About St. Angela Merici · Youngstown, Ohio
St. Angela Merici Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Mahoning Deanery of the Diocese of Youngstown, located at 397 S. Jackson St. on the south side of Youngstown, Ohio. It was formed on January 9, 2011, from the merger of two of the city's oldest parishes — Immaculate Conception (founded 1882) and Sacred Heart of Jesus (founded 1888) — and given the name St. Angela Merici by canonical decree on March 6, 2012, in honor of the foundress of the Ursuline Sisters, who long staffed both parish schools. Today the parish is pastored by Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin, V.F., and shares a collaborative cluster with St. Patrick Parish in Youngstown and Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Campbell. Weekly life centers on Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m., a Wednesday morning weekday Mass, the St. Angela Merici Food Pantry, an annual St. Angela Merici Novena leading into the January 27 feast day, and a Palm Sunday Spaghetti Dinner.
- Established
- 2011 (merger of Immaculate Conception, est. 1882, and Sacred Heart of Jesus, est. 1888; renamed St. Angela Merici by canonical decree, March 6, 2012)
- Patron
- St. Angela Merici (foundress of the Ursuline Sisters, 1535)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin, V.F. (also Diocesan Vicar of External Affairs/Special Projects and Pastor of St. Patrick Parish and Rector of St. Columba Cathedral)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown (Catholic Diocese of Youngstown) — Mahoning Deanery; Parish Code 122
Why belong here
St. Angela Merici is a small, close-knit Catholic community rooted in more than a century of east-side Youngstown parish life and in the educational and spiritual legacy of the Ursuline Sisters. Parishioners gather for Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m. and a Wednesday morning weekday Mass, gather in devotion through the annual St. Angela Merici Novena leading to the January 27 feast-day brunch, and serve neighbors in need through the St. Angela Merici Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul Society. With a Young Adult Ministry, shared CCD religious-education program with neighboring parishes, and collaborative Mass and ministry schedule with St. Patrick (Youngstown) and Christ the Good Shepherd (Campbell), the parish offers a warm, accessible place to worship, be formed in faith, and live the Gospel.
Mass times at St. Angela Merici
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Seasonally and by appointment
About St. Angela Merici Parish
St. Angela Merici Parish serves the south side of Youngstown, Ohio, from its home at 397 S. Jackson St. It belongs to the Mahoning Deanery of the Diocese of Youngstown (Parish Code 122) and is currently pastored by Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin, V.F., with Rev. John Rovnak serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacon William Bancroft assisting. The parish's stated charism is to honor and continue the good works of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, and its patron, St. Angela Merici, was chosen for her 'sense of hospitality and resilience in living the Gospel.' The parish is part of a collaborative cluster with St. Patrick Parish (Youngstown) and Christ the Good Shepherd Parish (Campbell), allowing parishioners to attend Mass at any of the three communities.
- Patron: St. Angela Merici
- Charism: Honoring the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown
- Diocese: Youngstown — Mahoning Deanery (Parish Code 122)
- Pastor: Very Rev. Msgr. Robert Siffrin, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. John Rovnak
- Deacon: Deacon William Bancroft
- Parish Staff: Mr. Mark Izzo, Mr. Sylvester Frazzini III, Mr. Anthony Falasca Jr.
History of the Parish
St. Angela Merici Parish was created on January 9, 2011, from the union of Immaculate Conception Parish (founded 1882) and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (founded 1888). By canonical decree dated March 6, 2012, Bishop George V. Murry, S.J., accepted a request from parishioners and the pastor to rename the merged parish in honor of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursuline Sisters in 1535 — chosen because of her hospitality and Gospel resilience and because the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown had staffed both parish schools.
- Immaculate Conception Parish — founded 1882
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish — founded 1888
- Formal merger: January 9, 2011
- Parish name change to St. Angela Merici: canonical decree, March 6, 2012
- Immaculate Conception School: 1883–2006
- Sacred Heart School: 1923–1982
Immaculate Conception Parish (1882)
Immaculate Conception built the third Catholic church in the City of Youngstown, serving 200 families on Youngstown's east side whose parishioners were primarily of Irish descent and worked at Valley Mill and the Himrod Furnace Co. The first Mass was celebrated in the combined church-and-school building on December 10, 1882, and the school opened in February 1883, growing rapidly with the parish and later coming under the care of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown.
- First Mass: December 10, 1882
- School opened: February 1883
- Parishioners: predominantly Irish descent; workers at Valley Mill and Himrod Furnace Co.
- Staffed by the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (1888)
Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded in 1888 to serve Catholics in the Haselton suburb of Youngstown, who could not safely reach Immaculate Conception because Wilson Avenue was often impassable. A wood-frame church was built immediately and the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1888. The community purchased the Haselton Public School a year later intending to open a parish school, but a downturn in the steel industry forced the building to be used as a parish hall.
- First Mass: Christmas Day 1888
- New church dedicated: 1911
- School opened: September 4, 1923, with 300 pupils
- Staffed initially by Ursuline Sisters, later by lay teachers
- School closed: 1982 (merged into Immaculate Conception School)
The 2011 Merger and 2012 Renaming
After decades of demographic change — accelerated by the construction of I-680 in the 1960s, which moved many families to the suburbs — Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart of Jesus began sharing youth and adult programs in the 1990s, strengthening outreach to the poor and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The two parishes formally merged on January 9, 2011, and Bishop Murry later approved a canonical decree, dated March 6, 2012, renaming the combined parish St. Angela Merici in tribute to the Ursuline Sisters.
- 1990s: youth and adult programs shared; St. Vincent de Paul Society strengthened
- 1960s: I-680 construction displaces many families to suburbs
- 2006: Immaculate Conception School closes
- 2011: parishes formally merge
- 2012: parish renamed St. Angela Merici
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Angela Merici is offered both for children and adults, with several programs shared with neighboring parishes in the collaborative cluster. The CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) religious-education program for St. Angela Merici, St. Patrick, St. Edward, St. Columba, and Sts. Peter and Paul is held Sundays from 10:10 to 11:30 AM at St. Edward Church (240 Tod Lane, Youngstown). Adult Faith Formation, Becoming Catholic (RCIA), and an active Young Adult Ministry round out the parish's formation offerings.
- CCD classes — Sundays 10:10–11:30 AM at St. Edward Church (shared with St. Patrick, St. Edward, St. Columba, Sts. Peter and Paul)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Young Adult Ministry (featured in America Magazine, National Catholic Register, Catholic UPRISE 'Be Generous!' blog)
- Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
- Contact for CCD: Sr. Regina Rogers, 330-744-5233
Sacraments
St. Angela Merici prepares parishioners for and celebrates each of the seven Catholic Sacraments. Information pages on the parish website cover Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist (First Communion), Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. A Parishioner Registration Form is available on the parish website for those wishing to formally join the parish.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Penance)
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
- Anointing of the Sick
- Parishioner Registration Form (downloadable from website)
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Parish ministry life at St. Angela Merici centers on liturgical service, charity, and fellowship. Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Greeters, with a Summer Children's Liturgy of the Word offered seasonally. Outreach is centered on the St. Angela Merici Food Pantry and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, reflecting the parish's mission to the poor. Parish leadership is shared through a Pastoral Council and Finance Council.
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Greeters
- Church Cleaning
- Collection Counters
- Summer Children's Liturgy of the Word
- St. Angela Merici Food Pantry
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Pastoral Council — promotes spiritual growth and parish mission
- Finance Council — oversees parish financial administration and budget
Festivities and Fundraisers
The parish's yearly calendar includes both devotional and community events. The St. Angela Merici Novena begins in late December and continues into January, culminating in a parish brunch on her feast day, January 27. Each Palm Sunday the parish hosts an Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Basket Raffle. Other events include the Annual Golf Outing at Knoll Run Golf Course, Senior Moments bus trips, the First Friday Club, and the parish picnic.
- St. Angela Merici Novena — late December through January
- Feast Day Brunch — January 27
- Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Basket Raffle — Palm Sunday
- Annual Golf Outing — Knoll Run Golf Course (August)
- First Friday Club — monthly
- Senior Moments bus trips
- Parish Picnic
- Mercy Health Stepping Out Program (Chair Aerobics)
Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown (OSU)
The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown are the religious order associated with St. Angela Merici Parish and the source of its charism. Founded by St. Angela Merici in 1535, the Ursulines are devoted to education and the formation of women; the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown staffed both Immaculate Conception School (1883–2006) and Sacred Heart School (1923–1982). The parish's stated charism is to honor and continue their good works.
- Religious Order: Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown (OSU)
- St. Angela Merici founded the Ursulines in 1535
- Ursulines staffed Immaculate Conception School 1883–2006
- Ursulines staffed Sacred Heart School 1923–1982
Contact and Office Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office during weekday hours, with a recorded mailing address on the south side of Youngstown. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin and maintains a parish calendar of events on its website.
- Address: 397 S. Jackson St., Youngstown, OH 44506
- Phone: 330-747-6080
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Office closed Fridays
- Diocesan listing: Mahoning Deanery, Parish Code 122
- Latest bulletin and full calendar available on the parish website