St. Therese

Welcome and Mission

Saint Therese's Parish Community invites visitors and newcomers to a faith rooted in Word, Worship, Service, and Community. The parish's mission statement affirms that 'as disciples of Jesus Christ, we walk with God and each other in the Roman Catholic Parish of Saint Therese, Shavertown,' united in belief in the Eucharist, Scripture, and Prayer. Through Eucharistic-centered lives, Faith Formation, Social Justice, and Stewardship, the community seeks to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world with dignity, compassion, and grace. A downloadable parish registration form is available on the homepage for those wishing to formally join.

Parish History

Saint Therese's was established on November 3, 1926, when founding pastor Father John J. O'Leary relocated from the Back Mountain's earlier mission at Our Lady of Victory, Harvey's Lake. The cornerstone was laid in November 1928, with the first Christmas Eve Eucharist celebrated in the church hall that same year. An organ followed in 1938, and the parish founded Gate of Heaven School in 1951. After the Second Vatican Council (1963–1965) the interior was renovated in 1973, the school became a regional school in 1990, and a Parish Pastoral Council was formed in 1994. Exterior and interior enhancements were completed in 2004, and Father Joseph J. Pisaneschi began as the parish's current pastor in 2023.

• November 3, 1926 — Parish established; Father John J. O'Leary relocates from Our Lady of Victory mission.
• November 1928 — Cornerstone of Saint Therese's Church laid.
• Christmas Eve 1928 — First Eucharist celebrated in the church hall.
• October 11, 1938 — Church organ installed.
• November 1951 — Founding of Gate of Heaven School.
• 1973 — Renovation of church interior.
• 1990 — Gate of Heaven School restructured as a regional Catholic school.
• 1994 — Establishment of Parish Pastoral Council.
• 2004 — Exterior and interior enhancements.

Pastoral Staff

The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, who also serves as pastor of St. Frances X. Cabrini Parish in Carverton. He is supported by an office manager/secretary, a Director of Liturgical Music, a Coordinator of Religious Education, a Parish Secretary/Director of Stewardship, a Sacristan, and other staff listed on the parish contact page. Staff members include Beverly Harostock, Kelly Bryk, Kristin Osipower, Aileen Ginocchetti, Aileen Whalen, Cathe Zwolan, and Chuck Allabaugh.

• Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi — Pastor
• Aileen Whalen — Office Manager
• Cathe Zwolan — Parish Secretary/Director of Stewardship
• Kelly Bryk — Director of Liturgical Music
• Kristin Osipower — Coordinator of Religious Education
• Beverly Harostock
• Aileen Ginocchetti — Sacristan
• Chuck Allabaugh

Holy Day and Christmas Schedule

Saint Therese's publishes a full Holy Day schedule each liturgical year, listing vigil and feast-day Masses for the Ascension, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, All Saints, the Immaculate Conception, Christmas, and the Solemnity of Mary. On Christmas Eve, Masses are celebrated at 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 9:30 PM, with the parish explicitly noting that there is no Midnight Mass. Christmas Day Masses are at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.

• Christmas Eve: 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 9:30 PM (no Midnight Mass)
• Christmas Day: 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM
• Vigil of the Ascension and Ascension Thursday Masses
• Vigil and Feast of the Assumption
• Vigil and Feast of All Saints
• Vigil and Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Solemnity of Mary Vigil and Day

Religious Education and Faith Formation

Faith formation at St. Therese's serves every age and stage. Religious Education classes meet on Mondays (4:45–6:00 PM and 6:45–8:00 PM) and Tuesdays (5:30–6:45 PM) from September through May, with a Religious Education At-Home Program for homeschooling families. Adult and Family Faith Formation includes ongoing study, prayer, and service opportunities; family sessions engage parents and students together in retreat-like experiences. The parish also supports Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) during Mass, Vacation Bible School in July, a Senior High Youth Group (Grades 9–12) for meetings and service projects, and an OCIA team that walks adults through the Christian initiation process.

• Religious Education (Grades 1–6) — Mondays 4:45–6:00 PM, 6:45–8:00 PM; Tuesdays 5:30–6:45 PM
• Religious Education At-Home Program support
• Family Faith Formation sessions
• Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
• Vacation Bible School (July)
• Senior High Youth Group (Grades 9–12)
• OCIA / RCIA team
• Religious Education Teachers and Aides
• Religious Education Teacher's Helper (Grades 7–12)
• Religious Education Support (substitute teachers, safety assistance)
• Adult and family faith events

Word, Worship, and Liturgical Ministries

In the parish's 'Word, Worship, Service, Community' framework, the Word and Worship ministries gather those who proclaim and lift up the liturgy. Adult and Young Lectors proclaim the readings at Mass (training provided; Young Lectors for Grades 9–12 may earn service hours). Cantors and the choir, led by Director of Liturgical Music Kelly Bryk, support congregational singing. Altar Servers may begin training in 4th grade and commit for one year, and Ushers/Greeters welcome those arriving. A vibrant liturgical life is at the heart of the parish's Eucharistic identity.

• Lectors (Adults)
• Young Lectors (Grades 9–12)
• Cantors (Adults)
• Choir / Liturgical Music
• Altar Servers (training begins Grade 4)
• Ushers / Greeters

Service, Outreach, and Social Justice

Outreach at St. Therese's flows through the parish's Social Concerns Committee and several long-standing ministries of mercy. A Prayer Shawl Ministry wraps parishioners and others in prayer. A Bereavement Ministry provides follow-up to grieving families, and the parish checks on the elderly and infirm after hospitalization. Three seasonal drives — Thanksgiving Food Drive, Summer Food Drive, and the Christmas 'Giving Tree' — support the local poor. The Social Concerns Committee raises awareness on issues such as human trafficking; in 2024 the parish held a 'Red Sand Project Ceremony' on the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. A Men's Faith-Sharing Group meets Saturday mornings for prayer, scripture, faith-sharing, reflection, and song with no weekly attendance commitment.

• Prayer Shawl Ministry
• Bereavement Ministry and follow-up
• Calls to the elderly/infirm after hospitalization
• Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Poor
• Summer Food Drive for the Poor
• Christmas 'Giving Tree' project
• Social Concerns Committee (Red Sand Project, human-trafficking awareness)
• Men's Faith-Sharing Group (Saturday mornings)
• Homebound outreach

Getting Involved — Catalogue of Ministries

The parish publishes a periodic 'Catalogue of Ministries' PDF encouraging parishioners to share their time and talent. Ministries are organized for younger parishioners, teens, adults, and families, with many youth opportunities qualifying for school service hours. Roles span liturgical service (altar servers, lectors, cantors), faith-formation support (teacher, teacher's aide, teacher's helper, VBS volunteer, At-Home Program support), parish life (Ski & Snowboard Club, Senior High Youth Group), and community outreach.

• Catalogue of Ministries available on the parish website
• Opportunities for youth service hours
• Adult ministry options across Word, Worship, Service, and Community
• VBS Young Helpers (Grades 5–12)
• Ski & Snowboard Club (Montage Mountain discounts)

Contact and Visit

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (570) 696-1144 or by emailing [email protected]. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM. The parish is located at 64 Davis Street in Shavertown, PA 18708, within the Diocese of Scranton. Saturday vigil Mass at 5:30 PM is preceded by confessions from 5:00–5:20 PM, and Sunday Masses are at 8:00 and 11:00 AM.

• Address: 64 Davis Street, Shavertown, PA 18708
• Phone: (570) 696-1144
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM