About St. Mary of the Assumption Church - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish · Glenshaw, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (OLPH) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh serving the communities of Glenshaw and Allison Park, Pennsylvania. Formed on July 1, 2021 through the merger of historic St. Mary of the Assumption Parish (Glenshaw) and St. Ursula Parish (Allison Park), it operates as a single parish family with two worship sites. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Timothy F. Whalen and with more than 50 active ministries, the parish proclaims its vision: 'We welcome all to encounter Jesus and serve others with love.' Its Catholic school, Blessed Trinity Academy, and signature community events — including the Lenten Fish Fry, the Festival, and the annual Mission Trip — are central to parish life.
- Established
- 1840 (St. Mary of the Assumption, as predecessor parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (parish patron); St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Ursula (patrons of the two worship sites)
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy F. Whalen, M.A.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
OLPH is a large, vibrant two-campus parish where the Sunday liturgy truly is 'the source and summit' of community life — five weekend Masses celebrated between St. Mary and St. Ursula in English, daily Mass at both churches, and Saturday confession at both sites. With more than 50 ministries spanning liturgical service, faith formation for every age, youth and young-family ministry, a traditional Catholic school (Blessed Trinity Academy), social outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, an annual Mission Trip, and signature parish-wide gatherings like the Lenten Fish Fry and Festival, OLPH offers a place for almost any family to put down roots and serve.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Assumption Church - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 11:00 AM — at both St. Mary and St. Ursula churches
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM — every Wednesday at St. Ursula
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM — 1st Friday Holy Half Hour at St. Mary for Young Families (includes Confession)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM at St. Ursula (alongside Confession)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM at St. Mary (1st Friday Holy Half Hour for Young Families)
Parish History
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish was formed on July 1, 2021 from the merger of two long-standing communities: St. Mary of the Assumption in Glenshaw (founded 1840) and St. Ursula in Allison Park (founded 1909). Bishop David Zubik first announced the merger on October 15, 2018, and the parishes spent several years deepening their shared life before becoming one parish family. The parish's Marian identity runs to its very roots: St. Mary's was the first parish in the area — and in the Diocese of Pittsburgh — dedicated to Mary, and from 1854 to 1864 the Redemptorist Fathers, including St. John Neumann and Bl. Francis X. Seelos, served as pastors there. That Redemptorist connection to devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the reason the merged parish bears her name today.
- 1840 — St. Mary of the Assumption founded in Glenshaw
- 1854–1864 — Redemptorist Fathers pastor St. Mary's (incl. St. John Neumann, Bl. Francis X. Seelos)
- 1909 — St. Ursula Parish founded in Allison Park (church dedicated August 1, 1909; rededicated November 22, 1928)
- October 15, 2018 — Bishop Zubik announces merger
- July 1, 2021 — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish officially formed
Parish Staff & Clergy
OLPH is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, two permanent deacons, religious sisters, and a robust lay staff responsible for music, faith formation, evangelization, the parish school, and parish administration.
- Rev. Timothy F. Whalen, M.A. — Pastor
- Rev. John Forbidussi — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Ernest J. Strzelinski — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Francis J. Dadowski — Business Manager
- Deacon Richard D. Ernst
- Ms. Edith Bishop — Pastoral Associate
- Mrs. Joyce Carney — Office Manager
- Mrs. Moira Edmiston — Principal, Blessed Trinity Academy
- Mrs. Laurie Exler — Admin Assistant / Safe Environment
- Mr. Tony Ferguson — Director of Evangelization
- Sister Marie Fidelis — Catechetical Consultant
- Mr. Robert Kardasz — Director of Music Ministries
- Sister Lois Spinnenweber — Social Minister / St. Vincent de Paul
- Mr. Charles Wilson — Music Ministries
Parish Leadership & Councils
Three consultative bodies help guide the life of OLPH: the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, and the Senior Leadership Team. Council members are practicing parishioners who discern needs, set goals, and foster a unified vision rooted in Christ. Pastoral Council members currently include Edith Bishop, Gloria Combi, Rick Goeller, Mike Hagerty, Trish Halli, Kathleen Meyer, Cheryl Sciullo, and Fr. Timothy Whalen.
- Parish Pastoral Council — meets monthly; contact [email protected]
- Finance Council
- Senior Leadership Team — [email protected]
- Council terms typically 3 years, staggered membership
Ministries
OLPH lists more than 50 active ministries organized into Liturgical, Spiritual, and Community categories. Liturgical ministries — including adult, contemporary, and handbell choirs — meet weekly for rehearsal and serve at Mass. Spiritual ministries offer faith growth through retreats, prayer groups, and sacramental preparation. Community ministries include social outreach, hospitality, and parish-wide service opportunities.
- Liturgical Ministries (Music Ministry, Choirs — adult, contemporary, handbell)
- Spiritual Ministries (retreats, prayer, devotional life)
- Community Ministries (50+ opportunities to serve)
- Faith Formation (toddlers through adult)
- Youth Ministry
- Young Family Ministry
- Mental Health & Well-Being Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Annual Mission Trip (e.g. Webster Springs, WV)
- Fish Fry, Festival, Flea Market, Parish Bingo
Faith Formation & Schools
Faith formation at OLPH is described as 'a comprehensive religious education program [that] guides all of us to an encounter with Christ – from toddlers to seniors – along our spiritual journey.' The parish supports families with programs for every age, from early childhood through adult faith formation, plus sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. OLPH is also home to a traditional Catholic school.
- Faith Formation for toddlers through adults
- Youth Ministry
- Young Family Ministry
- Blessed Trinity Academy — parish school (Principal: Mrs. Moira Edmiston, [email protected])
- Annual retreats
- RCIA and sacramental preparation
Sacraments
Parishioners can request sacraments through the parish office; Baptisms and Weddings are scheduled by appointment. OLPH also warmly welcomes couples married outside the Church to pursue convalidation (the Church's blessing of an existing marriage).
- Baptism — by appointment (412-486-4100)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation
- Matrimony — meetings with Fr. Tim, Deacon Francis, or Deacon Steve; convalidation available
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders — discernment support for priesthood and permanent diaconate
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music Ministry at OLPH is led by Director Robert Kardasz and Charles Wilson, with multiple ensembles serving the parish's two worship sites.
- Adult Choir
- Contemporary Choir
- Handbell Choir — weekly rehearsals
- Music at both St. Mary and St. Ursula
Outreach & Service
Outreach is a hallmark of parish life. Sister Lois Spinnenweber coordinates the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society, and OLPH parishioners travel annually on a Mission Trip to serve communities in need — most recently to Webster Springs, West Virginia. A Mental Health & Well-Being Ministry supports parishioners through trusted resources, counseling referrals, and crisis support.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (Sister Lois Spinnenweber, 412-486-4021)
- Annual Mission Trip (recently Webster Springs, WV)
- Mental Health & Well-Being Ministry
- Community Ministries supporting local and international needs
Parish Events & Fundraisers
Signature annual events draw the parish together and welcome the wider community. The Fish Fry during Lent, the summer Festival, the Flea Market, and weekly Bingo are long-standing parish traditions.
- Lenten Fish Fry
- Summer Festival
- Flea Market
- Parish Bingo
- Social gatherings throughout the year
Locations & Contact
OLPH has two worship sites and a single administrative center. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday and can be reached by phone, email, or in person.
- Administrative Center / St. Mary of the Assumption: 2510 Middle Road, Glenshaw, PA 15116 — 412-486-4100
- St. Ursula Church: 3937 Kirk Avenue, Allison Park, PA 15101 — 412-486-6700
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]