Monsignor Daniel C. Mitzel
Monsignor Mitzel was a guiding light and inspiration to all who knew him, and his impact on Holy Trinity Catholic Church will never be forgotten.
Transferal Prayer Service will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a viewing until 8:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 from Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, as the Main Celebrant.
An additional viewing will take place prior from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church.
Final Commendation and Farewell will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery, York, PA.
Monsignor Daniel C. Mitzel, 70, beloved pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Columbia, entered into eternal rest on the evening of March 30, 2025. Born on April 17, 1954 in York, PA, he was the son of the late Clayton and Dora Wise Mitzel.
He was a graduate of York Catholic High School and received his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Mary Immaculate Seminary.
Monsignor Mitzel was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1981 at St. Patrick Cathedral. He held his first Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Monsignor Mitzel served at many parishes throughout his priesthood: Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Harrisburg; St. John Neumann Parish, Lancaster; Prison Chaplaincy, Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe, Lebanon; Assumption of BVM Parish, Lebanon; Dauphin County Prison, Harrisburg; St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Harrisburg; Dauphin Deanery; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Lancaster; St. Rose of Lima Parish, York; St. Francis Xavier Parish, Gettysburg; and Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Columbia.
Monsignor Mitzel faithfully served as pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and executive pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School since June 2022.
On February 28, 2025, the Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, announced that Father Mitzel had been named a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. The honor is bestowed by the Holy Father for priests who have served in an exemplary way.
While we mourn his loss, we take comfort in knowing he is now at peace in the presence of God. Monsignor Mitzel was a guiding light and inspiration to all who knew him, and his impact on Holy Trinity Catholic Church will never be forgotten.
Monsignor Mitzel is survived by his sisters, Jane Leiphart (John Mastromatteo) of Lancaster and Deanna wife of Gerald Sweitzer of Red Lion; he is also survived by five nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Rita D’Ottavio, his brother-in-law, John D’Ottavio and a nephew, Larry Leiphart, Jr.
A Transferal Prayer Service will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a viewing until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 from Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, as the Main Celebrant. An additional viewing will take place prior from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Final Commendation and Farewell will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery, York, PA.
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