St. Cecilia Church Information

Holy Family Parish was founded February 14th, 1994 when Bishop Donald Wuerl, as part of a larger reorganization of the Diocese, appointed Father Harry Parson as Pastor and combined the St Joseph and Sts Cyril and Methodious Parishes. It consists of the Beaver County municipalities of New Brighton, Pulaski Twp, Daugherty Twp, Marion Twp, Fallston, Eastvale and North Sewickley Twp to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Both Sts Cyril and Methodious and St Joseph Parishes had long and venerable Catholic histories in the area. St Joseph Parish had it's official beginning in 1862. Father James Reid celebrated Mass in several homes in New Brighton. On December 6th, 1863 Bishop Domenec dedicated a remodeled brick building which served as the first church of the Parish. The first three pastors commuted from Pittsburgh. Father M.J. Mitchell became the first resident Pastor when he purchased the first Rectory in 1865. The next Pastor, Father Bigham (1866-1891), founded St Jospeh's Cemetery and purchased the plot where St Joseph Church (later Holy Family) was built. The cornerstone of the St Joseph Church was laid by Bishop Domenec on November 17th, 1871. Because of difficult economic times, the Church was not completed until May 1st, 1885 when 3000 attended the dedication. Fire struck the Church on October 25th, 1911. The fire started in the sanctuary, destroyed the upper steeple and gutted the interior. Within a year, the Church was rebuilt. The Church has undergone two major renovations since then. The last one was under Father Robert Rishel to accomodate the Church to the changes in the Vatican II Liturgy. St Joseph Parish also enjoyed the benefits of a Catholic school founded in 1884 and served by the Sisters of St Joseph in Baden, Pa. Sadly, the school closed in June of 1973. Many happy memories of their St Joseph school days remain with the parisioners. In the early 1900's, many people from Croatia and Slovakia settled in the area. Sts Cyril and Methodious Parish was founded by Bishop Regis Canevan to address the needs of those who could not speak English. The Parish celebrated its first Mass on October 1st, 1916 in the basement of St Joseph Church by Father Ignatius Herkel. On September 3rd, 1917, the first Church was dedicated. Father Martin Rubicky was appointed the first resident Pastor in February of 1921. Father John Sima was given permission to build a Church/School building. This buidling was constructed on property donated by Mrs Marie Heath, which included her home which became the Parish Rectory and now the current Holy Family Rectory. On August 14th, 1957, the Church moved into its new building at 1851 3rd Avenue which has now become the Holy Family Pastoral Activity Center. Sts Cyril and Methodius also enjoyed a school which opened in September of 1926 and closed in 1947. The Vincentian Sisters of Charity served it. In 1959, St Joseph Cemetery opened a new section to accomodate burials for years to come. Holy Family Parish seeks to build on this history by living a strong Catholic life. Our CCD program has over 129 students in grades K through 12. Our CCD teachers are advancing in certification. Our Liturgical ministries are highly competent and dedicated. Our Eucharistic ministers visit the homebound. Adult education is available at various times during the year. The finances of the Parish are stronger due to the efforts of those who work bingo and our parish raffle. The Pastoral Council and Finance Council are served by very dedicated and insightful parishioners. Our Christian Mothers and Holy Name Society offer their membership opportunities for service and spiritual growth. Holy Family Gold offers a special atmosphere and opportunities for different kinds of trips for our senior parishioners. We also offer to bereaved families of the Parish the use of the social hall at no cost and provide a staff of dedicated volunteers who serve the wake luncheon. After Father Parson's retirement, Father James Orr became our pastor until April 2004. Father James Gretz then served as our pastor until December 2007. Father Steve Palsa served as our pastor until April 2009. Father Tom Kredel is now serving as our parish priest. Our motto is "In all things may Jesus be glorified". If we do this, our brief history will join the venerable history of Catholicism here to the greater glory of God.