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3264 Evergreen Drive
Murrysville, PA 15668
3264 Evergreen Drive
Murrysville, PA 15668
Our Mission
Mother of Sorrows School is an accredited teaching institution in the state of Pennsylvania, and a component of the education ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. We embrace the mission to educate according to state and national standards, while instilling lifelong Christian values in the students. The school is comprised of a faith-filled community that learns, plays, and prays together in all facets of life.
Our Vision
Mother of Sorrows School is an accredited teaching institution in the state of Pennsylvania, and a component of the education ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. We embrace the mission to educate according to state and national standards, while instilling lifelong Christian values in the students. The school is comprised of a faith-filled community that learns, plays, and prays together in all facets of life.
Belief Statements
Mother of Sorrows School is an accredited teaching institution in the state of Pennsylvania, and a component of the education ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. We embrace the mission to educate according to state and national standards, while instilling lifelong Christian values in the students. The school is comprised of a faith-filled community that learns, plays, and prays together in all facets of life.
Overview
Mother of Sorrows School was established as a mission of the Diocese of Greensburg in 1963, to help teach the children of the parish. Our school operated as a parish school until 2009, when it became a separate Pennsylvania Charitable Trust, as well as a regional school.
Mother of Sorrows School now supports the mission of the parishes that combine to create the northwest region of Westmoreland County, including: Mother of Sorrows, Murrysville; St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, Export; St. John Baptist de la Salle, Delmont; and St. Regis, Trafford.
Annemarie Falce, Grade 8
Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville
Annemarie embodies the purest spirit of the Catholic faith in her everyday actions. She is thoughtful, generous with her time and talents, artistic, helpful, and unfailingly kind. Her beautiful heart shines through in all her interactions, whether they be with classmates, teachers or little ones. She quietly models Christ’s love while being active in the school and church community.
Annemarie is involved in volleyball, basketball, musicals and student council. She has been in the school choir for five years. Outside of school, she participates in dance, acting, swimming, diving and tennis. Annemarie has volunteered at many school events, including the Mother of Sorrows School Light Up Night and Breakfast with Santa.
Annemarie says, “Catholic education has taught me the importance of being a good person in and out of school.”
County’s first female president judge has fond memories
of time teaching at Mother of Sorrows School
By Melissa Williams Brown
MURRYSVILLE – Rita Donovan Hathaway holds the distinction of being the first female president judge in Westmoreland County.
The path that led her to Duquesne University School of Law to earn a juris doctorate degree was through Mother of Sorrows School, where she taught third grade for three years.
“I loved teaching at Mother of Sorrows School, talking about Jesus to my students, praying together and taking them to Mass at Mother of Sorrows Church,” said Hathaway.
Her husband George’s work at Giant Eagle took them from the suburbs of Boston to Murrysville. Hathaway, who has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, volunteered at Mother of Sorrows School before teaching there. Her son, John, and daughter, Jill, were students. She is a parishioner of Mother of Sorrows Parish.
Hathaway earned her law degree at Duquesne when she was 35, then served as a prosecutor for 10 years. She has been a judge for 25 years.
She said her 12 years of Catholic education played an important role in the development of her faith. She’s taken her love for children and deep Catholic faith into the courtroom. Prayer gets her through some tough cases.
“I always pray that God will guide me in my decisions,” said Hathaway.
Annemarie Falce, Grade 8
Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville
Annemarie embodies the purest spirit of the Catholic faith in her everyday actions. She is thoughtful, generous with her time and talents, artistic, helpful, and unfailingly kind. Her beautiful heart shines through in all her interactions, whether they be with classmates, teachers or little ones. She quietly models Christ’s love while being active in the school and church community.
Annemarie is involved in volleyball, basketball, musicals and student council. She has been in the school choir for five years. Outside of school, she participates in dance, acting, swimming, diving and tennis. Annemarie has volunteered at many school events, including the Mother of Sorrows School Light Up Night and Breakfast with Santa.
Annemarie says, “Catholic education has taught me the importance of being a good person in and out of school.”
Mother of Sorrows School thriving at 60-year mark
By Melissa Williams Brown
MURRYSVILLE – When parents register their children for prekindergarten or kindergarten at Mother of Sorrows School, it usually doesn’t take them long to figure out the school is thriving, and they instantly register them through eighth grade to assure they attend the full eight years.
“They fall in love with the school,” said Principal Theresa Szmed.
Mother of Sorrows School continues to thrive and grow as it celebrated its 60th anniversary.
The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill staffed the school when it opened for three grades in September 1962. The school continued to grow over the years, with an addition built in 2004.
Today, there is a waiting list. When Szmed started as principal in 2016, enrollment was 219 students. Today, it is 389. Many families have students following in the footsteps of parents and grandparents.
“What strikes me the most is the family atmosphere,” Szmed said. “We all take care of one another. Parents are supportive of teachers, and we are all so concerned about making their child’s education a spiritual experience throughout their entire life. There is a great level of commitment. We all really enjoy being here.”
Katie Kelly, a 2009 graduate, had such a positive experience that she returned to Mother of Sorrows School as a teacher. She said teachers are incredibly loving and inspired her to become a teacher.
“Being given the opportunity to be enriched with learning how to grow with God really opened my heart,” Kelly said. “My experiences here have been nothing short of amazing. Teaching preschool my first year, kindergarten my second year and now first grade for four years, I’m truly blessed to be part of this special family.”
