About Our Lady of Pompei - St. Peter · Syracuse, New York
Our Lady of Pompei / St. Peter is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Syracuse, located in the Northside neighborhood of Syracuse, New York. The parish traces its origins to the Italian immigrant community that began arriving in Syracuse in the 1880s; today's parish is the product of the 2008 merger between Our Lady of Pompei Church (301 Ash Street) and St. Peter's Italian Church (709 James Street), both long-time Italian-American national parishes. The combined community now worships in English and Vietnamese, reflecting both its Italian heritage and a growing Vietnamese Catholic presence served by a chaplain. The parish runs an elementary school, faith formation programs, a diaconate of parish societies, and Mary's Closet, a USCCB-affiliated outreach to moms and dads in need.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- Our Lady of Pompei (Madonna del Rosario di Pompei)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
Our Lady of Pompei / St. Peter is a multicultural, multilingual parish where English-speaking and Vietnamese-speaking Catholics worship side by side, with daily Mass in both languages. The parish combines the heritage of two historic Italian-American congregations with active ministries for every age — altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, choirs, the Legion of Mary, the Holy Name Society, the Women's Society, and the Society of St. Therese — and reaches beyond its walls through Mary's Closet, a USCCB 'Walking with Moms in Need' initiative that supplies diapers, clothing, and support to local families. With an on-site elementary school, faith formation for children and adults, and a parish cookbook tradition, it is a community that welcomes contributions of time, talent, and tithe from every member.
Mass times at Our Lady of Pompei - St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter)
Our Story
The parish of Our Lady of Pompei / St. Peter was forged on June 29, 2008, when Bishop James Moynihan accepted a proposal to merge two of Syracuse's oldest Italian Catholic parishes: Our Lady of Pompei (founded 1924) and St. Peter's Italian Church (founded 1895 by the Scalabrini Fathers). The Rev. Paul Angelicchio, pastor of both since 2003, shepherded the union. Today the combined parish serves both English-speaking and Vietnamese-speaking Catholics from its Northside Syracuse campus.
- St. Peter's Italian Church organized in 1895 by Scalabrini Fathers; original building at Burnet Ave and Lock Street; new Romanesque church at 701 James Street built 1953.
- Our Lady of Pompei construction began 1924; first Mass 1925 (in Italian); fire 1937; new Ash Street site purchased 1945; current church completed 1952.
- Merger final Mass at St. Peter's held June 29, 2008.
- At merger, Our Lady of Pompei was the largest Italian parish in the Diocese of Syracuse.
Mission & Vision
The parish's stated mission: 'We, the members of Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter, are called to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus. As our parish affirms its heritage, we continue to reach out to those in need, bring the gospel to all who will receive it, and be formed in the image of Christ through worship and prayer. We value the talents of each of our members and feel it is the responsibility of all to contribute time, talent and tithe to our faith community.'
- Affirms Italian heritage while reaching out to new Catholic communities (notably Vietnamese).
- Emphasizes stewardship of time, talent, and tithe.
- Grounded in worship, formation, and outreach.
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is administered by Rev. Peter Major as Parish Administrator, with Rev. John Nguyen serving as Chaplain to the Vietnamese Community and Father Brendan Foley in residence. Mary Beth Meade directs Religious Education and serves as the parish's main contact for Faith Formation, Baptism, and First Communion inquiries.
- Rev. Peter Major — Parish Administrator
- Rev. John Nguyen — Chaplain to the Vietnamese Community
- Father Brendan Foley — In Residence
- Mary Beth Meade — Director of Religious Education (contact for sacraments and faith formation)
- James Stanley — Office Manager
- Lauri Gildemeyer — Director of Music
- DJ Scarfino — Facilities
Sacraments & Religious Education
Faith formation and the seven sacraments are central to parish life. Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd and 4th weekends (the 3rd Sunday is reserved for the Vietnamese community). Marriages must be arranged at least six months in advance per diocesan law. The parish also runs Faith Formation 1 & 2 (First Communion preparation) and the RCIA process for adults seeking to become Catholic, coordinated by Mary Beth Meade.
- Baptism — 2nd & 4th Sat/Sun; 3rd Sunday for Vietnamese community; call the Rectory.
- Marriage — at least 6 months advance scheduling per diocesan law.
- Penance — Wed 4-5 PM at OLP/St. Peter; Thu 4-5 PM at St. John the Baptist/Holy Trinity.
- First Communion via Faith Formation 1 & 2.
- RCIA (Christian Initiation of Adults) for those seeking to become Catholic.
- Contact: Mary Beth Meade, 315.422.7163.
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish maintains a wide network of ministries organized around Liturgy, Music, Youth, Special Ministries, Parish Societies, and Education. Members are encouraged to share their time and talent — 'My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you' (John 15:12) is featured on the organizations page.
- Youth Ministry: Altar Servers, Children's Liturgy of the Word Leaders, Youth Group Leader (Northside Parishes).
- Liturgy: Adult Funeral Servers, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Liturgy Committee, Usher/Minister of Hospitality.
- Music Ministry: Adult Choir, Funeral Choir.
- Special Ministries: Bereavement Luncheon Committee, Bereavement Support Group, Human Development, Italian Prayer Group, OLP Seniors, Young at Heart Seniors.
- Parish Societies: Holy Name Society, Italian Society, Legion of Mary, Society of St. Therese, Women's Society.
- Education: Adult Education Committee (RCIA), Religious Education Teachers, 'Seeking to Become Catholic' inquiry group.
Mary's Closet: Walking with Moms in Need
Mary's Closet is the parish's signature outreach ministry, an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' 'Walking with Moms in Need' program. Located at 920 North McBride Street (follow the long driveway right to a back-corner door), it provides free monthly and emergency assistance — diapers, wipes, infant-through-5T clothing, bottles, pacifiers, and books — to moms and dads in need. The closet is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 AM-12 PM and welcomes Spanish-speaking families; a Spanish-speaking priest is on site. Its goal is 'to freely offer the refuge of Mary's loving embrace' to families navigating the challenges of raising young children.
- Affiliated with USCCB 'Walking with Moms in Need'.
- Open Tue & Thu, 10 AM-12 PM.
- Provides diapers, wipes, clothing (infant-5T), bottles, pacifiers, books.
- Bilingual outreach; a Spanish-speaking priest is present.
Contact, Location & Office Hours
Parish offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, at 920 North McBride Street, Syracuse, NY 13208. The mailing address is P.O. Box 11082, Syracuse, NY 13218. The church itself is at 301 Ash Street, Syracuse, NY 13208. Inquiries may be directed to [email protected] or by phone at (315) 422-7163; the parish school can be reached at (315) 422-8548.
- Parish offices: M-F, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 920 N. McBride St., Syracuse, NY 13208.
- Phone: 315-422-7163 (offices & religious ed); 315-422-8548 (school).
- Email: [email protected].
- Mailing: P.O. Box 11082, Syracuse, NY 13218.
- Church: 301 Ash Street, Syracuse, NY 13208.
Parish Cookbook & Community Life
The parish publishes 'Uniting at the Family Table,' a community cookbook sold for $25 to support parish life. Books can be picked up at the school or parish office and are promoted as gifts 'for any occasion.' Combined with the weekly bulletin and seasonal events like the St. Therese Society Fall Bake Sale (held after all Masses in late November), the cookbook is part of the parish's broader tradition of bringing members together around food, family, and faith.
- 'Uniting at the Family Table' cookbook — $25 at school or parish office.
- St. Therese Society Fall Bake Sale — late November after all Masses.
- Weekly bulletin keeps parishioners informed of parish news.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul Angelicchio2003-2008+
Pastor of both St. Peter's Italian Church and Our Lady of Pompei from 2003; oversaw the 2008 merger that created the combined parish.