About Our Lady of Mount Carmel · Littleton, Colorado
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Denver located in Littleton, Colorado, served by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP). Erected in July 2009, the parish exists specifically to provide spiritual and pastoral care to Catholics who desire to worship using the liturgical books in force in 1962, offering the Traditional Latin Mass exclusively. The parish traces its roots to a small Latin Mass community of about 16 faithful started by Fr. José Maria Salgado, FSSP in July 1996, which over the years grew and eventually settled into its current home — a former Episcopal church building — that was dedicated by Archbishop Charles Chaput on September 22, 2001. Today OLMC serves the greater Denver region with multiple daily and Sunday Masses, a robust music program, youth ministry, sacramental preparation, and ongoing devotions.
- Established
- 1996 (Latin Mass Community established); 2009 (erected as a personal parish)
- Patron
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Mount Carmel)
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew J. McCarthy, FSSP
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Denver (personal parish)
Why belong here
OLMC is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Denver dedicated exclusively to the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 liturgical books), offering five Sunday Masses, daily Mass, frequent confession, all-day First Friday adoration, and a deeply rooted devotional life centered on Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular. The parish serves Catholics from across the Denver metro area — including Littleton, Lakewood, Aurora, Golden, Thornton, Boulder, and Castle Rock — with rich sacred music, dedicated scholas, a thriving youth group, an active Altar and Rosary Society, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and ongoing sacramental preparation for First Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Families seeking the spirituality, reverence, and community life of the Traditional Latin Mass will find a welcoming and well-established home here.
Mass times at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass
- Saturday 8:00 AM until the line is gone
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursdays 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Adoration and Benediction)
- First Friday of the month: all day, beginning after the 8:30 AM Mass and concluding before the 8:30 AM Mass on Saturday
About Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a personal parish of the Archdiocese of Denver, erected in July 2009 to provide spiritual and pastoral care to those Catholics who desire to worship using the liturgical books in force in 1962. The parish is served by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP). Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel dates back to the 13th century, when — according to Carmelite tradition — the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock and gave him the Brown Scapular, which is worn by many Catholic faithful as a sign of love and devotion for the Mother of God.
- Personal parish of the Archdiocese of Denver, erected July 2009
- Served by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP)
- Offers exclusively the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 liturgical books)
- Patron: Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Feast: July 16
Founding Story
In the summer of 1995, Archbishop J. Francis Stafford invited the FSSP to establish a Latin Mass apostolate in Denver. When the FSSP priest — Fr. José Maria Salgado — arrived in July 1996, Archbishop Stafford had already been transferred to Rome. Fr. Salgado was welcomed into the home of an FSSP seminarian's parents and said the first Masses for the community in their recreation room. About 16 faithful gathered at the start. He named the apostolate Our Lady of Mount Carmel because of his devotion to the title and because he had arrived in Denver on the July 16 feast day; Archbishop Charles Chaput approved the name and supported the community.
- Invited by Archbishop J. Francis Stafford in summer 1995
- Founded by Fr. José Maria Salgado, FSSP, July 1996
- Started with about 16 faithful
- First Masses in the recreation room of an FSSP seminarian's parents
- Name chosen for the July 16 feast day and Fr. Salgado's Marian devotion
Growth, the Episcopal-to-Catholic Conversion, and Parish Status
Early on, Frank Morriss — president of Colorado Catholic Academy (CCA) in Wheat Ridge — invited the community to use the academy's chapel, where Mass was offered daily for five years and the parish choir was born. The community later added a weekly 12:00 noon Sunday Mass at Good Shepherd Church in Denver at Archbishop Chaput's invitation. In summer 2001, a realtor-parishioner found that St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Littleton was for sale; the archdiocese helped purchase the property (church, hall, offices, classrooms, rectory). Volunteers spent weeks converting the bare interior into a traditional Catholic church, and Archbishop Chaput formally dedicated Our Lady of Mount Carmel on September 22, 2001. Fr. Salgado was transferred in January 2006, and in July 2009 the community was officially erected as a personal parish.
- Five years of daily Mass at Colorado Catholic Academy chapel in Wheat Ridge
- Weekly noon Mass added at Good Shepherd Church, Denver
- Former St. Timothy Episcopal Church purchased in 2001
- Converted by volunteer labor into a traditional Catholic church
- Dedicated by Archbishop Charles Chaput on September 22, 2001
- Fr. Salgado transferred January 2006; parish erected July 2009
Clergy & Staff
OLMC is currently served by four priests and a lay staff team. The current pastor is Rev. Matthew J. McCarthy, FSSP. He is assisted by two parochial vicars — Rev. Joseph Loftus, FSSP, and Rev. Padraic Stack — with Rev. Joseph Dalimata, FSSP, in residence. The parish music is led by Director of Music David Hughes. The Secretary and Sacrament Coordinator is Kaleigh Sims ([email protected]) and the Office Manager is Bruce Muhe, III.
- Rev. Matthew J. McCarthy, FSSP — Pastor
- Rev. Joseph Loftus, FSSP — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Padraic Stack — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Joseph Dalimata, FSSP — In Residence
- David Hughes — Director of Music ([email protected])
- Kaleigh Sims — Secretary & Sacrament Coordinator ([email protected])
- Bruce Muhe, III — Office Manager ([email protected])
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for and administers the standard seven sacraments. First Confession is offered to children in the 2nd-grade level of religion (Fall classes, Sundays 2:15–3:15 PM in the St. Albert Room, beginning October 5, 2025). First Holy Communion and Confirmation are received together in 3rd grade under the Archdiocese of Denver's restored order (Spring classes, Sundays at 2:15 PM in the St. Albert Room, beginning January 25, 2026). Adults who have not yet received Confirmation should contact the parish secretary for instruction.
- Baptism — contact parish secretary
- First Confession — Fall classes for 2nd-grade-level religion; oral exam required
- First Holy Communion & Confirmation together — Spring classes for 3rd-grade-level religion
- Adult Confirmation — contact parish secretary
- Matrimony — contact parish secretary
- Anointing of the Sick — Sacramental emergencies line: 303-241-2946
Sacred Music Program
Sacred music is a hallmark of OLMC's liturgical life. The program is led by Director of Music David Hughes and includes a full choir with section leaders, principal organist John Murgel, and two youth scholas: the St. Gregory Schola (Tuesdays 4:30–6:00 PM) and the St. Cecilia Schola (Tuesdays 6:00–7:30 PM). An annual Children's Chant Camp for ages 7–14 is held each summer, culminating in the choristers singing for a High Mass on the Feast of the Assumption.
- Director of Music: David Hughes
- Principal Organist: John Murgel
- Soprano Section Leader: Carrie Nolan
- Tenor Section Leader: Mark Schulz
- Bass Section Leader: Tim Thaler
- St. Gregory Schola (youth choir): Tuesdays 4:30–6:00 PM
- St. Cecilia Schola (youth choir): Tuesdays 6:00–7:30 PM
- Annual Children's Chant Camp (ages 7–14)
Parish Organizations & Lay Groups
A variety of parish organizations serve the spiritual, devotional, and social life of OLMC, including a youth group for teens, a women's society devoted to the Rosary and altar care, and a mothers' confraternity.
- St. John Bosco's Youth Group (ages 13–18) — moderated by Fr. Joseph Loftus, FSSP
- Altar and Rosary Society — President Anna Coffey ([email protected]); meets Third Saturdays after 8:30 AM Mass
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers — talks, discussion, and fellowship for women of the parish
- Colorado Catholic Business Network — area networking/lunch-and-learn group for Catholic professionals
Devotions & Carmelite Connections
True to its name, OLMC maintains a strong Marian and Carmelite devotional life. The parish's daily 6:30 AM Mass is offered at the Carmel of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Littleton (a Discalced Carmelite monastery at 6138 S. Gallup St.), and each July 14–16 the monastery hosts the annual Carmelite Triduum in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with nightly Rosary, sermon, Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Brown Scapular enrollment.
- Daily 6:30 AM Mass at Carmel of the Holy Spirit Monastery
- Annual Carmelite Triduum, July 14–16, at the monastery chapel (7 PM each night)
- Opportunity for Brown Scapular enrollment during the Triduum
- Altar and Rosary Society promotes devotion to the Holy Rosary
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach OLMC at 5612 S. Hickory St., Littleton, CO 80120 (phone 303-703-8538). Office hours are Monday–Friday 9:15 AM – 4:15 PM. Sacramental emergencies are handled around the clock at 303-241-2946. Email contacts include the Secretary/Sacrament Coordinator ([email protected]) and the Director of Music ([email protected]).
- Address: 5612 S. Hickory St., Littleton, CO 80120
- Phone: 303-703-8538
- Sacramental Emergencies: 303-241-2946
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:15 AM – 4:15 PM
- Secretary/Sacrament Coordinator: [email protected]
- Director of Music: [email protected]
- Office Manager: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. José Maria Salgado, FSSPJuly 1996 – January 2006
Founder of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Latin Mass Community. Arrived in Denver in July 1996, started Masses in a parishioner's recreation room, led the community through its growth at the Colorado Catholic Academy chapel and at Good Shepherd Church, and oversaw the purchase and conversion of the former St. Timothy Episcopal Church building dedicated in September 2001. Transferred by the FSSP to Arizona in January 2006.