About St. Mary Magdalene Parish - Mother of Good Counsel Church · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saint Mary Magdalene Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, established on January 6, 2020 through the merger of three former urban parishes: St. Bede in Point Breeze, St. Charles Lwanga in Homewood and Lincoln-Lemington, and St. James in Wilkinsburg. Worship is offered in three historic church buildings — St. Bede Church, St. James Church, and Mother of Good Counsel Church — that together represent more than 150 years of Catholic immigrant and community history in the city's eastern neighborhoods. Today the parish describes itself as a vibrant, urban, diverse faith community with a strong commitment to social ministry, community outreach, and Catholic social teaching.
- Established
- 2020
- Patron
- Saint Mary Magdalene (parish patron); individual worship sites dedicated to St. Bede, St. James, and Mother of Good Counsel
- Rector
- Rev. Lawrence D. Adams
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Saint Mary Magdalene Parish welcomes visitors and parishioners into a diverse, urban Catholic community that worships across three historic East End neighborhoods (Point Breeze, Homewood/Brushton, and Wilkinsburg) and takes seriously its call to serve. The parish runs two food banks, Mary's Child support for families with children up to age 10, rental and utilities assistance, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a global solidarity program reaching Uganda and Peru, alongside strong faith formation, three parish choirs, and Sacramental preparation. It is a community rooted in the image of Mary Magdalene as 'Apostle to the Apostles,' the first to witness and share the Resurrection.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalene Parish - Mother of Good Counsel Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:30–10:30 AM at St. Bede Church
- By appointment — contact Fr. Adams or Fr. Taylor by email or call 412-661-7222
Adoration times
- Adoration is referenced on the parish Mass Times page; current weekly schedule should be confirmed via the parish bulletin or website
Parish Identity and Name
Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, in the East End of Pittsburgh, was established on January 6, 2020 as a merger of three former parishes. The name Saint Mary Magdalene was chosen by the bishop from four proposals submitted through the pastoral council process. The parish centers its identity on Mary Magdalene as the 'Apostle to the Apostles' and the first to witness the Resurrection and share the Good News.
History of Our Parish
The territory covered by Saint Mary Magdalene had only one parish in 1870 (St. James in Wilkinsburg) and grew to eight separate, mostly ethnic parishes by 1922. Demographic shifts after the 1950s — collapse of the steel industry, white flight to the suburbs, displacement caused by urban renewal, and an influx of African American residents into Homewood and Wilkinsburg — led to a long series of mergers, culminating in the creation of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish in 2020.
St. James Church (Wilkinsburg)
St. James was founded in 1869 in Wilkinsburg as a mission church of Saints Peter and Paul. Its first congregants were mostly Irish miners, and the parish received its name because the manager of the St. James Hotel in Pittsburgh made the largest donation. The Sisters of Charity opened a parish school (grades 1–8) in 1886.
- Founded 1869 in Wilkinsburg
- Originally a mission of Sts. Peter and Paul
- Parish school opened 1886 by the Sisters of Charity
- Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM
Mother of Good Counsel Church (Brushton)
Mother of Good Counsel was founded in 1907 as an Italian parish in the Homewood/Brushton area. The first Mass of the new parish was celebrated in a rented storeroom on November 25, 1907. Land was purchased in April 1908, ground was broken in May, and the church was dedicated December 20, 1908. The congregation grew so rapidly that the church was enlarged to twice its size in April 1915. A new church was begun on January 4, 1955, with the cornerstone laid June 5, 1955, and the completed building dedicated September 25, 1955. The old church was converted to a parish hall and later torn down in 1968; the new church was renovated in the 1960s to reflect the changes of Vatican II. In 1992 Mother of Good Counsel merged with five other parishes to form St. Charles Lwanga, and the church remained open to serve the new parish.
- Founded 1907 for Italian immigrants in Homewood/Brushton
- First Mass: November 25, 1907 in a rented storeroom
- Church dedicated December 20, 1908; enlarged 1915
- New church dedicated September 25, 1955
- Merged into St. Charles Lwanga in 1992
- Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM
St. Bede Church (Point Breeze)
In September 1922, Bishop Hugh Boyle established the parish of Saint Bede in Pittsburgh's Point Breeze neighborhood and appointed Father John F. Enright as its first pastor. The parish's first Mass was celebrated in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hogan before any parish buildings were completed. Some of the land on which the church and school now stand was purchased from the Shoyer family, whose home still serves as the rectory and office. The first church building was a simple frame structure constructed in 1923, and the school was built in 1926. An addition to the school was completed in 1951, part of which serves as the present church. A gymnasium and activity room were added in 2000, and the church has been renovated twice, most recently in 2007.
- Founded September 1922 by Bishop Hugh Boyle
- First pastor: Fr. John F. Enright
- First frame church built 1923; school opened 1926
- School addition in 1951 became the present worship space
- Gymnasium and activity room added in 2000
- Most recent renovation in 2007
- Sunday Mass at 11:00 AM; weekday Mass Mon–Sat at 9:00 AM
St. Charles Lwanga Parish (1992–2020)
In 1992, six parishes in the Homewood and Lincoln-Lemington neighborhoods were merged into St. Charles Lwanga, a name chosen by the bishop to reflect the diversity of the new community. Fr. David H. Taylor was the founding pastor. Over the years most of the merged church buildings were closed and sold; only Holy Rosary Church (a large gothic building) and Mother of Good Counsel remained as parish property, with Mother of Good Counsel the only church still open for worship.
Clergy and Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Lawrence D. Adams, with Senior Parochial Vicar Rev. David H. Taylor and Deacon John S. Maier. Melissa Viator serves as Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education (Faith Formation Office). All volunteers must be registered with the Diocese of Pittsburgh's Safe Environment database (VIRTUS) and complete required clearances and training.
- Rev. Lawrence D. Adams — Pastor
- Rev. David H. Taylor, MDiv — Senior Parochial Vicar
- Deacon John S. Maier
- Melissa Viator — Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation and Sacramental preparation are coordinated through the parish Faith Formation Office under Melissa Viator. First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation each include parent meetings and retreats in October, in keeping with Diocese of Pittsburgh Sacramental policies. Low-gluten hosts are available on request. The parish also runs a Religious Education program for parish youth and welcomes catechists, aides, substitutes, and advisory board members.
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation (typically in eighth grade)
- RCIA for adults
- Low-gluten hosts available on request
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists (high school and adult) to serve the weekly liturgies at the parish. Three choirs support the three worship sites: the St. James Choir and Mother of Good Counsel Choir rehearse before Mass; the St. Bede Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7:30–9:00 PM in the church at St. Bede.
- St. James Choir
- Mother of Good Counsel Choir
- St. Bede Choir (Thursdays 7:30–9:00 PM, St. Bede)
Social Ministries and Community Outreach
Welcoming neighbors in need and assisting those who come to the door are central to the parish's Gospel call. Saint Mary Magdalene Parish straddles some of the most impoverished neighborhoods of Pittsburgh and operates a Ministry Center, two Parish Food Banks, Mary's Child (support for families with children up to age 10), and the Stone Soup Garden, together with rental and utilities assistance.
- Ministry Center
- Parish Food Banks (two pantries)
- Mary's Child — support for families with children up to 10 years old
- Stone Soup Garden
- Rental and utilities assistance
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society reach out to the poor through home visits and the corporal works of mercy, serving Homewood-Brushton, Lincoln-Lemington, and Wilkinsburg.
Social Justice and Peace
The Social Justice and Peace Committee mobilizes parishioners to understand and act on Catholic Social Teaching regarding pressing local, national, and international issues, with a focus on social action to change social policies for a more just and peaceful world.
Global Solidarity Partners
The parish seeks to grow in awareness of, solidarity with, and support for brothers and sisters around the world who are victims of poverty, injustice, and war.
- Queen of Apostles Academy in Uganda
- Partners in Progress
- Bread for the World
- Pittsburgh Catholic Diocesan Mission in Chimbote, Peru
Youth Ministry and Adult Spiritual Enrichment
The Youth Ministry committee develops and coordinates regular social activities while facilitating catechesis and faith sharing among middle and high school-aged parishioners. The Spiritual Enrichment for Adults Ministry supports the ongoing faith journey of all members of the parish through faith-sharing gatherings and Bible study (with sessions on Zoom and an in-person gathering on Wednesdays).
Parish Hospitality: Martha's Ministry
Martha's Ministry provides loving hospitality to fellow parishioners in times of need — new baby, loss of a loved one, surgery, illness, or major life events — through meal delivery, plant care, bereavement support, and grocery runs. The ministry is named in honor of Jesus' friend Martha, who concerned herself with the 'details' of hospitality.
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation — First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation — through its Faith Formation Office, and welcomes adults seeking full initiation through RCIA. Sacramental celebrations ordinarily take place in the candidate's parish community of membership, regardless of where catechetical preparation occurs.
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy and St. Bede School
Saint Mary Magdalene Parish supports two schools in the community. Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy, formed in 2010 from the merger of St. James School and Holy Rosary School, operates on the St. James campus and serves low-income families from surrounding communities, supported by the diocese's Extra Mile Foundation. St. Bede School (kindergarten through 8th grade) has served the Point Breeze neighborhood since 1926 and continues as a parish school.
- Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy (on the St. James campus)
- St. Bede School (founded 1926, K–8)
Visit and Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to participate through Time, Talent, and Treasure. All volunteer positions require registration with the Diocese of Pittsburgh's VIRTUS Safe Environment database and completion of clearances and training; Melissa Viator ([email protected] or 412-661-7222) helps coordinate that process. The parish communicates with members through Flocknote (email/text) and across its three worship-site communities.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas J. Burke2020–2023
Founding pastor of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, January 6, 2020 – September 30, 2023; ordained May 26, 2001 by Bishop Donald W. Wuerl; previously Administrator of the Catholic Community of the East End (St. Bede, St. Charles Lwanga, St. James) from October 15, 2018.
- Rev. Lawrence D. Adams2023–present
Succeeded Fr. Burke as pastor of Saint Mary Magdalene Parish.