About St. Margaret of York · Loveland, Ohio
St. Margaret of York is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, located at 9499 Columbia Road in Loveland, Ohio (Hamilton County/Warren County border area). Founded in December 1983 to serve the booming I-71/I-275 corridor northeast of Cincinnati, it began with a handful of families and now includes roughly 1,800 households and St. Margaret of York School, a National Blue Ribbon Catholic elementary school of about 800 students. The parish is partnered with neighboring St. Columban, also in Loveland, as a Beacons of Light Family of Parishes. Its enduring motto, set by the early pastoral council, is "Reaching out to those in need."
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- St. Margaret Clitherow (16th-century English Catholic martyr who was pressed to death for harboring priests)
- Rector
- Fr. Ed Smith
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (St. Andrew Deanery; SE-4 / "SE-4 Family of Parishes" paired with St. Columban, Loveland, under the Beacons of Light pastoral planning initiative)
Why belong here
St. Margaret of York is a large, vibrant Catholic community in the northeastern Cincinnati suburbs that pairs a strong liturgical and sacramental life with extensive formation opportunities—Family Faith (a monthly whole-family catechesis serving more than 100 families), an OCIA/RCIA process for adults, Bible studies (the WOW program), a high school youth group, the Challenge girls' apostolate, Moms Ministry, Knights of Columbus, the Backpack Ministry, a quilting group, and a Welcome Ministry for newcomers. The parish campus includes St. Margaret of York School, a National Blue Ribbon Catholic elementary school of roughly 800 students, so families can walk their children to Mass and school in the same community. Combined with a live-streamed Sunday Mass and the Beacons of Light partnership with St. Columban, it offers both the warmth of a parish family and the depth of a sizeable Catholic campus.
Mass times at St. Margaret of York
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:30 PM – 6:45 PM (after the 6:00 PM Mass)
- Saturday 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM (after the 8:15 AM Mass)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (before the 4:30 PM Vigil Mass)
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Margaret of York describes itself as a faith-filled community that welcomes everyone—"wherever you may be on your spiritual journey." The parish sits at 9499 Columbia Road in Loveland, Ohio, in the northeast Cincinnati suburbs, and shares its campus with St. Margaret of York School. The parish's long-standing motto, set by its early pastoral council in 1984, remains "Reaching out to those in need."
- Tagline: "Opening wide the door to faith and community."
- Motto: "Reaching out to those in need" (adopted by parish council in 1984)
- Combined with St. Columban as the SE-4 Family of Parishes under Beacons of Light
Our History
The parish was announced in December 1983 by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk and officially named for St. Margaret Clitherow. After the death of its founding pastor, Fr. James Roettele, just three months after the first Mass, Fr. Robert Obermeyer led the community through its building years, breaking ground in October 1987 and dedicating the church on September 11, 1988. The school followed in 1989 (kindergarten had begun in the rectory basement in 1985), and the education center was built out in phases through 1996. The 25th anniversary was celebrated March 24, 2009 with Archbishop Pilarczyk concelebrating.
- December 1983 — Archbishop Pilarczyk announces the new parish
- February 1984 — Fr. James Roettele named founding pastor
- May 6, 1984 — First Mass (at Kings Middle School, an hour late, entered through a window)
- July 31, 1984 — Fr. Roettele dies unexpectedly at 59
- August 1984 — Fr. Robert Obermeyer ("Fr. O.") arrives
- January 1985 — Kindergarten opens in the rectory basement
- October 11, 1987 — Groundbreaking
- September 11, 1988 — Church dedicated
- September 1989 — St. Margaret of York School opens
- October 1992 — First phase of education center dedicated; additional phases 1994 and 1996
- 2010 — Stations of the Cross acquired from closed St. Mark parish
- May 2021 — Reredos installed in the church
- December 5, 2021 — Paired with St. Columban as a Family of Parishes
- February 15, 2022 — Fr. Chris Worland appointed first family pastor
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Ed Smith, who was ordained in 1982 and previously taught high school, served on the Pontifical North American College faculty in Rome, and was a Mount St. Mary's Seminary faculty member and rector before becoming a pastor. Fr. Stephen Hughes serves as Parochial Vicar until his reassignment to the U.S. Air Force, with Fr. Nicholas Emmerling ordained and assigned as the next Parochial Vicar for the SE-4 Family effective July 1, 2026.
- Fr. Ed Smith — Pastor
- Fr. Stephen Hughes — Parochial Vicar (departing for U.S. Air Force ministry, summer 2026)
- Fr. Nicholas Emmerling — incoming Parochial Vicar (ordained May 16, 2026; assigned July 1, 2026)
- Birgitt Hacker — Pastoral Associate of Adult Faith Formation & Ministries
- Tony Arnold — Pastoral Associate of Liturgical Music
- Jacilyn Jackson — Coordinator of Religious Education & Safe Environment Coordinator
- Alisa Fisher — Communications Coordinator
- Kathy McGaughy — Business Manager
- Josette Hudek — Bookkeeper
- Margie Schmitz — Administrative Assistant
- Leanne Matthews — (ministry leader)
Live-Streamed Mass
Catholics unable to attend Sunday Mass in person can watch a live stream from the parish's YouTube channel at 8:30 AM each Sunday. Those attending in person who cannot walk forward for Communion may ask an Usher to have Communion brought to their seat.
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
St. Margaret of York offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) as a year-round pathway beginning each September and continuing through Easter. Sessions are relaxed, welcoming and open to questions, and the parish welcomes unbaptized adults, baptized Protestant Christians, and older children (typically age 7 and up) who are considering full communion with the Catholic Church. Contact: Birgitt Hacker, 513-697-3114 or [email protected].
- Weekly gatherings September through Easter
- Unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and children age 7+
- Coordinator: Birgitt Hacker
Faith Formation for Families & Children
Religious education at St. Margaret of York is structured around Family Faith, a monthly whole-family catechetical model now in its third year that brings more than 100 families together each month. Rather than weekly drop-off classes, parents and children learn side by side at monthly parish gatherings, then continue the conversation at home using practical "domestic church" activities. The parish also prepares children for First Communion, Confirmation, and Baptism through its sacramental prep programs.
- Family Faith — monthly model for parish catechesis
- Sacramental preparation (First Communion, Confirmation)
- Coordinator: Jacilyn Jackson ([email protected], 513-697-3109)
Adult Faith Formation & Bible Study
SMOY runs adult formation through WOW Bible Studies, parish missions, and speaking events coordinated by Birgitt Hacker, who holds an MBA and undergraduate degrees from the University of Cincinnati and a Graduate Certificate in Catholic Theology from Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
- WOW Adult Bible Study
- Parish missions and speaker events
- Pastoral Associate: Birgitt Hacker ([email protected], 513-697-3114)
Youth, Challenge & Moms Ministry
The parish runs a high school youth group (grades 9–12) now combined with neighboring St. Columban as a Family of Parishes ministry, led by the parochial vicar. Challenge is a network of Catholic clubs and camps for girls in grades 5–12 that pairs apostolic work with faith formation. The parish also supports a Moms Ministry for mothers in the community.
- High School Youth Group (combined with St. Columban)
- Challenge (girls grades 5–12)
- Moms Ministry
Liturgical Music
Liturgical music is coordinated by Tony Arnold, the parish's Pastoral Associate of Liturgical Music ([email protected], 513-697-3107).
Community Outreach & Parish Life
Outreach and fellowship are central to the parish's "Reaching out to those in need" identity. The Welcome Ministry hosts periodic Welcome Gatherings for newcomers; a Welcome CRHP 2.0 (Christ Renews His Parish) retreat is offered; and the parish runs the Backpack Ministry and a Quilting Group in partnership with St. Columban. Knights of Columbus councils at both parishes have joined into a 4th Degree Assembly.
- Welcome Ministry & Welcome Gatherings
- CRHP 2.0 retreat
- Backpack Ministry
- Quilting Group (shared with St. Columban)
- Knights of Columbus (4th Degree Assembly shared with St. Columban)
Sacraments
Baptism Preparation is coordinated by Frank & Lisa Hoffman; Marriage Preparation and ongoing OCIA are also available through the parish. Children and adults preparing for First Communion and Confirmation do so through the Family Faith / Religious Education office. Families should contact the parish office for Anointing of the Sick, funerals, and other sacramental needs.
- Baptism Preparation (Frank & Lisa Hoffman)
- Marriage Preparation
- First Communion & Confirmation
- OCIA for adults and older children
- Anointing of the Sick and funerals (via parish office)
St. Margaret of York School
The parish school, St. Margaret of York School, is a National Blue Ribbon Catholic elementary school serving roughly 800 students. It shares the parish phone line (press 2 for School) and is led by Principal Kristin Penley, Assistant Principal Natalie Cohen, and Admissions Director Amy Eisele, with Stephanie Gerace as Director of Communications.
- National Blue Ribbon Catholic elementary school
- Approx. 800 students
- Principal: Kristin Penley ([email protected], 513-697-3123)
- Assistant Principal: Natalie Cohen
- Admissions: Amy Eisele
- Office Manager: Stacy Brandel
SMOYFest & Parish Fellowship
Held annually on the last weekend of July, SMOYFest is a signature parish fundraiser and community gathering featuring the popular Frog Drop, themed entertainment, music (e.g., Parrots of the Caribbean for Jimmy Buffett nights), basket raffles, sponsors, and food and drinks. Information and volunteer opportunities are coordinated through Kathy McGaughy.
- Last weekend of July each year
- Signature Frog Drop
- Themed entertainment, raffles, basket sales
- Volunteer coordinator: Kathy McGaughy ([email protected])
Family of Parishes (Beacons of Light)
Since December 5, 2021, St. Margaret of York has been paired with St. Columban in Loveland as the SE-4 Family of Parishes under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light pastoral planning initiative. The two parishes share more than 4,000 households and have inventoried 75 combined ministries (55 of which exist at both parishes). They collaborate on the high school youth group, the Knights of Columbus Assembly, the Backpack Ministry, and the Quilting Group, while keeping their own Parish Councils, Finance Councils, and schools distinct.
- Announced December 5, 2021
- First family pastor: Fr. Chris Worland (appointed February 15, 2022)
- Current family pastor: Fr. Ed Smith
- Pathways Team representatives: Fr. Ed Smith, Fr. Stephen Hughes, Joe Bobbey, Janet Driscoll, Jeff Eha, Jacilyn Jackson, Kathy McGaughy, Mary Beth Meyer, Mark Meyrose, Cathy Nagy
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office at 513-697-3100 (press 1 for Parish, 2 for School) or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Tuesday 9:30 AM–4:30 PM; and Friday 8:30 AM–3:30 PM; closed on weekends. Sunday Mass is live-streamed at 8:30 AM for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 9499 Columbia Road, Loveland, OH 45140
- Phone: 513-697-3100
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours Mon/Wed/Thu 8:30–4:30; Tue 9:30–4:30; Fri 8:30–3:30
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James (John) Roettele1984
Founding pastor, announced February 1984 in The Catholic Telegraph; celebrated the first Mass on May 6, 1984 at Kings Middle School; died unexpectedly July 31, 1984 at age 59.
- Fr. Robert Obermeyer ("Fr. O.")August 1984–c. early 1990s
Arrived after Fr. Roettele's death; led the parish through its building years, including the 1987 groundbreaking and 1988 church dedication; oversaw the parish motto "Reaching out to those in need" and the launch of kindergarten in 1985.
- Fr. James Brooks2016
Named pastor in 2016.
- Fr. Jason BedelJune 28, 2017–
Named pastor June 28, 2017.
- Fr. Chris WorlandFebruary 15, 2022–
Appointed Pastor of the newly formed St. Margaret of York / St. Columban Family of Parishes on February 15, 2022, under the Beacons of Light pastoral plan.
- Fr. Ed Smith2022–present
Currently pastor of the family of parishes; previously on the faculty of Mount St. Mary's Seminary and rector there; also taught high school 1983–1995 and served on the faculty of the Pontifical North American College in Rome 1995–2000.