Saint Mary's Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church
Pastor:
Rev. Cuthbert A. Jack, OSB
Address:
279 Yellow Creek Street
Homer City, PA 15748
Phone:

724-479-2206

Fax:
724-479-9506
E-mail:
Web site:
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Saturdays:
5:00 pm
Anticipated Divine Liturgy
Sundays:
10:00 am
Holy Days:
6:30 pm
Confessions:
Saturday, 4:00 pm or by appointment
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Wednesdays
6:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Fridays:
6:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
HOLY MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS)
Baptism/Chrismation/Eucharist:
by appointment
Reconciliation:
End of ECF year second grade
Marriage:
by appointment
Anointing:
upon request
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Eastern Christian Formation (ECF):
Sundays after Divine Liturgy from September to May
SOCIAL/ANNUAL EVENTS
Social House :
held in church hall every Sunday after Divine Liturgy


By 1918, enough Byzantine Catholics had settled in the Homer City area that Rev. Constantine Auroroff was able to organize a parish.   Prior to that, they had traveled to the nearest churches, St. Mary in Bradenville and SS. Peter and Paul in Punxsutawney.   On September 14, 1918, a parcel of land was purchased on Yellow Creek Street.  Two days later, the approximately 50 families secured the services of a contractor to build a church.   On February 24, 1919, the charter of incorporation was drawn up and one year later Rev. Andrew Koman was appointed the parish's first resident pastor.

The parish rectory was one of the oldest homes in Homer City.   In 1964-65, a contractor, also a parish member, agreed to build a new rectory alongside the church.

In the years between 1968 and 1973, the ECF program for the youth of the parish flourished.  Also during this period, a parish choir was organized which enhances worship to this day.  The Parish Guild, which includes both women and men, dedicated many hours at many fund raisers which supported various renovations and activities.

To meet the spiritual needs the congregation broke ground for the construction of a new church building on May 8, 1988.  On Great Saturday night, March 25, 1989, the parish entered the new church for the first time to celebrate the Paschal Liturgy.

Since 1990, the interior of the old church has been renovated to accommodate the religious education of the parish youth.  Approximately 65 students and eight instructors participate in the ECF program.

It is anticipated the mortgage on the new church will be paid off in 2004.  This debt continues to keep the Parish Guild busy to supplement the regular parish income.  The dream of the founders has become a reality.  With God's help, the present community of believers will continue to be a beautiful presence of the Light of Christ as lived through the Byzantine Christian witness to the surrounding area.

The Official Website of the
Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
66 Riverview Avenue • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214
Telephone: 412-231-4000 | Fax: 412-231-1697

The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Website is an Official Publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. © 2003, Office of Communications. Neither any part of this site nor its content may be reproduced, transmitted, copied, or used in any way without the expressed permission of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Office of Communications. This site may be linked freely.