About Our Lady of Lourdes · Altoona, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish in the western section of Altoona, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Founded in 1923 to serve about 225 Catholic families in the neighborhood, the parish takes its name and inspiration from the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France. Today the parish celebrates daily and Sunday Mass in English, offers Eucharistic adoration and Saturday confessions, and runs faith-formation programs including the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and youth religious education. Its stated mission is to 'evangelize all people at all times' through deeds and faith, proclaiming the message of Jesus, teaching His truth, and extending His love to people of all ages through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes.
- Established
- 1923
- Patron
- Our Lady of Lourdes (the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of her apparitions to St. Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France)
- Rector
- Father James Dugan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Our Lady of Lourdes is a century-old parish with deep roots in western Altoona and a clear mission to 'evangelize all people at all times.' Daily Mass Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM, Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, Eucharistic adoration on First Fridays and the second Sunday, and a year-round OCIA process for adults seeking full initiation mean there are many ways to plug into the sacramental life. Active youth religious education and ministry programs (altar serving, lectors/commentators, youth ushers, choir) make it a welcoming place for families, and the parish actively reaches out through community events like its annual Lenten fish fry.
Mass times at Our Lady of Lourdes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (until 4:15 PM per third-party listings)
Adoration times
- First Friday 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
- Second Sunday 4:00 PM
About Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic parish in the western section of Altoona, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Its mission statement is to 'evangelize all people at all times' through deeds and faith, proclaiming the message of Jesus, teaching His truth, and extending His love to people of all ages through the parish's patron, Our Lady of Lourdes. The parish's tagline is 'Lighting Hearts on Fire.' Father James Dugan has served as pastor since November 2017, and Mrs. Charlotte Sommer is the parish's administrative secretary.
- Patron: Our Lady of Lourdes
- Diocese: Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
- Pastor: Father James Dugan
- Administrative Secretary: Mrs. Charlotte Sommer
- Address: 2716 Broad Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601
- Phone: (814) 943-6185
- Tagline: 'Lighting Hearts on Fire'
Parish History (1923-Present)
Founded in 1923 by Father Joseph H. Farran on the request of Bishop John J. McCort to serve the Catholic families of western Altoona, the parish took the name Our Lady of Lourdes after Father Farran's pilgrimage with the Bishop to the French shrine. A temporary chapel on Broad Avenue hosted the first Mass on December 8, 1923, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The parish school opened in 1927 staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, the modern Romanesque church at Broad Avenue and 27th Street was dedicated in 1961, and the 1970 renovation under Monsignor John J. Lafferty reshaped the sanctuary around salvation-history murals and new Stations of the Cross. The school closed in 2000, and Father James Dugan became the tenth pastor in November 2017.
- 1923: Parish founded by Father Joseph H. Farran
- 1923: First Mass in temporary chapel, December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- 1927: Parish school opened (Sisters of Mercy)
- 1959-1961: Modern Romanesque church built and dedicated by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick
- 1970: Interior renovation — side altars replaced with salvation-history murals; new Stations of the Cross
- 1977: New rectory built at 2716 Broad Avenue
- 2000: Parish school closed due to declining enrollment
- 2017: Father James Dugan assigned as pastor
Pastorate Succession
The parish has been served by ten pastors since its founding. The longest tenured was Monsignor John J. Lafferty (1958-1989), who led the post-Vatican II liturgical renewal and the major 1970 renovation. Father David Rizzo (2009-2016) oversaw physical improvements to the church building and a renewed emphasis on Marian devotion. Father James Dugan, the current pastor, was assigned in November 2017.
- Father Joseph H. Farran (1923-1935)
- Father James F. Hanlon (1935, brief)
- Father Roger O'Donnell (1935-1940)
- Father Philip J. O'Donnell (1940-1965; pastor emeritus to 1974)
- Monsignor John J. Lafferty (assistant 1958; administrator 1963; pastor 1965-1989)
- Monsignor Michael Servinsky (1989-1992)
- Father Raymond Crosser (1992-1995)
- Father Robert Hall (1995-2000)
- Father Dennis Kurdziel (2000-2009)
- Father David Rizzo (May 2009 - September 2016)
- Father James Dugan (November 2017 - present)
Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, already baptized, or returning Catholics — are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) process. The parish's OCIA is structured around the traditional phases of inquiry, catechumenate, purification and enlightenment, and mystagogy, with the Easter Vigil as the focal point. There is no set timeline, and no commitment is required to begin inquiring.
- OCIA Coordinator: Suzanne Krider (814-937-6095)
- Open to unbaptized adults, already-baptized adults, and returning Catholics
- Phases: Inquiry → Catechumenate → Purification & Enlightenment → Mystagogy
- Focal point: Easter Vigil
Youth Religious Education
Our Lady of Lourdes runs a multi-year Youth Religious Education program for children preparing for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Registration places students in a one- to three-year track and invites them into parish liturgical ministries such as altar serving, lectors/commentators, youth ushers, and the choir.
- First Communion preparation (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 tracks)
- Confirmation preparation (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 tracks)
- Liturgical ministry tracks: Altar Serving, Lector/Commentator, Youth Usher, Choir
Sacraments
The parish prepares candidates for the sacraments of Christian initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) through its OCIA process for adults and its multi-year youth religious education program for children. The sacrament of Penance is offered Saturday afternoons, and the parish office should be contacted for marriage preparation.
- Baptism (via OCIA for adults)
- Confirmation (youth multi-year preparation)
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Penance / Reconciliation (Saturday 3:30 PM)
- Marriage — contact the parish office
Parish Life & Outreach
Beyond the sacraments, Our Lady of Lourdes maintains an active parish life centered on Marian devotion and Eucharistic adoration, both of which were renewed under Father David Rizzo and continue under Father Dugan. The parish hosts seasonal community events such as the annual Lenten fish fry (dine-in and take-out) and Christmas caroling with a pizza party, and points parishioners to broader Catholic faith resources through USCCB and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
- Annual Lenten Fish Fry (dine-in and take-out)
- Christmas Caroling with Pizza Party
- Christmas Vigil Mass (Christmas Eve)
- Christmas Day Mass
- Eucharistic Adoration (First Fridays, Second Sundays)
- Devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes
Faith Resources
The parish curates a list of trusted Catholic online resources for parishioners who want to go deeper in prayer, scripture, and teaching.
- US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) — http://www.usccb.org/
- Catechism of the Catholic Church — USCCB
- Daily Scripture Readings — USCCB
- Bible — USCCB
- Ignatian Spirituality — www.ignatianspirituality.com
- Faith and Safety — technology safety through the eyes of faith
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown — http://www.dioceseaj.org
Staff & Contact
The parish is led by Father James Dugan (pastor) and supported by Mrs. Charlotte Sommer as administrative secretary. The parish office can be reached at the rectory next door to the church at 2716 Broad Avenue.
- Pastor: Father James Dugan
- Parish phone: (814) 943-6185
- Administrative Secretary: Mrs. Charlotte Sommer (option 2)
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Fax: (814) 943-1968
- Rectory address: 2716 Broad Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph H. Farran1923-1935
Founding pastor; established parish in western Altoona, built temporary chapel and the parish school (opened 1927); transferred to St. Patrick's, Gallitzin.
- Father James F. Hanlon1935 (brief)
In residence while teaching at Altoona Catholic High School; served briefly as pastor.
- Father Roger O'Donnell1935-1940
Appointed by the bishop; served until his death in 1940.
- Father Philip J. O'Donnell1940-1965
Built the modern Romanesque church (groundbreaking 1959, dedicated 1961); served as pastor emeritus until his death in 1974.
- Monsignor John J. Lafferty1958-1989 (assistant 1958, administrator 1963, pastor 1965)
Led Vatican II liturgical renewal, 1970 interior renovation with salvation-history murals and new Stations of the Cross; oversaw 1977 rectory; elevated to Monsignor 1982.
- Monsignor Michael Servinsky1989-1992
- Father Raymond Crosser1992-1995
- Father Robert Hall1995-2000
- Father Dennis Kurdziel2000-2009
Closed the parish school in 2000 due to declining enrollment.
- Father David RizzoMay 2009 - September 2016
Added first-floor restroom, new tabernacle, updated sanctuary lighting, repainted nave with blue trim; renewed emphasis on Eucharistic adoration and Marian devotion.
- Father James DuganNovember 2017 - present
Current pastor.