Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish
253 East State Street
Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901 Does the parish know how its name was chosen?
The parish was originally called St. Mary’s, but became Our Lady of Mt. Carmel between 1890-1900. It once included Lansdale and Quakertown as well.
Are there any special devotions observed?
We have the novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Saturday mornings and eucharistic adoration every Friday.
Are there any special feasts observed?
The feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16. This year we will celebrate with a Mass and a parish picnic.
Of which ministries are you most proud?
We’re proud of our St. Vincent DePaul Society, prison ministry, visitation at eight nursing homes, eucharistic adoration and youth and young adult ministries (we have one of the largest CYOs in the archdiocese). We also have outreach for inactive parishioners and a large RCIA program.
Are there any projected new ministries?
We are beginning an active Adult Faith Formation program with an extensive assessment of all parishioners.
Is there anything about the parish that people who are not parishioners would be surprised to learn?
St. John Neumann broke ground and laid the cornerstone for the first church on July 31, 1855. He also confirmed here. Back then, the parish boundaries covered 65 square miles.
Does the parish have any ethnic celebrations, traditions or outreach?
The State Street Players perform here on the first three weekends in March. They are among the best amateur performers in the country, and they are parishioners.
Were there any interesting incidents in parish history or noteworthy parishioners?
Justin Guarini of American Idol was once a parishioner. He was confirmed in the church.
What else would the pastor like people to know about the parish?
The parish has an extraordinary number of ministries, and more than a thousand of our parishioners are involved in them.
PARISH FACTS:
Cluster: 30
Founded: 1850
Pastor’s Name: Father Charles H. Hagan
Parochial Vicars: Father Gerard J. Hoffman, Father Donald Mills, Father James J. Mulligan
Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. George V. Corwell, Rev. Mr. Walter F. Kelly
Parish School: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School
Students: 490
Staff: 2 religious, 20 lay
Convent: Franciscan Sisters
Number of registered individuals: 12,680
Number of registered families: 3,900
Annual number of:
Baptisms: 164
Marriages: 59
Funerals: 95 |