About St. Susanna · Mason, Ohio
St. Susanna is a Catholic parish in Mason, Ohio, in the northern suburbs of Cincinnati, belonging to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Founded in 1938, it is a vibrant, growing community of roughly 4,500 registered households served by four Sunday Masses (including one in Spanish), a daily Mass schedule, and an associated parish school serving more than 640 students. The parish operates St. Susanna School (K–8, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence), a preschool, a Family Faith Formation program, an active Hispanic Ministry, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a wide range of small groups, liturgical ministries, and adult faith formation offerings.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- St. Susanna of Rome
- Rector
- Fr. Bernie (Bernard J.) Weldishofer
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
St. Susanna is a large, multigenerational faith community that runs the full spectrum of Catholic life in one campus — a National Blue Ribbon K–8 school and preschool for the youngest members, daily Mass and a full confession schedule, vibrant faith formation from kindergarten through Confirmation, RCIA and RCIC for those exploring the faith, an active Hispanic Ministry including a weekly Spanish Mass, and a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference offering emergency aid to neighbors in need. Add in CRHP weekends, a robust Small Groups ministry, youth group, Bible studies, marriage and young adult groups, and four Sunday Masses that fit almost any schedule, and St. Susanna offers something for every age and stage of the Catholic journey.
Mass times at St. Susanna
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 6:30–7:30 PM
- Tuesday: 5:00–6:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00–7:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30–9:00 AM
- Saturday: 8:30–9:30 AM
Adoration times
- Thursday: Holy Hour at 6:00 PM
Our Parish & Patroness
St. Susanna Parish is named not directly for the early Christian martyr St. Susanna of Rome but for Susanna Hinkle, a Cincinnati-area convert to Catholicism whose financial support made the dream of a Mason parish possible. The little white chapel on Reading Road that hosted the first Mass on Easter Sunday 1938 cost just $15,000 and seated only 120 worshippers — but it was the seed of what has grown into one of the larger parish communities in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Parish History
From a $15,000 chapel of 120 to a 1,500-seat church, St. Susanna has grown steadily across four successive worship spaces. Key milestones include the founding Mass on Easter 1938; the opening of the parish school in September 1948 with 35 students taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur; the dedication of a new church by Bishop Paul F. Leibold on September 13, 1959; the hiring of the first lay Director of Religious Education, Mrs. Eileen Lipps, in 1976; the ordination assignment of the parish's first deacon, Robert Marcotte, that same year; the end of 32 years of Notre Dame sister-teaching in 1980; the 50th anniversary in 1988; and the 75th anniversary, marked by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr on June 30, 2013.
- Founded April 17, 1938 (Easter Sunday) in a 120-seat chapel
- First administrator: Msgr. Joseph Schneider, rector of Mount St. Mary's Seminary
- Parish school opened September 1948 with 35 students
- Second church dedicated by Bishop Paul F. Leibold, September 13, 1959
- First lay DRE, Eileen Lipps, hired 1976; first deacon, Robert Marcotte, October 1976
- 75th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, June 30, 2013
- 14 pastors total over parish history
Patron & Feast
The patroness of record in the Roman Martyrology is St. Susanna of Rome, an early Christian virgin and martyr honored on August 11; the parish adopted the name to honor the local benefactor Susanna Hinkle.
- Patron: St. Susanna of Rome (3rd-century Roman martyr)
- Feast Day: August 11
- Named after Susanna Hinkle, convert and Cincinnati-area benefactor
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
St. Susanna is currently shepherded by Fr. Bernie (Bernard J.) Weldishofer as pastor, supported by three deacons — Tim Geiger, Pat Palumbo, and Lou Wong — and a lay leadership team that includes Director of Music & Liturgy Luke Mayernik and Hispanic Ministry coordinator Aracelia Ayala. The parish offices, school, and faith formation programs are run by a broad administrative staff (full contact list on stsusanna.org/parish-staff/), and pastoral planning is supported by a Parish Pastoral Council of 11 elected members serving up to two 3-year terms.
- Pastor: Fr. Bernie (Bernard J.) Weldishofer
- Deacons: Tim Geiger, Pat Palumbo, Lou Wong
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Luke Mayernik (ext. 3105)
- Hispanic Ministry: Aracelia Ayala (plus Alma Hernández and Sara Silva, admins)
- Business Manager: Bob Keever (ext. 3121)
- Communications Director: Teresa Johns
- Parish Pastoral Council: 11 elected members
St. Susanna School
St. Susanna Parish School opened its doors on September 7, 1948 with 35 students taught by two Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur — including Sr. Helen Therese, who rode a small school bus each day from the Reading convent. Within a year a two-classroom building was constructed on the parish campus. The school has grown to roughly 647 students with a faculty of more than 65, and has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The Sisters of Notre Dame served the school for 32 consecutive years, ending when Mrs. Helen Sherman became the first lay principal in 1980. The current principal is Daniel Albrinck, with Wendy Speigle as assistant principal.
- Opened September 7, 1948 with 35 students in 4 grades
- A National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (U.S. Department of Education)
- Current enrollment: ~647 students, 65+ faculty/staff
- Principal: Daniel Albrinck (ext. 3109, [email protected])
- Assistant Principal: Wendy Speigle (ext. 3116)
- DRE / 2nd Grade Sacraments: Kristen Tell
- Tuition school addresses 500 Reading Rd., Mason, OH 45040
Preschool
St. Susanna's Preschool serves children from 24 months through age 5 in a nurturing Catholic environment, with programs for 2-year-olds (Mondays), 3-year-olds (Tuesdays & Thursdays), 4-year-olds (Mon/Wed/Fri) and 5-year-olds (Tuesdays–Fridays).
- 2-Year-Old Program: Mondays, 9:00–11:30 AM
- 3-Year-Old Program: Tue & Thu, morning or afternoon
- 4-Year-Old Program: Mon/Wed/Fri, morning or afternoon
- 5-Year-Old Program: Tue–Fri, morning or afternoon
- Preschool Director: Joette Ewing, ext. 3131 ([email protected])
- Registration: $150/child ($200/family cap)
Youth Faith Formation
St. Susanna runs the full K–Confirmation faith-formation stack: an Early Childhood Program (Sunday School) for ages 3–Kindergarten during the 9:30 AM Mass; the Children's Formation Program (CFP, Family Faith Formation — 'F3') for Grades 1–8 for children who don't attend Catholic grade school; a Youth Group for Grades 9–12 meeting Sundays 5:00–6:30 PM in the St. John Bosco Youth Room; and a Confirmation program for 7th and 8th graders meeting Sunday evenings. Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) brings age-appropriate Scripture to children ages 4 through Grade 1 during the 9:30 and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses, October through April — no registration required.
- Sunday School (ages 3–K): Sundays during 9:30 AM Mass
- Family Faith Formation — F3 (Grades 1–8): 1st & 3rd week of month, 6:00/6:30 PM
- CLOW (ages 4–Grade 1): Sundays at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM, Oct–Apr
- Youth Group (Grades 9–12): Sundays 5:00–6:30 PM, St. John Bosco Youth Room
- Confirmation (Grades 7–8): Sundays 6:30–7:30 PM
- Registration fee 2024–25: $120 / 1 child; $230 / 2; $330 / 3+
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / RCIC)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the ordinary path for adults inquiring into the Catholic faith and is open to Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation. RCIC is offered for children in Grades 3–12 who are unbaptized or baptized in another Christian denomination, and prepares them for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
- RCIA coordinator: Joe Schleicher (ext. 3149, [email protected])
- RCIC coordinator: Chloé Fasano (ext. 3110, [email protected])
Adult Faith Formation & Small Groups
St. Susanna maintains an unusually rich adult-formation ecosystem. CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) hosts annual men's and women's renewal weekends; The Cana Experience supports parents of young children in their vocation; Sunday Café gathers adults after the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass for Catholic topics and coffee; and Small Groups — including marriage groups, men's and women's study groups, Mark:4 Journey groups, Service Teams, CRHP continuation groups, and the Raphael recovery group for men — form the connective tissue of the parish. The Young Adult Ministry serves parishioners ages 18–35 with fellowship, social time, and spiritual reflection.
- CRHP men's & women's weekends (annual)
- Sunday Café — Sundays after 9:30 AM Mass
- The Cana Experience (parents of young children)
- Small Groups: marriage, men's, women's, study, service teams
- Mark:4 Journey Groups (men and women)
- Raphael Group: Catholic recovery fellowship for adult men (Thursdays 7:00–8:00 PM)
- Young Adult Ministry: ages 18–35
Sacraments — Baptism, Marriage & More
Baptism preparation begins in the Parish Office (Maribeth Bachman, ext. 3100) for infants through age 6; older children enter through RCIC; adults through RCIA. Marriage preparation follows a thorough, 13-step process that includes an introductory meeting with a priest, the Fully Engaged online questionnaire, mentor-couple meetings, Pre-Cana retreat through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, a Natural Family Planning class, viewing the video 'Green Sex,' regular Sunday Mass attendance, and — for weddings at St. Susanna — a meeting with Music Director Luke Mayernik. Wedding fees: $500 for prep and wedding at St. Susanna; $375 for wedding-only; $125 for prep only. A Convalidation process is also available for couples married outside the Church.
Hispanic Ministry (Misa en Español)
St. Susanna hosts a thriving Hispanic Ministry, anchored by a weekly Spanish Mass every Sunday at 4:00 PM and supported administratively by Aracelia Ayala, Alma Hernández, and Sara Silva. The parish is a regular stop for Spanish-speaking Catholic families in the Mason area.
- Misa en Español: Todos los domingos a las 4:00 PM
- Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Aracelia Ayala
- Hispanic Ministry Admins: Alma Hernández (ext. 3202), Sara Silva (ext. 3129)
St. Vincent de Paul & Outreach
St. Susanna operates a Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) conference that provides confidential emergency assistance to neighbors in need. Help requests can be left on the helpline voicemail and a volunteer will return the call.
- Confidential SVdP helpline: 513-398-3821 ext. 3500
- Leave name and contact number for a return call
Music & Liturgy
Music and liturgy are led by Luke Mayernik, Director of Music & Liturgy, who also prepares couples marrying at St. Susanna for the music of their wedding liturgy.
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Luke Mayernik (ext. 3105, [email protected])
Councils & Commissions
Parish governance is shared among the Parish Pastoral Council (elected, up to two 3-year terms) and the Worship, Finance, and School Commissions, each with distinct consultative roles to the pastor.
- Parish Pastoral Council — 11 members representing parishioner voice
- Worship Commission — liturgy, ministers, sacristan, environment
- Finance Commission — annual budget and long-range planning with Business Manager Bob Keever
- School Commission — three strategic committees: Academics, Communication & Marketing, Wellness
Parish Office & Practical Info
Parish Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. The main parish line is 513-398-3821. After-hours sacramental emergencies: ext. 3200. The parish uses Church Community Builder (CCB) for online community, groups, online giving, and event sign-ups — register at stsusanna.ccbchurch.com.
- Church Address: 616 Reading Rd., Mason, OH 45040
- School Address: 500 Reading Rd., Mason, OH 45040
- Parish Office: 513-398-3821 ext. 3100
- School Office: 513-398-3821 ext. 3108
- Emergency line: ext. 3200
- SVdP helpline: ext. 3500
- Community platform: Church Community Builder (CCB)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Joseph Schneider1938–c.1940
First administrator; rector of Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the Sacred Heart.
- Unnamed pastors1940–1942
Three different pastors served in just three years during the parish's earliest years.
- Fr. Harry Meyer1989–2005 (approx.)
Pastor Emeritus; longest-tenured pastor in St. Susanna history at 16 years.
- Fr. Robert Farrell
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in 2013.
- Fr. Stephen Lattner
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in 2013.
- Fr. John Tonkin
Former pastor; concelebrated the 75th anniversary Mass in 2013.
- Fr. Barry Stechschulte
Pastor who stepped down in 2018 following a petition by 500+ parishioners.