About St. Mary Magdalene · Willowick, Ohio
St. Mary Magdalene is a Roman Catholic parish in Willowick, Ohio, founded on January 27, 1949 by Bishop Edward Hoban to serve the growing post-WWII population of Cleveland's eastern suburbs. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Cleveland and today ministers to nearly 2,600 registered families under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Steve Breck, who was appointed pastor on May 2, 2016. Known as one of the first parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland to adopt a pastoral team model of leadership, St. Mary Magdalene offers daily and Sunday Masses, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration in its chapel, robust faith formation for children and adults, and an active liturgical and music ministry. The parish celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024 with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost presiding at a special Mass.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Mary Magdalene
- Rector
- Rev. Steven H. (Steve) Breck
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalene offers a full sacramental life — daily and Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, weekday Eucharistic Adoration in its open chapel, and televised Masses on FM 96.3 — wrapped in a strong pastoral-team model that invites parishioners to share their gifts. The parish runs a multigenerational PSR program called Families in Faith, an adult Bible-sharing ministry called CAFE, sacramental preparation for Confirmation and First Eucharist, an active liturgical ministry scheduled through Ministry Scheduler Pro, and parish-organized festivals and fellowship opportunities. With nearly 2,600 families and a 75-year history of serving Willowick, it is a community that combines small-parish warmth with the resources of one of Lake County's larger Catholic parishes.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM in the church confessional (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Daily chapel hours for prayer: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Our History
Bishop Edward Hoban founded St. Mary Magdalene Parish on January 27, 1949, and appointed Fr. Harold Laubacher as its first pastor. The buildings on campus have been modified several times to accommodate the burgeoning growth of the 1950s and the evolution of the diocese and community over the years. Parish leaders have created and sustained a variety of spiritual, formational, social, educational, and charitable endeavors. As the parish celebrates its 75th anniversary, members thank God for the blessings showered on the community and look forward to the next step of their faith journey together.
- Founded January 27, 1949 by Bishop Edward Hoban
- First pastor: Fr. Harold Laubacher
- Church groundbreaking May 1, 1949; dedicated September 17, 1950
- Ursuline sisters opened the school in 1949 with 199 students
- School peaked at 1,850 students in 1963
- Church remodeled and rededicated November 12, 1989
- 75th anniversary Mass celebrated January 27, 2024 with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost
- First parish in the Diocese of Cleveland to adopt a pastoral team leadership model
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Mary Magdalene celebrates Mass every day of the week, with a Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and two Sunday Masses in the morning. The chapel is open daily for private prayer and Eucharistic Adoration, and Mass is broadcast on FM 96.3 for parishioners wishing to worship from their cars in the parking lot.
- Weekday Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday — 9:00 AM
- Thursday Mass: 9:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM
- Morning Prayer (see parish website for schedule)
- Chapel open daily 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Parish Staff
St. Mary Magdalene is led by its pastor, Fr. Steve Breck, supported by Deacon Carl Toomey and a team of lay staff responsible for liturgy and music, business, parish communications, faith formation, and facilities. Together they serve nearly 2,600 registered families.
- Rev. Steven H. (Steve) Breck — Pastor (appointed May 2, 2016; ordained May 20, 2000)
- Deacon Carl Toomey — assists in ministry to the parish
- Bob Soeder — Director of Liturgy and Music
- Mike Nadolski — PSR Principal / Faith Formation
- Jim Arndt — Business Manager (since 2008)
- Rosemarie Sisler — Parish Secretary
- Coletta DiCello — Bulletin Editor & School Liaison (parish staff since 1984)
- Tony Ban — Maintenance Manager (since 2014)
- Mary Hrich — Funeral and Liturgical Ministry coordinator
Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body that assists the pastor, serving as the eyes and ears of the parish. Candidates join the council through an application process and a meeting with the pastor, and the council meets six times per year.
- Valerie Varga
- Jim Sisler
- Theresa Mohan
- Tony Linc
- Danny Linc
- Jim Galloway
- Jim Franey
- Sean Dille
- Contact Fr. Steve Breck at 440-943-2133 to learn more
Faith Formation — Families in Faith (PSR)
Families in Faith is a multigenerational Parish School of Religion program that welcomes everyone. Using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, the PSR curriculum is centered on the Sunday liturgy in a way that is engaging, easy to teach, and involves the whole family.
- Multi-generational family sessions with breakfast, one Sunday each month, 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM
- In-person classes for K–Grade 8, two Sundays per month
- Open to families from other parishes with their pastor's permission
- Contact: Parish Office (440) 943-2133
Adult Faith Formation — CAFE Ministry
CAFE (Catholic/Christian Adult Faith Experiences) meets on Sunday mornings between the 8:00 and 11:00 Masses. Facilitated by Cathy Stirling, the group reads aloud the Sunday scriptures, discusses them, and prays together in Room 104. All adults and high-school-age youth are welcome to drop in.
- Sundays 9:20 AM – 10:40 AM, Room 104
- Facilitator: Cathy Stirling — (440) 463-4147
- Born from a Parish Council study of the US bishops' document 'Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us'
- Open to adults and high school youth — no fees, no attendance policy
Sacramental Preparation
St. Mary Magdalene prepares children and adults for the sacraments of initiation and ongoing Catholic life, including Confirmation, First Eucharist, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those entering the Church.
- Confirmation: youth preparation begins Fall of 8th grade year (at least one prior year of Catholic day school or PSR required); celebrated in Spring
- First Eucharist preparation for children
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults and children entering the Catholic Church
- Registration forms available at the Parish Office
Liturgical Ministry
Liturgical ministers serve the parish as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Altar Servers. Schedules are managed through Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP), which provides a web terminal where ministers can update profiles, enter availability, request subs, and view rosters.
- Lectors — proclaim the scriptures
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Scheduling via Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) Web Terminal
- Contact Mary Hrich for information about liturgical ministry
Liturgy & Music
Bob Soeder directs the liturgical and music ministry at St. Mary Magdalene. A veteran of parish music ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland, he previously served at St. Mary Magdalene from 1987 to 1999, at St. Francis of Assisi (Gates Mills), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Wickliffe), and 22 years at St. Monica (Garfield Heights).
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Bob Soeder
- Composes media for communications, emails, newsletters, worship aids, and the electronic bulletin board
- Co-founder of Sustaining the Journey, a ministry resource for churches, ministers, and liturgical musicians across Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania
- Mass broadcasts on FM 96.3
Funerals
The Catholic Funeral Rites are celebrations that enable the Christian community to mourn as well as to hope, by focusing on the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ. Grieving families first meet with the funeral director and then with Fr. Steve Breck or Mary Hrich to plan their funeral.
- Funeral planning tools available on the parish website
- Contact Fr. Steve Breck or Mary Hrich through the parish office
Office Hours & Location
The parish office serves parishioners throughout the week. The parish is located on Vine Street in Willowick, in Lake County, serving families in both Lake and Geauga Counties.
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM – noon
- Office closed Friday and Saturday
- Address: 32114 Vine Street, Willowick, OH 44095
- Phone: (440) 943-2133
- Fax: (440) 943-3780
- Pastoral region: Lake and Geauga Counties
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Harold Laubacher1949–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop Edward Hoban when the parish was commissioned on January 27, 1949.