About Our Lady of Hope · Syracuse, New York
Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Syracuse, New York, belonging to the Diocese of Syracuse. It was formed in October 2017 through the merger of two historic parishes — St. James (founded 1925 on South Salina Street) and Our Lady of Lourdes (founded 1947 in the Elmwood/Valley area). The parish is pastored by Fr. Michael Galuppi, who also serves the nearby St. Michael–St. Peter parish, and is assisted by two deacons. Our Lady of Hope continues the legacy of both predecessor communities, including the famous statue of Our Lady of Lourdes which was preserved and incorporated into a new grotto on the parish grounds.
- Established
- 2017
- Patron
- Our Lady of Hope (Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes)
- Rector
- Fr. Michael P. Galuppi
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
Our Lady of Hope welcomes parishioners from across Syracuse's south side into one combined family with deep roots in two predecessor parishes. Daily and Sunday Mass, Monday adoration, the rosary recited daily at 8:20 AM, the Tuesday Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Baptism, Marriage, and OCIA are all offered on a regular schedule. The parish also has an active Knights of Columbus council that sponsors charity drives for Francis House and Joseph's House, a music ministry, and a faith formation program serving children, youth, and adults.
Mass times at Our Lady of Hope
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (1st and 3rd Saturday of the month)
- Also by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 1st and 3rd Monday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
About Our Lady of Hope
Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Syracuse located on South Salina Street in the city of Syracuse, New York. The parish was officially formed in October 2017 by the merger of St. James and Our Lady of Lourdes, two long-standing Catholic communities serving the south side of Syracuse. The parish tagline is 'Coming together to share the Gospel in the Spirit of Christ.' It is led by Pastor Fr. Michael Galuppi, who also serves St. Michael–St. Peter parish, with assistance from Deacons Mike McGrath and John Trendowski. The parish office is reachable at 315-469-7789 or [email protected].
History of Our Lady of Hope
Our Lady of Hope celebrated its opening Mass on October 14, 2017, the culmination of a diocesan merger that brought together St. James and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes. Our Lady of Lourdes held its final Mass on October 7, 2017, after 70 years of ministry in the Elmwood/Valley area. As the parish's own history page notes, the mission now is to 'reconstruct the mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and combine with St. James to facilitate the needs of the Church in a different manner.' The famous statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, originally erected over the front entrance of the Lourdes church in memory of founding pastor Msgr. Watley, was preserved and incorporated into a proposed grotto on the new parish grounds.
History of St. James (1925–2017)
St. James parish was founded in 1925 with just 30 families and Father James Burns as its first pastor. Trustees Dennis H. Dwyer and Kevin Byrne purchased the 7.5-acre campus that year for $18,000, and the first Mass was celebrated on September 27, 1925 in the red brick house on the property. In 1929 the parish voted to build a new church; parishioner and architect Thomas Enright drew the plans, Bishop Curley laid the cornerstone in 1934, and parishioners themselves supplied the labor. The Franciscan Sisters arrived in 1943 to set up a catechetical center, Father Francis Horrigan became pastor in 1944, and the parish school was completed in 1954. The present St. James church was completed in 1960, the old church became a gymnasium in 1961, and the rectory and administration building was built in 1964.
History of Our Lady of Lourdes (1947–2017)
On September 14, 1947, Bishop Walter Foery announced the formation of a new parish to be known as Our Lady of Lourdes, carved from sections of St. Anthony's, Most Holy Rosary, and St. James to serve the growing Catholic presence in the Elmwood/Valley area of Syracuse. Founding pastor Fr. Martin Watley spent 28 years building a temporary church, a school that educated more than 4,000 children, a convent for the Sisters of St. Francis, a rectory, and in 1969 the permanent church. Under Msgr. Costello, the famous statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was erected on the parapet over the front entrance in memory of Msgr. Watley, where it watched over the Valley for 42 years. Successive pastors included Msgr. Costello (elevated to Auxiliary Bishop in 1978), Fr. Ted Sizing, Fr. Fred Mannara, Fr. Thomas Fitzpatrick (22 years), and Fr. Christopher Ballard, who guided the parish through its final Mass on October 7, 2017.
Parish Staff & Leadership
Our Lady of Hope is pastored by Fr. Michael P. Galuppi, who also serves as pastor of St. Michael–St. Peter. He is assisted by two permanent deacons and a team of lay staff and ministry coordinators. The Business Administrator is Donna Rawson and the parish secretary is Sarah Remon. Bonnie Barker serves as Director of Faith Formation for both Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael–St. Peter, and is also the OCIA Coordinator. Tom Andino is Director of Music, and John Regan handles maintenance. The parish office is open Monday through Wednesday 9 AM – 2 PM and Thursday 9 AM – 12 noon (closed Fridays).
- Fr. Michael P. Galuppi — Pastor
- Deacon Mike McGrath
- Deacon John Trendowski
- Donna Rawson — Business Administrator
- Sarah Remon — Secretary
- Bonnie Barker — Director of Faith Formation / OCIA Coordinator
- Tom Andino — Director of Music
- John Regan — Maintenance
Parish & Finance Councils
The Parish (Pastoral) Council and the Finance Council both advise the pastor and meet quarterly. The Pastoral Council's primary purpose is the proclamation of the Gospel at Our Lady of Hope, assessing and responding to the needs of the parish community. Trustees are Tony Martin and Jeryl Reitzel. The Finance Council, chaired by Chuck Scheftic with Bill Kinne also named, assists in the administration of temporal goods as required by canon law.
- Parish Council members: Lori Hickman, Michael Holiday, Rita & Andrew Kimak, Sara Parrott, Michele Ryan, Matthew Scheuer, Anne Simmons, Sharon Miller, Joan Hantke
- Finance Council members (partial): Chuck Scheftic (Chair), Bill Kinne
- Trustees: Tony Martin, Jeryl Reitzel
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Our Lady of Hope is directed by Bonnie Barker and serves families from both Our Lady of Hope and St. Michael–St. Peter parishes. Children typically prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2nd grade, with a child/parent retreat and parent sessions supporting each sacrament. Confirmation is a year-long preparation for teens including classes, small group sessions, service projects, and a retreat, with adults and mature teens serving as sponsors, retreat leaders, and teachers. Celebration of Confirmation is usually in May or June.
- Director of Faith Formation: Bonnie Barker (Our Lady of Hope & St. Michael–St. Peter)
- First Reconciliation — 2nd grade, child/parent retreat in November, sacrament in December
- First Eucharist — 2nd grade, child/parent retreat in April, sacrament in May
- Confirmation — year-long program for teens culminating in May or June
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
OCIA is the parish's process for adults and youth seeking full communion with the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized in another tradition, or baptized Catholic but missing the Sacraments of Initiation. Sessions generally occur year-round and culminate at the Easter Vigil, when candidates are received through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The process is a mentoring, sponsoring, educating, and witnessing ministry that the whole parish is invited to participate in.
- OCIA Coordinator: Bonnie Barker
- Also contact: Deacon John Trendowski
Marriage Preparation
Couples preparing for Holy Matrimony at Our Lady of Hope meet with the pastor and the engaged couple. Adequate time is given to discuss topics such as communication, children, and finances, and the wedding must be scheduled in advance. Couples are expected to pursue an informed and faith-focused commitment to the sacrament.
Baptism Preparation
Baptism is described as the foundation of Christian life, offered from infancy through age 7. Baptisms are prepared through the parish's Baptism Preparation process; families are encouraged to contact the rectory for more detailed information.
Music Ministry
The parish maintains an active Music Ministry directed by Tom Andino. Music supports the sung liturgy at Our Lady of Hope's regular Mass schedule and special services.
- Director of Music: Tom Andino
Knights of Columbus & Outreach
Our Lady of Hope has an active Knights of Columbus council that works alongside the parish's other worship site (St. Michael–St. Peter) on charitable outreach. The council has organized a Spring Drive Collection for Francis House, a Syracuse community charity, and a Baby Bottle Drive benefiting Joseph's House. The parish also hosts seasonal events such as a Spring Cleanup Day and an Evening of Song & Reflection with Dan Schutte.
- Knights of Columbus — Spring Drive Collection for Francis House
- Baby Bottle Drive for Joseph's House
- Francis House Donations
- Spring Cleanup Day
- An Evening of Song & Reflection with Dan Schutte
Find Us / Contact
Our Lady of Hope is located on South Salina Street in Syracuse, New York. The parish can be reached by phone at 315-469-7789 or by email at [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Wednesday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon (closed Fridays). A contact form is available on the parish website.
- Address: 4845 S Salina St, Syracuse, NY 13205
- Phone: 315-469-7789
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Wed 9 AM–2 PM, Thu 9 AM–12 PM, Closed Fri
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Christopher Ballard2015–2017 (St. James administrator then pastor; led merger into Our Lady of Hope 2017)
Selected as final pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes from July 1, 2017; carried both parishes into the 2017 merger.
- Fr. John Mannountil 2015
Succeeded Fr. Daniel O'Hara as pastor of St. James.
- Fr. Daniel O'Hara1998–
Arrived at St. James in 1993 as associate; appointed pastor in 1998.
- Fr. Michael Meagher1994–1998
Pastor of St. James.
- Fr. James Quinn1988–
Seventh pastor of St. James, appointed July 1988.
- Fr. Paul Alicati1988
Named associate pastor of St. James early in 1988.
- Fr. Raymond Wood / Fr. George Hartnett1985
Fr. Wood became pastor of St. James in 1985; Fr. Hartnett appointed associate pastor.
- Fr. Raymond Wood & Fr. John Finnegan1982
St. James had co-pastors for the first time in 1982.
- Fr. John Finnegan1977–
Fifth pastor of St. James; oversaw convent purchase, pipe organ donation, and the daily Mass chapel dedicated to Msgr. Horrigan.
- Auxiliary Bishop Frank J. Harrison / Fr. Jon Ahernpost-1975
Harrison succeeded Msgr. Horrigan; Ahern was named administrator.
- Msgr. Francis Horrigan32 years (through Golden Jubilee 1975)
Succeeded Fr. William Otey; oversaw school and new church construction.
- Fr. William Oteyfrom 1939
Succeeded Father Burns at St. James.
- Fr. James Burns1925–
Founding pastor of St. James with 30 families; first Mass in the red brick house Sept. 27, 1925.
- Fr. Thomas Fitzpatrick22 years, retired June 30, 2017
Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Fr. Fred Mannarauntil July 1995
Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Fr. Ted Sizing
Native son of Our Lady of Lourdes; succeeded Fr. Costello.
- Msgr. Thomas Costellountil 1978
Elevated to Auxiliary Bishop; oversaw installation of the Our Lady of Lourdes statue.
- Msgr. Martin Watley1947–1975 (28 years)
Founding pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes; oversaw church, school, convent, rectory, and 1969 permanent church.