About St. Rita · Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania
St. Rita Catholic Church is a Latin-rite parish in the small mountain community of Blue Ridge Summit, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish traces its roots to 1920 (originally named St. Joan of Arc, renamed St. Rita's in 1922) and has worshipped in its present church on Monterey Lane since November 29, 1964. Since September 13, 1993 it has been served by the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (M.SS.CC.), and it shares pastoral coverage with neighboring Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Fairfield.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Rev. Peter DiTomasso, M.SS.CC.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Rita's is a small mountain parish where most parishioners know each other by name, daily Mass is offered six days a week at 9:00 AM, and a full sacramental life is sustained through the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Generations of Blue Ridge Summit families have built this community since 1920 — from the Depression-era altar in the sanctuary to the social hall added in 1987 — and the parish continues to gather them through Children's Faith Formation, RCIA, a youth group, music and liturgical ministries, plus ongoing adoration at the Saint Gaetano Errico Adoration Chapel in nearby Fairfield.
Mass times at St. Rita
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday after the 9:00 AM Mass (also listed as 10:00 AM)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Diocese of Harrisburg listing)
- By appointment with the priest
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Saint Gaetano Errico Adoration Chapel, 350 Tract Road, Fairfield, PA — Monday 9:00 AM through Friday 9:00 PM
Parish History
St. Rita's grew from Masses first celebrated at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel at Buena Vista in the early 1900s, was organized as a parish in 1920 under the name St. Joan of Arc, and renamed St. Rita's in 1922. For 45 years the community worshipped in the former Red Man's Lodge Hall before dedicating the present Monterey Lane church on November 29, 1964. The parish marked its centennial in 2020 with Bishop Ronald Gainer presiding at a Mass on July 8.
- 1920 — parishes of Blue Ridge Summit and Fairfield joined under Father Matthew Scanlon
- 1922 — parish renamed St. Rita's by Father Patrick Sullivan; Monterey Lane property bought for $8,000
- 1922 — Red Man's Lodge Hall purchased for $1,500 and used as the church for 45 years
- 1964 — present church completed; first Mass November 29, 1964
- 1987 — parish social hall and air conditioning added (Rocca family gifts)
- 1993 — Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (M.SS.CC.) assume pastoral care
- 2020 — centennial celebrated
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's Faith Formation (CCD) meets Sundays from 9:45 to 10:45 AM, September through May, for grades K–12, and is the normal preparation for First Communion (two-year enrollment) and Confirmation (typically eighth grade). Adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, or reception into the Catholic Church are served through the parish's RCIA process.
- Children's Faith Formation (CCD) — Sundays 9:45–10:45 AM, September–May, K–12
- RCIA — Mondays 7:00–9:00 PM, August–May; coordinator Fr. Peter DiTomasso
- Adult Faith Formation opportunities
- Confirmation preparation (two-year program, typically eighth grade)
Ministries & Parish Life
Parish life at St. Rita's centers on liturgical service, family catechesis and outreach to the homebound. Music ministry supports the Saturday Vigil and 11:00 AM Masses; lectors, altar servers (open to boys and girls in grade 4 and up), and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist at every liturgy.
- RCIA
- Adult Faith Formation
- Children's Faith Formation (CCD)
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Extraordinary Ministers to the Homebound
- Music Ministry (Saturday Vigil and 11:00 AM choirs)
- Youth Group
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with policies set by the Diocese of Harrisburg. Couples must contact the priest at least nine to twelve months before a desired wedding date, and parents should call the parish office as soon as possible after the birth of a child to arrange Baptism.
- Baptism — arrange formation session via parish office
- Confirmation — eighth-grade teens, plus adult pathway via RCIA
- First Holy Eucharist — two years of Religious Education required
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Tuesday after 9 AM Mass; Saturday 3–4 PM; or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — for serious illness, pre-surgery, advanced age
- Matrimony — 9–12 months of preparation per Diocese of Harrisburg
- Holy Orders — discernment through the pastor or the M.SS.CC. vocations office
Centennial & Parish Anniversary
St. Rita's marked its 100th anniversary in 2020, celebrating the parish's growth from a small chapel community into a permanent church-and-social-hall campus. The Diocese of Harrisburg noted Bishop Ronald Gainer as principal celebrant of a Mass on July 8, concelebrated by Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts priests and area clergy, with current pastor Father Peter DiTomasso welcoming the faithful.
- Diocesan article: 'St. Rita Parishioners Unite for Parish Centennial' (hbgdiocese.org)
- 100th Anniversary Tea celebrated at the parish
- Parish picnic photos (2019 and other years) preserved in parish albums
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Matthew Scanlon (St. Mary's)1920
Pastor of St. Mary's given charge of the Blue Ridge Summit mission (then St. Joan of Arc)
- Father Patrick (Matthew Patrick) Sullivan1922–
Renamed the BRS parish St. Rita's; bought the Monterey Lane property for $8,000; first resident pastor of St. Rita's from 1924
- Father Herman V. Fischer1929 (six months)
Pastor pro tem
- Father James McGrathDecember 1929–
Pastor of St. Mary's given charge of St. Rita's; no Masses at St. Rita's that summer due to lack of transportation
- Father Philip J. Gergen1930–1940
Ten years through the Depression; fashioned the wooden altar with Major Robert Barrick
- Father William B. Cavanaugh1940–1945
Brought parish to solvency with a poultry farm; built the Shrine of the Blessed Mother in 1942
- Father Joseph G. Gotwalt1945–1946
Administrator of St. Rita's and pastor of St. Mary's
- Father Cletus Hauck1946–1948
Administrator of both parishes
- Father Vincent Topper1948–1950
Administrator of both parishes
- Father Francis J. McCullough1950–1954
Purchased first bus to St. Andrew's School
- Father John McAnulty1954–1964
Transferred children to Mother Seton School; launched campaign for the new church
- Father John Paukovits1971–1973
- Father Salvatore V. Zangari1973–1979
Built parish camaraderie; began the now-traditional parish picnics; replaced the school bus
- Father Ronald J. Moratelli1979–1984
Installed new heating and reappointed the sanctuary
- Father Herbert J. Shank1984 (eight weeks)
Administrator
- Father Joseph E. Fennessy1984–1986
Refreshed liturgy, music and sanctuary appointments; replaced the school bus
- Father Robert G. Kobularik1986–1993
Oversaw 1987 construction of parish social hall and church air conditioning
- Father Michael A. Messaro, M.SS.CC.1993–
First M.SS.CC. pastor of both St. Rita's and Immaculate Conception; restored daily Mass
- Father Robert T. McDade, M.SS.CC.1993–
Parochial Vicar; primary responsibility St. Rita's Parish
- Father Robert Malagesi, M.SS.CC.2008–2017
Parochial Vicar
- Father Peter DiTomasso, M.SS.CC.current
Pastor of both parishes; served as Centennial host in 2020
- Father Chidi Onwuka, M.SS.CC.May 2021–
Parochial Vicar
- Father Marsianus Maksimus Leu, M.SS.CC.current
Parochial Vicar