The Catholic Standard and Times

Immaculate Heart of Mary:
A parish of ‘tremendous people’

What characteristics or stories about the parish’s namesake, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, are among the most cherished by the pastor and parishioners?
The original name chosen for the parish was St. John of the Cross, Roxborough, according to the Jan. 23, 1953 Catholic Standard & Times. The name was changed to Immaculate Heart of Mary. “The changes in the name was deemed advisable in order to avoid confusion, because of the close proximity of a second St. John’s Church, that of St. John the Baptist, Manayunk.”

Why was this name selected for the parish? Who first suggested it?
The name was chosen by John Cardinal O’Hara, in consultation with Father Joseph M. Sullivan, the founding pastor.
The parish celebrates the Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which is the day after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart: the Saturday following the second Sunday after Pentecost.

What special devotions are observed at the parish?
Nine-day solemn Novena of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; perpetual Novena of the Miraculous Medal every Monday; nine-day solemn Novena of Grace in honor of St. Francis Xavier, and a weekly prayer group.

Of which ministries are you most proud?
Our H.O.P.E. Program: about 40 parishioners volunteer their time and expertise to help others in need; St. Vincent de Paul Society; Legion of Mary; our prayer group; Respect Life Committee, our four choirs — adult, young adult, teen group and children’s choir; our wonderful school, excellent principal and 25 lay faculty; our 285-member Golden Age Club; grade and high school CYO, and scouting programs.

Are there any new ministries projected to begin this year?
No, we will continue to improve our 52 present parish organizations.

Those who are not parishioners might be surprised to know:
Philadelphia’s oldest schoolhouse, built in 1812, is in our parish. The oldest train station in the U.S., dating to 1834, is in our parish. The site of the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, in our parish, was once considered for the site of the United Nations. Philadelphia’s oldest barn and permanent residence is in Andorra. The highest altitude in Philadelphia is also within our parish, at Ridge Avenue just west of Cathedral Road.

Has anyone famous, now or previously, been a member of the parish?
Bishop Joseph A. Pepe, Bishop of the Diocese of Las Vegas, was a member of I.H.M. parish. His mother and sister are still parishioners. Msgr. James Beisel, Regional Vicar for Bucks Co. was a parishioner, and his family remain parishioners.

What interesting artifacts, architectural features and special works of art are in the church?
A special mosaic of Mary, made in Italy and reconstructed behind the main altar. A statute of St. John Neumann, dedicated by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

What amusing incidents are part of the parish history?
The founding pastor’s name was Father Joseph Sullivan, and at the same time, the head of maintenance was named Mr. Joseph Sullivan. That, at times, caused unusual and funny situations.

What occasions in the parish have been particularly poignant?
Our 50th anniversary in 2002. The late Father John M. Donohie and our parish anniversary committees put together a full year of special events to celebrate our anniversary. Father went home to the Lord.

What are among the most commonly asked questions about the parish?
How many families do you have? Are you really still in Philadelphia? How many are in the school? How many priests do you have?

The pastor would also like all to know the following about the parish:
Our parish is made up of tremendous people. They are very active and sacramental. From those who can attend Mass and the sacraments — not counting infants nor shut-ins — I estimate that we have about 50 percent participation. That says a lot about a parish. It says it all.

Parish Facts:

Immaculate Heart of Mary
819 Cathedral Rd., Andorra, Philadelphia, Pa.,
19128-2117
Cluster: 17

Date Founded:
Nov. 24, 1952 (with 253 families)

Current Pastor:
Msgr. Bartholomew J. O’Brien

Parochial Vicars:
Father Paul G. Obrimski, Father Francis Cauterucci

Permanent Deacon:
Deacon George W. Kletzel

Number of Students: 484

Number of lay teachers: 25

Number of Registered Individuals: 9,852

Number of Registered Families: 3,400

Annually, number of:
Baptisms: 84
Marriages: 32
Funerals: 103