About Sts. Simon and Jude · Blairsville, Pennsylvania
SS. Simon and Jude Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, founded in 1830 and belonging to the Diocese of Greensburg. The parish is staffed by Capuchin Franciscan friars (OFM Cap.) and offers weekend and weekday Masses, the Sacraments, faith formation, parish choirs, and an active ministry of charity through the Angels of Compassion. Its mission statement calls the community to pass on the Catholic faith through prayer, evangelization, and acts of charity.
- Established
- 1830
- Patron
- Saints Simon and Jude (Apostles)
- Rector
- The Very Reverend John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F. (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
SS. Simon and Jude offers the faithful of the Blairsville area a historic, almost two-century-old Catholic community where daily Mass is celebrated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with a 4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil and 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. The parish runs faith formation and sacramental preparation for children and adults, an active Eucharistic Chapel open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., three parish choirs (men's, women's, and funeral), a Knights of Columbus council, and the Angels of Compassion charity that prepares funeral dinners for parish families. Capuchin Franciscan priests serve the parish under the Diocese of Greensburg, and a spirit of prayer, evangelization, and charity — set out in the parish's own mission statement — marks its community life.
Mass times at Sts. Simon and Jude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
- Penance services twice a year
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Chapel open daily 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Diocesan Rosary Rally: Exposition and Adoration at 10:30 a.m. with Reconciliation and Benediction (annual)
Parish Identity & Mission
SS. Simon and Jude Parish in Blairsville traces its roots to 1830, making it nearly two centuries old and one of the historic Catholic communities of Indiana County. The parish's own published mission statement reads: 'We are the men, women, youth and children of SS. Simon and Jude Parish, who since 1830 have accepted Jesus Christ's message of faith, hope and love. Filled with the Holy Spirit and enriched by God's Word, the Eucharist, and the Sacraments from our Catholic Tradition, our mission is to continue God's plan of redemption and salvation. Through prayer, evangelization, and acts of charity, we as a community pass on our faith.' It operates as a Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg and is a registered Pennsylvania Charitable Trust.
- Parish established 1830
- Diocese of Greensburg
- Pennsylvania Charitable Trust
- Deanery 2 of the Diocese of Greensburg
Our Story: A Parish Since 1830
The parish was organized in 1830 when Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick blessed the church in the borough of Blairsville 'under the invocation of Saints Simon and Jude' on October 28, 1830. That same month the bishop appointed Father James A. Stillinger — a young priest only nine months ordained — as first pastor. Father Stillinger simultaneously served Sportsmen's Hall (later Saint Vincent) Parish and the Catholics of Westmoreland County, traveling a vast mission field because there were only four priests west of the Alleghenies at the time. He eventually moved his residence from Saint Vincent to Blairsville in November 1844.
- Church blessed October 28, 1830 by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick
- First pastor: Father James A. Stillinger (appointed November 1830)
- Father Stillinger transferred residence to Blairsville in November 1844
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
The parish offers Mass on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. (Vigil), on Sunday at 9:00 a.m., and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday have no daily Mass. Holy Day schedules are published in the weekly bulletin. The Sacrament of Penance is heard Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (and commonly listed as 3:30-4:30 p.m.) and by appointment, with two parish Penance services each year.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday Mass — 9:00 a.m.
- Weekday Mass — Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00 a.m. (no Mass Tues/Thurs)
- Confessions — Saturday 1:00 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
- Two Penance services per year
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently administered by Capuchin Franciscan friars. The Very Reverend John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F. serves as Administrator (also Vicar Forane of Deanery 2 of the Diocese of Greensburg), with Reverend Joseph Pham, OFM Cap. as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Mark Ferlin assists in liturgical and pastoral ministry.
- Administrator: The Very Reverend John A. Pavlik, OFM Cap., V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Reverend Joseph Pham, OFM Cap.
- Deacon: Mark Ferlin
- Business Manager: Gina Nastase
- Office Secretary: Margie Frenchik
- Director of Faith Formation / Sacramental Prep: Carolyn Davis
- Church Sacristan: Bill (William) Doody
- Custodian: Butch Nastase / Gina Nastase
- Cemetery Operations Manager: Victor Nastase
Parish Office & Facilities
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Marian Hall (the parish social hall) is reachable at (724) 459-6211 and hosts parish meals, fundraisers, and meetings such as the Catholic Daughters of the Americas gatherings and the annual Craft Show.
- Parish Office: 155 N. Brady St., Blairsville PA 15717
- Office phone: (724) 459-7103
- Marian Hall: (724) 459-6211
- Office hours: Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-Noon and 1-3 p.m.
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish is well-served by multiple choirs and musicians who enrich the Sunday, funeral, and special liturgies. A Men's Choir, a Women's Choir, a Funeral Choir, and a principal Organist share the liturgical music ministry throughout the year.
- Men's Choir — Dave Brozeski, 724-459-5722
- Women's Choir — Rick Auvil, 412-309-0481
- Funeral Choir — Carolee Risinger, 724-459-8485
- Organist — Pauline Alexander, 724-459-9655
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation for parish children and sacramental preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments are coordinated through the Director of Faith Formation / Sacramental Prep, Carolyn Davis (724-459-7103). First Communion is celebrated during the Easter season. Parents preparing for Baptism attend the required Parents & Sponsors Program (Baptism Class). Marriage preparation must be completed at least a year before the wedding.
- Faith Formation / Sacramental Prep: Carolyn Davis
- First Communion during Easter season
- Baptism Class (Parents & Sponsors Program) required
- Marriage Preparation Program required, arranged one year in advance
Parish Cemtery
The parish maintains a cemetery with a dedicated Cemetery Operations Manager on staff, Victor Nastase. Burial arrangements and lot inquiries are handled through the parish office.
- Cemetery Operations Manager: Victor Nastase
- Inquiries through parish office: (724) 459-7103
Outreach & Charity
Charitable outreach is a hallmark of parish life. The Angels of Compassion — three teams of men and women — cook and serve funeral dinners for parish members who have lost a loved one. The parish also supports the Diocesan Lenten Appeal, an annual Craft Show, and other fundraising events. Communion is brought to shut-ins upon request, and hospital chaplain coverage is provided through Indiana Regional Medical Center (Rev. Phil White, 724-582-400-5924) and Excela Latrobe Hospital (Benedictine Fathers, 724-532-6600).
- Angels of Compassion — Peggy Mosco, 724-464-7371
- Communion to Shut-ins — call the parish office
- Diocesan Lenten Appeal
- Annual Craft Show (Marian Hall)
- Hospital chaplain coordination
Parish Groups & Organizations
Lay faithful organize and lead a number of parish groups. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas chapter meets regularly with covered-dish dinners and a monthly program. The Knights of Columbus council sponsors activities such as Diocesan Rosary Rallies. The parish also runs a Craft Show committee and other volunteer opportunities that are advertised in the weekly bulletin.
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CD of A)
- Knights of Columbus Council
- Craft Show Committee
- Angels of Compassion
- Parish choirs
Bulletin & Communications
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin — both in print and online at the parish website — with Mass intentions, schedules, ministry news, and announcements. Recent bulletins (dating back several years) are archived at the 'Read Our Weekly Bulletins' page on the parish website and include parish contact details, prayer requests, Mass schedules, and Diocesan notices.
- Weekly bulletin published in print and online
- Bulletin archive on parish website
- Office hours and contact info printed weekly
Safe Environment & Diocesan Reporting
The parish bulletin regularly publishes diocesan safe-environment notices. Any suspicion of abuse of a minor is to be reported first to PA Childline at 1-800-932-0313; if the alleged abuser is functioning in a parish, school, or diocesan role as clergy, religious, paid staff, or volunteer, the report is also to be made to the Bishop's Delegate for Matters of Sexual Misconduct at 724-837-0901, ext. 1221.
- PA Childline: 1-800-932-0313
- Bishop's Delegate for Matters of Sexual Misconduct: 724-837-0901, ext. 1221
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James A. Stillinger1830-1844 (resident from 1844)
First pastor of SS. Simon and Jude, appointed by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick in November 1830; also initially pastor of Sportsmen's Hall (later Saint Vincent) Parish.