OMOS Parish Office
415 Tioga Street
Johnstown, PA 15905
(814) 535-7646
[Email Parish]
OMOS School
430 Tioga Street
Johnstown, PA 15905
(814) 539-5315
[Email School]
Driving Directions
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About Our Mother of Sorrows
Our Mother of Sorrows (OMOS) is located in the Westmont neighborhood of Johnstown, Pennsylvania and is a part
of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The parish was established on November 3, 1920.
OMOS was the first new parish designated by Bishop John J. McCort. 'Bishop McCort'
chose the name "Our Mother of Sorrows" because of his love for the Blessed
Mother and his affection for Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Philadelphia, where
he had been pastor for more than twenty years. The church started with just eighty
households and now claims almost one thousand registered households in the parish
community.
Our Mother of Sorrows has a rich history. Since the very beginning, the Sisters
of Mercy instructed the children of the parish in small classes. The school began
with just twenty three students who were instructed in the three R's as well as
the teachings of Christ. By 1952, enrollment increased to three hundred and three
students. The first graduating class, the class of 1953, was comprised of thirty
students. Over the years, enrollment continued to grow which prompted the construction
of a new, state-of-the-art school. Construction was completed in 1958. Throughout
the years Our Mother of Sorrows has graduated almost three thousand students. The
school has become a very important part of the local community. Not only has OMOS
been a leader in education, it has also set a standard for academic excellence.
Our parish school has enjoyed many accomplishments. We continue to earn accreditation
through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools every ten years. Our
last accreditation was awarded in April, 2001. Our students continue to rank in
the top tenth percentile on the Iowa Skills Achievement Test (a national test, administered
to students in both private and public institutions, which measures achievement
and critical thinking skills in various subject areas).
In September, 2000 the school introduced "Rebel Care" a structured, supervised
after school program. In 2003, a kindergarten program was started and in September,
2005 the school will proudly offer a preschool and Pre-K program for three year
olds and four year olds, respectively.
While the school's focus is on fostering the spiritual and academic development
of the children in the community, adult members of Our Mother of Sorrows enjoy living
the Catholic faith by becoming an integral part of parish life. Participation in
the various parish ministries such as the OMOS Assistance Ministry, Hand Bell Choir,
Traditional Choir, Parish Pastoral Council, Morning Prayer Group, etc., offer our
parishioners the opportunity to live the teachings of Christ every day.
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