About Saint Anthony of Padua · Angola, Indiana
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish serving all of Steuben County from its home in Angola, Indiana, the heart of northeastern Indiana's lake country. It is one of the newest members of the historic Catholic presence in the region, dating to 1926, and is currently staffed by the Franciscans of Mary, a missionary order headquartered in Spain, after 91 years under the Conventual Franciscan Friars. The parish sits at 700 West Maumee Street, where Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades dedicated a permanent sanctuary in 2010, and is preparing to mark its centennial in 2026.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua (parish renamed from its original dedication to St. Rita of Cascia in 1931 when the Conventual Franciscans took charge)
- Rector
- Father Osman Ramos, FM (Franciscans of Mary) — installed by Bishop Rhoades in July 2022
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is the only Catholic parish covering all of Steuben County, so it is the natural home for Catholics in Angola and across the lake region. It is a bilingual community, with English and Spanish (Misa Hispana) celebrated every Sunday and Tuesday, so English-speaking and Spanish-speaking families worship side by side. From daily Mass Monday through Thursday, a rich eucharistic adoration schedule on Tuesdays, and a steady calendar of votive Masses, Anointing of the Sick, and devotions like the daily Rosary, it offers the full rhythm of Catholic liturgical life. Strong parish ministries — from the choir and Altar & Rosary Society to youth ministry, religious education, the Human Life & Dignity Commission, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Meals to Heal, Angel Tree, and the Newman Ministry serving Trine University — give every parishioner a way to belong and serve.
Mass times at Saint Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 p.m.
- Sunday 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
- Tuesday 9:00 a.m. until last penitent, and 5:00–6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 9:00 a.m. until last penitent
- Thursday 9:00 a.m. until last penitent
- Tuesday evenings: 5:00–6:00 p.m. (Spanish) before the 6:30 p.m. Misa Hispana
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: every Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Our Parish — History & Mission
St. Anthony of Padua traces its roots to 1924, when priests from St. Michael's Parish in Waterloo began celebrating Mass in the Angola High School gym, and to 1926, when Father Charles Scholl bought and converted a house across from Tri-State College into a chapel for 12 charter families. The mission was formally dedicated in 1929 under the patronage of St. Rita of Cascia and renamed in 1931 when the Conventual Franciscan Friars arrived, bringing their first resident pastor, Friar Clement Orth. Since 1929 the parish's boundaries have been contiguous with Steuben County. The parish's mission statement commits its members to proclaim the Gospel with Catholic spirit, to grow in faith and fellowship, and to live the Good News in 'a joyful spirit of prayer, compassion, simplicity and hospitality.'
- Founded 1926 (first Mass celebrated July 1924)
- Mother parish: St. Michael's, Waterloo
- Renamed from St. Rita's to St. Anthony of Padua in 1931
- Steuben County's only Catholic parish since 1929
- Centennial being marked in 2026
Buildings & Campus
The St. Anthony campus at 700 West Maumee Street was opened in 1941 with the dedication of a 400-seat buff-gray-brick church in semi-Tudor-Gothic style under Father Ignatius Hanley. As the parish outgrew it, Father Dunstan Bryan built a 120-by-60-foot 'temporary' Lower church in 1959 to seat 800; the original Upper church was repurposed in 1963 as a School of Religion. Under Father Fred Pasche, the current permanent sanctuary was dedicated by Bishop Rhoades in 2010. The campus today also includes a parish center (built 1988 under Father Bernie Zajdel) housing offices, religious-education classrooms, a daily chapel and a parish hall.
- 1941 brick Upper church (now repurposed)
- 1959 'temporary' Lower church (used 1963–2010)
- 1988 parish center
- 2010 current sanctuary dedicated by Bishop Rhoades
- St. Paul's Chapel on Clear Lake (summer)
- St. Mary's of the Angels Mission, Big Long Lake (summer)
- Manapogo Park campground Sunday Mass (summer)
Devotions & Special Masses
Beyond Sunday and weekday Masses, the parish keeps a rich devotional calendar: the Rosary is recited every Monday through Thursday morning, and the month is punctuated by Votive Masses and healing Masses.
- Holy Rosary Mon–Thu at 8:00 a.m.
- 1st Monday – Votive Mass of St. Anthony of Padua, 8:30 a.m.
- 1st Wednesday – Mass with Anointing of the Sick (English), 8:30 a.m.
- 1st Tuesday – Mass with Anointing of the Sick (Spanish), 6:30 p.m.
- 1st Friday – Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 8:30 a.m.
- Last Monday – Newman Ministry Mass for Trine University, 6:00 p.m.
Parish Staff
The Franciscans of Mary (FM) — a missionary order headquartered in Spain invited by Bishop Rhoades — now staff the parish. Father Osman Ramos serves as pastor; he keeps regular 'drop-in' office hours (Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings) in addition to the parish office. Lay staff carry the parish's day-to-day operations and ministries, with bilingual support for the Hispanic community.
- Fr. Osman Ramos, FM – Pastor
- Fr. Jorge Sis, FM – Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Raul Marroquin, FM
- Karina Gonzalez – Parish Secretary & Bilingual Assistant
- Katie Waltke – Business Manager
- Diana Miller – Organist & Music Director
- Cathy Bryan – Director of Religious Education
- Jessica Jones – Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Miguel Cruz – Maintenance & Grounds
- Elisabeth Gatke – Cleaning
Faith Formation & Education
Children's religious education is led by Director Cathy Bryan. First Communion preparation is built into the 2nd-grade Religious Education classes; First Communion is typically celebrated the last Sunday in April or the first Sunday in May at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Older students (grades 4–7) who missed First Communion may prepare with a year of prior instruction. Adults are invited to grow through the parish's adult education offerings, with unlimited access to FORMED (parish code F7J9JF) for eBooks, talks and videos.
- Religious Education for children (grades 1–7+)
- First Communion in 2nd grade (or 4–7 with prior year of classes)
- Confirmation preparation per Diocesan policy
- Adult Education / FORMED (parish code F7J9JF)
- Walking with Moms in Need
Youth, Newman & Hispanic Ministry
Jessica Jones serves as the parish's Youth Ministry Coordinator. Because Trine University is literally across the street, the parish provides a Newman Ministry Mass on the last Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. for Catholic students. Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano) is coordinated by El Comité del Ministerio Hispano, which organizes the many activities of the Spanish-speaking Catholic community, anchored by the weekly Misa Hispana.
- Youth Ministry (Jessica Jones)
- Newman Ministry for Trine University
- Hispanic Ministry / Comité del Ministerio Hispano
- Weekly Misa Hispana (Sun 12:30 p.m., Tue 6:30 p.m.)
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music is led by Diana Miller, Organist & Music Director. The parish choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and welcomes singers and instrumentalists. The Liturgical Environment & Arts group works with the sacristans to keep the sanctuary beautiful throughout the year and during the liturgical seasons.
- Parish Choir (rehearsals Wed 7:00 p.m.)
- Director: Diana Miller
- Environment & Arts liturgical décor
- Sacristans collaborate on seasonal décor
Outreach & Parish Life
St. Anthony's takes seriously its call to 'be the embodiment of Christ's mystical body' in Steuben County. Its many small-scale ministries knit parishioners together and serve neighbors in need.
- Altar & Rosary Society (meets 2nd Tue of the month, 8:30 a.m.)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Angel Tree (Christmas giving)
- Meals to Heal
- Human Life & Dignity Commission
- Social Committee (fellowship events)
- Money Counting Team
- Garden Ministry
- Maintenance Committee
- Church Cleaning Committee
- Office Assistant Volunteers
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua. The parish follows Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend policy for sacraments, and families are asked to contact the parish office (260-665-2259 / [email protected]) to begin preparation.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion)
- Anointing of the Sick (monthly in English and Spanish)
- Matrimony
- Penance & Reconciliation (Confession)
- Holy Orders — for vocations inquiries refer to the diocese
Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can stay connected through the parish website, social channels, e-bulletins, Flocknote and the myParish app. The parish invites everyone — including summer parishioners and visitors — to get involved in parish life.
- Website: stanthonyangola.com
- Facebook: /stanthonyangola
- Instagram: @stanthonyangola
- Flocknote weekly e-bulletin (email [email protected])
- myParish app — premium Catholic parish communication app
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Scholl1926 (mission era)
Pastor of St. Michael's, Waterloo; bought and converted the original Angola chapel on West Maumee Street
- Fr. Otto Peters1920s
One of three St. Michael's priests who celebrated the first Angola Masses with Father Scholl
- Fr. Theodore Fetig1920s
St. Michael's priest; lived in Angola for a few months
- Friar Clement Orth, OFM Conv.1931–
First resident pastor; appointed when the Conventual Franciscans took the parish 'in perpetuum'
- Fr. Ignatius Hanley, OFM Conv.1940–1941
Led construction and dedication of the 1941 brick church on West Maumee
- Fr. Dunstan Bryan, OFM Conv.1959
Built the 'temporary' Lower church in a pole building
- Fr. Bernie Zajdel, OFM Conv.1988
Built the parish center with offices, religious-education classrooms, daily chapel and hall
- Fr. Fred Pasche, OFM Conv.c. 2009–2010
Shepherded construction and 2010 dedication of the current permanent sanctuary
- Fr. Osman Ramos, FMJuly 2022–present
First pastor from the Franciscans of Mary after the Conventual Franciscans' 91-year tenure ended