One gift. Two lasting impacts.
by Kristine Rilling
09/14/2026
Across the Diocese of Erie, parishioners are seeing meaningful improvements in the places where they worship, gather and celebrate their faith. While each project reflects a local need, they all share a common foundation: the Catholic Services Appeal. By supporting the ministries and offices that serve the diocese, the CSA allows parishes that exceed their goals to retain every dollar above their target for projects that strengthen their own parish communities.
Those projects across the 13 counties of the Diocese of Erie are making a visible difference.
At St. Hippolyte Parish in Guys Mills, parishioners are preserving a historic cemetery dating to 1776. They accomplish this through prayer, donations, fundraising and volunteer-led restoration efforts. Their work includes repairing headstones, improving the landscape and ensuring the cemetery remains a lasting tribute to the community’s heritage.
Other parishes are using excess CSA funds to improve accessibility and preserve their sacred spaces. St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Clearfield is planning a heated accessibility ramp to provide safer access during Pennsylvania winters. Immaculate Conception Parish in Brookville is replacing aging exterior trim on church buildings, while St. Tobias Parish in Brockway is preparing improvements to both its church and rectory.
Two parishes in Warren are helping to make improvements to their church spaces.
Parishioners at Warren’s Holy Redeemer rallied around a campaign to replace the original upholstery in the church pews and chairs. While not an urgent repair, Father Mark O’Hern, pastor, recognized that postponing the work would only increase future costs. The project gave parishioners a shared vision while ensuring a welcoming worship space for generations to come.
And parishioners at Warren’s St. Joseph Parish watched the restoration of the nearly 70-year-old Mother’s Chapel floor unfold throughout the campaign. Before-and-after photos displayed in the church helped donors see the direct impact of their generosity.
These projects vary in size and purpose, but they share a common goal: strengthening parish communities while preserving the places where people encounter Christ.
The Catholic Services Appeal reflects the unity of the Church. Every gift first supports the diocesan ministries that serve all Catholics throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Then, when parishioners go above and beyond, those additional gifts become an investment in their own parish's future.
It is a reminder that generosity has a ripple effect. One gift strengthens ministries across the Diocese of Erie while also helping local parishes remain vibrant, welcoming communities of faith. Through the Catholic Services Appeal, Catholics truly become partners in building both the local parish and the wider Church.
-