About St. Michael · Canfield, Ohio
St. Michael Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Canfield, Ohio (Mahoning County), serving the village of Canfield and surrounding areas in the Diocese of Youngstown. Established as a mission in 1960 and elevated to parish status in 1962, it was the first Catholic church in Canfield's 166-year history. The parish celebrates daily and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust slate of ministries including Knights of Columbus, the Garden Guild, Men's Club, soup kitchen outreach, and youth faith formation programs.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Reverend John-Michael J. Lavelle, D.Min.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
St. Michael Parish offers daily and weekend Masses, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions in a welcoming Catholic community in Canfield. Active parishioner-led ministries—the Knights of Columbus (Council 11369), Men's Club, Garden Guild, Bereavement Luncheon Ministry, Christmas Giving Program, and a St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen volunteer group—make it easy to put faith into action. With weekly Youth Faith Formation, OCIA, and strong sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage, St. Michael is a parish that serves every age and stage of Catholic life.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30 AM (following the 8:00 AM Mass)
Parish History
Until 1960 Canfield's Catholics drove to Saint Charles in Boardman for Mass; Bishop Emmet Walsh that year established Saint Michael Mission with Msgr. John Bardon of Saint Charles directing it, and Sunday Masses were first celebrated at the American Legion Hall on South Broad Street. The community grew so quickly that it was elevated to parish status in 1962 with Father Hugh Gallagher named first pastor; he immediately began planning for a permanent church while Mass moved to Canfield Elementary School. The cornerstone was laid by Msgr. Owen Gallagher in November 1963, the new church was the first Catholic church in Canfield's 166-year history, and Bishop Walsh dedicated it on October 4, 1964. Successive pastors — Fathers Orlando Rich, Thomas McCarthy, James E. O'Brien, Terrence J. Hazel, and current pastor John-Michael Lavelle, D.Min. — guided major building campaigns (the 1980 Parish Center, the Family Life Center, and the 1999–2000 sanctuary renovations) and shaped the parish's strong identity of social justice and lay involvement.
- Founded as a mission in 1960; established as a parish in 1962 (parish code 130).
- Three bells named Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael installed in the bell tower.
- First parish Finance Committee in the Diocese of Youngstown organized under Father Rich.
- Parish debt of $500,000 retired in twelve years; 'burning of the mortgage' in April 1976.
- Parish Center blessed by Bishop James W. Malone in November 1980.
- Tithe program established under Father O'Brien (10% of Sunday collections to charities).
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for all seven sacraments. Baptism is celebrated at one of the three weekend Masses (excluding major feasts such as Easter and Christmas), with parents required to be registered parishioners who attend Mass regularly and to complete a baptism prep session. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared through Youth Faith Formation; First Eucharist is celebrated during the Easter season. Confirmation is celebrated annually for 8th-grade students. Adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church participate in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Marriages, Masses of Christian Burial, Annulment work, Letters of Suitability for Godparents/Sponsors, and homebound/nursing-home Communion are coordinated through the parish office.
- Baptism — celebrated at weekend Masses
- First Reconciliation — YFF program
- First Eucharist — celebrated during the Easter season
- Confirmation — 8th grade, annually
- Marriage — begin planning through the Parish Office
- Annulment process
- OCIA (formerly RCIA)
- Mass of Christian Burial
- Homebound / nursing-home Communion
Easter and Holy Week Schedule
St. Michael celebrates the full Easter Triduum each year in its church and Parish Hall, with a Blessing of Easter Food on Holy Saturday morning.
- Palm Sunday: Saturday 4:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM
- Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper: 7:00 PM, followed by Adoration until 10:00 PM Night Prayer
- Good Friday Passion of the Lord: 7:00 PM
- Blessing of Easter Food (Holy Saturday): 10:00 AM in the Parish Hall
- The Great Easter Vigil: Holy Saturday 8:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The parish's Youth Faith Formation (YFF) program provides catechesis for parish children preparing for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation (celebrated in 8th grade). Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church or complete initiation participate in OCIA. Registration for YFF has a set fall deadline each year.
- Youth Faith Formation (YFF) — parish children's catechesis
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Annual YFF registration deadline (e.g., August 31)
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Saint Michael Parish offers many opportunities for service, spiritual growth, and fellowship. Outreach is a hallmark — the parish has a long tradition of tithing to local charities, a St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen volunteer group, and seasonal food collections for Thanksgiving and Easter. The Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, and Garden Guild provide fellowship, faith formation, and stewardship of the parish grounds; the Bereavement Luncheon Ministry and Christmas Giving Program extend care to parishioners and the wider community.
- Knights of Columbus — Council 11369 (Fr. Francis X. Borrano/Fr. Joseph Gallagher Council)
- Men's Club — sponsors Mother's Day Breakfast, Indians baseball outing, Steer and Ear Dinner, Parish Picnic
- Garden Guild — meets monthly at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Bereavement Luncheon Ministry
- Christmas Giving Program
- St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen volunteer group
- Thanksgiving and Easter food collection
- Sacred Heart Society (perpetual Mass fund)
- Christ Renews His Parish weekend retreats
- Finance and Pastoral Councils
Knights of Columbus — Council 11369
The parish's council, named for Father Francis X. Borrano and Father Joseph Gallagher, carries out Father Michael J. McGivney's founding vision of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Council activities benefit Catholic Charities of the diocese, local seminarians, Bella Women's Center (life-affirming sonogram machine), area food banks (Emanuel House, St. Vincent de Paul, Operation Blessing), persons with disabilities, the Mahoning Valley Special Olympics, and youth athletic and faith programs.
- Donations to Catholic Charities, seminarians, Bella Women's Center
- Winter coat drives for children
- Food distribution to Emanuel House, St. Vincent de Paul, Operation Blessing
- Monthly bingo at a local nursing home
- Youth Basketball Free-Throw competition (largest in Ohio)
- Support for Mahoning Valley Board of Developmental Disabilities and Special Olympics
Outreach and Social Justice
Under Father O'Brien the parish established its Tithe program, donating 10 percent of Sunday collections to area charities — a commitment that continues today. Parishioners serve one Saturday every two months at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen at St. Cyril and Methodius Church (252 E. Wood St., Youngstown), preparing and serving breakfast from 9:00 to 11:45 AM. Seasonal Thanksgiving and Easter food collections support local families in need.
- Tithe program — 10 percent of Sunday collections to local charities
- St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen volunteering (9:00–11:45 AM, twice a month)
- Thanksgiving food collection
- Easter food collection
- Knights of Columbus disaster relief (Ukraine, Kentucky flood areas, Uvalde, Texas)
Parish Staff
The parish team is led by the pastor and supported by lay pastoral, administrative, music, and facilities staff.
- Pastor — Very Rev. John-Michael J. Lavelle, D.Min. (appointed July 1, 2021)
- Pastoral Associate — Marcy Fessler (joined July 2021)
- Administrative Assistant — Maxine Gordon
- Business Manager — Stephanie Howley (joined October 2006)
- Director of Music — Katherine (Kathy) Garchar
- Facilities Manager — Audrey Geskey
- Maintenance — Joe Serenko
- Seminarian Intern — Daniel LaPolla
Parish Buildings and Facilities
The campus includes the historic 1964 church with its Michael–Gabriel–Raphael bell tower, the 1980 Parish Center (offices and classrooms used for faith formation), the more recent Family Life Center, and a Patriotic Rosary Garden on the grounds. The Family Life Center is available for rental and hosts parish events, community fitness programs, and ministry meetings.
- Church (1964) — bell tower with three named bells; sanctuary renovations in the 1990s and 2000s
- Parish Center (1980) — offices, classrooms for Faith Formation/CCD
- Family Life Center — gymnasium, fitness programs, rental facility (330-533-3181)
- Patriotic Rosary Garden
Contact, Office Hours, and Weather Policy
Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM; the office is closed on Fridays. Family Life Center inquiries are handled at 330-533-3181; the parish office fax is 330-702-1504. In case of severe weather, the parish follows the Canfield Schools cancellation schedule — if Canfield Schools are closed or on a two-hour delay, the 8:00 AM Mass is cancelled and the intention is rescheduled, and the parish office and other activities are cancelled or delayed accordingly.
- Parish Office: 330-533-6839
- Family Life Center: 330-533-3181
- Parish Office Fax: 330-702-1504
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; closed Friday
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: 300 North Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406
About the Diocese
St. Michael Parish (Canfield) is part of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown (Parish Code 130, Mahoning/Trumbull Deanery). It operates within a diocese that covers Columbiana, Mahoning, Trumbull, Geauga, Lake, Portage, Stark, and Summit counties in northeastern Ohio, under Bishop David J. Bonnar.
- Diocese of Youngstown
- Parish Code 130
- Mahoning/Trumbull Deanery
- Bishop David J. Bonnar
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hugh Gallagher1962–1968
First pastor of Saint Michael Parish; planned and oversaw construction of the new church building; cornerstone laid November 1963; church dedicated by Bishop Walsh on October 4, 1964.
- Father Orlando Rich1968–1977
Organized the first parish Finance Committee in the Diocese of Youngstown; oversaw elimination of the half-million-dollar parish debt; parish grew from 150 to 700 families; 'burning of the mortgage' ceremony in April 1976.
- Father Thomas McCarthy1977–1983
Previously of Saint William Parish in Champion, Ohio; expanded lay participation and staff; introduced Christ Renews His Parish weekend retreats; broke ground for the new Parish Center in March 1980.
- Father James E. O'Brien1983–January 1997
Continued strong emphasis on social justice; established the parish Tithe program donating 10 percent of Sunday collections to area charities.
- Father Terrence J. HazelJanuary 1997–June 2021
Led sanctuary renovations including stained glass, Italian mosaic Stations of the Cross, new pews, air conditioning, new altar/ambo, digital organ, and baby grand piano; oversaw construction of the new Family Life Center.
- Father John-Michael Lavelle, D.Min.July 1, 2021–present
Appointed by Bishop David J. Bonnar on April 15, 2021; also serves as Vicar of Missionary Discipleship, Vicar for Clergy and Religious Services, Director of Seminarians, Director of Vowed Religious, Diocesan Director of Development and Stewardship, and Curator of the Patrimony.