About St. Jude · Elyria, Ohio
St. Jude Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Elyria, Ohio, in the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded on October 14, 1943, the parish grew out of the post-WWII expansion of Catholic life in Lorain County and is now guided by the Congregation of St. Joseph (CSJ). It serves a multi-generational faithful through weekend and daily Mass in English, the sacraments, a K-8 parish school, religious education (PSR), a CYO athletic program, the Helping Hands Food Pantry, and other parish ministries.
- Established
- 1943
- Patron
- St. Jude (Thaddaeus)
- Rector
- Rev. Jose Fifin, CSJ
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Jude offers a faithful Catholic home rooted in the Eucharist and the Tradition of the Church, with a parish school, PSR religious education, a vibrant CYO athletic program, and ministries that reach outward — including the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Parishioners find a welcoming community across generations that proclaims the faith through the sacraments, forms young disciples, and serves those in need throughout Elyria and Lorain County.
Mass times at St. Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (in the Chapel)
- Wednesday Adoration: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM (in the Chapel, listed by Catholic Church Directory)
About St. Jude Parish
St. Jude Church is a Catholic institution in the Diocese of Cleveland that participates in the wider mission of the Roman Catholic Church. The parish was founded on October 14, 1943, and continues to serve the faithful of Elyria and Lorain County from its campus at 590 Poplar Street. Its mission is to proclaim faith in Jesus Christ and His teaching as authentically preserved by the Tradition of the Catholic Church, to celebrate joyfully the Sacraments, and to build a compassionate faith community where all are welcomed.
- Mission Statement (endorsed by the Pastoral Council, August 2020)
- Diocese of Cleveland parish, Lorain County
- Multi-generational faith community with parish school, PSR, CYO, and outreach
Parish History
Founded October 14, 1943, the parish grew quickly in the post-war years. Its original worship space — now the parish library — is still on the campus. A new church building was constructed and the first Mass in it was celebrated in 1991. Long-serving pastor Father Frank P. Kosem shepherded the parish for 35 years before retiring in 2019, and the parish was entrusted to the Congregation of St. Joseph with the installation of Father Joseph Scalco, CSJ in 2022.
- Original 1943 location still stands on Poplar Street
- New church dedicated, first Mass 1991
- Father Kosem's 35-year tenure ended in 2019
- Father Joseph Scalco, CSJ installed as fifth pastor on Jan. 23, 2022
- Father Jose Fifin, CSJ installed as sixth pastor on Aug. 17, 2025 by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost
Mission Statement
Endorsed by the Pastoral Council on the 8th day of August 2020, St. Jude's mission is to proclaim faith in Jesus Christ, celebrate the Sacraments, build a compassionate community, welcome newcomers, educate children of primary and intermediate levels in academics and catechesis, and reach out to those in need through service.
- Proclaim faith in Jesus Christ preserved by Catholic Tradition
- Celebrate the Sacraments as channels of grace
- Build a compassionate, inclusive faith community
- Welcome those searching for meaning
- Educate children in fine academics and solid catechesis
- Reach out to those in need through service
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by its sixth pastor, Father Jose Fifin, CSJ, who was installed by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost on August 17, 2025. Father Frank P. Kosem serves as retired-in-residence, while Father Joseph Scalco, CSJ previously served as fifth pastor (2022–2025). Deacons William (Bill) Elwer and Pat Humphrey assist in ministry.
- Pastor — Rev. Jose Fifin, CSJ (installed Aug. 17, 2025)
- Pastor Emeritus / Retired in Residence — Rev. Frank P. Kosem
- Deacon — William Elwer
- Deacon — Pat Humphrey
- Parish Council, Finance Council, and lay staff supporting liturgy and operations
St. Jude School (Preschool – Grade 8)
Rooted in Catholic faith, St. Jude School at 594 Poplar Street goes above and beyond in guiding the spiritual growth and educational foundations of individual learners while preparing students for lifelong service to God and others. St. Jude School is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 12-time recipient of the Governor's Thomas Edison Award for excellence in STEM education. The school is a model of inclusion for Jon Peterson Scholarship and Autism Scholarship students, serving Elyria and surrounding communities for more than 50 years.
- Preschool through Grade 8, faith-based education
- National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- 12-time Governor's Thomas Edison Award (STEM)
- Inclusion model for Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarship students
- Jaguar athletics through St. Jude CYO
Faith Formation — PSR & Confirmation
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) forms children in the Catholic faith, with registration each summer and fees due in early August. Confirmation preparation is also offered at the high-school level, with registration opening in the same window. Registrations may be submitted through the offertory basket or at the rectory.
- PSR registration opens each summer; fee due August 2
- Confirmation registration for high-school youth; fee due August 2
- Catechesis rooted in Catholic Tradition
St. Jude CYO Athletics
St. Jude CYO covers the athletic life of both the parish and parish school, offering a variety of sports that implant the ideals of good sportsmanship while helping athletes, coaches, and parents connect better with God through athletics. Sports are offered by season for grades 1–8, contingent on sufficient registration; if registrations are low at a grade level, athletes are helped to play with area schools instead.
- Fall: Volleyball (1–8), Football flag (1–4), rookie tackle (5–6), tackle (7–8), Cross Country (3–8), Cheerleading (1–8)
- Winter: Basketball (3–8), Cheerleading (1–8)
- Spring: Track & Field (3–8), Softball (3–8), Lacrosse (3–8)
- Contact: [email protected] / Eric Kasper
- Athletes need a physical within last 13 months and the CYO preparticipation form; coaches must complete CDP, Virtus, and recognized coaching standards
Outreach & Charity
The Helping Hands Food Pantry is a major parish outreach, supported by donations from parishioners and friends. The parish also points worshippers to its online donation page for ongoing gifts that sustain the food pantry and parish operations, and it has participated in diocesan giving campaigns such as #weGIVECATHOLIC to fund capital projects like a canopy over the main church entrance.
- Helping Hands Food Pantry — daily distribution supported by online giving
- #weGIVECATHOLIC Canopy Campaign (Dec. 3 Giving Tuesday)
- Online giving via parish website
- In-pearl / offertory basket giving
Get Involved — Ministries & Service
Parishioners serve the community as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, choir members, members of the Pastoral and Finance Councils, and volunteers in the school, PSR, and CYO programs. Schedules for lectors and EMHCs are published in advance so ministers can prepare.
- Pastoral Council and Finance Council
- Choir / Music Director (Jeanne Frey)
- Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- PSR Catechists and Confirmation catechists
- School parent organizations and CYO coaches/parents
Visit St. Jude
Visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Jude Church, 590 Poplar Street, Elyria, OH 44035. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Saturday, with two Sunday Masses at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. Confessions are heard Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM or by appointment, and Eucharistic Adoration takes place on Wednesdays in the Chapel.
- Address: 590 Poplar St, Elyria, OH 44035
- Phone: (440) 366-5711
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.saintjudeparish.org
- From Route 57: Gulf Road south, east on Poplar six blocks
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Carrabine1943 – founding pastor
First pastor of the parish, which was established on Oct. 14, 1943.
- Rev. Frank P. Kosem– 2019 (retirement); installed 5th pastor's Mass recalled his 35 years; served as 4th pastor prior
Served the parish for 35 years; oversaw construction of the church and school buildings and growth of organizations. Retired in 2019 and returned as a concelebrant for the 2025 installation of the sixth pastor.
- Rev. Joseph Scalco, CSJInstalled January 23, 2022
Fifth pastor. A native of Vicenza, Italy, a priest-brother of the Congregation of St. Joseph. He served as parish administrator after Father Kosem's retirement before being formally installed.
- Rev. Jose Fifin, CSJInstalled August 17, 2025
Sixth pastor; native of India. Installed by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost at a liturgy concelebrated by Father Kosem with Deacon Bill Elwer assisting.