Welcome!
Welcome to the website of Our Lady of Hope in Wilkes-Barre, PA – a church of the Roman Catholic rite of the Diocese of Scranton. We are located in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre. Our Inaugural Mass was on June 5, 2010. Our Pastor is Rev. John S. Terry. Father Terry was born in Scranton, PA. He is the son of the late Robert "Buddy" Terry and Rita Elaine Kalafaut Terry. He has a younger brother, Robert. Father Terry attended St. Michael's grade school in Jessup and Scranton Preparatory School, where he was strongly influenced by the Jesuit Priests and began to feel his calling to the priesthood. Father began his studies at the University of Scranton and after two years he continued his formation at St. Pius X Seminary. He then continued his studies at Our Lady of Angels Theological Seminary in Albany, NY. He transferred to Christ the King Seminary in Olean, NY on the campus of St. Bonaventure University. In May 1974, he was ordained a deacon and was assigned to a small community in Ellicottville, NY. His next assignment was to the Diocese of Buffalo Seminary at East Aurora, NY. The next year he was assigned to his home Diocese and he served as a Deacon to St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception in Wilkes-Barre. Father Terry was ordained on May 2, 1975. His first assignment was at St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception. In 1979 he received two new assignments, Asst. Pastor at St. Patrick's and Director of the Catholic Youth Center. Father still serves as the Director of the Catholic Youth Center. In 1982 Father Terry was assigned to Holy Savoir Church and St. Christopher's Church, where he spent eight years. In December of 1990, Father was assigned on a temporary basis to the Catholic Community in Sugar Notch and in 1992 he was named Pastor of all three Sugar Notch Churches; Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Charles Boromeo and Holy Family. On July 6, 2004, Father Terry became Pastor of St. Mary's Church of the Maternity. The consolidations of St. Joseph's Church of Wilkes-Barre Township on July 26, 2009 and Holy Trinity of Wilkes-Barre on May 30, 2010 with St. Mary's of the Maternity formed the new parish of Our Lady of Hope. Father Terry is now the first Pastor of Our Lady of Hope.
Mission Statement
The people of Our Lady of Hope Parish are called to be a welcoming community of faith, hope and love. Committed to Jesus Christ and to His Gospel. To grow in our love for others as Jesus loves us. Through the prayerful intercession of Mary, our patroness, we seek to live in unity and hope as we strive to assist those in need through our good works, sacrifices and stewardship.
By celebrating the Mass and Sacraments, by providing various opportunities for Catholic education, by calling forth more of our members to ministries and service, we seek to help one another grow closer to the Lord in this life as we journey together towards the complete happiness that awaits us in Heaven.
Rev. John S. Terry