About Immaculate Conception · Secaucus, New Jersey
Immaculate Conception Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Secaucus, New Jersey, part of the Archdiocese of Newark. It was founded in 1908 as a Catholic mission to serve the small town of Secaucus and has grown into a diverse, bilingual (English/Spanish) parish community. Today the parish celebrates the Eucharist daily, offers a Religious Education program for children in grades 1–8, runs an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, and gathers monthly for First Friday Eucharistic Adoration sponsored in part by the local Knights of Columbus. The parish is pastored by Fr. Sergio Nadres with Fr. Victor Kennedy as Pastor Emeritus and Fr. Francis Azah as Parochial Vicar.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Sergio Nadres (Pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Newark
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a Eucharistic, bilingual parish that serves English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in Secaucus with a full daily Mass schedule, Saturday confessions, and a monthly First Friday day of Eucharistic Adoration. The parish welcomes families with a Religious Education program for grades 1–8, walks adults into full communion through its OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, and offers choirs and music ministry coordinated by lay staff. Active groups like the Knights of Columbus (who lead the First Friday rosary) and a parish bulletin keep members connected week-to-week. With three daily Mass opportunities and a pastor who is supported by a parochial vicar and a permanent deacon, it is a substantial parish home for Secaucus-area Catholics.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month — 11:00 AM Holy Hour, Eucharistic Adoration
- First Friday of the month — 6:30 PM Rosary (sponsored by the Knights of Columbus)
- First Friday of the month — 7:00 PM Holy Hour with Mass and Adoration
History of Immaculate Conception Parish
The parish began as a 1908 mission under Bishop John J. O'Connor of Newark, with the first Mass celebrated May 17, 1908 in a dance hall adjoining Claredon Hall and then a public-school classroom. Two lots were purchased on Paterson Plank Road; the cornerstone of the first church was laid May 20, 1908 and the church was dedicated March 7, 1909. Fr. Charles F. Marshall, the first resident pastor (appointed 1910), served until his death in 1917 and oversaw construction of the first rectory in 1914.
- 1908 — Mission established; first Mass May 17; cornerstone laid May 20
- 1909 — Original church dedicated March 7
- 1910 — Rev. Charles F. Marshall named first resident pastor
- 1914 — First rectory blessed June 15
- 1946 — Approval granted for new church and school
- 1949 — Present church and school dedicated August 27 by Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh; first Mass September 4
- 1953 — Convent completed August 14
- 2003 — Sisters leave convent; building renamed Notre Dame Hall
- 2008 — Parish school closes; buildings repurposed for Religious Education
Parish Campus and Buildings
The Immaculate Conception campus sits on Paterson Plank Road in Secaucus. Over more than a century, the parish developed its current shape: the original 1909 church gave way to the present church dedicated in 1949, and additional land on Paterson Plank Road between John Street and Post Place was added in subsequent decades. The 1953 convent was converted into the parish center (Notre Dame Hall) in 2003, and the former school now houses Religious Education.
- Present church (dedicated 1949)
- Rectory
- Notre Dame Hall (former convent, parish center since 2003)
- Religious Education building (former parish school)
Mass and Liturgical Schedule
Immaculate Conception celebrates the Eucharist daily throughout the week. The Sunday schedule is bilingual, with English Masses at 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:00 Noon, and a Spanish Mass at 9:00 AM. Weekday Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 12:05 PM, with an additional Saturday morning Mass at 8:00 AM. Saturday at 5:30 PM serves as the anticipated Vigil Mass for Sunday. National holidays are served with a single 9:00 AM Mass.
- Sunday — 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM (Spanish), 10:30 AM, 12:00 Noon
- Saturday Vigil — 5:30 PM
- Monday–Friday — 12:05 PM
- Saturday morning — 8:00 AM
- Holy Days of Obligation — Vigil 5:30 PM; Day 7:00 AM, 12:05 PM, 7:00 PM
- National Holidays — 9:00 AM
Religious Education for Children (Grades 1–8)
ICC's Religious Education program partners with parents — recognized as the primary educators of their children — to pass on Catholic traditions, teachings, and values. Classes meet on Sundays from September through April for students in grades 1 through 8, taught by volunteer lay catechists. The program's stated aims are to form disciples, teach the faith, prepare for sacraments, build community, and inspire service.
- Director of Religious Education: Veronica Stuart
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 201-309-5584 (office ext. 240)
- Sunday classes, September–April
- Grades 1–8
- Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation
- Volunteer lay catechist team
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Formerly known as RCIA, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) walks adults through stages of discovering Christ and choosing to follow Him. The parish serves unbaptized adults preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil, baptized Catholics needing Confirmation and First Eucharist, and non-Catholic Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Classes and meetings begin in the Fall, culminating in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Director: Don Caputo (with Anthony Burdier)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 347-865-4435
- Three tracks: unbaptized, baptized Catholic needing full initiation, baptized non-Catholic Christian
Music Ministry and Choirs
Music ministry at Immaculate Conception is coordinated by Melanie Mitrano (Music Ministry Coordinator) with Ruuben Cordova leading the Adult/Children Choir. The Parish Choir sings at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass, and the parish invites adults and children to participate in liturgical music throughout the year.
- Music Ministry Coordinator: Melanie Mitrano
- Adult/Children Choir Coordinator: Rueben Cordova
- Parish Choir at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
Knights of Columbus
An active Knights of Columbus council at the parish sponsors the First Friday Rosary at 6:30 PM and supports parish events and vocations. (The parish homepage references the parish's 'Knights' under its ministries section.)
- Sponsors the First Friday Rosary (6:30 PM)
- Supports parish life and vocations
Parish Staff and Administration
Pastoral care is provided by Fr. Sergio Nadres (Pastor), Fr. Victor (Vic) Kennedy (Pastor Emeritus), Fr. Francis Azah (Parochial Vicar), and Deacon Earle Connelly Jr. The parish office is staffed by Debbie Santoro (Parish Office Secretary), Barbara Tamborini (Bookkeeper), Don Caputo (Bulletin Editor), and Carlos Valencia (Operations). Worship and faith formation is led by Veronica Stuart (Director of Religious Education), Don Caputo (OCIA), Melanie Mitrano (Music Ministry), and Rueben Cordova (Adult/Children Choir).
- Fr. Sergio Nadres — Pastor
- Fr. Victor (Vic) Kennedy — Pastor Emeritus
- Fr. Francis Azah — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Earle Connelly Jr. — Permanent Deacon
- Debbie Santoro — Parish Office Secretary
- Barbara Tamborini — Bookkeeper
- Don Caputo — Bulletin Editor; OCIA
- Carlos Valencia — Operations
- Veronica Stuart — Director of Religious Education
- Melanie Mitrano — Music Ministry Coordinator
- Rueben Cordova — Adult/Children Choir Coordinator
Mission Statement
The parish's published mission statement reads: 'We, as the Catholic Christian community of Immaculate Conception Secaucus, of the Archdiocese of Newark, proclaim to be a Eucharistic community, guided by the Spirit to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ as we journey by sacraments and service through love and compassion to evangelize, celebrate our diversity, and meet the challenge of our responsibility as disciples of the Lord Jesus.'
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers can register as parishioners through the parish website's Register New Parishioner form. The site collects basic identifying information (name, address, contact details) and asks sacramental history (Baptized? Received First Eucharist? Catholic?) to help the parish welcome and serve new families.
- Online registration via iccsecaucus.com
- Sacramental history captured during registration
Contact and Visiting
Parish office hours are reached by phone or email. The site lists dedicated contact emails for the general office, Religious Education, OCIA, and social media/web content. Inquiries about becoming Catholic, registering children for faith formation, scheduling a baptism or wedding, or arranging a Mass intention can all be initiated through these channels.
- Office Phone: 201-863-4840
- Office Email: [email protected]
- Religious Education Phone: 201-309-5584
- Religious Education Email: [email protected]
- OCIA Phone: 347-865-4435
- OCIA Email: [email protected]
- Social Media/Website: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Roger McGinley1908–1910
First Administrator; Rector of St. Brigit's, North Bergen, who established the Secaucus mission under Bishop O'Connor.
- Rev. Charles F. Marshall1910–1917
First resident pastor; died in office September 28, 1917. Built the first rectory (1914).
- Rev. Alois Auth1917–1925
Transferred to St. Nicholas, Jersey City. Acquired additional land on Paterson Plank Road.
- Rev. James A. Hobson1925
Succeeded Fr. Auth briefly before being transferred to a new assignment.
- Rev. John J. Gormley1925–1934
Built a church addition that doubled its seating capacity.
- Rev. Walter A. Hennesey1934–1943
Purchased seven lots behind the rectory facing Center Avenue.
- Rev. Patrick A. Kelly1943
Succeeded Fr. Hennesey on December 1, 1943; launched the fundraising drive for a new church and school.
- Rev. Patrick Reilly1943–1969
Built and dedicated the present church and school (1949) and the convent (1953).
- Rev. Patrick Fitzpatrick1969–1977
- Rev. Jeremiah J. Long1977–1996
- Rev. Donald Guenther1996–2003
- Rev. Joseph Pietropinto2003–2014
- Rev. Victor (Vic) KennedyJan 2014–
Now Pastor Emeritus on the current staff.
- Rev. Sergio Nadrescurrent
Current Pastor per the parish staff page.