About St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe · Kittanning, Pennsylvania
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Roman Catholic parish in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, situated on the east bank of the Allegheny River in central Armstrong County. The parish is part of the Diocese of Greensburg and, since 2007, has been partnered with St. Mary, Mother of God Parish in Yatesboro, sharing one pastor. Today the parish serves more than 750 families with weekend Masses in Kittanning and Yatesboro, weekday Masses, reconciliation, faith formation for children, and a regional Catholic elementary school.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rector
- Very Reverend Eric J. Dinga, V.F. (Pastor, Vicar Forane, Deanery I)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe welcomes more than 750 registered families into a vibrant Roman Catholic community along the Allegheny River in Kittanning. Worshippers can take part in weekday and weekend Masses, weekly reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation preparation through the EDGE program, liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, ushers), music ministries (choir, cantors, Resurrection Choir), and outreach to the sick and homebound. The parish also partners with The Divine Redeemer Catholic School, a regional PreK–6 elementary school that continues the parish's long tradition of Catholic education.
Mass times at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
- By appointment (call the parish office at 724-548-7649 to arrange with the pastor)
- Regional penance services during Advent and Lent (see bulletin for schedule)
Our Mission and Parish Identity
St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Kittanning, located along the Allegheny River, is a Catholic community of believers representing many ethnic backgrounds and family traditions united to serve and support each other on their Christian journey. Through participation of all age groups in the liturgy and sacraments, parishioners look to deepen and continue to grow in the Catholic faith; by sharing their talents they hope to manifest Christ's presence in the community. The parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg and serves more than 750 families.
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg
- Located on the east bank of the Allegheny River, Kittanning, Armstrong County
- More than 750 registered families
- Partner parish: St. Mary, Mother of God, Yatesboro (since October 30, 2007)
Parish History
The parish's roots reach back to 18th-century French expeditions on the Allegheny River, with the first permanent church built in 1853 on the same plot of land the parish still occupies. A parish school opened in 1906 under the Sisters of St. Joseph from Baden, PA. In 1951 the parish joined the newly created Diocese of Greensburg, and Father Francis X. Foley launched a building program that produced a convent, rectory, school, and the present-day church, completed and dedicated in 1964 and consecrated in 1970. A parish hall was added in 1985, the parish school closed in 1997 (with Catholic education continuing through The Divine Redeemer Catholic School), and in 2007 the parish entered a partnership with St. Mary, Mother of God, Yatesboro.
- 1853 — first permanent church built on the present site
- 1906 — St. Mary Parochial School established; Sisters of St. Joseph from Baden, PA as educators
- 1951 — parish becomes part of the new Diocese of Greensburg under Father Francis X. Foley
- 1953 — new convent; 1955 — new rectory; 1960 — new school
- 1962 — demolition of original church (July 2); Father Foley dies (October 3); Msgr. Charles B. Guth completes the new building with Francis 'Smiley' Benson
- 1963 — cornerstone set August 18
- 1964 — first Mass in new church on Palm Sunday, March 22; church blessed and dedicated by Bishop Connare on August 16 as 'St. Mary, Queen of the Americas Church'
- 1970 — church consecrated by Bishop Connare on October 11, the third consecration in the diocese
- 1985 — St. Mary Parish Hall completed
- 1997 — St. Mary School closes; Divine Redeemer Catholic School opens as a regional PreK–6 school
- 2007 — partnered with St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Yatesboro
Sacramental Preparation
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is the responsibility of the parish of registration, with all documentation handled by the Regional Faith Formation Director. Confirmation preparation takes place within the EDGE program, where children model the church experience (Worship, Scripture, Outreach, Community). The Sacrament of Confirmation is scheduled every other year, with candidates typically in eighth or ninth grade, and is administered by the bishop in either fall or spring.
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — parish-based preparation
- Confirmation — every other year, 8th or 9th grade, within EDGE program
- Diocesan intergenerational workshop required immediately before reception
- Baptismal record required if baptized at a parish other than the home parish
Faith Formation
The parish offers faith formation opportunities for children and adults throughout the year. The regional program is led by Katie Tylinski, Regional Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship, and includes sacramental preparation, the EDGE youth program, Vacation Bible School, and adult formation opportunities listed in the weekly bulletin.
- EDGE youth faith formation program
- Sacramental Preparation (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation)
- Vacation Bible School (annual)
- Adult faith formation opportunities (see parish bulletin)
Liturgical Ministries
When the parish gathers for Mass, a variety of liturgical ministries support a prayerful and orderly celebration. Parishioners are encouraged to consider serving in any of these roles; the director of liturgy and music, Sandy Ashley, welcomes inquiries.
- Altar Servers — first communicants in 4th grade or older, with formation provided
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — fully initiated Catholics in good standing, at least 16 years old; some also bring Communion to the homebound
- Lectors — fully initiated Catholics in good standing, at least 16 years old, trained to proclaim the Word and pray the general intercessions
- Greeters — welcoming committee at the doors, open to men, women, children, and families
- Ushers — welcome, seat, and assist the assembly; help with collections, offertory, and Communion procession; distribute bulletins
Music Ministries
Music ministry at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe is coordinated by Sandy Ashley, Organist & Liturgical Coordinator. Volunteers lead the assembly in song at Mass and at parish funerals.
- Adult Choir — rehearses regularly; sings at liturgies
- Cantors — lead the assembly in song at scheduled Masses
- Resurrection Choir — volunteers assist at funeral liturgies (arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled funeral)
Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
An important ministry of the parish is visiting and distributing Holy Communion to those who can no longer attend Sunday Mass because they are homebound or living in nursing or personal care homes. Extraordinary ministers make monthly visits to the homebound under the direction of the pastor, and the parish office coordinates scheduling with private homes and local facilities.
- Monthly Holy Communion visits to the homebound by extraordinary ministers
- Father Alan Grote — Regional Chaplain, Northern Armstrong County
- Pastoral visits and Anointing of the Sick at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital
- Patients are encouraged to indicate 'Catholic' on hospital admission so the chaplain can be notified
- Contact the parish office to arrange a visit or Communion call
Parish Staff
The parish is led by a team of priests and lay staff. The Very Reverend Eric J. Dinga, V.F., serves as Pastor and Vicar Forane of Deanery I, and is assisted by two parochial vicars. Lay staff oversee administration, liturgy and music, faith formation, and business operations.
- Very Reverend Eric J. Dinga, V.F. — Pastor, Vicar Forane, Deanery I
- Reverend Juanito G. Lozano — Parochial Vicar
- Reverend Madhu Kodavatikanti — Parochial Vicar & Hospital Chaplain
- Reverend Alan Grote — Regional Chaplain, Northern Armstrong County
- Erika Dragunova — Administrative Assistant
- Sandy Ashley — Organist & Liturgical Coordinator
- Katie Tylinski — Regional Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship
- Marilyn Brochetti — Business Manager
- Susanna Streightif — Office Assistant
Parish Facilities and Accessibility
The parish campus includes the 1964 church (consecrated 1970), a parish hall completed in 1985, and surrounding parking. The church is fully accessible: a ramp sits to the right of the front entrance, the vestibule restroom is wheelchair accessible, and multiple handicapped parking spaces are available.
- Main parking lot on North Jefferson Street, across from St. Mary Parish Hall
- Additional parking on North Water and West High streets
- Handicapped parking on North Water, West High, and in the alley behind the church
- Ramp to the right of the front entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible restroom in the vestibule
- Parish Office (physical): 348 North Water Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
Contact, Giving, and Weekly Bulletin
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected through the weekly parish bulletin, online giving, and the parish office. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Online Giving is offered as a convenient and secure way to support the parish.
- Mailing address: 101 West High Street, Kittanning, PA 16201
- Phone: 724-548-7649; Fax: 724-543-2938
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.; Fri 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
- Online Giving available
- Weekly parish bulletins posted on the parish website
Divine Redeemer Catholic School
After St. Mary School closed at the end of the 1996–97 school year, Ford City Catholic school became a regional Catholic school in August 1997 and was renamed The Divine Redeemer Catholic School. Today it is a pre-kindergarten through sixth grade regional school that continues to provide faith-based Catholic education not only to St. Mary parish families but also to Catholics from the surrounding areas.
- PreK–6 regional Catholic school
- Founded August 1997
- Successor to St. Mary School and Ford City Catholic school
- Serves St. Mary parish families and surrounding parishes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis X. Foleyfrom 1951
First pastor under the newly created Diocese of Greensburg (1951); built new convent (1953), rectory (1955), school (1960), and planned the new church. Died October 3, 1962, before the new church was completed.
- Msgr. Charles B. Guth1962 onward
Completed the new church building begun under Father Foley, with the assistance of Francis 'Smiley' Benson.
- Father Douglas E. Dorula
Listed as pastor by third-party directory joinmychurch.com (date range not stated on official site).