About St. Monica · Garfield Heights, Ohio
St. Monica Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Garfield Heights, Ohio, in the southeast suburbs of Cleveland, belonging to the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded in 1952 by Father Hugh Gallagher, a former WWII chaplain, the parish serves the spiritual, educational, and social needs of its community from its location at 13623 Rockside Road. The parish is led today by Rev. Fr. John J. Mullee and offers daily and weekend Masses, a livestreamed liturgy, faith formation through the inter-parochial St. Benedict Catholic School, and an active St. Vincent de Paul conference that runs the parish food pantry.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Monica
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. John J. Mullee
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Monica Parish welcomes newcomers as part of a Christlike family that serves the spiritual, educational, and social needs of Garfield Heights and surrounding southeast Cleveland communities. Members benefit from daily and weekend Masses, a livestreamed liturgy for the homebound, faith formation for children through St. Benedict Catholic School, and a robust social outreach network. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference, in operation since 1980, runs the parish food pantry and channels 100% of donations directly to neighbors in need.
Mass times at St. Monica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15pm (also by appointment)
Adoration times
- Sunday Divine Mercy Holy Hour (2:30pm, as scheduled in parish calendar)
Parish History & Founding
St. Monica Parish was established in 1952 in Garfield Heights, Ohio, by Father Hugh Gallagher — a former World War II chaplain — who set out to build a Catholic community that honored both God and country. Father Gallagher personally designed the church in the form of a cross, deliberately sited along the flight path of planes leaving and returning to Cleveland Hopkins airport so passengers would see the cross as a reminder of God. A veteran himself, Father Gallagher welcomed service members and their families, making the parish a gathering place for veterans. So colorful was his reputation that he was referenced in the 104th episode of the TV show M*A*S*H as "Boom-Boom Gallagher." The parish motto "For God and Country" reflects his founding vision.
- Founded 1952 by Fr. Hugh Gallagher
- Church designed in the shape of a cross on the Hopkins flight path
- Father Gallagher referenced as 'Boom-Boom Gallagher' in M*A*S*H episode 104
- 70th anniversary celebrated in August 2022 with blessing of Catholic War Veterans Monument
Sacraments & Devotions
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday at 3:15pm and by appointment. The parish also gathers for a Thursday-evening Rosary in the church and a Sunday afternoon Divine Mercy Holy Hour. Eucharist Ministers are scheduled on a rotating quarterly basis (Feb–April, May–July, etc.) and serve at weekend Masses.
- Confession: Saturday 3:15pm or by appointment
- Rosary: Thursdays at 6:30pm
- Divine Mercy Holy Hour: Sundays at 2:30pm (as scheduled)
- Eucharistic Ministry: rotating schedule
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing: contact Parish Office (216-662-8685)
Parish Staff & Councils
Pastoral operations at St. Monica are supported by a staff that includes a Parish Catechetical Leader (Sister Helene Skrzyniarz, SSJ-TOSF), Director of Liturgy & Music (Molly Grunau), and Office Manager (Susan Shepka). Lay leadership is provided through the Pastoral Council (chaired by Genevieve von Carlowitz) and Finance Council (chaired by Bill Simon). Tom Leone serves as webmaster. Business Manager and other parish support roles support day-to-day operations.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. John J. Mullee
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Sister Helene Skrzyniarz, SSJ-TOSF ([email protected])
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Molly Grunau
- Office Manager: Susan Shepka
- Pastoral Council Chair: Genevieve von Carlowitz
- Finance Council Chair: Bill Simon
- Webmaster: Tom Leone
- Deacon: Stan Drozell
Faith Formation & Catholic School
St. Monica Parish partners with neighboring St. Martin of Tours Parish to operate St. Benedict Catholic School (grades 1–8) and the St. Benedict Early Learning Center, both located in Garfield Heights. The inter-parochial school opened on July 1, 2012 and serves Maple Heights, Garfield Heights, and other southeast Cleveland communities. The parish also supports the formation of seminarians; parishioner Joe Menkhaus was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Cleveland by Bishop Edward Malesic on May 21, 2022.
- St. Benedict Catholic School (1st–8th grade), inter-parochial with St. Martin of Tours
- St. Benedict Early Learning Center (daycare through kindergarten)
- School opened July 1, 2012
- Parish Catechetical Leader: Sister Helene Skrzyniarz, SSJ-TOSF
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul & Food Pantry
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) has been active at St. Monica Parish since 1980, channeling parishioner donations directly to neighbors in need. The SVDP Conference runs the parish food pantry, funded entirely by Poor Box collections, quarterly SVDP envelopes, and food/monetary donations from parish organizations — 100% of donations go to those in need. Non-perishable food donations are especially encouraged on the last Sunday of each month, and families needing assistance may call the Parish Office SVDP line.
- SVDP Conference at St. Monica since 1980
- Operates the St. Monica Food Pantry
- Donations: Poor Boxes at church entrances, quarterly SVDP envelopes, food donations last Sunday of each month
- Donations bin marked SVDP behind the altar
- Assistance requests: call Parish Office SVDP phone line
Parish Life, Events & Facilities
Beyond liturgical ministries, St. Monica offers a vibrant parish life with weekly and monthly events. The Ladies Guild and Senior Board meet regularly; a parish Walking Group meets twice weekly; and 'Sandwich Saturday' is a monthly food-prep outreach. The parish pavilion hosts community gatherings such as the Garfield Heights Ward 7 Block Watch meetings. The parish also publishes a monthly newsletter, the Grapevine, and a weekly bulletin. An annual Homecoming Picnic and Raffle is a major parish tradition.
- Ladies Guild and Senior Board meetings
- Walking Group (twice weekly)
- Sandwich Saturday (monthly food outreach)
- Annual Homecoming Picnic and Raffle
- Monthly Grapevine newsletter and weekly bulletin
- Pavilion available to parish ministries per diocesan policy
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Hugh Gallagherfounding pastor, 1952
WWII chaplain and founder; designed the cross-shaped church; veteran advocate; referenced as 'Boom-Boom Gallagher' in M*A*S*H episode 104.
- Fr. Thomas (Tom) Harenpastor through Jan. 15, 2023
Retired at age 75 in accordance with Canon Law; announced retirement in December 2022.
- Rev. Fr. John J. Mulleecurrent pastor
Succeeded Fr. Haren; serves with Deacon Stan Drozell and Fr. Ted Marszal in residence.