About Sts. Peter and Paul · Garfield Heights, Ohio
Ss. Peter & Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Garfield Heights, Ohio, in the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded in 1927 to serve the spiritual needs of Polish Catholics in the area, it remains a worshiping community that openly welcomes everyone in the Garfield Heights area regardless of background. The parish gathers for Mass several times each week, runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR), and supports outreach through a parish food pantry associated with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The parish is currently led by an administrator, with a priest in residence and a deacon assisting with ministry.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Fox (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Ss. Peter & Paul offers a long-established Garfield Heights Catholic community where Sunday Mass, weekday Mass, and Confession are celebrated on a regular schedule, and where parishioners of every background are welcomed. Active lay ministries — lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, greeters and ushers, altar servers, choir, a prayer ministry, and an Altar Society — give plenty of ways to participate. The parish also runs a PSR (Parish School of Religion) for faith formation of children and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry serving neighbors in material need, so belonging here means joining a community that both worships together and reaches out.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- First Thursday of the month 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Parish History & Heritage
Ss. Peter & Paul Parish was founded in 1927 to serve the Polish Catholic community that was then growing in Garfield Heights. The parish describes itself as originally a 'personal or nationality parish originally dedicated to the spiritual needs of Polish Catholics.' Although it still takes pride in its Polish roots, today the parish serves the spiritual and material welfare of everyone in Garfield Heights. The early years of the parish are documented in surviving Polish-language parish annuals held by the Polish Museum of America.
- Founded 1927
- Original mission: serve Polish Catholics in Garfield Heights
- Diocese of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Suburban – Southeast vicariate
- Early parish annuals (e.g., Rocznik 1934) preserved in the Polish Museum of America Archives
Mission Statement
The parish states its mission as gathering the community for the worship of God in union with the whole Catholic Church — teaching and proclaiming God's saving word on every level, to all people, and extending the compassion of Jesus Christ through worship, education, prayer, and action to those in spiritual, material, or emotional need.
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently served by an Administrator, a priest in residence, and a deacon, supported by lay staff who run the office, religious education, music, and maintenance.
- Rev. Kevin Fox — Administrator
- Fr. Edward J. Janoch — In Residence
- Rev. Mr. Robert J. Bugaj — Deacon
- Mrs. Karen Boushelle — PSR Coordinator
- Mr. Frank Kozuch — Music Director
- Mrs. Geraldine Koenig — Secretary
- Mrs. Clare Pastrana-Graves — Office Manager
- Mr. Bill Novak — Maintenance
Faith Formation — Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The parish operates a Parish School of Religion for the catechesis of its children. Students experience the Catholic faith not only through classroom work but also through Adoration, Reconciliation, service projects, community meals, an Ash Wednesday service, the Stations of the Cross, and a May Crowning. PSR registration typically opens in the summer before each school year.
- PSR Coordinator: Mrs. Karen Boushelle
- Registration runs each summer for the following academic year
- Includes Adoration, Reconciliation, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning, and service projects
Liturgical Ministries
Ss. Peter & Paul has an active group of lay liturgical ministries that support the celebration of Mass and bring the Eucharist to those who cannot attend.
- Music Ministry — choir and cantors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (ages 10 and up, with training)
- Greeters and Ushers
Prayer & Pastoral Ministries
Beyond liturgy, the parish supports several ministries of prayer and pastoral care. The Ministry of Prayer is a volunteer group of parishioners who pray for the intentions and needs of others; requests can be submitted by calling the Rectory. A Health Ministries Program offers monthly blood pressure checks after weekend Masses, run by healthcare professionals from the parish.
- Ministry of Prayer
- Health Ministries Program (monthly blood pressure screenings)
- Visits to the sick and homebound (under the Altar Society)
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank
The parish runs a modest food bank through its St. Vincent de Paul conference that provides food and some clothing to those in great need. Volunteers from the parish help collect and distribute essential items to the less fortunate in the community and beyond.
- Food and limited clothing assistance
- Volunteer opportunities through the parish
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
Ss. Peter & Paul offers several parish organizations and social groups that build fellowship and support the parish financially and spiritually.
- Altar Society / Confraternity of Christian Mothers
- WomEn Who Care (book club, VBS, summer picnics)
- Seniors Club
- Social Events and Picnic Organization (parish's largest fundraiser, including chicken & roast beef dinners, bingo, and festival games)
- Parish Council (monthly, 3rd Tuesday)
- Parish Finance Council (quarterly)
- Grounds & Property Maintenance
Sacraments
Information on how the parish celebrates each of the seven sacraments is published on its website.
- Baptism: pre-baptism class required; arrangements at the Rectory (216-429-1515)
- Marriage: contact the parish at least six months in advance; Diocesan Pre-Marriage Instructions required
- Reconciliation (Penance): Saturdays 3:00–4:00 PM and First Thursday 5:00–6:00 PM
- Anointing of the Sick: by arrangement
- RCIA: for adults preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church
Contact & Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors and prospective parishioners are welcome to attend any scheduled Mass or to contact the Rectory during office hours.
- Address: 4750 Turney Road, Garfield Heights, OH 44125
- Phone: (216) 429-1515
- Fax: (216) 429-1889
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM