About St. Columban · Loveland, Ohio
St. Columban Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Loveland, Ohio, that has been worshipping together since 1859. The parish follows the Word and Work of Jesus Christ through discipleship, stewardship, and fellowship, gathering as the Body of Christ to celebrate grace-filled liturgies, learn the Christian heritage, answer the call to discipleship, and reach out in service to those in need. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and serves families in Loveland and the surrounding eastern Cincinnati suburbs with a parish school, faith formation programs, daily and weekend Masses, and a wide range of outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- St. Columban
- Rector
- Fr. Ed Smith
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Columban is a long-standing Loveland parish (since 1859) that combines a parish school, faith formation for every age, daily and weekend Masses, and a robust outreach culture. The community lives its mission through stewardship, fellowship, the Corporal Works of Mercy, and partnerships with local agencies like St. Vincent de Paul, the Loveland Interfaith Effort food pantry, NEST, and the Found House, making it a natural fit for families looking for both a worshipping community and a place to serve.
Mass times at St. Columban
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (also by appointment)
Welcome and Mission
St. Columban describes itself as 'a worshipping community since 1859' that follows the Word and Work of Jesus Christ through discipleship, stewardship, and fellowship. The parish is a welcoming community of believers who gather as the Body of Christ to celebrate grace-filled liturgies, give thanks, and journey together in faith. All ages are engaged in learning about the Christian heritage, answering the call to discipleship, and reaching beyond parish boundaries to those in need.
- Mission: discipleship, stewardship, fellowship
- Community life: liturgical worship, faith formation for all ages, outreach
History of St. Columban
St. Columban traces its beginnings to the early 1850s, when a priest from St. Andrew Parish in Milford celebrated Mass in Loveland every two months. In 1859 Father John Baptist O'Donoghue and ten families purchased a one-room schoolhouse on Broadway Avenue from the Village of Loveland for use as a church. The parish's first church was built on the Broadway site in 1893. Father Timothy Bailey became the first resident pastor in 1906. The school opened in 1926, and after rapid post-war growth the parish bought its current 28-acre Oakland Road site in 1956, opening a school there in 1958 and expanding it to include a church in 1961. A new church was dedicated in 1983 and the present church in 2002. In 2009 the parish celebrated its 150th anniversary with former pastors and community leaders.
- 1859 – parish formed; Broadway Avenue schoolhouse purchased
- 1893 – first church built on Broadway site
- 1906 – Father Timothy Bailey becomes first resident pastor
- 1926 – school opens
- 1956 – current 28-acre Oakland Road site purchased
- 1958 – school on Oakland Road opens
- 1961 – school expanded to include a church; Broadway site retired
- 1983 – new church dedicated
- 2002 – current church dedicated
- 2009 – 150th anniversary celebrated
Parish Office and Location
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; the office is closed on Friday. St. Columban is on Oakland Road (State Route 48), near Wards Corner Road, on the Clermont County side of Loveland, with easy access from I-275 exit 54.
- 894 Oakland Road, Loveland, OH 45140
- Phone: 513-683-0105
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; Sat 3:00–6:00 p.m.; Sun 7:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; closed Friday
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Ed Smith, with Fr. Stephen Hughes serving alongside him. The staff supporting parish, school, and faith-formation ministries includes Patrick Lesher, Todd Schwartz, Dave Cox, Catherine Marasch, Terri Kerley, Scott Mussari, Mary Bellman, Cathy Nagy, Mary Beth Meyer, Christy Hamm, and Leslie Molitor.
- Fr. Ed Smith – Pastor
- Fr. Stephen Hughes – Parochial Priest
- Scott Mussari – Director of Faith Formation / Chair, Faith Formation Commission
- Terri Kerley – Coordinator of Religious Education
- Patrick Lesher – staff, Pastoral Council member
- Cathy Nagy – parish spokesperson/communications
- Christy Hamm – administrative assistant
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is the primary consultative voice of the parish community, working in union with the pastor to discern how the parish can best carry out its ministry. Members are elected by parishioners to three-year terms with annual turnover, and are eligible for one immediate consecutive term.
- Fr. Ed Smith (Pastor/Staff)
- Tom Conroy
- Jeff Eha (Chair)
- Ross Geiger
- Jayne Grimm (Secretary)
- Jodi Harvey
- Heather Hernandez
- Patrick Lesher (Staff)
- Lee Lorio
- Rick Morman
- Chris Reimer
- Alison Shimala
- Jessica Shrewsbury (Vice Chair)
- Diana Villa
- Scott Waun
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Columban spans preschool through Confirmation. Catechists are needed and trained each year, with one-on-one training, resources, and support available. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation (December) and First Communion (spring) takes place in 2nd grade, while 8th graders prepare for and receive Confirmation in the spring after a Confirmation Retreat, Service Outreach Day, and class Reconciliation.
- Preschool Religious Education (PRE) – Sundays during 9:45 a.m. Mass, ages 3 through Grade 1
- Elementary Religious Education (ERE) – Wednesdays 7:00–8:15 p.m., Grades 1–8
- First Reconciliation (December) and First Communion (spring) – Grade 2
- Confirmation (spring) – Grade 8, with retreat and service hours
- Contact: Terri Kerley, 513-683-0105 (catechists and registration)
- Contact: Scott Mussari, 513-683-0105 ext. 116 (Faith Formation Commission)
Faith Formation Commission
A consultative group of parishioners and staff who focus on creating new faith-formation opportunities and enhancing existing ones, calling parishioners to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
- Chair: Scott Mussari (Staff)
- Members: Katie Craft, Erin Johnson, Terri Kerley (Staff), Joseph Klein, Betty Marshall, John McCahan (PPC Liaison), Grace Pizzimenti, Paul Pizzimenti, Scott Stanley, Laura Stiles, Katie Warnecke
- Each member serves a three-year term (September–August), appointed by the pastor
St. Columban School
St. Columban School is the parish's Catholic elementary school. Students participate in weekly communal prayer (Eucharist, Morning Prayer, Taize, or Prayer Service), receive regular religious instruction in Scripture and Catholic tradition, and are encouraged to serve as lectors, greeters, ushers, servers, music ministers, and Eucharistic ministers. Sacramental preparation happens in partnership with the parish. Service is a core part of school life, with school-wide and grade-level projects including support for the Sisters of Notre Dame mission in Busoga, Uganda (Lenten Mission Drive), Harlan Toy Collection at Christmas, cards for parish shut-ins, and monthly out-of-uniform donations.
- Weekly school liturgy/prayer services
- Student ministries: servers (Grade 5+), lectors (Grades 7–8), greeters/ushers (Grades 5–6), music/choir/cantors, Eucharistic ministers (Grade 8)
- Grade 2 – First Reconciliation and First Communion with retreats and 'Jesus Day'
- Grade 8 – Confirmation with Confirmation Retreat, Service Outreach Day, class Reconciliation, service hours
- Vacation Bible School in July, Advent events, Reconciliation services, Pancake Supper before Lent, Stations of the Cross
- Contact: Scott Mussari (Director of Faith Formation), Terri Kerley (Coordinator of Religious Education)
Outreach and Charity
Outreach is a defining part of parish life. During Pope Francis's Year of Mercy, St. Columban mobilized hundreds of parishioners, school families, and Knights of Columbus members to live out the Corporal Works of Mercy, donating food, clothing, money, and volunteer hours to local agencies. Parish outreach continues year-round through partnerships with multiple Cincinnati-area ministries.
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Loveland Interfaith Effort food pantry
- Matthew 25: Ministries
- Ronald McDonald House
- Children's Hospital
- Bethany House
- NEST Community Learning Center (summer volunteer week)
- Found House (mid-day summer program for kids)
- Sisters of Notre Dame mission in Busoga, Uganda (Lenten Mission Drive)
- Knights of Columbus parish council
Getting Involved
Parishioners are invited to share their time and talents across the parish's ministries. Catechist recruitment is highlighted on the parish site, with options ranging from full catechist or co-catechist to aide or substitute. Additional opportunities exist through the Pastoral Council, Faith Formation Commission, school ministries, Knights of Columbus, and parish outreach partners.
- Become a Religious Education catechist, co-catechist, aide, or substitute — call Terri Kerley, 513-683-0105
- Volunteer for Faith Formation Commission — contact Scott Mussari ext. 116
- Pastoral Council — three-year elected terms
- School ministries — lectors, servers, greeters, music, Eucharistic ministers
- Outreach — NEST, Found House, food pantries, Matthew 25, etc.
Directions
St. Columban sits on the Clermont County side of Loveland, near the corner of Wards Corner Road and Oakland Road (State Route 48). Easy directions are provided from both downtown Loveland and I-275.
- From downtown Loveland: follow W. Loveland Avenue to SR 48; right, then left at the next stop sign; left at the stop light; church is on the left
- From I-275: take exit 54 (Wards Corner Road); go north ~3.5 miles to the stop light at SR 48; turn right onto SR 48; church is on the left
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Baptist O'Donoghue1859–
Founded the parish in 1859 with ten families, purchasing a one-room schoolhouse on Broadway Avenue.
- Fr. Timothy Bailey1906–
First resident pastor; previously St. Columban had shared pastors with St. Andrew Parish in Milford.
- Fr. Larry Tensi
Pastor who led the parish through its 150th anniversary in 2009 and the Year of Mercy efforts.