This is the final piece in our series during this Jubilee Year of Hope highlighting the rich beauty and history of the Diocese’s seven pilgrimage sites: Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Danville; Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Conewago; Corpus Christi, Chambersburg; Shrine of the Miraculous Medal at Saint Catherine Laboure, Harrisburg; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Lancaster; and Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Harrisburg. Although the Jubilee Year is coming to a close, these parishes will continue to welcome your visit.
In announcing the Jubilee Year of Hope last year, the late Pope Francis stated, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty, by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
The Jubilee pilgrimage site of Our Lady of Hope Church in Coal Township – staffed by the Franciscans and led by pastor Father Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. – reflects that papal statement and inspires hope as it collaborates with others in the community with prayer and outreach to rebuild the vitality of this historic coal-producing region, 90 minutes northeast of Harrisburg in Northumberland County.
Like its Jubilee site counterparts, Our Lady of Hope has welcomed pilgrims over the past year into its church to participate in the Mass and other special events, celebrating the faith in surroundings that encourage thought, reflection and prayer onope, Hope hope, one of the three theological virtues of Christianity (along with faith and charity).
Our Lady of Hope Parish was formed 30 years ago by a merger of the territorial parish of St. Joseph and the Polish parish of St. Stephen Protomartyr. The former St. Joseph Church building is the parish’s worship space and includes several architectural features of interest, including a unique triptych installed behind the presider’s chair to signify the merger of the two former parishes. On either side of the image of Our Lady of Hope are the images of St. Joseph with the lily symbolizing his purity, and St. Stephen holding the stones of his martyrdom.
Rising majestically behind and above the altar is a dramatic painting surrounding the crucifix, presenting the Eucharist as the fountain of life and as flowing from the Sacrifice of Calvary. The words of the 42nd Psalm are thus presented: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.” The altar and ambo of Our Lady of Hope Church are originally from the former Sacred Heart Church in Harrisburg.
The stained-glass windows were crafted by Baut Studios of Swoyersville in Luzerne County. Pilgrims should seek out the window commemorating the Second Vatican Council, which includes the figure of former Diocese of Harrisburg Bishop George L. Leech, who participated in all the sessions of the ecumenical council.
Bishop Leech was present for the original St. Joseph Church dedication in 1963, noting at the time, “The long years of waiting, the intelligent planning, the giving and working and sacrificing now have their ample reward in the artistic and commodious parish church, which is the pride of our people and a veritable ornament to the community and the diocese.”
More recently, in the fall of 2023, a new icon was added to the church: St. Jude Thaddeus, an apostle and the patron saint of hope and hopeless causes. The icon was “written,” or painted, by an iconographer from Greece.
Father Spano told The Catholic Witness at that time that many parishioners have a devotion to St. Jude and the parish wanted to incorporate some imagery of him.
“We’re bringing this icon into a part of the world and a part of the Diocese that could use hope. It is a place that experiences an awful lot of illness, poverty, unemployment and drug addiction,” Father Spano said. “The people here deal with a lot of hopelessness, so to have an intercessor in that arena is exceptionally welcome. For the people in this parish, dedicated to Our Lady of Hope, it should be a beacon and a light for everyone.”
These local sentiments were reinforced in remarks to the universal church by Pope Francis in May 2024: “Let us even now be drawn to this hope! Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it. May the way we live our lives say to them in so many words: “Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!” (Ps 27:14). May the power of hope fill our days, as we await with confidence the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory, now and forever.”
For more information about Our Lady of Hope parish and its upcoming events, visit its website, revivingtogether.com or Facebook at OurLadyOfHopePA.
Join Bishop Timothy Senior for the celebration of the closing Mass for the Jubilee Year on Sunday, December 28, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg. All are invited to the Mass, to give thanks for the blessings of the year.
(Patrick Brennan is a freelance reporter for The Witness. Photos by Chris Heisey and Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness.)
By Patrick Brennan, The Catholic Witness
