About St. Regis · Trafford, Pennsylvania
St. Regis Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Trafford, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Greensburg. Founded in the early 1900s by immigrant families who came to work at the Westinghouse plant, the parish has grown to nearly 1,100 families and is served today by Father Daniel E. Carr as pastor and Father Daniel Iletogbe as parochial vicar, along with Deacon Jeffrey Cieslewicz. The parish is named for St. John Francis Regis, a 17th-century French Jesuit, and offers daily and weekend Mass, Adoration, OCIA, faith formation for all ages, and a wide array of lay ministries and outreach including a partnership with a sister parish in Valle Dorado, Mexico.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- St. John Francis Regis (French Jesuit, 1597–1640, canonized 1737)
- Rector
- Father Daniel E. Carr
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Regis is a mid-sized, multi-generational parish of nearly 1,100 families with a deep history going back to 1904. It offers daily Mass Monday through Thursday and a Saturday vigil and Sunday morning Mass, plus Adoration on first and third Wednesdays, OCIA for those exploring Catholicism, and a growing Faith Formation program that includes both traditional classroom catechesis and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–12) plus youth ministry for grades 6–12. Parishioners can get involved as Lectors, Cantors, Ushers, Greeters, in the Hand Bell Choir, the Knights of Columbus (Council #6299), the Sleeping Bag Ladies, and through a long-standing sister-parish partnership with Valle Dorado, Mexico served by the Marianist Fathers.
Mass times at St. Regis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 p.m.
- Or by appointment — contact Father Dan through the parish office
Adoration times
- First and third Wednesdays of every month after morning Mass until noon benediction
Mission, Patron, and Identity
St. Regis Parish frames its life around an explicit mission statement: 'We are the family of St. Regis, a diverse, faith-filled community of caring people. We commit ourselves to be Christ-like to one another, promoting active participation by all in building the parish faith community. Unified through Word and Worship, we answer the call to love and serve God. We resolve to share our faith through prayer, outreach, and service.' The parish is named for St. John Francis Regis, a French Jesuit born in 1597, who joined the Society of Jesus in 1615 and evangelized the poor in the most desolate villages, establishing a granary for the poor, a refuge for women and girls, prison visitors, sick nurses, and guardians for the poor. He died in 1640 at the age of 43 and was canonized in 1737; Bishop Canevin selected his name for the new church in Trafford in 1907. The parish's welcome is notably open: 'No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, no matter your current family or marital situation, no matter your personal history, age, income, background, gender, race, ethnicity or spirituality… you belong to Jesus Christ and you belong to us.'
- Parish mission statement
- Patron: St. John Francis Regis, S.J. (1597–1640)
- Feast day: June 16
A Parish History Spanning Three Centuries of Local Life
St. Regis grew out of the immigrant community drawn to the Westinghouse plant in Trafford. Eighteen families petitioned Bishop J. F. Regis Canevin to establish a Catholic church; the first Mass was celebrated by Father McGarey for 60 people in the Euwer Building. In 1905 Trafford became a mission of the newly erected St. Michael Parish, Pitcairn, and in 1907 Bishop Canevin dedicated the first church, with Father Patrick J. O'Neil as first permanent resident pastor. A February 1910 fire destroyed the original building, and it was rebuilt the same year as a combined church and school. A second fire in January 1943 damaged the interior; Father Thomas J. Gillen, appointed in 1947, later built the present church in 1959 and opened St. Regis School in 1960. The school closed in 1993, but the parish's centennial campaign and a 2003 renovation under Father James D. Tringhese, rededicated by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco, refreshed the worship space for a new century.
- First Mass in Euwer Building, Christmas Day 1904
- Church dedicated by Bishop Canevin, summer 1907
- Original church destroyed by fire, February 1910; rebuilt as church-school same year
- Second fire, January 1943; sanctuary rebuilt
- Present church built 1959; dedicated by Bishop William G. Connare, May 14, 1960
- St. Regis School opens, September 6, 1960; closes 1993
- Centennial renovation Phase I (HVAC) 2001; Phase II 2003; Rededication by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco, July 13, 2003
- Nearly 1,100 families today
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The parish is in year two of a three-year transition moving from traditional Faith Formation to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) combined with a Youth Ministry track. CGS is offered for ages 3–12 across Levels I, II, and III, meeting weekly from late September/early October through Pentecost in a prepared 'Atrium' environment. Traditional in-class Faith Formation for grades 2–5 meets two or three Tuesday evenings a month from 5:30–7:30 p.m., with four special Family Faith Formation Days. Youth Ministry is offered for grades 6–12. The Office of Faith Formation is staffed by Karen McDade (also Office Coordinator and New Media Manager), and Amelia Steele serves as Regional Director of Youth Ministry and Discipleship.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — ages 3–12, Levels I/II/III
- Traditional Faith Formation — grades 2–5, Tuesday evenings 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Youth Ministry — grades 6–12
- Four annual Family Faith Formation Days
- Office of Faith Formation: 412-372-4577 x 208
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
For those inquiring about the Catholic faith, the parish directs adults to its OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Inquiries may be directed to Karen McDade in the Office of Faith Formation at 412-372-4577 x 208 or [email protected].
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Contact: Karen McDade, 412-372-4577 x 208, [email protected]
Parish Ministries and Organizations
The parish describes itself as 'a very active parish' with many ministries, organizations, and opportunities for formation. Adult members serve as Lectors, Cantors, Ushers, Greeters, in the Hand Bell Choir, the Knights of Columbus, and the Sleeping Bag Ladies. Adult faith formation classes run in the Spring and Fall. The Knights of Columbus Council #6299 supports the parish, pro-life and charitable organizations, seminarians, and high school scholarships, and meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
- Lectors, Cantors, Ushers, Greeters
- Hand Bell Choir
- Knights of Columbus — Council #6299 (meetings Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.)
- Sleeping Bag Ladies (Mondays 1–3 p.m., Sept–April)
- Adult formation classes (Spring and Fall)
- Liturgy and Music (Paul Ragan, coordinator)
Sister Parish: Valle Dorado, Mexico
Since 2001, when the St. Regis pastoral council and parishioners adopted a stewardship objective to share resources with a needy parish, St. Regis has partnered with Valle Dorado in Mexico, which is served by the Marianist Fathers. Several fundraising projects have supported this poor parish. The Marianist ministries in Mexico began in 1980 and now serve in four cities — Coatzacoalcos, Puebla, Querétaro, and La Chinantla — offering pastoral care, religious instruction, and educational programs to help impoverished families and communities become self-supporting. The Marianists also serve three parishes, two schools, and three ministries for poor rural families, and provide formation training for young men interested in the Society of Mary.
- Sister parish: Valle Dorado, Mexico
- Served by the Marianist Fathers since 1980
- Marianist ministries in Coatzacoalcos, Puebla, Querétaro, and La Chinantla
- St. Regis fundraising supports pastoral care, religious instruction, and education in Mexico
Sleeping Bag Ladies
The Sleeping Bag Ladies meet on Mondays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., September through April, to sew sleeping bags for the homeless from used blankets and bedspreads. The finished sleeping bags are donated to The Intersection in McKeesport. Only simple sewing skills are required, and the group combines practical service with fellowship and a shared sense of compassion for those in difficult circumstances.
- Meets Mondays 1:00–3:00 p.m., September–April
- Sews sleeping bags from recycled blankets/bedspreads
- Donations delivered to The Intersection, McKeesport
Parish Staff and Office
The parish is led by Father Daniel E. Carr (Pastor) and Father Daniel Iletogbe (Parochial Vicar), with Deacon Jeffrey Cieslewicz assisting. The lay staff includes Karen McDade (Faith Formation, Office Coordinator, New Media Manager), Jennifer Walker (Parish Secretary and Safe Environment Coordinator), Joseph Prementine (Maintenance Manager), Paul Ragan (Liturgy and Music Coordinator), and Amelia Steele (Regional Director of Youth Ministry and Discipleship). The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Friday).
- Pastor: Father Daniel E. Carr — x 205, [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Father Daniel Iletogbe — [email protected]
- Deacon: Jeffrey Cieslewicz — [email protected]
- Faith Formation / Office Coordinator / New Media: Karen McDade — x 208
- Parish Secretary / Safe Environment: Jennifer Walker — x 206
- Maintenance Manager: Joseph Prementine — x 207
- Liturgy & Music: Paul Ragan — [email protected]
- Youth Ministry: Amelia Steele — [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick J. O'NeilFirst permanent pastor (by 1907)
First permanent resident pastor after the church was dedicated in 1907; transferred in 1913. Shepherded the parish through the 1910 fire and the construction of a combined church and school.
- Father Patrick F. QuinnAfter 1913
- Father Thomas F. Walsh
- Father Terence F. McCabe1922 – c. 1947
Long-tenured pastor who served the community for 25 years.
- Father Thomas J. GillenDecember 1947 –
Appointed by Bishop Hugh C. Boyle of Pittsburgh. Introduced released-time religious education; acquired the convent for the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill; oversaw the 1959 construction of the current church and the 1960 opening of St. Regis School.
- Father James D. TringhesePastor as of 2003
Celebrated the first Mass in the renovated worship space on Holy Thursday 2003; Rededication Mass by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco on July 13, 2003.
- Father Daniel E. CarrCurrent pastor
A priest for six years as of recent reporting; described in regional press as caring for the spiritual lives of about 1,000 parish families.