About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Windber, Pennsylvania
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, located at 605 Graham Avenue in Windber, Pennsylvania. The parish was officially formed in 2002 through the merger of two historic Windber parishes — St. John Cantius and St. Mary — tracing its roots back to 1898 when Catholic worship first began in the community as Immaculate Conception Parish (later renamed St. John Cantius). Today's parish community is served by Father Roderick N. Soha, T.O.R. as pastor, with Father Lawrence Lacovic in residence, and is part of a regional grouping of parishes that also includes St. Anthony of Padua and Ss. Cyril & Methodius. The parish is committed to worship, faith formation for children and adults, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), outreach to the sick and homebound, and the stewardship of two historic cemeteries.
- Established
- 1898 (as Immaculate Conception, renamed St. John Cantius in 1898/1899; merged into St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in 2002)
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Rev. Roderick N. Soha, T.O.R. (Pastor); Rev. Lawrence Lacovic (In residence)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton offers a close-knit Catholic community in Windber where parishioners can worship together, grow in faith, and serve those in need. The parish runs an active OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those exploring the Catholic faith, religious education for elementary and high-school students, ministries for lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers, and adult servers, plus pastoral outreach that brings Communion to the sick, hospitalized, and homebound. With two historic cemeteries under its care and a regional grouping of parishes (alongside St. Anthony of Padua and Ss. Cyril & Methodius) sharing weekday Masses, the parish combines deep local roots with a wide range of ways to get involved.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:45 a.m. before Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- By appointment
Parish History
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish traces its roots to 1898, when Catholic life in Windber was first organized as Immaculate Conception Parish. The parish was renamed St. John Cantius in late 1898 or 1899, and the present church on Graham Avenue was built in 1912 and dedicated in 1913. In 2002, St. John Cantius Parish merged with the former St. Mary Parish in Windber to form today's St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. On July 30, 2023, parishioners gathered with Bishop Mark Bartchak and several former pastors for a Mass of Thanksgiving marking the parish's 125th anniversary.
- 1898 — Catholic worship organized in Windber as Immaculate Conception Parish
- 1898/1899 — Renamed St. John Cantius
- 1912 — Present church building constructed
- 1913 — Church dedicated
- 2002 — Merger of St. John Cantius and St. Mary parishes forms St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- July 30, 2023 — 125th anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated with Bishop Bartchak
Parish Mission Statement
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, as a Parish family, comes together in faith and unity as Christ's Church. Its mission is to reflect the greatest and the first commandment taught by Jesus — 'You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind' — and the second, like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22: 37–39). Guided by the Holy Spirit, the parish strives to reach out with compassion and prayer to serve those in need within the parish and throughout the community, growing together in love through fellowship and spiritual development.
Personnel and Leadership
The parish is served by a pastor from the Third Order Regular of St. Francis and a priest in residence, with active parish and finance councils, music coordinators, and lay staff coordinating religious education, facilities, and the cemeteries.
- Pope Leo XIV — current Pope
- Most Reverend Mark L. Bartchak — Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown
- Father Roderick N. Soha, T.O.R. — Pastor (814-467-7191 opt. #3 / 814-467-7292 opt. #0)
- Father Lawrence Lacovic — In residence
- David Trunack — Parish Office (opt. #3); Facilities & Maintenance (opt. #4); Hall & Kitchen Coordinator; Cemetery Coordinator
- Mary Lou Mandichak — Organist / Music Coordinator
- John Kaiser — Music Coordinator
- Megan Slatcoff — Religious Education Coordinator, Elementary School (814-467-9670)
- Roxann Newcomer — Religious Education Coordinator, High School; OCIA Coordinator (814-467-7292)
- Robert Seese — Liturgy Planning & Arts and Environment Coordinator
- Parish Council: Fr. Rod Soha (Pastor); Jackie Fetchko; Diane Shark; Robert Seese
- Finance Council: Fr. Rod Soha (Pastor); Melissa Bunk (President); Kathy Trusch; Mary Margaret Donnelly; Andy Roman; Jackie Fetchko
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments, with policies for Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Communion for the sick and homebound. Specific preparation classes and timelines are required.
- Baptism — Saturday or Sunday during or after Mass; parents must be registered, active members for two months; Baptismal Preparation class required
- Reconciliation — Sunday 7:45 a.m. or by appointment
- Confirmation — Easter Season of junior year; two-year preparation after freshman-year religious education
- Marriage — Contact the office nine months in advance; Catholic party must be a registered, active member
- Pastoral Care of the Sick and Homebound — Communion brought to home, hospital, or nursing home
- Anointing of the Sick — Available to any seriously ill Catholic; emergencies handled immediately
Parish Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
The parish welcomes volunteers to join a wide range of liturgical, formation, and outreach ministries. Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers (children, teens, and adults), and Ushers all serve at Mass and special liturgies. A dedicated Religious Education team coordinates faith formation for elementary and high-school students, and OCIA welcomes adults exploring the Catholic faith.
- Readers / Lectors — contact Jackie Stoy, 659-7196
- Eucharistic Ministers — must be at least 18, fully initiated Catholics; contact parish office
- Altar Servers — children or teens who have received First Eucharist; adult servers also welcome; contact Val Korzi, 467-9489
- Ushers — contact Shannon Hintosh, 814-244-7907
- Religious Education (Elementary) — Megan Slatcoff, 814-467-9670
- Religious Education (High School) — Roxann Newcomer, 814-467-7292
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Roxann Newcomer, 814-467-7292
- Liturgy Planning & Arts and Environment Committee
- Music Ministry — Mary Lou Mandichak (Organist), John Kaiser
- Shawl Ministry — handcrafted prayer shawls for those needing comfort and healing
Cemeteries — St. John Cantius and St. Mary's
The parish stewards two historic cemeteries in Windber, with plots available for purchase and new options for cremated remains. Seasonal artificial flowers may be placed between November 1 and March 15.
- St. John Cantius Cemetery and St. Mary's Cemetery
- Plots for parish members: $300; non-members: $450
- Perpetual care: $150 per plot (both members and non-members)
- Cremation burial (ashes): starts at $200, depending on container
- Outdoor columbarium with niches at St. John Cantius — $900 per niche (inscription/opening fees extra)
- Seasonal artificial flowers permitted November 1 – March 15 (no wire or rebar)
- Contact: David Trunack, 814-467-7191 opt. #4
Devotions and Seasonal Activities
The parish hosts a year of devotional prayer along with seasonal community events, including a fish fry and the annual Catholic Ministries Drive.
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- 9-Month Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe (March 12 – December 12)
- Fish Fry (seasonal)
- 2025 Catholic Ministries Drive (diocesan annual appeal)
Giving and Stewardship
Parish support is welcomed through the diocesan online giving platform and by mailed checks to the Diocese. Online donors must select St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Windber, parish #156.
- Online giving: www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-1842 (select St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Windber, parish #156)
- Checks may be mailed to the Diocese
- Extra envelopes available at church entrances
Contact and Office Hours
The parish office is open weekdays and can be reached by phone, email, or in person. A fax line is also available.
- Address: 605 Graham Avenue, Windber, PA 15963
- Phone: 814-467-7191 — Office opt. #3, Church Hall opt. #4
- Fax: 814-467-1621
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Facebook: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church (SEAS)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Roderick N. Soha, T.O.R.Current pastor (2023 anniversary)
Pastor at the time of the parish's 125th anniversary celebration in 2023; spoke publicly about the parish's history and mission.