About St. Maximilian Kolbe · Liberty Township, Ohio
St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church (often called 'St. Max') is a large Roman Catholic parish in Liberty Township, Butler County, Ohio, within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Founded on July 6, 1989, the parish was named by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk after St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish Franciscan martyr of World War II who volunteered to die in place of a fellow prisoner at Auschwitz. Over more than 35 years it has grown from about 500 families initially celebrating Sunday Mass at Freedom Elementary School to a thriving community of roughly 3,200–3,400 families — one of the largest single parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati — with 90+ ministries, robust faith formation from preschool through high school, a year-round Eucharistic adoration schedule, a celebrated culture of stewardship, and an international twinning relationship with St. Patrick's Parish in Uganda.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
- Rector
- Fr. Jim Riehle
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Max is one of the largest single parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, with roughly 3,400 registered families and more than 90 ministries, so newcomers can plug in at almost any level of involvement. Daily Mass Monday through Saturday, a strong Eucharistic adoration schedule (Thursday all day plus First Fridays and the Mondays of Advent/Lent), and a vibrant parish life — including an annual chili cook-off, summer festival, fish fry, dances, trivia nights, and small faith groups — make it easy to find community. Lifelong faith formation is offered from preschool Mighty Max and Kamp Kolbe through elementary Fuel and Spark programs, junior high Ignite/Ember, high school Ablaze, ALPHA for those returning to the faith, OCIA for adults, marriage preparation with mentor couples, and a twinning relationship with St. Patrick's Parish in Uganda. For families with sensory needs, every weekend Mass is also live-streamed into the Immaculata Room as a calm, volume-controlled alternative.
Mass times at St. Maximilian Kolbe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday after all weekday Masses (approximately 9:15 AM)
- Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Friday 7:00–7:20 AM
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
- Any time by appointment with one of the priests
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Exposition each Thursday following the 8:30 AM Mass, all day, ending with Benediction at 8:00 PM
- First Fridays: Exposition with Benediction at 7:00 PM
- Mondays of Advent and Lent: Exposition with Benediction at 5:00 PM
Parish History
St. Maximilian Kolbe was founded on July 6, 1989 by decree of Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk, who chose the Polish Franciscan WWII martyr as the parish's patron. The first 500 families celebrated Sunday Mass at Freedom Elementary School while the parish built its home. The rectory was completed in 1991 and a new parish center was dedicated on November 22, 1991; after a $5.5 million capital campaign, Archbishop Pilarczyk dedicated the current church on December 23, 2001. Fr. Terry Smith pastored from 2003 to 2009 and, with stewardship director Lakmé Kodros, established the parish's signature time-and-talent-first culture. A 2022–2024 campaign added a new community room and meeting room (soft-opened December 1, 2024). The parish also marks its international identity through a Twinning Ministry with St. Patrick's Parish in Uganda and a visit from Franciszek Gajowniczek, the man Kolbe died for.
- 1989: Parish founded by Archbishop Pilarczyk; first Masses at Freedom Elementary School with ~500 families
- 1991: Rectory completed; new parish center dedicated November 22, 1991
- 2001: Current church dedicated December 23, 2001 after a $5.5 million campaign
- 2003–2009: Fr. Terry Smith begins the parish's stewardship culture
- Visit by Franciszek Gajowniczek, the prisoner Kolbe died for
- Twinning Ministry established with St. Patrick's Parish, Uganda
- 2022–2024: $1.3 million community room / meeting room build, soft-opened December 1, 2024
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
St. Max is served by two pastors (Fr. Jim Riehle as current pastor, with Fr. Geoff Drew also serving in a pastoral role), two parochial vicars (Fr. Matthew Montag and Fr. Jim Romanello), and five permanent deacons: Dcn. John Paul Back, Dcn. Mike Hinger, Dcn. Jeff Johnson, Dcn. Mike Lippman, and Dcn. Kevin Diehl. The lay pastoral team includes directors of Worship & Sacraments, Music, Religious Formation, Communications, Finance & Administration, Outreach, and Parish Life & Stewardship, plus coordinators for Youth Ministry, Marriage Preparation, and Adult and Children's Initiation. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM.
- Fr. Jim Riehle — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 102)
- Fr. Geoff Drew — Pastor
- Fr. Matthew Montag — Parochial Vicar (ext. 138)
- Fr. Jim Romanello — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. John Paul Back, Dcn. Mike Hinger, Dcn. Jeff Johnson, Dcn. Mike Lippman, Dcn. Kevin Diehl
- Jonathan Alexander — Director of Music (ext. 108)
- Mary Ella Wielgos — Director of Worship & Sacraments (ext. 109)
- Jo Zink — Director of Parish Faith Formation & Discipleship (ext. 139)
- Mary Lou Baker — Coordinator of Religious Formation of Youth (ext. 120)
- Robin Burbrink — Children's Initiation Minister (ext. 124)
- Dave Brunsman — Adult Initiation Minister (ext. 137)
- Roya Salehpour — Coordinator of Youth Ministry (ext. 118)
- Sarah Lewis — Mighty Max Director (ext. 128)
- Lakmé Kodros — Director of Parish Life & Stewardship and Outreach (ext. 105)
- Helen Mondi — Director of Finance and Administration
- Madison Sanders — Director of Communications (ext. 121)
- Phone: 513-777-4322 • [email protected]
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a tiered Faith Formation program for preschool through grade 8. Mighty Max is a small-group preschool formation where parents attend with their child. Fuel is the mainstream program for early childhood through grade 8, offered either as home study or as on-campus Faith on Fire family gatherings. Spark is a blended-learning track for students in 2nd grade and up who missed formation the previous year. Kamp Kolbe is the preschool Vacation Bible School. ALPHA provides an accessible entry point for adults returning to the Catholic faith.
- Mighty Max — preschool small-group formation (parent attends with child)
- Fuel — preschool through grade 8, home study or Faith on Fire family gatherings
- Spark — blended learning for 2nd grade and up returning to formation
- Lost Sheep — support for families returning after time away
- Kamp Kolbe — preschool Vacation Bible School
- ALPHA — adult entry point back into the Catholic faith
- Contact: Mary Lou Baker, [email protected], 513-777-4322 ext. 120
Youth Ministry
Three age-tiered ministries carry teens through middle and high school at St. Max: Ignite for junior high, Ember for 5th–6th graders, and Ablaze for high school students. Activities include faith-based discussion, service projects, retreats, social events, and gatherings.
- Ignite — junior high youth ministry (7th–8th grade)
- Ember — middle school (5th–6th grade) faith, games, prayer, and discussion
- Ablaze — high school youth ministry: gatherings, service, retreats, social events
- Coordinator: Roya Salehpour ([email protected] / [email protected], ext. 118)
Sacraments at St. Max
Baptism, First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage are prepared through structured parish processes. Infant Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 12:30 PM, with first-time parents required to attend a baptismal preparation session. First Penance and First Communion are typically received in 2nd grade through the 'Together in Jesus' at-home program supplementing parish formation. Confirmation is typically celebrated in 8th grade, with Fall (December) and Spring (May) Confirmation Masses each year. Adults enter the Church through OCIA, culminating at the Easter Vigil.
- Infant Baptism — 1st & 3rd Sundays at 12:30 PM; prep session for first-time parents
- First Penance & First Communion — 2nd grade, 'Together in Jesus' at-home program
- Confirmation — 8th grade; Fall and Spring Confirmation Masses; OCIA adults at Easter Vigil
- Marriage — Friday evening, Saturday 1:00/1:30 PM, or Saturday 6:30 PM; consultation with Fr. Jim Riehle, mentor couple, and FOCCUS-based preparation
- Marriage Prep Contact: Tammy Silvestri, [email protected]
- Children's Initiation Contact: Robin Burbrink, [email protected], ext. 124
- Adult Initiation (OCIA) Contact: Dave Brunsman, [email protected], ext. 137
Music, Liturgy & Worship
Worship is shaped by a dedicated Worship & Sacraments Commission under Director Mary Ella Wielgos and Director of Music Jonathan Alexander. The parish uses incense at Masses on the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 16), the Solemnity of Christ the King, and the Body and Blood of Christ, and publishes a worship aid online. Livestreaming extends the parish's liturgical reach to the homebound and to those using the Immaculata Room sensory-friendly space.
- Mary Ella Wielgos — Director of Worship & Sacraments (ext. 109)
- Jonathan Alexander — Director of Music (ext. 108)
- Worship aid published online for each liturgy
- Incense used on the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Christ the King, and the Body and Blood of Christ
Outreach, Charity & Twinning Ministry
The Outreach Commission, chaired by Dale Casto with Lakmé Kodros as staff liaison, supports ministries that embody Catholic Social Teaching and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, both within parish boundaries and beyond. St. Max has a longstanding Twinning Ministry with St. Patrick's Parish in Uganda, dedicated to a mutual sharing of gifts within the Body of Christ; parishioners have funded oxen and plows for catechists and the digging of 50 water wells in the community. The parish is also known for overflowing St. Vincent de Paul personal care item collections and ongoing drives for back-to-school supplies and pet supplies on the feast of St. Francis.
- Outreach Commission — Chair Dale Casto, Vice Chair Joe Sander, Staff Liaison Lakmé Kodros
- Twinning Ministry with St. Patrick's Parish, Uganda
- St. Vincent de Paul personal care collections
- Faith Alliance liaison (Emily Thobe)
- Back-to-school and St. Francis pet supply drives
Stewardship & Parish Life
St. Max has built a parish-wide culture of stewardship that asks parishioners first for their time and talent before asking for financial support — an approach launched under Fr. Terry Smith and continued by Fr. Jim Riehle. The parish offers an unusually rich social calendar including trivia nights hosted by the pastor, an annual chili cook-off, Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, summer festival, bingo, potlucks, fish fry, and dances. Newcomers are welcomed through a Welcome Ministry and a Welcome Orientation tour.
- Director of Parish Life & Stewardship: Lakmé Kodros
- Annual events: chili cook-off, Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, summer festival, bingo, fish fry, dances, trivia nights
- Welcome Ministry and Welcome Orientation for new parishioners
- New Ministry Formation process with parish Governance Model
Vocations & Becoming a Parishioner
St. Max supports discernment of all vocations — ordained priesthood, the permanent diaconate, consecrated religious life for men and women, marriage, parenthood, and the single life. The parish encourages parishioners and visitors to register so they can be supported pastorally and plugged into the parish's 90+ ministries. Registration is available through the 'Join Our Parish' page, and new families are personally welcomed by the pastor's letter and the Welcome Ministry.
- Vocational discernment for priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life, marriage, single life
- Permanent Diaconate contact: Fr. Jim Riehle, [email protected]
- Register as a parishioner via the Join Our Parish page
- Welcome Orientation tours through the Welcome Ministry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Terry Smith2003–2009
Built the parish's stewardship commission and culture of time-and-talent-first giving alongside Director Lakmé Kodros.
- Fr. Jim Riehle
Current pastor; continued the stewardship approach and oversaw the 2022–2024 community room/meeting room build-out.