September 8th is known as the Feast of the Birth of Our Blessed Virgin Mary and is being observed by the Catholic Church in many parts of the world. But for us, as a parish, September 8th is not only the Feast of the Birth of Our Blessed Virgin Mary, but also our parish day. It is our parish day in a sense that when our church was built in 1826 under the first pastor, Rev. Patrick O’Neil, it was dedicated on September 8th, 1831 by Bishop Kenrick on his first visit to Freeport.

Although in 1954, the church was remodeled and Bishop William Connare rededicated it to another title of the Blessed Virgin Mary to avoid confusion with other parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg. Thus, the new name was given to the parish as St. Mary, Mother of God whose solemnity we observe every January 1st. Prior to 1954, St. Mary parish belonged to the Diocese of Pittsburgh until March 10th, 1951 when the Diocese of Greensburg was established.

Anyway, we may go through some changes in our parish, but I think it is always good to remember our humble beginnings because that is where we started. Had it not been for our ancestors, we would not have our parish today.

That is why we choose to celebrate our parish family day by having a picnic with a mass celebrated outside the parish on a Sunday close to September 8th, to remember our foundation and let the younger generation know about it.

This year we are celebrating the 192nd year of our parish existence. I have to say that in spite of our being an old church, we still grow with younger families and we care for everybody.

We remain active and vibrant because of your continuous support and your generosity in your time, talent and treasure.

We thank God for our 192nd fruitful parish existence and ask that He may continue to bless us through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, our parish patroness.

St. Mary Mother of God, pray for us!