Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Welcome to the Basilica Parish

The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – St. Anthony of Padua Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Youngstown, Ohio, rooted in the Faith and the Italian traditions of the ancestors who built it. Located in the Diocese of Youngstown, the parish unites two historic Italian-American worship sites and is a member of the Youngstown City Collaborative. 'We're glad you're here' is the message that greets every visitor, and the parish sees itself as actively called to promote and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ together.

Our Story — From 1908 to a Minor Basilica

Italian immigrants recruited from New York in 1872 settled in the Coalburg mining area and, by 1908, were numerous enough to need a parish of their own. Father Emmanuel Stabile founded the mission that year, with the first Masses celebrated in a roofed-over 79-foot basement on what was then Summit Avenue. After Father Stabile's death in 1911, Monsignor Vito Franco guided the parish for fifty years, dedicating the Romanesque church on November 4, 1916. The devastating 1923 fire destroyed the Holkamp pipe organ (partly donated by Andrew Carnegie), but the community rebuilt and rededicated the church within months. Subsequent pastors — Father Henry Fabrizio, Father Joseph Leo Iati, and Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio Jr. — added the rectory, social hall, shrine garden, altars, frescoes, pipe organ, memorial walk, ten-foot Marian statue, accessible tower (2001), and the John Paul II Center for religious education. In 2012, on the parish's centennial, Bishop George V. Murry merged it with its mother church of St. Anthony of Padua. Pope Francis elevated the church to a Minor Basilica in 2014, and in 2024 it entered into a special spiritual bond with the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

• 1908 — Mission founded by Rev. Emmanuel Stabile
• 1913 — Becomes a parish; Msgr. Vito Franco named first resident pastor
• 1916 — Church dedicated on November 4
• 1923 — Fire of June 12 destroys the Holkamp pipe organ; church rededicated December 16
• 1979 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (May 23)
• 1986 — Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio Jr. becomes fifth pastor
• 1990 — 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration begins; ten-foot Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue dedicated
• 2012 — Merged with St. Anthony of Padua to form the present combined parish
• 2014 — Elevated to a Minor Basilica by Pope Francis
• 2024 — Spiritual bond with the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome established May 13

Clergy and Pastoral Leadership

The parish is led by Very Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw, J.C.L., V.G., as Pastor and Rector. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. John Rovnak and four permanent deacons who serve in liturgical, catechetical, and pastoral roles. Monsignor Zuraw also serves as chaplain to Cardinal Mooney High School and to the St. John Henry Newman Center at Youngstown State University, and he coordinates the daily Mass schedule across the Youngstown City Collaborative parishes.

• Pastor & Rector: Very Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw, J.C.L., V.G. — 330-743-4144
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. John Rovnak
• Permanent Deacon: William Bancroft (also Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese)
• Permanent Deacon: Sylvester Frazzini III — 330-360-6576
• Permanent Deacon: Mark Izzo — 330-533-1857
• Permanent Deacon: Anthony Falasca Jr. — 330-559-4439 (Adult Faith Formation)

Parish Staff and Office

Behind the scenes, a small but dedicated staff keeps the parish's liturgical, educational, and administrative life running. The Religious Education Office at the John Paul II Center coordinates faith formation for children, and the Music Director leads the parish's liturgical music. The Business Manager, Office Manager, and Administrative Assistants handle the day-to-day operations of this complex two-site parish.

• Director of Religious Education: Leanna Pipala — 330-743-3508 — [email protected]
• Director of Music: Nick Mattiussi — 330-550-9283 — [email protected]
• Business Manager / Accounting: John Didek Jr. — 330-743-4144 — [email protected]
• Office Manager: Michele Berardi — 330-743-4144
• Administrative Assistants: Mary Rose, June Lewis, Paula Van Nest
• Department Head of Maintenance: Frank Vecchiarelli
• Maintenance Assistants: Phil Pillin, Gary Capone, George DeLuca III
• Hospitality Coordinators: Patricia Butto and Cathy Mastropietro
• Event Bookings: Kim Howe — 330-727-0262

Spiritual Bond with St. Mary Major Basilica, Rome

On May 13, 2024, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel received an official spiritual affiliation with the Major Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. This special bond grants the faithful who visit Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica the possibility of obtaining plenary indulgences on designated feast days, under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, prayer for the Pope's intentions, and complete detachment from sin).

• Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1)
• Solemnity of the Annunciation (March 25)
• Anniversary of the elevation to Minor Basilica (May 13)
• Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29)
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Day (July 16)
• Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major (August 5)
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15)
• Feast of the Most Holy Rosary (October 7)
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Dedication of the Basilica (December 8)
• One day each year chosen by the individual faithful

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith formation is centered at the John Paul II Center, 323 Via Mt. Carmel, which was renamed and dedicated in 2005 from a former parish duplex. The Religious Education program is coordinated by Leanna Pipala, supported by a team of catechists and the parish's permanent deacons. First Communion preparation classes are held regularly, and the Office of Adult Faith Formation is led by Deacon Anthony Falasca Jr.

• Director of Religious Education: Leanna Pipala — 330-743-3508 — [email protected]
• St. John Paul II Center — 323 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505
• Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (subject to change)
• First Communion preparation classes offered throughout the year
• Adult Faith Formation led by Deacon Anthony Falasca Jr. with Chris and Michele Berardi

Ministries, Devotions, and Community Life

The parish is the heart of a vibrant Italian-American devotional life. Signature devotions include the Thirteen Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony of Padua, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, the Visitation of Mary Society, and a Cursillo movement. Outreach to those in need is led by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The Knights of Columbus, Mothers of the Crucifix, St. Monica Guild, Vestibule Club, Friends of St. Martha, and a Young Adults group round out the parish's family of ministries.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society — Sandi Greco, 330-743-4144
• Knights of Columbus — Dustin Tolson, 330-356-0035
• Mothers of the Crucifix — Cathy Zack, 330-398-6395
• St. Monica Guild — Angela DiFrangia, 330-518-1023
• Visitation of Mary Society — Patti Rossi, 330-881-8219
• Vestibule Club — Frank Mazzocca, 330-727-7522
• Young Adults — Alex Micco, 330-397-8979
• Friends of St. Martha — Alexis Weber, 330-402-7147
• Cursillo Weekends — Peg Elston, 330-502-5846 — [email protected]
• Thirteen Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony of Padua — 12 PM at OLMC; 5:30 PM at St. Anthony

Italian Festival, Food, and Fundraising

Food, family, and faith have always been intertwined at the parish. The Annual Italian Festival features live music, an Italian Auction, corporate sponsorships at White ($500), Green ($600), Red ($800), and Gold ($1,000) levels, and a Children's Area. The parish's famous monthly Spaghetti Dinners and St. Anthony Brier Hill Pizza sales are beloved traditions that bring the community together and support parish operations.

• Italian Festival — contact [email protected]; sponsor deadline June 1, 2026
• Italian Auction — Chair: Patty Schuley (330-207-8157); Co-Chairs: Joanne Schulick, Anna Marie Gresko
• Children's Area Chair: Scott Schulick — 330-727-8507 — [email protected]
• Monthly Spaghetti Dinners — Tony Pondillo, 330-718-7237 — Adults $10, Children 6–10 $6, Kids 5 & under free; live music; take-out
• St. Anthony Brier Hill Pizza — Ernie DiRenzo, 330-360-7663 — $9 each, order Wed–Fri, pick up Sat 9 AM – Noon

Worship Sites and Grounds

The parish is blessed with two historic worship sites. The OLMC Basilica is the crown jewel — a Romanesque church with elaborate Italian art, restored altars and frescoes, a new pipe organ, an Adoration chapel, a 2001 tower with elevator, the St. Anthony shrine garden (1971), the outdoor Our Lady of Mount Carmel statue (1990), a memorial walk (1998), the bronze Italian-immigrant statue (2008), and an outdoor Stations of the Cross. St. Anthony of Padua Church in Brier Hill remains an important worship site and resource for St. Joseph the Provider School.

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica — 343 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505 — established 1908; elevated to Minor Basilica 2014
• St. Anthony of Padua Church — 1125 Turin Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44510-1176 — established 1898
• St. Anthony Shrine Garden (1971)
• Bronze statue honoring Italian immigrants (2008), by sculptor Tom Antonishak of Poland
• Tower addition with elevator and accessible restrooms (2001)
• Adoration Chapel (24/7 since 1990)
• Outdoor Stations of the Cross
• Memorial Walk to honor living and deceased parishioners (1998)

Contact and Visit

The parish office is open at 343 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505. Visitors are warmly welcomed at both worship sites; the Basilica is on a hilltop near the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood and minutes from Youngstown State University, while St. Anthony of Padua is a beacon in the historic Brier Hill neighborhood. Bulletin announcements should be submitted two weeks in advance to [email protected].

• Parish Office: 343 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505
• Phone: 330-743-4144 — Fax: 330-743-1035
• Religious Education Office: 330-743-3508
• General email: [email protected]
• Religious Education: [email protected]
• Music Director: [email protected]
• Website: https://olmcsta.com
• Diocese listing: doy.org (Parish Code 119, Mahoning Deanery)