About St. Thomas the Apostle · Sheffield Lake, Ohio
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Catholic parish in Sheffield Lake, Ohio, in Lorain County, part of the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded in 1962, it grew out of a mission started in 1955 from nearby St. Teresa Parish in Sheffield Village to serve the spiritual needs of the growing Sheffield Lake community. The parish describes itself as 'a Catholic community guided by the Holy Spirit' that seeks to 'reflect Jesus as servants, teachers, and leaders in building the Kingdom of God.' It operates a parish school (historically), a PSR religious education program, a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and a range of lay ministries serving Sheffield Lake for more than sixty years.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Stephen L. Shields
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in a close-knit, volunteer-built community: weekend and daily Mass, Saturday confessions, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, a Rosary prayed before every Mass, and a weekly Monday Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. A robust PSR program walks children from kindergarten through Confirmation, the parish CYO engages youth in sports and faith, and active lay ministries — including the Holy Name Society, Bible Study, RCIA, Music Ministry, the Homeless Ministry, and the Lenten Fish Fry — give every age a way to serve. The parish is fully accessible (no steps, stairs, or ramps) and welcomes new members, making it a practical spiritual home for families across the Sheffield Lake area.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- By appointment (call the Parish Office at (440) 949-7744)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered as part of parish life (specific weekly hours not listed on the public site; contact the Parish Office for the current schedule)
Parish History
St. Thomas the Apostle was formally established on June 14, 1962 as a parish of the Diocese of Cleveland, growing out of a 1955 mission from St. Teresa Parish in Sheffield Village. The mission's buildings, the school, and the eventual permanent church were all built and expanded over four pastorates — Fathers Grismer, Reichlin, Gaebelein, and McCaffrey — before Father Stephen L. Shields took the parish forward in 1997–98. The parish's own history page captures the founding spirit: 'Half a century ago, a handful of our parishioners had a dream of establishing a parish for the spiritual welfare of the people of Sheffield Lake. Our first buildings were built by a labor of love, and by the hard work of many volunteers and their friends.'
- 1955 — Father Joseph Eiringer begins celebrating Mass in the Westshore Community building to test a Sheffield Lake mission.
- 1960 (Dec 1) — Mission formally erected as 'Mission of St. Thomas.'
- 1962 (June 14) — Mission becomes St. Thomas the Apostle Parish; Fr. Urban A. Reichlin named first pastor.
- 1972 — Fr. Claude J. Gaebelein builds the permanent church.
- 1981 (June 16) — Fr. John J. McCaffrey succeeds as pastor.
- 1997 (Aug 18) — Fr. Stephen L. Shields arrives as Administrator.
- 1998 (July 1) — Fr. Shields is appointed pastor.
Mission and Identity
The parish states on its website: 'We are a Catholic community guided by the Holy Spirit. Inspired by our liturgy and communal prayer, we reflect Jesus as servants, teachers, and leaders in building the Kingdom of God.' The cluster page adds: 'As a Catholic people, we are called to be a vibrant parish life. We are called to be a Eucharistic Community, united in worship around the table of the Lord. We are to be the center of religious education and sacramental life, for all people, at all age levels and walks of life. We should be a caring and welcoming community of faith, and an evangelizing presence in the world around us.'
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish has a rich devotional rhythm that is printed in every bulletin: the Rosary is prayed every day before Mass (including on weekends), the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help is prayed every Monday before the 9:00 AM Mass, and prayers for the Faithful Departed follow the 9:00 AM Mass each Saturday. The parish also maintains a Prayer Line through the Sisters of Notre Dame at (440) 279-1163, and Mass Intentions are available for 2025/2026 at $10 each through the Parish Office.
- Daily Rosary before Mass
- Monday Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help (before 9:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday prayers for the Faithful Departed (after 9:00 AM Mass)
- Sisters of Notre Dame Prayer Line: (440) 279-1163
- Mass Intentions available — call (440) 949-7744
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish staff combines clergy, lay ministry leaders, and operations. Father Stephen L. Shields serves as Pastor. Mrs. Heather Centifanti is the Office Manager; Mr. Michael Chutes is the Property Manager / Custodian. Kim and David Gray direct the PSR program, and John & Kathy Mack lead the Music Ministry, with Roger Brooks earlier listed as Choir Director. Jim O'Connor coordinates the CYO, and Dave Johnston oversees the Funeral Luncheon Ministry. Penny leads the Homeless Ministry, and volunteers staff the Lector, Reader, Eucharistic Minister, and Altar Server ministries.
- Fr. Stephen L. Shields — Pastor
- Mrs. Heather Centifanti — Office Manager
- Mr. Michael Chutes — Property Manager
- Kim & David Gray — PSR Directors
- John & Kathy Mack — Music Ministry
- Roger Brooks — Choir Director (earlier listing)
- Jim O'Connor — CYO Coordinator, (440) 949-2631
- Dave Johnston — Funeral Luncheon Ministry, (440) 670-0204
- Penny — Homeless Ministry, (440) 949-7548
Faith Formation and Religious Education (PSR)
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) walks children from kindergarten through 8th grade in their sacramental journey: Reconciliation and First Communion preparation in 1st through 7th grade, with Confirmation preparation in 8th grade. The program is directed by Kim and David Gray. The RCIA / Convert Class, also known on the website as the 'Convert Class,' brings adults into the faith. Parish bulletin announcements also point to ongoing Bible Study groups, which were introduced under Father Shields.
- PSR — K–7th grade sacramental preparation (Reconciliation, First Communion)
- Confirmation preparation — 8th grade
- RCIA / Convert Class — contact (440) 949-7744
- Bible Study groups (introduced under Fr. Shields)
- PSR contact: David Gray, (440) 714-4007
Youth, CYO, and Music
St. Thomas fields a Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) program under coordinator Jim O'Connor, with Grismer Hall's gymnasium serving as the home court for parish sports. The Music Ministry, currently led by John and Kathy Mack (with Roger Brooks earlier listed as Choir Director), supports the parish liturgies. A Youth Group was formed under Father Stephen Shields during his early years as pastor.
- CYO — parish sports and youth activities (Jim O'Connor, (440) 949-2631)
- Music Ministry / Choir — John & Kathy Mack, (440) 242-8683
- Youth Group — formed under Fr. Shields
Outreach, Fellowship, and Parish Life
Fellowship and outreach are central to parish life. The Holy Name Society, Bible Study, and Parish Council are listed as active parish groups. The Homeless Ministry accepts donations of food, time, and treasure. The annual St. Thomas Lenten Fish Fry (Fridays during Lent) draws on volunteer support and donations of soda, water, and desserts. The Funeral Luncheon Ministry provides support to grieving families. Recent bulletins have highlighted collections for hurricane victims and a 'People Helping People' initiative. The parish also rents Grismer Hall for community events.
- Holy Name Society
- Parish Council
- Bible Study
- Homeless Ministry (Penny, (440) 949-7548)
- Lenten Fish Fry (begins in early March)
- Funeral Luncheon Ministry (Dave Johnston, (440) 670-0204)
- People Helping People
- Grismer Hall rental for parish and community events
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments across the life of its members. Baptism is celebrated on Sundays (parish bulletin lists 11:30 AM; the parish website lists 12:30 PM) after a required Pre-Baptismal Class for parents and verification that at least one Godparent is a practicing Catholic. First Communion and Reconciliation are prepared through PSR; Confirmation is prepared in 8th grade. Marriage requires that at least one party be a registered parishioner with at least six months' notice. Home Communion is available for the homebound by contacting the Parish Office, and funeral arrangements must be made with the Parish Office before any obituary publication.
- Baptism — Sundays; Pre-Baptismal Class required
- First Communion & Reconciliation — through PSR (K–7th)
- Confirmation — 8th grade
- Marriage — 6 months' notice, at least one parishioner
- Anointing / Home Communion — by request through the Parish Office
- Funerals — contact the Parish Office before publication
Facilities, Accessibility, and Visiting
The parish's physical plant reflects six decades of building. The current church was constructed in 1972, and the original mission church/auditorium was repurposed as Grismer Hall — the parish's gymnasium, PSR space, and event venue. Eiringer Hall serves parish activities and the school cafeteria. The parish bulletin prominently states: 'St. Thomas the Apostle Church is fully accessible — No Steps, No Stairs, No Ramps.' New members are welcomed — the parish asks newcomers to call the Parish Office when they arrive, and to update the office when they move or turn 18.
- 715 Harris Road — church building
- 521 Harris Road — Rectory / Parish Office
- 4255 East Lake Road — former parish convent
- Grismer Hall — parish hall, gymnasium, PSR space
- Eiringer Hall — parish activities and school cafeteria
- Fully accessible church (no steps, stairs, or ramps)
- New members welcome — call the Parish Office
Cluster and Diocese
St. Thomas the Apostle is part of a parish cluster within the Diocese of Cleveland that includes St. Anthony Parish in Lorain (1305 East Erie Ave., Lorain 44052, (440) 288-0106) and St. Teresa Parish in Sheffield Village (1878 Abbe Rd., Sheffield Village 44054, (440) 934-4227, [email protected]). The Diocese of Cleveland can be reached at (800) 869-6525, 1404 E. 9th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44114, or dioceseofcleveland.org.
- St. Anthony Parish, Lorain — (440) 288-0106
- St. Teresa Parish, Sheffield Village — (440) 934-4227
- Diocese of Cleveland — (800) 869-6525 — dioceseofcleveland.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Raymond J. Grismer1960–1962 (as pastor of St. Teresa Parish shepherding the Sheffield Lake mission)
Purchased the 25-acre Harris Road site and developed the mission church and school buildings that became St. Thomas the Apostle.
- Fr. Urban A. Reichlin1962–1968
First pastor of the formally established parish. Completed the school with a south wing (classrooms and library) and added the east wing (now Eiringer Hall); purchased the rectory at 521 Harris Road and the parish convent at 4255 East Lake Road.
- Fr. Claude J. Gaebelein1968–1981
Built the permanent church in 1972. Sold 12 of the original 25 acres to help finance construction; the former mission church was repurposed as Grismer Hall.
- Fr. John J. McCaffrey1981–1997
Continued to grow the parish and school, especially around the gymnasium. Became ill in August 1997 and was unable to continue as pastor.
- Fr. Stephen L. ShieldsAdministrator 1997; Pastor 1998–present
Expanded Eucharistic Adoration, introduced Bible Study, formed a Youth Group, established Parish Council, expanded the Finance Committee, and put an Education Ministry in place.