About St. Leo's Holy Rosary · Ashley, Pennsylvania
Saint Leo the Great Parish is a Catholic community in Ashley, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Scranton, founded in 1887 to serve the growing mining and railroad town of Ashley Borough. Originally established as St. Leo's, the parish today is described on its own materials as 'a community of faith formed by the union of Holy Family, Holy Rosary and St. Leo's Parishes,' reflecting a long series of mergers in Wyoming Valley, most recently the 2007 closing of Holy Rosary Slovak Church. The parish now shares its pastor, the Reverend Vincent H. Dang, with St. Andrew Parish in nearby Wilkes-Barre (the combined bulletin is titled 'St. Leo the Great & St. Andrew'), while continuing to worship at its 1890s-era church at 33 Manhattan Street.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. Leo the Great
- Rector
- Reverend Vincent H. Dang
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Leo the Great is a historic Wyoming Valley parish where three former congregations — Holy Family, Holy Rosary (the 2007 Slovak church on the next block), and original St. Leo's — now worship together at the same Manhattan Street church, giving newcomers an unusually warm welcome. Daily Mass is celebrated four days a week and Saturday Vigil and Sunday morning Mass are offered in tandem with St. Andrew, a CCD program serves students in K–8 with First Communion and Confirmations each spring, and there are vibrant adult programs (Bible Study on Mondays, the Perpetual Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal after Monday Mass, and First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart). Add in the annual Summer Festival, the Holy Name Society's Lenten Food Sale, a Wednesday-evening choir under Music Director Bob Passetti, and parish-organized Communion visits to the homebound, and there is a real rhythm of liturgical, devotional, and parish-life activity to plug into.
Mass times at St. Leo's Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 7:45 AM (before 8:00 AM Mass)
- Tuesday 7:45 AM (before 8:00 AM Mass)
- Thursday 7:45 AM (before 8:00 AM Mass)
- Friday 7:45 AM (before 8:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- By appointment (call the Rectory)
Parish History
St. Leo's Parish was founded in 1887 by the first Bishop of Scranton, Most Reverend William O'Hara, carved out of St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception in Wilkes-Barre to serve the railroad and mining community of Ashley Borough. The first Mass was offered December 4, 1887 in the Ashley Schoolhouse hall. Under founding pastor Father Hoban, Walter O'Malley built the basement church in 1890 (cornerstone laid June 1, 1890), the rectory was finished in 1893, and the main church was constructed 1896–1897 and dedicated by a papal delegate on June 6, 1897. Today the parish identifies as 'a community of faith formed by the union of Holy Family, Holy Rosary and St. Leo's Parishes,' a witness to more than a century of Wyoming Valley mergers — including the 2007 closing of Holy Rosary Slovak Church whose parishioners processed down the street to St. Leo's on the Feast of the Holy Rosary.
- Founded 1887 by Bishop William O'Hara, Diocese of Scranton
- First Mass: December 4, 1887 in the Ashley Schoolhouse hall
- Cornerstone of basement church laid June 1, 1890 by Bishop O'Hara
- Rectory on Manhattan Street completed 1893; still in use
- Main church constructed 1896–1897; dedicated June 6, 1897 by a papal delegate
- Includes the merged communities of Holy Family Parish and Holy Rosary Parish (closed Oct. 7, 2007)
- Now shares its pastor with St. Andrew Parish, Wilkes-Barre
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
The pastor of St. Leo the Great is Reverend Vincent H. Dang, who also serves as pastor of the partnered St. Andrew Parish in Wilkes-Barre. Parish staff include Director of Music Robert ('Bob') Passetti, Director of Religious Education Michele Casey, and administrative assistants Marina Kachinko and Mary Anne Malone. Office hours at 33 Manhattan Street are Monday through Friday; new parishioners are invited to register by phone or in person.
- Reverend Vincent H. Dang — Pastor
- Robert Passetti — Director of Music/Organist (also directs the choir)
- Michele Casey — Director of Religious Education, (570) 760-9793
- Marina Kachinko — Administrative Assistant
- Mary Anne Malone — Administrative Assistant (also Bible Study contact, 570-709-4963)
- Rectory: (570) 825-6669 · [email protected] · 33 Manhattan Street, Ashley, PA 18706
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
The parish runs a K–8 CCD program under Director of Religious Education Michele Casey. Classes for St. Leo meet on Sundays from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the Education Center. Parents are reminded that all parish children in public, private, or Catholic schools who are eligible for First Penance, First Communion, or Confirmation must receive their sacraments at St. Leo the Great. First Communion and Confirmation are typically scheduled in May and late spring (e.g., First Holy Communion Saturday May 2 at 11:00 AM and Confirmation Sunday May 24 at 8:30 AM in 2026).
- Director of Religious Education: Michele Casey — (570) 760-9793
- Classes meet Sundays 9:30–10:30 AM in the Education Center
- Motto: 'Mass and Class or Class and Mass'
- Sacramental milestones: First Penance, First Holy Communion, Confirmation
- 2026 dates (sample): First Holy Communion & May Crowning May 2; Confirmation May 24
Adult Faith Formation & Bible Study
Adult faith formation is offered on Mondays from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in the church hall. The spring semester (e.g., February through May) walks through a book of the Bible (a recent topic: 'Matthew: The King and His Kingdom') under the facilitation of Fr. Joseph Kakareka. All are welcome; contact Mary Anne Malone at (570) 709-4963.
- Bible Study: Mondays 1:00–2:30 PM, church hall
- Facilitator: Fr. Joseph Kakareka
- Coordinator: Mary Anne Malone — (570) 709-4963
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Leo the Great is led by Director of Music/Organist Robert 'Bob' Passetti, who can be reached at (570) 814-1747 or through the parish website's choir page. The parish choir rehearses every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and welcomes new members.
- Director of Music/Organist: Robert ('Bob') Passetti — (570) 814-1747
- Choir practice: Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM, all are welcome
Devotions & Pastoral Care
Two long-standing devotions anchor the week: the Perpetual Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal every Monday after the 8:00 AM Mass, and devotions in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of the month after the 8:00 AM Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion from the parish bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound on the first Sunday of the month after the 8:30 AM Mass, and Father Dang visits the hospitalized and homebound on request (call the Rectory, since HIPAA prevents hospitals from sharing names).
- Perpetual Novena in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal — Mondays after 8:00 AM Mass
- Sacred Heart Devotions — First Friday of the month after 8:00 AM Mass
- Homebound Communion — First Sunday of the month after 8:30 AM Mass; contact Kathy Snyder (570) 814-4138
- Hospital/Home Visits — call the Rectory (570) 825-6669
Societies, Events & Fundraising
Lay societies and seasonal events are a visible part of parish life. The Holy Name Society runs an annual Lenten Food Sale in the St. Leo Church Hall on the Fridays of Lent, serving pierogi, Manhattan clam chowder, haluski, potato pancakes, and weekly specials. The Altar & Rosary/St. Ann Society meets periodically in the church hall and welcomes new members. The All-Societies Committee coordinates parish-wide events including the Summer Festival and 'Father Vinnie's Kitchen' take-out food events.
- Annual Summer Festival (late June)
- Lenten Food Sale — Fridays in Lent, St. Leo Church Hall
- Altar & Rosary / St. Ann Society meetings
- Holy Name Society (Manhattan clam chowder, pierogi, haluski)
- All-Societies Committee (festival & food-event planning)
- Catholic Ministries Appeal — parish goal and progress published in bulletins
Visiting, Sacraments & Newcomers
The parish welcomes new parishioners and invites them to register by calling the Rectory, stopping by during office hours, or visiting the website. Baptisms and Weddings are arranged by calling the Rectory. The church is handicap accessible at the rear side of the building. Hospital visits from Father Dang can be requested directly because, due to HIPAA, hospitals will not notify the parish of admitted parishioners.
- New parishioners: register by calling (570) 825-6669 or visiting during office hours
- Baptism & Weddings: call the Rectory to schedule
- Handicap-accessible entry at the rear side of the church
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday (per diocese: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM; per recent bulletins: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM)
- Hospital/Home visits: request by phone to the Rectory
Partnered Parish: St. Andrew, Wilkes-Barre
St. Leo the Great shares its pastor and publishes a combined bulletin with St. Andrew Parish at 316 Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 — phone (570) 823-1948, web standrewwilkesbarre.org, e-mail [email protected]. St. Andrew offers Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM and Sunday Mass at 11:00 AM; CCD meets Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM at the Rectory and Church Hall under DRE Kristi Gibson. Office hours at St. Andrew are Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9:30 AM–12:30 PM.
- St. Andrew Parish — 316 Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 — (570) 823-1948
- Mass at St. Andrew: Saturday 5:30 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM
- DRE: Kristi Gibson — (570) 417-2505
- Combined bulletin distributed weekly across both parishes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hoban1887–
Founding pastor; oversaw construction of the basement church (1890) and rectory (moved in July 16, 1893).
- Rev. Thomas J. O'Malley (deceased)1989–
Appointed pastor September 5, 1989. Educated at University of Scranton and St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore; M.S. in Religious Education and M.A. in Counseling from Marywood College; advanced studies in Educational Administration.
- Rev. Vincent H. Dangcurrent
Current pastor; also serves St. Andrew Parish, Wilkes-Barre.