Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena

Pope Francis Appoints Reverend Monsignor Alfred A. Schlert as the Fifth Bishop of Allentown

The Vatican announced today that Pope Francis has appointed a priest of the Diocese of Allentown, Reverend Monsignor Alfred A. Schlert, as the Fifth Bishop of Allentown.

Bishop-elect Schlert is the first priest of the Diocese to be appointed to serve as its Bishop. He has been serving as the Diocesan Administrator since his election by the Diocesan College of Consultors on February 1, 2017 following the January 31 installation of his predecessor Most Reverend John Barres as the Bishop of Rockville Centre, NY.

Bishop-elect Schlert was born to Alfred and Marylou (DeRose) Schlert in Easton on July 24, 1961, just six months after the Diocese of Allentown was formed. He was educated at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Elementary School and Notre Dame High School, both in Easton. He prepared for the Priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia and the Pontifical Roman Seminary and St. John Lateran University in Rome. Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh ordained him a priest at the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena in Allentown on September 19, 1987.

He served as an assistant pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Allentown, as a professor at his alma mater Notre Dame High School and as the Catholic chaplain at Lehigh University. During his years at Notre Dame he resided at St. Anthony of Padua Church and St. Bernard Church in Easton and at Sacred Heart Church in Bath. He completed graduate work at Pontifical North American College and Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and received a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University in 1992.

He was named Vice Chancellor and Secretary to Bishop Welsh in 1997 before being named Vicar General, of the Diocese by Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen in 1998. As Vicar General he has overseen coordination of all administrative offices of the Diocese and assisted Bishop Cullen and Most Reverend John O. Barres in the governance of the Diocese. From 1998 to 2008 he was in residence at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown.

Pope St. John Paul II named him a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor in 1999. Pope Benedict XVI named him a Prelate of Honor, the second highest rank of Monsignor in 2005.

While still serving as Vicar General he was pastor of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Hellertown from July 2008 until February 2010 when he resumed full time service as Vicar General and residence at St. Theresa’s.

Bishop-elect Schlert’s Ordination and Installation will be held on Thursday, August 31at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena in Allentown.

Bishop-elect Schert will hold a news conference at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena at 11 o’clock THIS morning. The news conference will be streamed live on the Diocesan Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/DioceseofAllentown.

Note: this article was reprinted from the Diocese of Allentown web site. Contact: Matt Kerr 610-360-2831

National NFP Awareness Week, July 23 — July 29, 2017

It's Time! Say "Yes" to God's Plan for Married Love

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week is a national educational campaign. The dates of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week highlight the anniversary of the papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) which articulates Catholic beliefs about human sexuality, conjugal love and responsible parenthood. The dates also mark the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the parents of the Blessed Mother. Learn more here.


The Siena Society

The Siena Society has been established to build long-term financial stability for our parish or St. John Vianney Regional School; and to encourage, support and celebrate gifts that ensure that our parish remains vital and vibrant for those who come after us. Click here to learn more about this important program.


Today's Mass Readings

Cathedral Church
200 Block of North 18th Street
Allentown, PA 18104
Parking available across from Church
Link to map for directions

Cathedral Rectory
1825 W Turner Street
Allentown, PA 18104
Office phone: 610-433-6461
Link to map for directions

Cathedral Parish Vision Statement

To be a place where the faithful can gather together for the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, to teach Christ’s saving doctrine, and to practice the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love. (cf. CCC, 2179)


Mass Schedule
Sunday7:30, 9:00, 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon
Saturday8:00 AM, 4:15 PM (4:15 Mass fulfills Sunday obligation)
WeekdaysMonday-Friday 6:30 & 8:00AM
Holy DaysConsult Bulletin for schedule

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Mon-Fri15 minutes before each Mass
Saturday3:15 to 4:00 PM
Holy DaysConsult Bulletin

Sacrament of Baptism

First Sunday of every month. Preparatory class Thursday evening before.


Sacrament of Matrimony

Engaged couples should meet with their parish priest as soon as they become engaged. The diocesan marriage preparation program should be completed at least six months prior to the wedding date. Weddings are at 11 AM and 1:30 PM on Saturdays only.


Parish Registration

Catholics living in the Cathedral Church parish boundaries should be registered in the parish. Registration is required for the administration of the Sacraments, attendance at St. John Vianney Regional School and the Cathedral PREP program, and for the issuance of certificates for Baptism and Confirmation. Please call the rectory office to make an appointment with one of the priests to register in the parish.

Drop-in registrations will not be taken
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