Welcome to Saint Cecilia’s!
May I take this opportunity to welcome you to the Roman Catholic Parish of Saint Cecilia in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. I’m happy you took the time to visit our website.
Saint Cecilia’s is a great parish with many wonderful people and things going on. Since I have been named Pastor, I have witnessed great faith in our people and have found in them people who love God and are willing to do whatever they can for their parish. This has been proven over and over again during my time and throughout our parish history. The parish is active and alive due to the wonderful parishioners who make up Saint Cecilia’s.
What truly makes Saint Cecilia’s special is our love for the Catholic faith. When we gather as a faith community, most especially at Holy Mass, that faith is exemplified in a beautiful way. It is at Mass where we become a true community of believers who demonstrate their love for Jesus Christ most especially in the Holy Eucharist. You will notice that in the center of our sanctuary is the tabernacle. That’s not by accident. The tabernacle is at the heart of who we are as a people of God. Within the tabernacle, the Eucharist remains for our spiritual edification and enlightenment. The Eucharist is at the center, and is the heart, of Saint Cecilia’s.
Besides for the spiritual events that occur throughout the year, which of course is of paramount importance, perhaps what we are uniquely famous for are our delicious fastnachts! The parish has been making these homemade doughnut treats just prior to Ash Wednesday since in the early 1920s. In 2020 we made just over 8,500 dozen fastnachts. That’s over 102,000 doughnuts that our parishioners handmade, rolled, fried, sugared, and boxed. That, coupled with our annual Festival, the last weekend in June, are our largest fundraisers. But what’s beautiful about both these fundraisers is that they’re so much fun to participate in. I love just watching the people as they get to know one another while doing something for their parish. It’s a joy as a Pastor and makes me so proud!
We have a lot to offer here on East Lehman Street! I hope you take the time to explore our website but even more so to come and visit. All are welcome here, no matter what your past may have been or what your present situation is. You will be welcomed with open arms and open hearts, and I’m confident you will find a home here at Saint Cecilia’s. Until we meet, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any question or concerns you may have. Again, thank you for visiting our website and I hope to see you soon!
Reverend Michael M. Laicha, M.Div.
Pastor