About Good Shepard Chapel (Holy Name of Mary Parish) · Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Holy Name of Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, belonging to the Archdiocese of New York. The parish serves its community from two worship sites: the main church on Grand Street and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in the Harmon section of the village. Its mission is 'to know Christ and become Christ, each one, for the sake of all,' expressed through daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, religious education, Confirmation preparation, and a Montessori school. With roots stretching back to 1868 as a mission of St. Augustine's in Ossining and formal parish status since 1877, Holy Name of Mary remains a warm, multigenerational community on the Hudson.
- Established
- 1868 (mission church); 1877 (parish established)
- Patron
- Holy Name of Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Brian Brennan
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New York
Why belong here
Holy Name of Mary offers the rhythm of a classic Catholic parish — daily and weekend Mass, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and a strong tradition of devotions like the Rosary prayed Monday through Friday before the noon Mass. Families can grow in faith through the religious education program, Confirmation preparation, and the parish's own Holy Name of Mary Montessori School. With bilingual Mass at the Good Shepherd Chapel and a long history rooted in the Croton Dam-building community, it is a welcoming, multigenerational home for Catholics in Croton-on-Hudson and the Harmon area.
Mass times at Good Shepard Chapel (Holy Name of Mary Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM (Main Church)
- After the daily Noon Mass (by availability)
Adoration times
- Daily, following the Noon Mass in the Main Church
Our Parish
Holy Name of Mary is a Roman Catholic community of believers dedicated to knowing Christ and becoming Christ for the sake of all. As disciples, the parish calls itself to create an environment where God is worshiped and where neighbors are served. The church is located right on Grand Street in Croton-on-Hudson, and the parish warmly welcomes all who celebrate the Eucharist with them.
- Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of New York
- Two worship sites: Main Church (Grand Street) and Chapel of the Good Shepherd (Harmon)
- Parish Center at 114 Grand Street open weekdays 9 AM–4 PM
- Phone: (914) 271-4797
A Brief History
Holy Name of Mary began as a mission church of St. Augustine's Parish in Sing Sing (now Ossining) in 1868, when the first church was built by Rev. William McClennan. In 1877, Archbishop McClosky assigned Father Patrick McGovern as the first resident pastor, making it an independent parish. The second church on Grand Street was built in 1898 by Rev. John J. Owens and dedicated by Archbishop Corrigan on April 30, 1899. The Coleman family, builders of the Croton Dam, underwrote both the third church (1929) and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Harmon.
- 1868: First church built; 'Church Street' named for it
- 1877: Parish established; Father McGovern, first resident pastor
- 1898: Second church built on Grand Street (cornerstone July 10, 1898)
- December 25, 1898: First Mass at 8:00 AM in the new church
- April 30, 1899: Formally dedicated by Archbishop Corrigan
- 1929: Third church built adjacent; older church converted to a school; Chapel of the Good Shepherd built in Harmon
- 1990–1991: Both main church and Good Shepherd Chapel remodeled and renovated
- Winter 2008–2009: Major renovation of the main church
Parish Fun Facts & Records
The parish keeps a lively record of its sacramental life and milestones from its earliest decades, a testament to its multigenerational character.
- First Baptism: July 22, 1877 — child of Andrew and Eliza Quinn, by Father McGovern
- First Marriage: December 2, 1877 — Charles Niedohl and Catherine Connor, by Father McGovern
- 1,807 Confirmations from 1879 to 1952, celebrated by eight different Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops
- 1,463 First Holy Communions from 1893 to 1954
- 208 school graduates from 1933 to 1954
- 683 Marriages from 1877 to 1954
- 3,313 Baptisms from 1877 to 1954
- Weekly Masses in 1924 were held at 8 AM and 10 AM
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for and celebrates the seven sacraments, with special programs for the young and for adults entering the Church.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- Confirmation — through the Religious Education program for youth; for baptized adult Catholics, through RCIA, celebrated at Easter
- Marriage — contact the parish office
- Penance / Confession — Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM and after the daily Noon Mass
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Religious Education program that prepares children for the sacraments, including Confirmation. Baptized adult Catholics who have not yet been confirmed are encouraged to join the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and receive Confirmation at Easter. The Confirmation coordinator can be reached at 914-271-4797 ext. 18.
- Director of Religious Education: Ms. Regina O'Leary
- Religious Education Secretary: Mrs. Eileen Brown
- Confirmation Coordinator: Alicia Lima (914-271-4797 x18)
- RCIA for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full reception into the Church
Parish School: Holy Name of Mary Montessori School
The parish operates Holy Name of Mary Montessori School, linking faith formation with early childhood education in the Catholic tradition.
- Holy Name of Mary Montessori School — link listed on parish site
Music Ministry
Music Ministry supports the liturgical life of the parish at both worship sites under the direction of Mrs. Eve Steier.
- Director of Music Ministry: Mrs. Eve Steier
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, parochial vicar, and deacon, supported by a dedicated lay staff in administration, formation, and music.
- Rev. Brian Brennan — Pastor
- Rev. Nelson Couto — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Albert Mazza
- Ms. Cheryl Comitto — Parish Administrator
- Ms. Pat DeNota — Parish Secretary
- Mrs. Mary Roche — Bookkeeper
- Mrs. Eve Steier — Director of Music Ministry
- Ms. Regina O'Leary — Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Eileen Brown — Religious Education Secretary
- Alicia Lima — Confirmation Coordinator
Get Involved
The parish invites parishioners to share their time and talent: 'A church is only as alive and vibrant as its members and we are calling you to mission. We need you!' Visitors and parishioners are encouraged to explore the organizations and ministries pages or to contact the Hospitality Ministry to learn more.
- Hospitality Ministry — first point of contact for newcomers
- Organizations and ministries pages linked from the parish website
Worship Sites & Visiting
Holy Name of Mary welcomes visitors to either of its two worship sites in the Croton-on-Hudson area.
- Main Church: 114 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
- Chapel of the Good Shepherd: 59 Benedict Boulevard (Harmon), Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
- Parish Center: 114 Grand Street, weekdays 9 AM–4 PM
Giving & Announcements
The parish supports online giving via ChurchGiving and WeShare, distributes weekly bulletins, and communicates with parishioners through Flocknote. The annual Cardinal's Appeal supports the educational, charitable, and pastoral outreach of the Archdiocese of New York.
- Online giving: holynameofmary.churchgiving.com
- WeShare online giving (linked from site)
- Subscribe to HNM Flocknote (linked from site)
- Cardinal's Appeal 2024: 'Lord, to Whom shall we go?'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William McClennan1868 (built first church as pastor of St. Augustine's, Ossining)
Ossining pastor who built the original 1868 church, founding Church Street.
- Rev. Patrick McGovern1877
First resident pastor assigned by Archbishop McCloskey; officiated at the parish's first Baptism (July 22, 1877) and first marriage (December 2, 1877).
- Rev. John J. Owens1898
Pastor of St. Augustine's who erected the second church on Grand Street; cornerstone laid July 10, 1898.