About St. Gabriel · Concord Township, Ohio
St. Gabriel Catholic Church is a large, active parish in Concord Township, Ohio, in Lake County, serving Concord Township and parts of Mentor and Painesville Township. Founded on July 3, 1966, by Rev. Bernard Brady, it has grown from 200 founding families to roughly 4,100 registered households, and today offers multiple weekend Masses, a parish school (PreK–8), the Learning Loft Preschool, a robust Parish School of Religion, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, an active St. Vincent de Paul conference, a parish food pantry, and youth and family ministries. The parish is part of the Diocese of Cleveland and identifies four 'foundational pillars' — Stewardship, Faith Formation, Evangelization, and Collaboration — under the motto 'Being Christ. Every Day. Everywhere.'
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Joshua Trefney (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Gabriel is one of the larger parishes in Lake County, with more than 4,000 registered families, multiple weekend Masses, and a parish school serving PreK through 8th grade — meaning children of almost any age can grow up in Catholic community here. Parishioners can find a place in any of dozens of ministries: faith formation for every age (PSR, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, OCIA, high school youth ministry, Vacation Bible School), outreach (St. Vincent de Paul conference since 1986, the on-campus Food Pantry, Hot Meal Program serving the homeless in Painesville, Martha Meal Ministry, Elizabeth Ministry), and parish life (Fish Fry, Coffee & Donuts, Boy Scout Troop 64, Girl Scouts, Summer Festival, Shrine Gardeners, SGSG social clubs). The motto — 'Being Christ. Every Day. Everywhere.' — is reflected in four foundational pillars: Stewardship, Faith Formation, Evangelization, and Collaboration.
Mass times at St. Gabriel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45–4:30 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office at 440-352-8282 to schedule)
Welcome & Mission
St. Gabriel's stated mission is: 'We are the Body of Christ, nourished by the Eucharist, joyfully committed to living the Gospel message, and working together to share our gifts. We are called to humbly serve our Lord, one another and our community within the framework of our foundational pillars of Stewardship, Faith Formation, Evangelization and Collaboration.' The parish shorthand is 'Being Christ. Every Day. Everywhere.' The parish welcomes new visitors and prospective members with practical information about Mass times, parking flow, restrooms, and Children's Liturgy of the Word (offered at all Masses).
- Motto: Being Christ. Every Day. Everywhere.
- Four foundational pillars: Stewardship, Faith Formation, Evangelization, Collaboration
- Children's Liturgy of the Word offered at every Mass
History of St. Gabriel Parish
St. Gabriel Parish was established on July 3, 1966, when the Rev. Bernard Brady celebrated the first Mass in a chapel with a small altar and folding chairs. Two hundred families were registered at its founding. The parish serves Concord Township and parts of Mentor and Painesville Township in Lake County. By its 50th anniversary in 2016 the parish had grown to nearly 4,100 families and worshiped in the present church at 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road. The 50th Jubilee was celebrated with a year of events — a picnic, Founders Brunch, Festival of Choirs, a Lake County Captains outing, and a culminating Mass and dinner dance.
- Founded July 3, 1966 by Rev. Bernard Brady
- 200 founding families; ~4,100 families by 50th anniversary
- 50th Jubilee celebrated 2015–2016
Pastoral Leadership & Staff
Fr. Joshua Trefney currently serves as Parish Administrator, having succeeded Fr. Frederick F. Pausche, who retired on June 30, 2025 after 35 years at St. Gabriel. Fr. Alexander V. Clark is Parochial Vicar. The deacon team includes Deacon Robert H. Grgic (Pastoral Associate), Deacon John V. Nelson, and retired Deacon Daniel P. Clavin. The parish's pastoral and administrative staff is large and includes a Business Manager, Music Ministry Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator, Campus Minister, Parish Catechetical Leader, School Principal, and Learning Loft Preschool Director.
- Rev. Joshua Trefney — Parish Administrator
- Rev. Alexander V. Clark — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Robert H. Grgic — Pastoral Associate
- Deacon John V. Nelson
- Deacon Daniel P. Clavin — Retired
- Mr. Robert Kumazec — School Principal
- Mr. Kevin Donahue — Music Ministry Coordinator
- Ms. Linda Hlebak — Business Manager / Buildings & Grounds Manager
- Mrs. Allison Capella — Volunteer Coordinator
- Mrs. Samantha Coffman — Campus Minister
- Mrs. Ann Silvester — Learning Loft Preschool Director
Advisory Councils
The parish is served by two councils. The Pastoral Council (chaired by Nick Detore with co-chairs Bill Albers and Nicole Brey, plus 12 discerned members and the pastor) promotes pastoral growth and listens to community needs. The Finance Council (Anthony Aveni, James Cooney, Robert Fink, Geoff Fortuna, John Gaydos, Brian Hart) advises the pastor on financial planning and administration of parish resources.
- Pastoral Council — 12 members + pastor, two-year renewable terms
- Finance Council — appointed based on skills in finance, administration, and law
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is designed for children attending public schools and is run largely by trained adult volunteers serving as catechists, aides, traffic assistants, substitutes, hall monitors, and office assistants. Programs include PSR for Grades 1–5, Crossings for Grades 6–8, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori-based, scripture- and liturgy-rooted) for ages 3–13, and Friends of Jesus for children with special needs. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechists complete 90+ hours of specialized training.
- PSR Grades 1–5
- Crossings PSR Grades 6–8
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–13)
- Friends of Jesus — adaptive/special needs faith formation
Becoming Catholic — OCIA / OCIC
St. Gabriel offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and the Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) for inquirers seeking to become Catholic. Participants grow in faith together, are welcomed into a community through the rites, and experience prayer, liturgy, and stewardship along the journey.
Youth Ministry
St. Gabriel has a layered youth ministry program: BOK Jr. for Grades 6–8, BOK (high school youth ministry) for Grades 9–12, Vacation Bible School, St. Gabriel Summer Camps, and a Catholic Youth Summer Camp. The Campus Minister, Samantha Coffman, coordinates the high school program. The parish notes the ministry is open to all teens in the parish, including those who attend different schools, and emphasizes social, spiritual, and service opportunities.
- BOK Jr. (Grades 6–8)
- BOK (High School Youth Ministry, Grades 9–12)
- Vacation Bible School
- St. Gabriel Summer Camps
- Catholic Youth Summer Camp
St. Gabriel Catholic School & Learning Loft Preschool
St. Gabriel Catholic School serves PreK through Grade 8 on the parish campus, with current Principal Robert Kumazec. The school describes itself as providing a Christ-centered environment, rigorous academics enriched by exceptional opportunities, and integrated technology. Adjacent on campus, the Learning Loft Preschool, directed by Ann Silvester, offers early-childhood education.
- St. Gabriel Catholic School (PreK–8) — Principal Robert Kumazec
- Learning Loft Preschool — Director Ann Silvester
- School Office: (440) 352-6169
- Learning Loft: (440) 354-7574
Service & Outreach Ministries
Outreach is a major part of parish life. The St. Vincent de Paul Society conference (organized at St. Gabriel in 1986) handles 3 to 12 calls per day and fielded 295 cases helping 665 people in fiscal year 2024. The parish Food Pantry, located on the parish campus at 9921 Johnnycake Ridge Road and partnered with United Way of Lake County, serves zip codes 44060, 44077, and 44045. The Hot Meal Program cooks and serves meals for the homeless in downtown Painesville each Tuesday. The parish also runs a Martha Meal Ministry, an Elizabeth Ministry, a Healing Prayer Ministry, and an annual Community Day of Service.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference (since 1986)
- St. Gabriel Food Pantry (9921 Johnnycake Ridge Rd; serves 44060, 44077, 44045)
- Hot Meal Program — downtown Painesville, Tuesdays
- Martha Meal Ministry
- Elizabeth Ministry
- Healing Prayer Ministry
- Community Day of Service
Parish & Community Life
Beyond faith formation and outreach, St. Gabriel offers many ways to build community: a St. Gabriel Social Group (SGSG) with book club, baking, model airplane club, and day trips; Boy Scout Troop 64; Girl Scouts (20+ leaders, 145+ girls); Coffee & Donuts after Sunday Masses; a Lenten Fish Fry; the four-day Summer Festival held just after school ends in June; the annual Community Day of Service; Shrine Gardeners and Parish Gardeners; and a Play Group for children and parents/caretakers.
- St. Gabriel Social Group (SGSG)
- Boy Scout Troop 64
- Girl Scouts
- Coffee & Donuts
- Lenten Fish Fry
- Summer Festival (4 days in June)
- Shrine Gardeners / Parish Gardeners
- Play Group
Faithful Legacy & Giving
St. Gabriel offers online giving and supports legacy / planned giving through the Faithful Legacy program in partnership with the Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Cleveland. The parish's Tax ID is 34-1003014. Other giving vehicles include the Angel Scholarship Fund and Food Pantry support.
- Online giving available
- Faithful Legacy — planned giving / estate planning
- Angel Scholarship Fund
- Food Pantry giving
Sacraments
The parish website lists information for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage (Pre-Cana registration), Holy Orders & Religious Life, Annulments, and Anointing of the Sick. The Sacramental Secretary is Karen Brenizer.
- Baptism
- First Communion / Confirmation
- Marriage — Pre-Cana
- Holy Orders & Religious Life
- Annulments
- Anointing of the Sick
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernard Brady1966 (founding)
Celebrated the first Mass on July 3, 1966 in a chapel with a small altar and folding chairs; founding pastor.
- Rev. Frederick F. Pauschec. 1990 – June 30, 2025
Served St. Gabriel for 35 years; oversaw major growth and building projects including the community life center that the parish named after him.
- Rev. Joshua Trefney2025–present
Succeeded Fr. Pausche as Parish Administrator; previously served as parochial vicar.