About St. Francis of Assisi, St. John XXIII Parish · Finleyville, Pennsylvania
St. Francis of Assisi Church is a worship site of St. John XXIII Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, located at 3609 Washington Avenue in Finleyville, Pennsylvania. Originally established in 1893 in nearby Gastonville as a coal-country congregation, it moved to its present Finleyville location and was dedicated on November 3, 1907; the church was re-dedicated on May 16, 2010 after a major renovation. On July 1, 2020, as part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh's "On Mission for The Church Alive!" initiative, St. Francis of Assisi Parish merged with St. Benedict the Abbot (McMurray/Peters Township) and St. Isaac Jogues (Jefferson Hills) to form the new tri-site St. John XXIII Parish, named for the beloved pope who convened the Second Vatican Council. Today the parish serves Catholic faithful across the South Hills of Pittsburgh with weekend and daily Mass, sacramental preparation, vibrant faith formation, an interfaith food pantry, and dozens of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi (parish church); the merged parish is under the patronage of St. John XXIII (Pope John XXIII)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert M. Miller
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
St. John XXIII Parish welcomes parishioners and visitors across three historic worship sites in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. The Finleyville St. Francis of Assisi church offers convenient Saturday Vigil (4:00 PM) and Sunday (9:00 AM) Masses, plus Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Monday evening daily Masses, with confessions every Wednesday at 6:30 PM. The parish is home to a flourishing St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry (serving Finleyville and surrounding communities), a Catholic preschool, robust Faith Formation and Youth Ministry programs, and dozens of lay-led ministries including Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Women's Emmaus, Men's Emmaus, Christian Men and Women, Respect Life, and a Community Garden — making it a true hub of Catholic life, worship, and service.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi, St. John XXIII Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:30 PM (St. Francis of Assisi, Finleyville)
- Saturday 11:00 AM (St. Benedict the Abbot, McMurray)
Adoration times
- 1st Friday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (St. Francis of Assisi)
- Third Thursday of the Month 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (St. Benedict the Abbot)
Parish Clergy & Staff
St. John XXIII Parish is led by pastor Rev. Robert M. Miller ('Fr. Bob'), with Rev. Pierre M. Falkenhan ('Fr. Bud') serving as Senior Parochial Vicar and Rev. David W. Green as Parish Chaplain. Two deacons, Rev. Mr. Victor P. Satter and Rev. Mr. Kevin Lewis, assist with sacramental ministry. The parish office staff includes parish secretaries Sally Tress and Mary Parish, Business Manager / Facilities Scheduler Shari Hill, Safe Environment Coordinator Jennifer Bunnell, Social Minister Mary Spinabelli, Director of Mission Integration Jane Sarra, and Bulletin Editor Carol Dolinar.
- Rev. Robert M. Miller — Pastor (ext. 290, [email protected])
- Rev. Pierre M. Falkenhan — Sr. Parochial Vicar (ext. 291, [email protected])
- Rev. David W. Green — Parish Chaplain (ext. 292, [email protected])
- Rev. Mr. Victor P. Satter — Deacon ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. Kevin Lewis — Deacon ([email protected])
- Beth Jesserer & Carol Cicci — Directors of Faith Formation
- Jennie Trapanotto & Christie Kulbieda — Youth Ministers
History of St. Francis of Assisi, Finleyville
St. Francis of Assisi was organized in 1893 in the coal-mining community of Gastonville by the Pittsburgh Catholic Chancery. As the mines closed, the congregation relocated and built a new church at 3609 Washington Avenue in Finleyville, which was dedicated on November 3, 1907. A century later, on May 16, 2010, the church was re-dedicated following significant renovation. Early 20th-century pastor Rev. Michael J. McBurney also celebrated the first Mass for the mission that became St. Joan of Arc in Library, PA, in 1923 — the first church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh named for St. Joan.
- 1893 — Parish organized in Gastonville by the Pittsburgh Catholic Chancery
- 1907 (Nov 3) — Church dedicated at present Finleyville address
- 1923 — St. Joan of Arc (Library) founded as a mission of St. Francis
- 2010 (May 16) — Church re-dedicated after renovation
- 2020 (July 1) — Merged with St. Benedict the Abbot & St. Isaac Jogues to form St. John XXIII Parish
The 2020 Merger: Becoming St. John XXIII Parish
In 2015 Bishop David Zubik launched 'On Mission for The Church Alive!', a diocesan-wide strategic planning process to address declining Mass attendance and a shrinking priest workforce. After consultation, St. Francis of Assisi (Finleyville), St. Benedict the Abbot (McMurray/Peters Township) and St. Isaac Jogues (Jefferson Hills) were grouped in 2018 and shared clergy, staff, and a joint bulletin. On July 1, 2020 the three parishes formally merged into St. John XXIII Parish, named for Pope St. John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli, 1881–1963) who convoked the Second Vatican Council. Each church remains open as a worship site of the new parish.
- 2015 — Bishop Zubik launches 'On Mission for The Church Alive!'
- 2018 — Three parishes grouped, sharing clergy and a joint bulletin
- July 1, 2020 — Official merger into St. John XXIII Parish
- Pope St. John XXIII — patron of the merged parish
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full Faith Formation program for children and adults, directed by Beth Jesserer and Carol Cicci, with administrative support from Laurie Hughes. Youth Ministry is led by Jennie Trapanotto and Christie Kulbieda and includes preparation for Confirmation, retreats, and ongoing faith formation for teens. Adult Formation opportunities include Catholic Scripture Study, Centering Prayer, Catholic Men's Fellowship, and ongoing studies rooted in the teaching of the Second Vatican Council.
- Beth Jesserer — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 113)
- Carol Cicci — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 110)
- Jennie Trapanotto — Youth Minister (ext. 112)
- Christie Kulbieda — Youth Minister (ext. 112)
- Catholic Scripture Study, Centering Prayer, Catholic Men's Fellowship
St. John XXIII Preschool
St. John XXIII Parish operates a Catholic preschool at the St. Benedict the Abbot site, offering faith-based early childhood education to parish families and the surrounding community. The preschool is directed by Rene Sherwin.
- Director: Rene Sherwin — 724-941-5473 — [email protected]
- Located at St. Benedict the Abbot campus, 120 Abington Dr., McMurray
St. John XXIII Interfaith Food Pantry
The idea for the food pantry grew out of a desire to address hunger in Finleyville and surrounding communities, and it launched in 2023 as a member agency of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The pantry operates from the St. Francis of Assisi campus and is supported by an interfaith coalition that includes Elrama United Methodist Church, First Baptist (Finleyville), First Presbyterian (Finleyville), Go Time Ministries, Mingo Creek Presbyterian, Nottingham Christian Center, St. John XXIII Parish, and Wright's United Methodist Church. Food distributions take place the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month, 9:00 AM – Noon. Volunteers serve as greeters, intake/registration staff, shopping helpers, perishable helpers, and car helpers.
- Distribution: 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9:00 AM – Noon
- Location: 3609 Washington Ave., Finleyville (St. Francis campus)
- Phone: 724-348-7145
- Website: john23foodpantry.org
- Volunteer Coordinator: Jane Sarra ([email protected])
- Member of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
- Monthly food box prep/delivery to Charleroi Haitian community (3rd Mon/Tue)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music Ministry at the parish is led by Jeanie Werner, Tom Franzak, and Carol Accetta, supporting congregational singing, choirs, and cantors across the three worship sites. Liturgical ministries also include A-V Ministry (livestream and audio/visual), Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Ushers, Greeters/Welcoming Ministry, and Wedding Coordinators, all coordinated by parish staff and ministry leaders.
- Jeanie Werner — Music Minister (ext. 108)
- Tom Franzak — Music Minister (ext. 108)
- Carol Accetta — Music Minister (ext. 129)
- A-V Ministry: Ed Wisnieski & Tony Benintend
- Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers: Keith Ross
- Altar Servers: Jessica Hickman
- Ushers: Andy Schmeltzer
- Wedding Coordinators: Dianna Baumann-Fisher & Nancy Huffner
Parish Life, Fellowship & Outreach
St. John XXIII Parish offers a remarkable breadth of parish life opportunities for men, women, youth, families, and seniors — from prayer and study groups to fitness, gardening, theater, and bereavement support. St. Vincent de Paul operates a parish helpline for those in need; the Respect Life Committee promotes the Church's teaching on the dignity of human life; and the Ladies of Charity supports local charitable works. The parish also uses Flocknote for instant text and email communication.
- Knights of Columbus — Benny Jung
- St. Vincent de Paul Helpline — 724-941-9406 ext. 142
- St. John XXIII Christian Men — Jim Hillen
- St. John XXIII Christian Women — Maryanne Wyse
- Women of St. Scholastica — Jennie Trapanotto
- Ladies of Charity — Mary Jane Jurofcik
- Respect Life Committee — Theresa Ross
- Prayer Blanket Ministry — Mary Jane Jurofcik
- Prayer Chain — Kathy Schirra
- Community Garden — Patty Ross & Maryanne Wyse
- Catholic Scripture Study — Sharon Pampena
- Centering Prayer — Mary Broglie
- Elijah Cup (St. Francis) — Deacon Kevin & Diane Lewis
- Elijah Cup (St. Benedict) — Tony & Carlotta Zuback
- Divorce Care Support Group — Jane Sarra
- Social Support Group of a Lost Spouse
- Abbey Players (theater) — Lorra Brannen
- Book Club
- Bowling League — Blaise Hollot
- Boy Scouts — Kevin Dolinar
Sacraments
Information on all seven sacraments is published in the parish bulletin. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office, with first-time parents meeting with staff for preparation. Reconciliation is available weekly at two sites (Wed 6:30 PM at St. Francis; Sat 11:00 AM at St. Benedict). The Anointing of the Sick is available by calling the pastor. Engaged couples should contact the parish for Marriage Preparation, and the Wedding Coordinators ministry assists couples throughout the wedding planning process.
- Baptism — call parish office to schedule; first-child prep meeting required
- Confession — Wed 6:30 PM (St. Francis) / Sat 11:00 AM (St. Benedict)
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment via Fr. Bob (ext. 290)
- Marriage Preparation — Engaged Couples Ministry (724-941-9406)
- Funeral Ministry — Servers and Repast teams
Locations & Contact
St. John XXIII Parish operates across three worship sites in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, with the main parish office at St. Benedict the Abbot in McMurray. The St. Francis of Assisi site in Finleyville has its own office hours on Tuesday and Friday mornings, while the St. Isaac Jogues site continues to serve Jefferson Hills.
- St. Francis of Assisi — 3609 Washington Ave., Finleyville, PA 15332 (St. Francis office hours: Tue & Fri 9:30 AM–12:00 PM)
- St. Benedict the Abbot — 120 Abington Dr., McMurray, PA 15317 (main parish office, Mon/Wed/Thu 8:30 AM–4:30 PM)
- St. Isaac Jogues — 1216 Collins Ave., Jefferson Hills, PA 15025
- Parish Phone: 724-941-9406 | Fax: 724-941-9517
- Food Pantry Phone: 724-348-7145