Family of Faith' whose mission is 'loving God, loving others, and making disciples.'
- Established as a merged parish in 2009 from St. Casimir, St. Ann and Holy Family
- St. Casimir Church at 630 Hess Ave. designated parish church on Feb. 13, 2017
- Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
- Pastor: Rev. Jason Glover
- Parish phone: (814) 452-4832
The History of St. Casimir Church
St. Casimir Church was founded in 1914 to serve Erie's growing Polish community, many of whose members worked at the Hammermill and General Electric plants and had moved away from the older St. Hedwig neighborhood. The property at Sixth and Hess Avenue was donated by Congressman M. M. Liebel Jr., and 150 founding families purchased an additional 350 feet of adjoining land. Bishop John E. Fitzmaurice laid the cornerstone on November 15, 1914, with more than 1,500 people and nine visiting priests in attendance. Construction by the Liebel-Binney Construction Company began in spring 1915 at a cost of $30,000, and the church was dedicated on March 5, 1916, with a parade from Tenth and Wallace Streets led by marshal Joseph Grabowski.
- Founded 1914 by Erie's Polish-American community
- Property donated by Congressman M. M. Liebel Jr.
- Cornerstone laid November 15, 1914 by Bishop John E. Fitzmaurice
- Dedicated March 5, 1916; cost $30,000
- Founding pastor: Rev. John C. Dembinski (1914–1931)
Polish Heritage and Parish Societies
From its earliest days, St. Casimir was a center of Polish-American religious and social life in Erie. The St. Cecelia, St. Casimir, and Rosary Societies were organized during the building campaign and helped pay off the construction debt by selling chances and holding dances. The parish was supported by the Huzary social club, which led the effort to petition Bishop Fitzmaurice for a fourth Polish parish. The societies remain part of the parish's living heritage, and the Rosary Society hosted the dinner following the church's 1916 dedication.
- Huzary social club led the petition for the parish
- St. Cecelia Society, St. Casimir Society and Rosary Society organized during building fund campaign
- Polish Order of Catholic Foresters, Polish Falcons and Slavic Falcons marched in the 1916 dedication parade
St. Casimir School
St. Casimir School was officially established in 1918, with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth initially teaching in the church basement. The Sisters moved into a new convent at 637 Hess Avenue in 1920. A larger school building was begun in 1948 at a cost of $185,000, designed by architect Oscar Brenot with S. Niebauer and Sons as contractor. With enrollment declining, St. Casimir School merged with St. Ann's in 1971 to form Spirit of Christ School; that merged school ultimately closed in 1982.
- School established 1918 in the church basement
- Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth were the first teachers
- New school built 1948 ($185,000; architect Oscar Brenot)
- Merged with St. Ann's in 1971 as Spirit of Christ School
- Spirit of Christ School closed in 1982
The 2009 Merger and the 2017 Parish-Church Designation
In 2009, St. Casimir, St. Ann, and Holy Family were formally merged as Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. Beginning in April 2013, Bishop Lawrence T. Persico implemented a pastoral planning process for the Diocese of Erie. An April 12, 2016 preliminary plan to make St. Ann the parish church was revised after feedback, and on February 13, 2017, St. Casimir was lawfully designated the parish church because it was in good physical condition, had available parking, and was handicap accessible. Holy Family and St. Ann remained secondary churches without mission status.
- Parish merger effective 2009
- Pastoral planning launched by Bishop Persico in April 2013
- St. Casimir designated parish church on February 13, 2017
- St. Ann and Holy Family retained as secondary worship sites
The 2024 Partnership with St. Stanislaus Parish
In June 2023, Bishop Lawrence T. Persico initiated a new round of pastoral planning. After consultation with the Presbyteral Council, a decree was issued on April 11, 2024 pairing Our Mother of Sorrows Parish with Saint Stanislaus Parish, Erie, such that both are served by one pastor. The decree took effect July 9, 2024. Rev. Jason Glover, already pastor of St. Stanislaus, became pastor of both parishes, and they share a single parish office at St. Stanislaus, 516 E. 13th St. The bulletins of the two parishes are also shared.
- Decree issued April 11, 2024 by Bishop Persico
- Effective July 9, 2024
- Rev. Jason Glover named pastor of both parishes
- Shared office at St. Stanislaus, 516 E. 13th St., Erie
- Deacon Jerome T. Sobrowski reassigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish, Erie
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Jason Glover, who also serves St. Stanislaus Parish. Helen Gangemi is the parish secretary/support staff and the primary contact via phone (814) 452-4832 and email [email protected]. The Eastside Faith Formation program is staffed by Mary Hickin (or Michelle Inter) as Director of Religious Education, reachable at [email protected] or (814) 920-7525.
- Pastor: Rev. Jason Glover
- Secretary/Support Staff: Helen Gangemi
- DRE, Eastside Faith Formation: Mary Hickin / Michelle Inter — (814) 920-7525, [email protected]
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious education for parish children is provided through Eastside Faith Formation, the joint program of the east-side Erie parishes. The Director of Religious Education can be reached at [email protected] or (814) 920-7525. Adult faith formation opportunities are offered in conjunction with St. Stanislaus, including Lenten presentations by Fr. Jason on 'Five Pivotal Moments in Church History.'
- Eastside Faith Formation ([email protected])
- DRE: Mary Hickin / Michelle Inter
- Adult faith formation with Fr. Jason Glover during Lent
Bulletin, News, and Online Giving
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin that is shared with St. Stanislaus Parish and posted online at motherofsorrowerie.org. Recent announcements include the launch of Online Giving on November 15, 2025, the OMOS phone number confirmation, and current Mass schedule updates. The bulletin features sanctuary candle intentions, lottery calendars, ministry volunteer calls (e.g., Eucharistic Ministers needed for Saturday evening Masses), and announcements of pierogi dinners, retreats, and feasts.
- Weekly bulletin posted at motherofsorrowerie.org and ststanserie.org
- Online Giving launched November 15, 2025
- Eucharistic Ministers sought for Saturday Vigil Masses
- Sanctuary candle memorial program
Visiting and Getting Involved
Founders, longtime parishioners, newcomers, and visitors are all warmly welcomed at Our Mother of Sorrows. The parish invites participation in the historic Polish-American societies (Rosary, St. Casimir, St. Cecilia), the Eastside Faith Formation program, and shared ministries with St. Stanislaus Parish. Anyone interested in serving as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, or in another liturgical role is encouraged to call the parish office. The parish also connects parishioners with community resources such as the National Fuel LIHEAP energy assistance program.
- Volunteer as a Eucharistic Minister or lector
- Join the Rosary, St. Casimir or St. Cecilia societies
- Support Eastside Faith Formation as a catechist
- Connect with community assistance programs (e.g., LIHEAP)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John C. Dembinski1914–1931
Founding pastor; died Nov. 16, 1931 from injuries in a car accident. Blessed the three church bells.
- Rev. (later Msgr.) Stephen W. Dlugolecki1931–1967
Second pastor. Elevated to Very Reverend Monsignor in 1954 by Pope Pius XII; named Domestic Prelate in 1963. Died of a heart attack May 7, 1967.
- Rev. Joseph Kacprowicz1967–1983
Third pastor; retired 1983.
- Rev. Anthony Nowakowski1983–1987
Fourth pastor; died October 20, 1987.
- Rev. Daniel Kresinski1987–1990
Fifth pastor.
- Rev. Robert Craig1990–1991
Appointed by Bishop Michael Murphy as first pastor of the tri-parish cluster of St. Ann, St. Casimir and Holy Family.
- Rev. James T. O'Hara1991–2020
Longtime pastor of the tri-parish cluster and then Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. Died Nov. 8, 2020 at age 80.
- Deacon Jerome T. Sobrowski2020–2024
Served as parish administrator after Fr. O'Hara's death.
- Rev. Jason Glover2024–present
Pastor of both Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Stanislaus Parishes under the July 9, 2024 partnering decree.