St. Cyril of Alexandria-Christ Our Savior Parish

About Christ Our Savior Parish

Christ Our Savior Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh serving the North Side of Pittsburgh, including the Brighton Heights, East Street Valley/Spring Hill, and central North Side neighborhoods. It was formed in 2019 through the merger of three long-standing North Side parishes — St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Boniface, and St. Peter — and today operates from three worship sites under a single pastoral team. The parish describes its mission as 'to labor faithfully to extend Christ's Kingship to the people of the Northside of Pittsburgh and beyond, welcoming all to pursue life in Christ through reverent worship, lifelong formation, fellowship and loving service.' The parish administrative center is at 720 Arch Street, and the St. Cyril of Alexandria Church is at 3854 Brighton Road.

Parish History and 2019 Merger

The present parish was created in 2019 when the Diocese of Pittsburgh merged three North Side parishes: St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Boniface, and St. Peter. The three predecessor communities each have deep roots in the neighborhood. St. Boniface, founded in 1884 by German-Americans, had been part of Holy Wisdom Parish from 1994 to 2019 and is also remembered as the home of the St. John XXIII Personal Quasi-Parish for the Traditional Latin Mass. In 2019, the same year as the merger, the parish launched its Senior Outreach Ministry, which has since delivered more than 8,300 meals to North Side seniors. The parish has also become the spiritual home and pastoral supporter of the new St. Cyril of Alexandria Academy, an income-based-scholarship Pre-K–8 Catholic elementary school located at 3854 Brighton Road.

• 2019: Christ Our Savior Parish formed from the merger of St. Peter, St. Boniface, and St. Cyril of Alexandria parishes.
• St. Boniface parish founded 1884 by German-Americans; current building constructed 1925–1926, designed by architect A.F. Link.
• St. Boniface was part of Holy Wisdom Parish from 1994 to 2019.
• St. Boniface was designated a Pittsburgh Historic Landmark in 1974 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
• November 21, 2025: 100th-anniversary celebration of the 1925 St. Boniface building with Bishop Eckman.

Our Three Patron Saints

The parish bears the spiritual patronage of three saints whose feasts are all observed in June: St. Boniface (June 5), St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 27), and St. Peter (June 29). In a parish reflection titled 'Recognizing Our Three Patron Saints,' the parish describes how Saint Boniface, an eighth-century English monk and missionary, brings missionary courage; Saint Cyril of Alexandria, a fifth-century doctor of the Church, brings fidelity to the truth about Christ's divinity; and Saint Peter, the first Pope, brings humble perseverance despite human weakness. The parish prays that all three continue to 'protect our people, and inspire each of us to become ever more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.'

• Saint Boniface — feast June 5; eighth-century English monk and missionary to Germany.
• Saint Cyril of Alexandria — feast June 27; fifth-century defender of the divinity of Christ and of Mary as Mother of God.
• Saint Peter — feast June 29 (Solemnity); first Pope and leader of the Apostles.

Pastoral Plan 2026–2029

Christ Our Savior Parish has published a Pastoral and Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, developed through prayerful discernment by the Pastoral Council and parish leadership. The plan centers on the parish's mission to extend Christ's Kingship on the North Side through reverent worship, authentic discipleship, fellowship, and loving service.

• Goal 1: Proclaim Christ's Kingship through Reverent and Unified Worship — strengthen consistency and reverence across all three parish churches; enhance sacred music; expand access to Confession and Eucharistic Adoration.
• Goal 2: Form a Parish Community United under Christ the King — intentional pathways of welcome; improved communication; pastoral care for the sick, homebound, and vulnerable.
• Goal 3: Form Disciples Who Live under the Lordship of Christ — lifelong faith formation for all ages; solid Catholic doctrinal formation for children and youth; pastoral partnership with St. Cyril of Alexandria Academy.
• Goal 4: Steward Christ's Church with Faith, Prudence, and Hope — financial transparency and sustainability; right-size facility footprint; develop a plan for additional parish meeting space and hall renovation.

Clergy and Staff

The parish is led by a clergy team of a pastor, a senior parochial vicar, a priest in residence, and a deacon/pastoral associate. Teresa Flaherty is a key parish staff contact (Safe Environment and volunteer coordination).

• Rev. Michael A. Caridi — Pastor ([email protected])
• Rev. Dam D. Nguyen, MDiv — Senior Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
• Rev. Lawrence DiNardo — In Residence ([email protected])
• Deacon Michael Fekete — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
• Teresa Flaherty — [email protected]

Our Three Worship Sites

Christ Our Savior Parish operates from three historic Catholic church buildings, each located in a distinct North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

• St. Cyril of Alexandria Church — 3854 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (Brighton Heights).
• St. Boniface Church — 2208 East Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (East Street Valley / Spring Hill–City View). NRHP-listed; architect A.F. Link, 1925–1926; Guastavino-tiled dome.
• St. Peter Church — 720 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (North Side). Also houses the parish administrative center and parish office.

St. Cyril of Alexandria Academy (SCAA)

St. Cyril of Alexandria Academy is a newly established, diverse, independent Catholic elementary school (Pre-K through 8th grade) located at 3854 Brighton Road in Brighton Heights. It is created and funded by the Miraculous Medal Academies Foundation (MMAF) and governed by a Board of Directors with Fr. Mike Caridi (pastor of Christ Our Savior Parish) as Chairman. The school is endorsed by Bishop Mark Eckman of the Pittsburgh Diocese. The parish's role with the Academy is to provide 'pastoral support,' and the parish's 2026–2029 Pastoral Plan names strengthening this relationship as a key pastoral priority.

• Income-based-scholarship school; guarantees a scholarship to each student based on need.
• Mission: to assist parents in the Christian spiritual, moral and intellectual formation of their children ('body, mind, and soul').
• Welcomes students of all faiths, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Athletics, full music program, Christian service opportunities, weekly Mass, and Eucharistic adoration.
• Principal: Joshua Godwin — (412) 631-3131.

Faith Formation and Religious Education

The parish offers faith formation for parishioners of all ages — children, youth, and adults — coordinated through [email protected].

• CCD — religious education for school-aged children attending public school.
• OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: a fall program preparing adults for full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter. Open to the unbaptized, Christians baptized in another tradition, and baptized Catholics seeking First Communion or Confirmation. Contact Fr. Mike at the parish office or [email protected].
• Bible Study — various opportunities to delve deeper into Scripture, often with members of the Clergy Team.

Liturgical Ministries

Volunteers serve the parish's liturgical life in a variety of roles, coordinated through [email protected]. No prior music-reading ability is required to join the choir.

• Altar Servers (children and adults; can be a family ministry).
• Sacristans.
• Choir.
• Ushers and Greeters.
• Lectors (proclaim the Word of God).
• Eucharistic Ministers.

Outreach and Charitable Ministries

Outreach is a central part of parish life. The parish runs its own Food Bank at the St. Cyril worship site, partners with Northside Common Ministries and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and provides direct service to seniors on the North Side. Charitable outreach opportunities are coordinated through [email protected].

• Parish Food Bank — held in the garage at the St. Cyril worship site on the 2nd Monday of each month, 3:30–4:30 PM; serves residents of Spring Hill and portions of the North Side (proof of residency required).
• St. Vincent de Paul 'Spark of Hope' Food Pantry (COS SVDP Food Pantry) — staples such as canned goods, cereals, pastas, fresh fruits and vegetables; collection spots in all three parish churches.
• Pleasant Valley Breakfast Ministry — partnership with Northside Common Ministries; Ladies of Charity provide lunch monthly; teens and families serve hot breakfast monthly.
• Bereavement Ministry.
• Environmental and Decorating Ministry.
• Ladies of Charity.
• Damascus Diner (men's Saturday breakfast faith-sharing).
• Fundraising Committee and Community and Diversity Committee.

Senior Ministry and Meal Ministry

The Senior Outreach Ministry was launched in 2019, the year of the parish merger, to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the North Side's senior community. Beginning with a simple mailing and phone outreach, it has grown into a year-round ministry delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas meals (and now meals for additional holidays) and baked treats to homebound seniors. To date, more than 8,300 meals have been delivered across the North Side. Drivers, bakers, and phone/card volunteers are always needed.

• Volunteer drivers, home bakers, and phone/card outreach all needed.
• Contact: [email protected] or (412) 745-1055.
• Monetary donations: checks payable to 'Christ Our Savior Parish' with 'Meal Ministry' in the memo line.

Arimathean Ministry and Funerals

Named for Joseph of Arimathea, who gave up his own tomb to bury Jesus, the Arimathean Ministry sends parish volunteers to the funeral Masses of parishioners who have little or no local family. Arimatheans represent the Christ Our Savior Parish family in supporting the bereaved, and may serve as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher, Greeter, or Altar Server as needed. The ministry is ideal for retirees or those with flexible work schedules; special training is provided. To volunteer, contact the Parish Office at 412-761-1552.

Respect-Life Ministry: Network of Life

Christ Our Savior Parish partners with Network of Life to support women and families facing unexpected pregnancies. The parish runs a Baby Bottle Campaign, with baby bottles distributed one weekend and returned the next, to fund the pregnancy clinics, medical care, and resources that help mothers choose life for their babies.

Safe Environment and Volunteer Requirements

Christ Our Savior Parish is committed to providing a safe environment in compliance with the Safe Environment Policy of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Adult volunteers (age 18+) working with children or vulnerable adults must complete a multi-step process including VIRTUS Online registration, a State Police Criminal Record Check, a PA Child Abuse History Clearance, online training, and a signed disclaimer. Employees of the Diocese must also be fingerprinted for the FBI.

• Volunteer compliance contact: Teresa Flaherty — [email protected].
• Diocesan Office for the Protection of Children, Youth and Vulnerable Adults: (412) 456-3093.

Contact and Parish Office

Parish Office / Administrative Center: 720 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Phone: 412-761-1552. Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–11:30 AM and 1:00–3:00 PM; Friday 10:00 AM–1:00 PM; closed Saturday and Sunday. General email: [email protected]. Teresa Flaherty (Safe Environment / volunteer coordinator): [email protected]. Senior Meal Ministry: [email protected] or (412) 745-1055.