About St. Michael · Canton, Pennsylvania
St. Michael Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Scranton that brings together three historic worship sites in rural north-central Pennsylvania: Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Canton (the parish seat), Saint Aloysius Church in Ralston, and Saint John Nepomucene Church in Troy. The pastor, Reverend Joseph P. Kutch, MA, leads a faith family rooted in the Eucharist and the Sacraments, with a mission to be 'the face of Jesus Christ in the world.' The parish is known for its strong Eucharistic Adoration schedule, a parish-wide Religious Education (CCD) program and RCIA, a thriving Altar & Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus fellowship, and a busy calendar of seasonal celebrations from the Blessing of Animals to Basket Bingo and the Pumpkin Festival pie sales.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Reverend Joseph P. Kutch, MA
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Michael Parish welcomes visitors into a three-church Roman Catholic family that takes the Real Presence seriously — weekly Eucharistic Adoration in Canton every Wednesday evening and on First Fridays, regular Reconciliation before each Mass, and a Sacramental life anchored in the Eucharist and Confirmation. Parishioners grow together through Faith Formation (CCD Sundays plus RCIA for adults considering Catholicism), the women's Altar & Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus breakfasts and dinners, Vacation Bible School, May Crowning, the Blessing of Animals, and parish-wide seasonal celebrations that fill the church hall after Sunday Mass.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM at Saint Michael Church, Canton (not on Christmas Eve)
- Wednesday 6:15 PM – 6:50 PM at Saint Michael Church, Canton
Adoration times
- Wednesday following the 5:30 PM Mass until 7:00 PM at Saint Michael Church, Canton (except during Lent, when it is replaced with Stations of the Cross)
- First Friday: following the 7:00 AM Mass until 7:00 PM at Saint Michael Church, Canton
Parish Identity & Mission
Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Parish describes itself as 'a parish family' rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ, in communion with the Holy Father and the Bishop of Scranton. The parish's published mission statement reads: 'As members of the parish community of Saint Michael, Saint John, and Saint Aloysius, we are rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ passed on to Our Holy Father and in communion with our Bishop. We joyfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and his real presence in the Eucharist. We serve the Lord through acts of faith, hope and charity by the graces given through the Sacraments. It is our intention to carry out this mission so that we may be the face of Jesus Christ in the world.' The parish is composed of three churches in three communities, brought together under one pastor.
- Saint Michael the Archangel Church, 106 N. Washington Street, Canton
- Saint Aloysius Church, Green Street & Division Alley, Ralston
- Saint John Nepomucene Church, 133 Exchange Street, Troy
- Pastor: Reverend Joseph P. Kutch, MA
- Diocese of Scranton
History
Catholic life in the Canton area reaches back to the early 1800s, when visiting priests said Mass in scattered farmhouses. The first Saint Michael's Church was a wooden edifice facing East Union Street, built under the first pastor, Rev. M. H. Dunn; the altars from that original church remain in use today. Around 1899 Pastor Rev. William H. Connolly began building the present stone-and-mortar church, completed in 1900 and dedicated by Bishop M. J. Hoban of Scranton on February 23, 1900. The cornerstone had been laid on July 4, 1899. Total construction cost reached $14,000 (excluding the altar rail, bell, statuary, and memorial windows), financed by parishioner-run bazaars, contests, and church suppers. Over the following decades the parish added a rectory, a bell, interior renovations in 1985 and 1989, accessibility improvements including a ramp, and a parish hall.
- First Pastor: Rev. M. H. Dunn
- Cornerstone laid: July 4, 1899
- Dedication: February 23, 1900 (Bishop M. J. Hoban, D.D.)
- First Midnight Mass: January 1, 1900 (Rev. W. H. Connolly)
- Architects: Considine & Waltz of Elmira, NY
- Builders: Taylor & Northrup of Canton, PA
- First wedding: Mrs. Mary McDermott's; first baptism: Miss Gertrude Brann; first funeral: Mrs. Katherine Powers
Faith Formation & RCIA
The parish Religious Education Program (CCD) meets on Sundays during the school year from 8:15 AM to 9:15 AM. Students in Pre-K through 7th grade gather in Saint Michael's Church Hall, while 8th-grade Confirmation preparation meets in the Rectory Chapel. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered year-round for non-Catholics seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, for Catholics who have not yet received Holy Communion and/or Confirmation, and for those who simply want a refresher on their faith.
- CCD classes: Sundays 8:15–9:15 AM during the school year
- Pre-K through 7th grade: Saint Michael's Church Hall
- 8th-grade Confirmation prep: Rectory Chapel
- RCIA inquiries: contact Father Joe at (570) 673-5253
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
The parish sponsors a number of long-standing organizations and an active social calendar. Saint Michael's Altar & Rosary Society meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 12:30 PM in the church hall and is open to all women of the parish. The Knights of Columbus host parish breakfasts and dinners throughout the year. Annual fundraisers and seasonal celebrations — including Basket Bingo, a Christmas Bazaar, a Chili Cook-off, Apple & Cheese and Pumpkin Festival Fruit Pie sales, the Mardis Gras / Saint Patrick / Saint Nicholas parties, and a spring Graduation Breakfast — fill the church hall after Sunday Mass.
- Saint Michael's Altar & Rosary Society — meets 2nd Wednesday, 12:30 PM in the parish hall
- Knights of Columbus — breakfasts and dinners year-round
- Pastoral Council: David Brann, Beth Cole, Leslie Debach, Will Hawrylo, Jean Herman, Ralph Lepper, Sherry Vargson, Donna Wolf, and youth representative Anna Bradford
- Vacation Bible School
- Harvest Dinners (October)
- Fellowship after the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass
Worship Sites
Saint Michael's Parish consists of three worship sites, each with its own schedule of Masses and devotions. Visitors are welcome at any of the three churches.
- Saint Michael the Archangel Church — 106 N. Washington Street, Canton, PA 17724 (parish seat)
- Saint Aloysius Church — Green Street and Division Alley (Route 14, near the Ralston Fire Department), Ralston, PA 17763
- Saint John Nepomucene Church — 133 Exchange Street, Troy, PA 16947
Contact & Visit
The parish office is staffed Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed to stop by the rectory at 106 N. Washington Street or to call (570) 673-5253. Those who would like to receive the parish bulletin electronically may email the parish office to be added to the weekly email list.
- Address: 106 N. Washington Street, Canton, PA 17724
- Phone: (570) 673-5253
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon & Wed 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM; Thu 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. M. H. Dunn
First pastor and builder of the original (wooden) Saint Michael's Church in Canton. Said Mass in scattered homes before the first church was built; celebrated Mass on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Jim Fennell home on Troy Street, followed by afternoon Sunday School.
- Rev. William H. Connolly
Builder and first pastor of the present 1899–1900 Saint Michael's Church. Led the Building Committee, oversaw the architects Considine & Waltz of Elmira, NY and builders Taylor & Northrup, celebrated the first Midnight Mass on January 1, 1900, and was the celebrant at the February 23, 1900 dedication.
- Successor pastors1859 to present
A formal list of pastors since 1859 is referenced in the parish's published anniversary history (a Running Total / Anniversary booklet).