About St. Paschal Baylon · Highland Heights, Ohio
Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Highland Heights, Ohio, founded in 1953 and administered since its beginnings by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS). Today it is a vibrant community of more than 2,000 families drawing members from Highland Heights and neighboring suburbs including Euclid, South Euclid, Lyndhurst, Willoughby Hills, Mayfield Village, and Mayfield Heights. The parish is centered on the Eucharist and is paired with a PreK–8 elementary school that was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2009. Its iconic 1971 church, designed by architect Richard Fleischman to be a 'lamp atop a hill,' is a landmark on Wilson Mills Road.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Saint Paschal Baylon (16th-century Spanish Franciscan brother, patron of chefs, cooks, and kitchens)
- Rector
- Fr. Sebastian Rosario Pushparaj
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Saint Paschal Baylon is a joyful, welcoming Eucharist-centered community of more than 2,000 families, rooted since 1953 in the spirituality of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Parishioners find abundant ways to live out the faith here — daily and Sunday Masses in the main church and Saint Ann Shrine, perpetual adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, RCIA and PSR faith formation for children, a National Blue Ribbon PreK–8 school, ministries like Helping Hands and the Manna Ministry for those in need, and active Knights of Columbus and Youth Ministry groups. The parish's long partnership with the SSS fathers and Sisters of Notre Dame gives it a distinctive Eucharistic charism, while its Spring Fling Festival around St. Paschal's feast day keeps the patron's humble, prayerful Franciscan spirit visible in parish life.
Mass times at St. Paschal Baylon
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:15 PM (Church, individual)
- Anytime by appointment or at the Front Office
- Communal (Rite 2) during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: extended vigil hours in the OLBS (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament) Church Chapel — prayer ministry keeps vigil; visitors welcome outside posted hours by contacting Fr. Lane
Parish History
Saint Paschal Baylon Parish was founded in the early 1950s by Father John O'Brien and Brother Edward Mullen of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament on a 20-acre site in Highland Heights, Ohio. A church, school, and rectory were built in 1954, and the school opened in 1955 with 321 students under the Congregation of Notre Dame Sisters. As the surrounding suburbs grew, the original 600-seat church was replaced in 1971 by the present Fleischman-designed church meant to be 'a lamp atop a hill,' and a Parish Life Center with gymnasium was completed in 2001.
- Founded 1953 by Fr. John O'Brien, SSS, and Br. Edward Mullen, SSS
- Named for St. Paschal Baylon, a 16th-century Franciscan brother and patron of cooks, on the suggestion of seminarian (later Fr.) Donald Jette
- New church designed by architect Richard Fleischman completed April 8, 1971
- Parish Life Center (with Fr. Jette Gymnasium) completed in 2001
- Helping Hands Ministry founded 1999 by Deacon Joe Bourgeois, SSS
- Pastors have included Fr. O'Brien; Fr. Donald Jette, SSS (3rd); Fr. Mario Marzocchi, SSS (6th); Fr. Michael Arkins, SSS (7th); and current eighth pastor Fr. John Thomas Lane, SSS
Pastoral Staff and SSS Community
The parish is administered by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS), with three SSS priests assigned as pastor and parochial vicars and additional SSS brothers living and ministering on campus. Pastoral staff also includes a Youth Minister, Evangelization/Office Manager, Business Manager, Music/Liturgy Coordinator, Catechetical Leader, Facilities, and Principal.
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Louis (Lou-EE) Demba Ndione, SSS
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Martin Hien Tran, SSS
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Juancho Ramos
- Blessed Sacrament Community: Br. Allen Boeckman, Fr. Roger Bourgeois, Fr. John Keenan, Br. Gary LaVerdiere
- Youth Minister: Evamarie Cross
- Evangelization/Office Manager: Stephanie Evans
- Business Manager: Michelle Mazza
- Music/Liturgy Coordinator: Roberta Modica
- Catechetical Leader: Anna Peko
- Principal: Diane Raguz
- Facilities: Jon Detzel
Sisters of Notre Dame in Residence
Since the school opened in 1955, the Sisters of Notre Dame (SND) have served the parish and school. A convent remains on the campus and is currently home to eight SND sisters, listed on the parish website.
- Sr. Mary Ann Baran, SND
- Sr. Mary Catherine Caine, SND
- Sr. Mary Carol Dikovitsky, SND
- Sr. Kathleen Mary Hine, SND
- Sr. Mary Dion Horrigan, SND
- Sr. Mary Sharon Kovalcik, SND
- Sr. Mary Patrick Joseph Noga, SND
- Sr. Donna Marie Paluf, SND
- Convent phone: (440) 442-2380
Faith Formation and School
The parish educates children both through its parish school and the Parish School of Religion (PSR). The school serves preschool through eighth grade and has been recognized with the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award.
- St. Paschal Baylon School — PreK through Grade 8, principal Diane Raguz, phone (440) 442-6766 ext. 312
- National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2009, U.S. Dept. of Education)
- Governor's Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education (2012, with 11 teachers)
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — contact Catechetical Leader Anna Peko, [email protected]
- Youth Ministry — High School, led by Youth Minister Evamarie Cross
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA) — contact parish office
Outreach and Charity
The parish carries on the SSS tradition of bringing the Eucharist and concrete help to those in need. Helping Hands, founded in 1999, has become a signature ministry providing food, clothing, and care to neighbors.
- Helping Hands Ministry — food and clothing distribution (founded 1999 by Deacon Joe Bourgeois, SSS)
- Manna Ministry — financial assistance for parishioners in need
- Communion for the Sick and Homebound
- Pregnancy Guidance referrals to Birthright (800-550-4900) and Gabriel Project (800-910-0191)
- Knights of Columbus council active on campus (food service at parish events)
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
All seven sacraments are celebrated or arranged through the parish office. Catholics Returning Home, Annulment, and Vocations inquiries are also welcomed.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
- Anointing of the Sick — first Sunday after 8:30 AM Mass or by appointment
- Rite of Penance (Confession)
- Catholics Returning Home, Annulment, Vocations — contact the parish office
Parish Identity and Patron
Saint Paschal Baylon (1540–1592) was a Spanish Franciscan brother known for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and his simple, prayerful life tending his family's sheep. He was beatified by Pope Paul V and canonized by Pope Alexander VIII in 1690, and is the patron saint of chefs, cooks, and kitchens. The parish honors him each year around his May 17 feast with the Spring Fling Festival.
- Mission statement: 'Saint Paschal Baylon is a joyful, welcoming community centered in the Eucharist. Through our prayer and liturgy, we are empowered to grow in faith, love, and service.'
- Parish patron: St. Paschal Baylon, OFM
- Feast Day: May 17
- Spring Fling Festival held annually in his honor
Visit and Contact
The parish campus is on Wilson Mills Road in Highland Heights and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The office can be reached by phone or email, and the parish website hosts bulletins, staff contacts, and the full liturgical schedule.
- Address: 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, OH 44143-3092
- Parish Office: (440) 442-3410, Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- School: (440) 442-6766
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://church.saintpaschal.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John O'Brien, SSSearly 1950s (founding pastor)
Co-founded the parish with Brother Edward Mullen; commissioned the current church from architect Richard Fleischman.
- (Second pastor, SSS)
- Fr. Donald Jette, SSS
Third pastor; had originally suggested naming the parish for St. Paschal Baylon while a seminarian. The gym added in 2001 was dedicated in his honor.
- (Fourth pastor, SSS)
- (Fifth pastor, SSS)
- Fr. Mario Marzocchi, SSS
Sixth pastor; launched the campaign to build the Parish Life Center.
- Fr. Michael Arkins, SSS
Seventh pastor; inaugurated the Parish Life Center building drive and completed it in 2001.
- Fr. John Thomas Lane, SSS
Eighth pastor; former student of St. Paschal Baylon School.