About St. Richard · Manheim, Pennsylvania
Saint Richard Catholic Church is a small, close-knit Roman Catholic parish in the Borough of Manheim, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish traces its roots to 1949, when religious instruction began for eight children in a private home, and the current church building was completed in 1957. Father Richard (Rich) A. Groff serves as pastor, with Deacon Kenneth DiPaola, Music Director Josephine Martin, and Secretary Mary Miller. The parish is known for its intimate worship, reverent celebration of the Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and a rich calendar of traditional devotions.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Saint Richard of Chichester (Richard de Wyche), Bishop of Chichester (1198–1253)
- Rector
- Rev. Richard A. Groff (Father Rich)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Saint Richard offers the kind of personal, intimate Catholic life that is rare in larger parishes — people know each other and care for one another. The parish offers daily Mass (Tuesday through Friday), an active Adoration schedule (including every Wednesday and First Friday Exposition with Benediction), a deep devotional calendar (Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, First Saturday Rosary, St. Monica Holy Hour, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Consecration to the Sacred Heart), and meaningful ministries for young adults (H.O.L.Y.), women (Our Lady of Peace), and service to those in need (Servants of Saint Vincent de Paul). With the Knights of Columbus, Faith Formation, a Music Ministry, Pastoral and Finance Councils, and a Communication Team, newcomers can find their place quickly.
Mass times at St. Richard
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM (before the Vigil Mass)
- 1st Friday of the month 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (after Mass and during Adoration)
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (717) 665-2465
Adoration times
- Every Wednesday (follows weekday Mass)
- 1st Friday of the month — Exposition, Adoration, and Benediction (follows Mass)
Parish History
Saint Richard Parish grew out of the faith of a small group of Catholic families in Manheim. According to the parish, it began in 1949 with eight children gathered for religious instruction in a private home. For the next eight years the community worked toward a permanent worship space, and in 1957 Saint Richard Church was constructed in the Borough of Manheim. The parish proudly notes that family members of those founding parishioners are still active members today. Saint Richard sits in the heart of Manheim, a Lancaster County borough founded in 1762 by Baron Stiegel.
Our Patron Saint
The parish is named for Saint Richard of Chichester (Richard de Wyche), who lived from 1198 to 1253. Born in Droitwich, England, Richard pursued learning from childhood, eventually earning a doctorate in Canon Law. He served as chancellor to Saint Edmund Rich, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was ordained a priest in Orleans, France, in 1243. After Saint Edmund's death, King Henry III tried to install a political ally as Bishop of Chichester, but Pope Innocent IV consecrated Richard on March 5, 1245. Richard was canonized in 1262 by Pope Urban IV. He is remembered for his kindness, humility, and generosity to the poor — once instructing his steward to sell his gold and silver plates and even his horse to provide alms.
Devotions
Saint Richard maintains a particularly rich devotional life. Weekly devotions follow weekday Mass: every Tuesday the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, and every Wednesday Adoration. Monthly devotions, all following Mass, include First Friday Exposition, Adoration, and Benediction; First Saturday Rosary; Third Thursday St. Monica Holy Hour; Third Friday Divine Mercy Chaplet; and Fourth Friday Consecration to the Sacred Heart.
- Weekly: Tuesday Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
- Weekly: Wednesday Adoration
- Monthly: 1st Friday Exposition, Adoration, Benediction
- Monthly: 1st Saturday Rosary
- Monthly: 3rd Thursday St. Monica Holy Hour
- Monthly: 3rd Friday Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Monthly: 4th Friday Consecration to the Sacred Heart
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Richard A. Groff (Father Rich) as pastor, supported by Deacon Kenneth DiPaola. The lay staff includes Josephine Martin as Music Director and Mary Miller as Parish Secretary. Parish leadership also includes a Pastoral Council and a Finance Council.
- Rev. Richard A. Groff — Pastor
- Deacon Kenneth DiPaola
- Josephine Martin — Music Director
- Mary Miller — Parish Secretary
- Pastoral Council (Chair: Cindy Jenner)
- Finance Council (Chair: Dennis Brennan)
Parish Ministries & Groups
Saint Richard offers a wide range of ministries for a parish of its size, organized under Liturgical Ministries, Pastoral Care, Faith Formation, and Other Groups and Councils. Newcomers can find service, prayer, and fellowship through any of them.
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Music Ministry
- Caring Community
- Faith Formation
- Funeral Luncheon
- H.O.L.Y. (Heaven Oriented Living with Young Adults)
- Our Lady of Peace Women's Group
- Servants of Saint Vincent de Paul
- Saint Monica's Prayer Group
- Knights of Columbus
- Communication Team
- Vocation support
Sacraments
The parish provides guidance and pastoral care for all seven sacraments. The 'How Do I…' section of the parish website walks parishioners through the preparation and celebration of Baptism, Wedding, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral liturgies. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturdays and by appointment.
- Baptism
- Wedding (Marriage)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation (via Faith Formation)
Mission Statement & Motto
Saint Richard Parish's stated mission is 'To love the Lord God with all our hearts, minds, and souls through reverent worship, humble adoration, and frequent reception of the Sacraments. To love our neighbor with heartfelt welcome and compassionate service.' The parish's motto is 'Rooted in faith, united in community, and guided by Christ.' Father Groff's welcome on the homepage invites visitors to come and discover what he calls 'a hidden treasure' — the personal intimacy of a small parish where people know each other and care for one another.
Visit & Contact
Saint Richard Catholic Church is located at 110 N Oak Street, Manheim, PA 17545. The rectory and mailing address is 201 East Adele Avenue, Manheim, PA 17545. The Parish Office can be reached at (717) 665-2465. On-site facilities listed by the Diocese of Harrisburg include the Church, Parking, Restrooms, and Social Hall. The parish website is http://strichardcatholicchurch.org.