About St. Robert Bellarmine · Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
St. Robert Bellarmine Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Scranton worshipping at the historic St. Aloysius Church on West Division Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The parish was formed in 2010 when St. Aloysius merged with St. Casimir's Parish, carrying forward the legacy of both South Wilkes-Barre and Hanover Township-area Catholic communities. With roughly 1,066 families (about 2,200 parishioners), it serves the faithful of northeastern Pennsylvania from a striking Gothic-revival church whose mosaics, Munich stained glass and mahogany furnishings were dedicated by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty in 1927 and refreshed in the 1990s.
- Established
- 2010
- Patron
- St. Robert Bellarmine (parish patron); St. Aloysius Gonzaga (worship site patron)
- Rector
- Reverend Richard J. Cirba, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Robert Bellarmine is a welcoming, family-sized parish of about 2,200 parishioners rooted in a landmark Gothic church in South Wilkes-Barre. It offers daily and weekend Masses, a full roster of sacraments, and more than 20 active ministries — from Senior and Junior choirs, Altar and Rosary Society, a Men's Group and RCIA, to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Communion Ministers to the Sick who bring the Eucharist to the homebound. The parish lives out its stewardship mission through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and a Fellowship Committee that organizes the annual parish bazaar, and it also live-streams Mass on Facebook and YouTube for those who cannot be present in person.
Mass times at St. Robert Bellarmine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
History & Heritage
St. Robert Bellarmine Parish was formed in 2010 when the historic St. Aloysius Parish (founded April 1899, dedicated 1927) merged with St. Casimir's Parish to serve the Catholics of South Wilkes-Barre and Hanover Township. The parish's roots in the original St. Aloysius community — 37 founding families in 1899, 100 families by 1913, and now about 1,066 families — are carried forward under a new name with a continuing mission to preach the Gospel and be good stewards.
- St. Aloysius founded April 1899 (37 families)
- St. Aloysius Church dedicated 1927 by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty
- Diocese of Scranton consolidation: linkup 2009; merger 2010
- St. Robert Bellarmine Parish canonically established 2010
- 125th anniversary celebrated in parish materials
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Reverend Richard J. Cirba, V.F., Pastor, and is assisted by Reverend Andrew Amankwaa as Senior Priest. Deacon Raymond Lenahan serves the parish, including as the contact for the Communion Ministers to the Sick ministry.
- Rev. Richard J. Cirba, V.F. — Pastor
- Rev. Andrew Amankwaa — Senior Priest (since July 1, 2025)
- Deacon Raymond Lenahan
The Church Building
St. Aloysius is a Gothic-style landmark whose interior is dominated by ornate woodwork, mahogany pews, a wealth of Munich stained-glass windows, and a marble-clad sanctuary. The 1994 renovation under Monsignor Donald A. McAndrews preserved and refreshed the rich decorative color scheme and stately arches. The church sits at the center of a coordinated parish campus that also includes a school, rectory, hall, cafeteria, auditorium, and ample parking — all designed together for utility and accessibility.
- Gothic architecture
- Munich stained-glass windows (side walls & upper clerestory)
- Mahogany pews and ornate woodwork
- Marble sanctuary (stairs, steps, pulpit, lectern, floor)
- Original dedication 1927
- Renovation 1994 (Monsignor Donald A. McAndrews)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders — and treats them as the core of parish life. Preparation programs include Baptism Preparation for parents and RCIA for adult candidates seeking full initiation into the Church.
- Baptism (with Baptism Preparation)
- Confirmation
- Eucharist / First Holy Communion
- Penance / Reconciliation (Saturdays 3:00 PM)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- RCIA for adult candidates
Parish Life & Ministries
Beyond the sacraments, St. Robert Bellarmine offers a rich parish life with more than 20 active ministries divided among liturgical service, faith formation, social outreach, and parish community. The Fellowship Committee and Men's Group organize social and spiritual gatherings, and the parish participates in the St. Vincent de Paul Society's outreach to those in need.
- Senior & Junior Music Ministries (choir)
- Altar and Rosary Society (women's group)
- Men's Group
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Ushers, Sacristans, Funeral Acolytes
- Liturgical Linen Service
- Bereavement Ministry
- Baptism Preparation
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Communion Ministers to the Sick
- Finance Council & Parish Pastoral Council
- Offertory Counters
- Fellowship Committee & Flowers and Grounds
- RCIA
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry is led by the parish choir director (reached at 570-814-2831). The Senior Choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM in the church auditorium and sings primarily at the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass; the Junior Choir rehearses Wednesdays from 5:30–6:30 PM. Mass is live-streamed on Facebook (Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil) and a replay is posted to the parish YouTube channel on Sundays at 10:00 AM.
- Senior Choir rehearsal: Thursdays 7:00 PM in the church auditorium
- Junior Choir rehearsal: Wednesdays 5:30–6:30 PM
- Facebook live: Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil Mass
- YouTube: Sunday 10:00 AM replay of Vigil Mass
Outreach & Charity
The parish lives out its stewardship mission through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Communion Ministers to the Sick and homebound, and a Bereavement Ministry that supports parishioners through loss. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are trained either through parish sessions or diocesan courses at the Pastoral Formation Institute.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Communion Ministers to the Sick & homebound
- Bereavement Ministry
- Extraordinary Ministers training (parish and diocesan)
Worship Sites
St. Robert Bellarmine Parish worships primarily at St. Aloysius Church, 143 West Division Street, Wilkes-Barre. The parish is also spiritually linked with Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish in Hanover Township, the result of the Diocese of Scranton's 2009 linkage and 2010 consolidation.
- Saint Aloysius Church — 143 W. Division St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish — Hanover Township (linked worship site)
Visiting & Contact
The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The main parish number is (570) 823-3791, with extension 2 for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Email is [email protected], and the diocese mailing address is the same West Division Street location. The parish complex includes ample paved parking and is designed for accessibility.
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: (570) 823-3791 (fax 570-826-0233)
- Email: [email protected]
- Abundance of parking on campus
- Live Mass streaming via Facebook and YouTube
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Andrew R. Sinnott2009–2011
First pastor after St. Aloysius was linked with Exaltation of the Holy Cross in 2009; led the 2010 formation of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish; reassigned to Nativity of Our Lord, Duryea in July 2011. Retired in 2015 as Pastor Emeritus of Nativity of Our Lord.
- Reverend Kevin P. Mulhern2011–2017
Took over as pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine and Exaltation of the Holy Cross in July 2011; oversaw renovations ahead of the parish's 100th anniversary and linkup; on medical leave in 2016; reassigned to St. Jude's Parish in June 2017.
- Reverend Richard J. Cirba, V.F.2017–present
Served as administrator during Father Mulhern's medical leave in 2016; formally named pastor in June 2017; current pastor.