About Our Lady of Fatima · Altoona, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Fatima Parish is a Catholic community in Altoona, Pennsylvania, part of the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown. The parish was formed in 1995 through the merger of two historic Altoona churches — Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Leo the Great — taking its new name in honor of the Marian apparition at Fátima, Portugal. Today it serves its members from a church located at 2000 12th Avenue, currently administered by Rev. Mariusz Gorazd, with weekend Mass on Sunday at 11:30 AM and the church open daily for visits before the Blessed Sacrament. The parish is small, family-style in feel, and closely linked with neighboring Catholic parishes (notably the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary's) for religious education, sacramental preparation, and other ministries.
- Established
- 1995
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Rev. Mariusz Gorazd (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
Why belong here
Our Lady of Fatima offers a small, intimate parish setting where every visitor is welcomed at a single Sunday Mass (11:30 AM), with the church open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM for quiet visits before the Blessed Sacrament. It is closely partnered with the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Mary's Parish for faith formation, sacramental preparation, and ministries, giving parishioners access to a wider Catholic life in Altoona. With active outreach like the Precious Life Baby Bottle Campaign, the annual Catholic Ministries Drive, and homebound Communion brought weekly by Patty Flanagan, the parish is a tangible community of prayer and service in central Pennsylvania.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 11:00 AM to 11:25 AM (before 11:30 AM Mass)
Adoration times
- Church open daily (Sunday through Saturday) from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM for visits before the Blessed Sacrament
About Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is a Catholic community of the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown. The parish was established in 1995 from the merger of Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Leo the Great parishes and takes its name from the Marian apparition at Fátima, Portugal. The parish is administered by Rev. Mariusz Gorazd and continues to serve the faithful of the 12th Avenue area of Altoona through Sunday Eucharist, daily church hours for prayer, homebound ministry, and close collaboration with the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Parish formed in 1995 from merger of Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Leo the Great
- Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
- Single Sunday Mass at 11:30 AM
- Church open daily 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM for visits before the Blessed Sacrament
Parish History
Our Lady of Fatima is a successor parish of two earlier Altoona Catholic communities: Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Leo the Great. The parish website's About Us page preserves photographs and memorabilia of both predecessor communities, including Father J.D. Zatatlava, the Saint Peter and Saint Paul 50th Anniversary Jubilee, and a visit from Bishop Mark Bartchak. Through these archives the parish remembers its roots in those two earlier congregations while continuing its Catholic mission under its Marian name.
- 1995 merger of Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Leo the Great
- Photographs of Father J.D. Zatatlava preserved on the parish site
- Photos document Bishop Mark Bartchak's visit to the parish
- Saint Peter and Saint Paul 50th Anniversary Jubilee images retained
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Mariusz Gorazd, who resides at St. Mary's Rectory, Altoona. The parish office is staffed by Administrative Assistant Paula Hall. Past administrators documented on parish bulletins include Rev. Msgr. Stanley B. Carson and Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Mazur. Music Ministry is directed by Cathy McFee. Holy Communion to the homebound is coordinated by Patty Flanagan.
- Rev. Mariusz Gorazd — Administrator (residing at St. Mary's Rectory)
- Paula Hall — Administrative Assistant
- Cathy McFee — Director of Music Ministry
- Patty Flanagan — Homebound Communion Minister
- Rev. Msgr. Stanley B. Carson — former Administrator
- Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Mazur — former Administrator
Office Hours & Contact
The parish office is located inside the church building. Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. An emergency line (814-942-2416) is available for after-hours pastoral needs.
- Parish phone: 814-942-0371
- Emergency line: 814-942-2416
- Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Parish office located inside the church
Sacraments
Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals are celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima. Preparation for Baptism and Marriage is held at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (814-944-4603). The Anointing of the Sick is arranged by calling the parish office. First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and Christian Initiation (RCIA) are coordinated through the Cathedral Parish.
- Baptisms at Our Lady of Fatima — prep at the Cathedral
- Weddings at Our Lady of Fatima — prep at the Cathedral
- Funerals at Our Lady of Fatima
- Anointing of the Sick by appointment via parish office
- First Reconciliation / First Communion / Confirmation — Cathedral-coordinated
- Christian Initiation (RCIA) — Cathedral-coordinated
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Religious Education for Our Lady of Fatima parishioners is coordinated through St. Mary's Parish (814-942-2416). Sacramental formation — including Baptismal Preparation, Marriage Preparation, Christian Initiation, First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation — is provided through the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Religious Education contact: St. Mary's, 814-942-2416
- Sacramental Formation hub: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
- Cathedral Religious Education office: 814-943-7424
Music Ministry
Music at Our Lady of Fatima is directed by Cathy McFee. Music supports the parish's principal Sunday Mass at 11:30 AM and the community's devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, including the praying of the Rosary.
- Director of Music Ministry: Cathy McFee
Outreach & Diocesan Appeals
Our Lady of Fatima parishioners participate in the annual Catholic Ministries Drive of the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, with recent campaigns themed around 'Encountering Christ' during the National Eucharistic Revival. The parish has also supported the Precious Life Baby Bottle Campaign, providing positive alternatives for mothers and babies. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have been invited to bring Communion to Catholic patients at UPMC Altoona, in coordination with the hospital's Pastoral Care Department.
- Catholic Ministries Drive (annual diocesan appeal)
- Precious Life Baby Bottle Campaign
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for UPMC Altoona hospital visits
Visiting & Hours
The church is open every day of the week — Sunday through Saturday — from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM for visits before the Blessed Sacrament, making the parish a quiet haven for personal prayer along 12th Avenue in Altoona. The parish office is inside the church and is staffed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Open 7 days a week, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Office hours inside church: Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Emergency line: 814-942-2416
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father J.D. Zatatlava
Early pastor of Our Lady of Fatima after the 1995 merger; photos preserved on parish website.
- Rev. Msgr. Stanley B. Carson
Served as Parish Administrator; named on parish bulletin.
- Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Mazur
Served as Parish Administrator; named on parish bulletin (mid-2024).
- Rev. Mariusz Gorazd
Current Administrator; resides at St. Mary's Rectory, Altoona.