A century of Catholic devotion and fellowship was celebrated at St. Catharine of Siena Church in Reading on May 18 at a Mass with Bishop Alfred A. Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown, 13 diocesan priests, and hundreds of parishioners in attendance.
“It’s a church with a big history,” said Keith Gillner, a parishioner for 23 years.
It’s a history that began when Philadelphia Archbishop Cardinal Dennis Dougherty (1918-51) authorized the creation of St. Catharine of Siena Parish in Mount Penn in response to the East Reading population expansion of the early 1920s.
The parish began with 75 families and offered its first Mass on Dec. 20, 1925, in the basement of the Mount Penn Fire Company.
That same year, Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States, and the Church celebrated a Jubilee Year. Pope Pius XI also instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King and canonized St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Since then, St. Catharine of Siena has had three locations, the latest being on Boyertown Pike in Reading with now 2,500 families in the parish.
The anniversary Mass – dedicated to all living and deceased parishioners – opened with the Entrance Hymn, “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name,” and the procession was led by five members of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus.
They were followed by 18 altar servers – children and youth of the parish – three deacons and the many priests, including previous pastors, Monsignor Joseph Smith and Monsignor Edward Domin; current Pastor Father Brian Miller; and other priests who have served at the parish or serve at neighboring parishes.
During the Liturgy of the Word, parishioner Mike Akins read the first and second readings. Choir members Sophia Wright and Sharon D’Andrea jointly sang the responsorial psalm.
The Gospel of John (John 13:31-33a, 34-35) was chanted by newly ordained Deacon Jeffrey Tomczyk, who calls St. Catharine of Siena his home parish and taught at the parish school 2018-22 while discerning the priesthood.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment, to love one another as He has loved them, so that all people will recognize them as Jesus’ disciples. In the homily, Monsignor Smith – who served as Pastor of St. Catharine 1985-2008 – spoke of how “God made us for Himself. He longs for us; He cares for us.”
Monsignor Smith also spoke of the parish’s long history, specifically the 1,655 weddings, 8,182 baptisms, the nearly 50 parish ministries, and the many devoted parishioners throughout the 100 years. “You can see how much we have to be grateful for,” he said.
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, parishioners Todd and Diane Sitler brought gifts of bread and wine to the altar.
Bishop Schlert spoke before the final blessing of the Mass, thanking everyone present for “bringing the faith to this portion of Berks County.”
“That history is a whole conglomeration of things,” he said of the parish’s 100 years, including “the hardships you endured.”
Bishop Schlert thanked parishioners for their “stalwart faith, even in the darkest days,” he said. “With God’s grace, you have endured. That’s a beautiful testimony to your faith.”
“You have made this parish a place of faith, a place of charity,” he said. “You have built a true ‘city on the hill,’” a phrase that originates from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:14).
Mass ended with the hymn “O God Beyond All Praising.” Music was provided throughout the Mass by the St. Catharine of Siena Church Choir, directed by David Kostival, choir director and organist.
A reception followed in the social hall, giving parishioners a chance to share memories and to reflect.
Pat White, a parishioner of 51 years, said she felt “emotional,” remembering significant family events at the church during those years.
White is a member of parish’s “50 Plus Club,” and she enjoys organizing the club’s day trips to Lancaster dinner theaters and other nearby entertainment.
Gillner said the celebration made him “want to do more” for his parish. He attended the celebration with his wife Julie – a teacher in the parish’s religious education program – and one of their two daughters.
Maryann Grauer, a parishioner for 15 years, said she was impressed looking back at the parish’s humble beginnings and “how everything evolved, and where we are today.”
Article and Photo by Gia Myers.
