The Mother Maria Kaupas Center in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, seeks to honor within Divine Redeemer Parish and the Diocese of Harrisburg the life and work of the Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, foundress of the Sisters of Saint Casimir. It is a ministry within Divine Redeemer Parish – a center for volunteerism and community.
The Mother Maria Kaupas Center in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, seeks to honor within Divine Redeemer Parish and the Diocese of Harrisburg the life and work of Venerable Maria Kaupas, foundress of the Sisters of Saint Casimir.
The Kaupas Center is a ministry within Divine Redeemer Parish – a center for volunteerism and community service, and a place where spirituality, community, and leadership merge.
Her lifelong mission and the 118 years of service and sacrifice by the Sisters of Saint
Casimir – began in Mount Carmel – in a parish (Holy Cross) that was one of five
predecessor parishes that merged in 1995 to become Divine Redeemer.
Maria Kaupas lived and worked in Mount Carmel, responding to the needs of God’s
people. We desire to honor her mission and that of the Sisters of Saint Casimir by doing
the same. The Center and Divine Redeemer parish urge prayers for the beatification of Mother Maria.
The faithful are invited to recite this special prayer: “O loving Jesus, we beseech You,
grant that Your servant, Mother Maria, who was imbued with Your Eucharistic Presence
while on earth, may through the intercession of Your Immaculate Mother and Saint
Casimir, be glorified by visible signs and miracles, so that for Your glory and salvation of
souls, she may, by Your power, be declared Blessed. Amen.”
Divine Redeemer parish sponsors a monthly evening Mass for the intention of Mother
Maria’s beatification. The Mass is celebrated in the chapel of the Mother Maria Kaupas
Center, located at 412 W. Avenue, Mount Carmel (next to the Divine Redeemer Parish
Office). There is additional parking at the rear of the Center, the 400 block of Cherry
Street. Attendees may use either the front or rear entrances. The front entrance is
handicapped-accessible. The Mass is usually held the first Monday of each month at 6
p.m., but the date is subject to change.
Check the parish bulletin to confirm date and times for these Kaupas Center activities:
Monthly evening Mass in the chapel for Mother Maria’s beatification
A monthly holy hour in the chapel for the Kaupas Prayer Group (date varies).
Opening for the Kaupas chapel for public visitation for private prayers and
meditation (Announcement is also made through flyers posted at Divine
Redeemer Church entrances.
Unity service, and a place where spirituality, community, and leadership merge.
Mother Maria Kaupas lived and worked in Mount Carmel, responding to the needs of God’s people. We desire to continue her legacy by doing the same.
Winter Service Program 2025-2026
The winter service program is inspired by the legacy of Mother Maria Kaupas, who daily demonstrated her love of God by her loving service to others, the Mount Carmel center which bears her name created an opportunity for local Catholics who are college students to serve the Church and community.
Students attend daily Mass and other scheduled spiritual activities. The volunteer component for the program provides service opportunities for the Mother Maria Kaupas Center, students’ home parishes, and community organizations, including the food pantry, nursing homes and public library.
In return for 10 days of community service in December and January, each student receives a $300 stipend.
The program is open to college students who are members of Divine Redeemer, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saints Peter and Paul churches in Mount Carmel and Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont
Students who participated in the 2025-26 Mother Maria Kaupas Center winter service
program are shown during a volunteer day at the Mount Carmel Area Public Library.
From left are Alexa Nowroski, Chase Balichik, head librarian Vivian McCracken, Andrew Lukoskie and Matthew Balichik.
Previous Participants of the Winter Service Program
2015-2016: Standing, Rev. Martin O. Moran (pastor of Divine Redeemer and Kaupas Center supervisor), Angelina Duda, Lee Amarose, Zachary Wasilewski, Luke Holleran, Lucas Amarose, Tyler Holleran, Bryce Fiamoncini and Kassondra Martz; kneeling, Jennifer Bolick, Jordan Winhofer, Sydney Casey and Brian McFadden.
2017-2018: Michael Vincenzes, Magdalena Callahan, Ciaran Fisher, Sydney Casey, Kassondra Martz, Bryce Fiamoncini, Luke Darrup, Dylan Fiamoncini, Michael Padula and Alex Holleran.
2018-2019: Sean Fisher, Amanda Horan, Michael Vincenzes, Luke Holleran, Ciaran Fisher, Sydney Casey, Alex Holleran, Lee Amarose, Dylan Fiamoncini and Alyssa Menko
2019-2020: Back, Alex Holleran, Laura Miller, Ben McFadden, John Ayres; front, Myia Miriello, Lilian Yuschock
Memories from the Winter Service Program
Sister Mindy Welding, IHM, left, leads a reflection on Catholic social thinking in 2016.
As one of their service projects, 2016-17 students painted a room in the Mount Carmel Township Municipal Building.
Making soup for delivery to homebound residents is a popular project every year.
Students sign Christmas carols for nursing home residents.
