About St. James · Lititz, Pennsylvania
St. James Catholic Church is a parish in Lititz, Pennsylvania, within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish traces its origins to a 1917 mission from St. Clement Mission House in Ephrata, was formally established as a parish on January 5, 1977, and moved into its current church on Woodcrest Avenue in 1978. Today St. James is led by Fr. Stephen D. Weitzel and serves the Borough of Lititz and surrounding Warwick, Clay and Elizabeth townships with weekend and daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, OCIA, faith formation for preschool through grade 8, youth ministry, a social justice network, and long-running community initiatives like the Monday-night St. James Bingo.
- Established
- 1977 (established as a parish; Catholic presence in Lititz dates to 1917; first church at Front and Water Streets purchased 1919)
- Patron
- St. James the Greater
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen D. Weitzel (assigned June 17, 2024, arriving from St. Richard Parish, Manheim)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. James is a welcoming, Eucharistic-focused parish family with a strong tradition of lay involvement — from the volunteer-run Monday Night Bingo that has funded the parish since 1978 to active social-justice, faith-formation, and youth programs. Parishioners can attend Mass in person or via livestream on YouTube and Facebook, spend Thursdays in Eucharistic Adoration until noon, walk the OCIA journey to become Catholic, enroll children preschool through grade 8 in faith formation, send high-schoolers to Sunday youth ministry in Room 105, and connect through groups like the Knights of Columbus, the Women's Club, the Men's Club, the Health Ministry, the Young Adult Ministry, and the Social Justice Network.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 PM–3:45 PM
- First Tuesday of each month 6:30 PM–7:30 PM
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:30 AM–12:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, following the 9:00 AM Mass; live-streamed until noon)
Parish Overview & Identity
St. James Catholic Church serves the Borough of Lititz and the townships of Warwick, Clay and Elizabeth in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish identifies itself as 'a welcoming Eucharistic family of Faith with Ministries dedicated to the wellbeing of our Parish family and community. We are all disciples of Christ who love and serve the Lord.' Pastoral leadership is provided by Pastor Rev. Stephen D. Weitzel, supported by Director of Religious Education Melonni Shields, Youth Ministry Leader Chelsea Ferber, and a full lay staff.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
- Pastor: Rev. Stephen D. Weitzel (since June 17, 2024)
- Address: 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz, PA 17543
- Phone: 717-626-5580
Our History
The parish traces its roots to 1915 when Redemptorist Father William White began ministry to the Catholics of Lititz from St. Clement Mission House in Ephrata. After renting a room on East Main Street in 1917, the congregation purchased the former St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church at Front and Water Streets in 1919 for $2,850 and celebrated its first Mass there on April 4, 1920. St. James was formally erected as a parish by Bishop Joseph Daley on January 5, 1977 (the feast of St. John Neumann), with Father Frances P. Nelson, C.Ss.R., as its first pastor. The parish moved into its present church on Woodcrest Avenue on July 2, 1978, and the building was dedicated on October 14, 1978.
- 1915 — Father William White arrives from Saratoga Springs, NY to St. Clement's, Ephrata
- June 17, 1917 — First Mass in Lititz, on the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
- November 18, 1919 — Lutheran church at Front & Water purchased for $2,850
- April 4, 1920 — First Mass in the church of St. James the Greater
- January 5, 1977 — St. James established as a parish by Bishop Joseph Daley
- July 2, 1978 — First Mass at the new Woodcrest Avenue church
- October 14, 1978 — New church dedicated by Bishop Joseph T. Daley
- July 15, 1981 — Rev. Matthias Zeiler, C.Ss.R., becomes second pastor
- September 12, 1978 — St. James Bingo begins (still running Mondays)
Live Streaming & Online Worship
The parish livestreams Saturday Vigil and Sunday 8:30 AM Masses, daily Mass on Wednesday and Thursday, and Thursday Adoration on YouTube and Facebook, with archived Masses available on the St. James YouTube channel and on the St. James Live Stream Facebook profile.
- Daily Mass at 9:00 AM (Wed & Thu)
- Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help — every Wednesday at 9:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM
- Adoration Thursdays following 9:00 AM Mass until 12:00 PM
Devotions & Other Services
Beyond Mass and Confession, the parish sustains a worship rhythm of weekly devotion: a Monday morning Morning Prayer and Rosary for Vocations, a weekly Wednesday Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, and a monthly Knights of Columbus Rosary on the third weekend.
- Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help — Wednesdays 9:00 AM
- Morning Prayer & Rosary for Vocations — Mondays 9:00 AM
- Knights of Columbus Monthly Rosary — third weekend (3:30 / 8:00 / 10:00 AM)
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is St. James' process for adults, and children age 8 and older, who want to become Catholic. The journey begins in September each year, includes prayer and reflection, study of the Catholic faith, and special rites throughout the year, culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil (or another appropriate Mass). OCIA is free and is run through the Religious Education Office, with Trina Siegrist as the parish contact.
- Begins each September
- Supports both adults and children age 8+
- Reception of Sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass
- Coordinated through the Religious Education Office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. James runs a Religious Education / Faith Formation program for preschool (ages 3 and 4) through Grade 8, plus a Confirmation preparation track for Grade 8 students. Registration for the 2024–2025 class year is open. The program is led by Director of Religious Education Stephanie Haines (the parish also lists Melonni Shields in this role on the diocese directory) and supported by the Faith Formation Coordinator Trina Siegrist.
- Preschool (ages 3 & 4) and Grades K–8
- Grade 8 Confirmation preparation class
- Confirmation exam, sponsor form, service-hour log
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic track
Youth Ministry
The High School Youth Ministry meets on Sundays after the 10:30 AM Mass in Room 105, with snacks, games, Bible study, a meal and discussion. The Young Adult Ministry also has its own summer programming. Youth Ministry Leader Chelsea Ferber organizes these gatherings.
- High School Youth Ministry — Sundays after 10:30 AM Mass, Room 105
- Young Adult Ministry
- Outreach to youth activities/games/performances
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. James is sustained by a wide range of lay-run groups. The Social Justice Network organizes outreach and charity work; the Health Ministry coordinates wellness initiatives; the Men's Club (formerly the Holy Name Society), the Women of St. James (formerly the Altar Society) and the Legion of Mary represent decades of parish life; the Knights of Columbus leads a monthly Rosary. Music ministry is coordinated by Fran Bingham. The parish also runs the volunteer-staffed St. James Bingo every Monday night, a fundraiser that has run continuously since September 12, 1978.
- Social Justice Network
- Health Ministry
- Men's Club / Women of St. James / Legion of Mary
- Knights of Columbus (Council monthly Rosary)
- Music Ministry (Parish Music Coordinator)
- St. James Bingo — Mondays, since 1978
- Outreach / Ministry Support
Sacraments
Parish life at St. James is organized around the seven sacraments. Beyond the regular Mass and Confession schedule, the parish prepares children and adults for Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation (the latter through Grade 8 Confirmation preparation), welcomes couples preparing for Marriage, brings Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound through the Outreach Ministry, and supports adults and older children seeking to become Catholic through OCIA.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist / First Communion
- Confirmation (Grade 8 program)
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
- OCIA — Becoming Catholic
- Penance / Confession — see schedule
Parish Staff & Pastoral Council
St. James is led by Pastor Fr. Stephen D. Weitzel and supported by a Parish Manager (Stephanie Haines), a Parish Bookkeeper (Melanie Blodgett), Parish Secretary (Kelly Lawrence), Youth Protection / Administration (Rosemarie Minieri), Head Sacristan (Carroll Feldman), Director of Religious Education (Melonni Shields), Faith Formation Coordinator (Trina Siegrist), Outreach / Ministry Support Leader (Paige Quinn), Parish Communications (Kathy Cardos), Parish Music Coordinator (Fran Bingham), and Youth Ministry Leader (Chelsea Ferber). The Pastoral Council includes Chair Jill Scheneman, Finance lead Scott McNelis, and elected members including Tim Lawrence, Kathy Mansbery, Jeff Rinehimer, Terry Warco, and Dan Zimmerman.
- Pastor — Rev. Stephen D. Weitzel
- Parish Manager — Stephanie Haines
- Director of Religious Education — Melonni Shields
- Faith Formation Coordinator — Trina Siegrist
- Outreach / Ministry Support Leader — Paige Quinn
- Parish Secretary — Kelly Lawrence
- Bookkeeper — Melanie Blodgett
- Parish Music Coordinator — Fran Bingham
- Youth Ministry Leader — Chelsea Ferber
- Head Sacristan — Carroll Feldman
- Youth Protection / Administration — Rosemarie Minieri
- Parish Communications — Kathy Cardos
Online Resources & Giving
In addition to its livestreamed Masses and Adoration, St. James maintains a YouTube channel and Facebook page for parish news and live streams, links to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg website, the Catholic Witness Online newspaper, online giving through the parish's online giving platform, and 'FORMED'-style faith resources ('Catholic studies, movies, audio dramas, talks, e-books, and more').
- Parish website: stjameslititz.org
- Diocese of Harrisburg website
- Online Parish Giving
- St. James YouTube channel
- St. James Facebook page
- Catholic Witness Online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William White, C.Ss.R.1915–c.1923
Founded the Lititz mission from St. Clement Mission House in Ephrata; offered the first Mass on June 17, 1917; acquired the former Lutheran church at Front and Water Streets in 1919.
- Father Michael Gannon1923
Early Redemptorist successor.
- Father Michael Kleeman1924–1926
Early Redemptorist pastor.
- Father Alphonse Hild1927
Early Redemptorist pastor.
- Father Peter Ebner1927–1928
Early Redemptorist pastor.
- Father William Murray1929
Early Redemptorist pastor.
- Father Clement Pirnak1956–1957
Served during the school-building era.
- Father Joseph Fein1957–1958
Served during the school-building era.
- Father Joseph J. Driscoll, C.Ss.R.May 1959–1968
Former U.S. Naval Academy Catholic Chaplain; began Vatican II implementation with lay lectors and first Board of Laymen in 1967.
- Father Francis Sands, C.Ss.R.June 1968–April 1974
Established Saturday evening Mass; launched the first formal drive for a new church and purchased the Becker site; celebrated Silver Jubilee of priesthood in 1972.
- Father Frances P. Nelson, C.Ss.R.May 1974–1981
First pastor when St. James was erected as a parish on January 5, 1977; oversaw construction and move into the present Woodcrest Avenue church in 1978; organized the Men's Club, Women of St. James, Legion of Mary, and the St. James Bingo.
- Rev. Matthias Zeiler, C.Ss.R.1981–
Second pastor; installed by Monsignor Damien McGovern on July 19, 1981.
- Rev. Stephen D. WeitzelJune 17, 2024–present
Current pastor; arrived from St. Richard Parish, Manheim.