About Immaculate Conception of B.V.M · Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as St. Mary's, is a Roman Catholic parish in Fairfield, Adams County, Pennsylvania, in the foothills of Appalachia. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Harrisburg and has been staffed by the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (MSSCC) since 1993. Today's congregation worships in a church completed on Tract Road in 2000, which incorporates stained glass windows, statues, and the bell from the original 19th-century church. The parish describes itself as a welcoming community called by God to live out Christ's message through prayer, the Eucharist, faith formation, and outreach to the sick, grieving, and those in need.
- Established
- 1823
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Peter DiTomasso, MSSCC
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers daily Mass Monday through Saturday and a full Sunday schedule in a small, welcoming parish that has cared for Catholics in the Fairfield valley since 1823. Members grow through parish faith formation for children and adults, a LANDINGS group for returning Catholics, the Rite of Christian Initiation for those seeking full initiation, and Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary staff the parish with a personal, community-oriented approach that emphasizes prayer, hospitality, and outreach to the sick and those in need.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception of B.V.M
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday after 8:00 AM Mass (until about 9:00 AM)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Silent Prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
About Our Parish
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary — commonly called St. Mary's — is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Harrisburg located at 256 Tract Road in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. The parish community worships in a church completed in 2000 and is currently served by the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (MSSCC). According to its mission statement, the parish 'celebrates the good news of Jesus Christ in giving witness to His real presence in our lives and community,' expressing faith through prayer, the Holy Eucharist, formation in the Gospel, comfort to the sick and grieving, and outreach to those in spiritual or material need.
- 256 Tract Road, Fairfield, PA 17320
- Diocese of Harrisburg
- Staffed by the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (MSSCC) since 1993
- Bicentennial celebrated in 2023
Our History
Catholic worship in what was then Millerstown began around 1823, when priests from St. Joseph's in Emmitsburg and Mount St. Mary's Seminary celebrated Mass in local homes. Father Simon Brute (now a Servant of God) cared for parishioners by 1825. Bishop St. John Neumann recorded the cornerstone laying in 1852 and confirmed 29 Catholics at the new church in 1855. The original church on East Main Street was later sold to the Fairfield Church of Christ, and today's church on Tract Road was completed in 2000, with the parish hall and catechetical center dedicated August 19, 2001. Stained glass, statues, and the bell were moved from the old building, and the altar and pews came as a gift from St. Mark's in Hyattsville, Maryland.
- 1823 — first recorded Masses in Millerstown homes
- 1825 — Father Simon Brute ministers to local Catholics
- 1852 — cornerstone laid (recorded by Bishop Neumann)
- 1855 — Bishop Neumann confirms 29 Catholics
- 1909 — ledger names the parish 'St. Mary's of the Snows'
- 1993 — MSSCC assume pastoral care of the parish
- 2000 — new church on Tract Road completed
- 2001 — parish hall and catechetical center dedicated
- 2023 — bicentennial anniversary
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and Confession, the parish gathers for the Rosary twice weekly as a regular devotion. The community emphasizes prayer, the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, and outreach to those who are sick or grieving.
- Rosary — Saturdays at 4:30 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- Rosary — Fridays at 8:30 AM (after morning Mass)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's Faith Formation serves students from pre-K through 8th grade on Sunday mornings during the school year, with a week of Vacation Bible School each summer. Adult Faith Formation offers Bible studies, doctrinal topics, and Advent/Lent missions arranged by the pastor throughout the Church year.
- Children's Faith Formation — Sundays 9:00–10:15 AM, September–May
- Vacation Bible School — one week each summer, Pre-K–6th grade
- Adult Faith Formation — Bible studies and Advent/Lent missions
- Coordinator: Allie Harris, 717-977-8516
Christian Initiation (RCIA / RCRC)
St. Mary's participates in the Christian Initiation for Adults and Children (RCRC). Anyone needing to complete the sacraments of Confirmation or First Eucharist, anyone interested in becoming Catholic, or anyone curious about the Catholic faith is welcome to participate.
- Contact: Tina Baker, 717-752-7239
Returning Catholics — LANDINGS
The parish offers a LANDINGS group for Catholics who have been away from the Church. Described as 'a safe place to land,' it is a small-group setting where active Catholics and returnees listen, ask questions, and explore the faith together across eight weekly sessions held several times a year.
- 8-week small-group sessions, multiple times per year
- Contact: Mary Grist, [email protected]
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by two priests of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, supported by a parish secretary and coordinators for religious education and parish ministries. Office hours run from early morning through early afternoon on weekdays.
- Pastor — Rev. Peter DiTomasso, MSSCC
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Marsianus Maksimus Leu, MSSCC
- Parish Secretary — Rebecca Sites
- Director of Religious Education — Joan Ritter (Diocese listing)
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 6:30 AM–3:00 PM; Thu–Fri 6:30 AM–1:00 PM
Sacraments
Baptisms are scheduled by appointment. The parish office also helps arrange weddings, Mass cards, altar flowers, and parish hall rentals. The community provides spiritual care and comfort to the sick and grieving as part of its mission.
- Baptisms — by appointment
- Confirmation
- First Eucharist
- Weddings — by arrangement through the parish office
- Care of the sick and grieving
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email during the posted office hours. The church, parking, restrooms, and social hall are available on site, and the parish keeps an active Facebook page for updates and community news.
- Phone: 717-642-8815
- Fax: 717-642-9616
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 256 Tract Road, Fairfield, PA 17320
- Facebook: facebook.com/stmarysfairfieldpa