About Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish - Immaculate Conception Church · Salem, Massachusetts
Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish (commonly called MQOA) is a bi-cultural Roman Catholic parish in historic Salem, Massachusetts, formed on August 1, 2017 by the merger of Immaculate Conception Parish and St. James Parish under the Archdiocese of Boston. The parish is centered on Immaculate Conception Church at 15 Hawthorne Boulevard — the first Catholic church in Salem, established in 1826 — with St. James Church at 160 Federal Street serving as a secondary worship and program space. MQOA is a 'Divine Renovation' parish committed to moving 'from Maintenance to Mission,' offering Mass in both English and Spanish, a robust Healing Ministry, the Alpha evangelization program, and family and small-group ministry. Its motto — 'Be Welcomed. Be Healed. Belong.' — captures its focus on hospitality, sacramental healing, and missionary discipleship.
- Established
- 2017 (current merged parish; Immaculate Conception Parish founded 1826)
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of the Apostles (parish patron); Immaculate Conception (historic patron of the original church)
- Rector
- Fr. Robert Murray
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
MQOA is a bilingual, mission-driven parish in the heart of historic Salem that welcomes English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics (and seekers) into a community focused on healing, evangelization, and discipleship. As a 'Divine Renovation' parish since 2017, it pairs reverent liturgy with outreach — the Alpha evangelization program, weekly Healing Prayer Nights with the Anointing of the Sick, The Five Keys private healing sessions, Bible-study 'Beta Buddies' small groups, and active family and youth ministry. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, returning after time away, or just exploring the faith, the parish explicitly aims to walk alongside you — Be Welcomed, Be Healed, Belong.
Mass times at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish - Immaculate Conception Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Immaculate Conception Chapel (English & Spanish)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Immaculate Conception Chapel
Parish Identity & Mission
Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish (MQOA) describes itself as a bi-cultural Catholic community in Salem, MA, whose mission is 'To be a bi-cultural parish, where people come to meet and experience the love of Jesus, be in relationship with Him in prayer and the sacraments, and as His disciples go out to the world and share that experience and relationship with others.' In Spanish: 'Ser una parroquia bicultural, donde la gente viene a conocer y experimentar el amor de Jesús, estar en relación con Él en la oración y los sacramentos, y como sus discípulos salir al mundo y compartir esa experiencia y relación con los demás.' The parish welcome line — 'Be Welcomed. Be Healed. Belong.' — frames everything from Sunday Mass to small-group life.
- Bi-cultural, bilingual (English / Spanish) parish
- Welcoming statement: 'Be Welcomed. Be Healed. Belong.'
- Goal: proclaim the Gospel and healing love of Jesus Christ to the whole city of Salem
Divine Renovation — From Maintenance to Mission
In 2017, the year of its founding, MQOA joined Divine Renovation International, a network of parishes pursuing renewal in the Church. The parish adopts Fr. James Mallon's framework from his book Divine Renovation and his work as pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The model is summarized in three 'keys': the key ring (the Eucharist and Prayer) and three principles — the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Primacy of Evangelization, and the Best of Leadership. The aim, in the parish's words, is to move 'from Maintenance to Mission': caring for the existing flock while becoming outward-focused, invitational, and welcoming.
- Joined Divine Renovation International in 2017
- Framework based on Fr. James Mallon's book Divine Renovation
- Three keys: Power of the Holy Spirit, Primacy of Evangelization, Best of Leadership
History of Immaculate Conception Church
Immaculate Conception Church (originally St. Mary's) is the first Catholic church in Salem. The congregation was established in 1826 in a wooden structure at the corner of Bridge and Mall Streets. As the Irish-Catholic community grew, a stone-and-brick church was built in 1850 on Hawthorne Boulevard (then Walnut Street); it was enlarged in 1857 to designs by architect Enoch Fuller, and on the occasion of that construction the parish was renamed Immaculate Conception. It became the second parish formed by the Archdiocese of Boston. A granite memorial to local World War I servicemen was erected on the grounds in 1920, and a $550,000 renovation in 1992 replaced the pews, rebuilt the vestibule, and added new hardwood floors. After St. Joseph's Church closed in 2000, many Latino parishioners joined Immaculate Conception, and the parish became roughly half Latino.
- Founded 1826 as St. Mary's; first Catholic church in Salem
- Renamed Immaculate Conception at the 1857 enlargement by Enoch Fuller
- Second parish formed by the Archdiocese of Boston
- WWI granite memorial erected 1920
- Major 1992 renovation ($550,000): new pews, vestibule, hardwood floors
History of St. James Church
St. James Parish was Salem's second Catholic parish, originally organized in the mid-19th century. Its present church at 152/160 Federal Street was built 1891–1900 in the Gothic Revival style to designs by Brooklyn Irish-American Catholic-church architect Thomas F. Houghton. The brick-and-stone building stretches 178 feet long with a steep-pitched nave 98 feet tall; a 200-foot corner tower and spire were removed in 1972. St. James ran a grammar school (closed 1972) and a high school (closed 1971). It was spared in the 2004 wave of archdiocesan closures and absorbed many former St. Joseph parishioners, before joining the 2013 collaborative and the 2017 merger into MQOA.
- Gothic Revival, 1891–1900, by architect Thomas F. Houghton
- 178 feet long, 98-foot-tall nave; 200-foot spire removed 1972
- Grammar school closed 1972; high school closed 1971
The 2017 Merger into Mary, Queen of the Apostles
In 2013, Immaculate Conception, St. James, and St. John the Baptist entered a collaborative, sharing one pastor, clergy, and staff. The collaboration did not reverse the decline in attendance and resources, and on August 1, 2017, Immaculate Conception and St. James were merged into a new parish named Mary, Queen of the Apostles — 'María, Reina de los Apóstoles' — to reflect the parish's predominantly Latino character. The new parish immediately joined Divine Renovation International.
- 2013 collaborative with Immaculate Conception, St. James, and St. John the Baptist
- August 1, 2017: merger forms Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish
- Spanish-language name 'María, Reina de los Apóstoles' reflects Latino heritage
Pastoral Leadership
Fr. Robert Murray became the first pastor of the merged parish in the summer of 2017. The parish highlights his heart for social justice, beautiful liturgy, and evangelization, and notes that he is bilingual (English and Spanish) and gets around Salem on his bike. He leads the Tuesday evening Spanish Mass and the subsequent Spanish healing prayer hour, and he is available to provide the Anointing of the Sick at the monthly English Healing Prayer Night.
- Fr. Robert Murray — Pastor since summer 2017
- Speaks English and Spanish
- Bilingual pastoral presence at both English and Spanish Masses and healing services
Parish Staff & Ministry Leads
The parish staff is organized into Senior Leadership, Parish Staff, and Ministry Leads, working both on-site and remotely during the week. Key contacts include Christine Williams, PhD (Healing and Small Group Ministry), Peter Gordon (Evangelization), Mari Alix (Beta Groups Español), Shayne Osterberg (Wedding Coordinator and Senior Leadership Team), Mary Pagliarulo (Music Director), Melanie Martinez (Administrative Assistant), Steven Antonio (Director of Family Engagement, English Speaking), Michelle Kolodziej (Business Manager), Franklin Quintín (Property Manager), and Julie McCannon (Liturgy).
- Senior Leadership: Fr. Robert Murray, Christine Williams PhD, Peter Gordon, Mari Alix, Shayne Osterberg
- Parish Staff: Mary Pagliarulo (Music Director), Melanie Martinez (Admin Assistant), Steven Antonio (Director of Family Engagement), Michelle Kolodziej (Business Manager), Franklin Quintín (Property Manager)
- Ministry Lead: Julie McCannon (Liturgy)
- Bible Study contact: Bonnie Henry ([email protected], 978-618-5117)
Healing Ministry
Healing is one of the defining pillars of MQOA. The parish describes itself as offering 'a community of hospitality and healing,' with a trauma-informed approach that meets people where they are. The Healing Ministry includes monthly Healing Prayer Nights in English (last Monday of the month, 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church) where clergy and trained lay ministers pray in small teams and Father is available for the Anointing of the Sick; a weekly Spanish healing prayer with Fr. Murray every Tuesday after the 7:00 PM Mass; the Anointing of the Sick by appointment; and 'The Five Keys' private healing-prayer sessions, brought to MQOA by Fr. Murray. The Five Keys guides people through five prayerful responses to Jesus that release the power of the Gospel into their hearts and help unlock freedom from unhealthy behaviors and emotional bondage.
- English Healing Prayer Night — last Monday of the month, 7:00 PM, Immaculate Conception Church
- Spanish Healing Prayer — every Tuesday after the 7:00 PM Mass with Fr. Murray
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment (urgent requests flagged)
- The Five Keys private prayer sessions — by appointment, trauma-informed model brought by Fr. Murray
Alpha, Evangelization & Small Groups
Evangelization is one of the three 'keys' of MQOA's Divine Renovation identity. The parish runs the Alpha evangelization program (typically hosted in St. James Hall, which can accommodate crowds of 100+), with shared meals provided by the Alpha Food Ministry. Alpha Team training is offered before each new course. Alongside Alpha, the parish runs 'Beta' small groups — including the English 'Beta Buddies' Bible study, which meets most Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the IC Chapel and uses Lectio Divina to pray with and discuss the upcoming Sunday's readings (contact: Bonnie Henry). 'Beta Groups' in Spanish are coordinated by Mari Alix.
- Alpha Evangelization Ministry — held in St. James Hall
- Alpha Food Ministry — volunteer cooks prepare meals for Alpha sessions
- Alpha Team training before each new course
- Beta Buddies (English Bible study, Lectio Divina) — most Mondays, 7:00–8:30 PM, IC Chapel
- Beta Groups Español — coordinated by Mari Alix
Family Engagement & Faith Formation
Family ministry is led by Steven Antonio, Director of Family Engagement (English-speaking). A youth room is part of the parish office complex at 158 Federal Street, with its own entrance off the church parking lot. Preparation for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation is referenced through the parish's family and small-group ministry, and the parish notes its bilingual capacity to walk with English- and Spanish-speaking families.
- Director of Family Engagement (English-speaking): Steven Antonio
- Parish youth room at 158 Federal Street (entrance off parking lot)
- Bilingual sacramental preparation referenced through family ministry
Liturgy, Music & Weddings
Liturgy at MQOA is coordinated by ministry lead Julie McCannon, with Mary Pagliarulo serving as Music Director. The Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM Masses are noted for including 'Wondrous Stories' (a children's liturgy of the word program). Weddings are coordinated by Shayne Osterberg and typically take place in Immaculate Conception Church (and St. James Church for larger or holiday-season weddings). The parish emphasizes 'beautiful liturgy' as one of the pastor's hallmarks.
- Music Director: Mary Pagliarulo
- Liturgy lead: Julie McCannon
- Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM Masses include 'Wondrous Stories' for children
- Wedding Coordinator: Shayne Osterberg
Locations, Buildings & Accessibility
MQOA worships and gathers at three main sites in Salem. Immaculate Conception Church, Chapel & Hall at 15 Hawthorne Blvd is the main church and is used for Sunday Masses, weddings, funerals, baptisms, and most programs; front and side entrances are available, with a side parking lot and handicap parking near the side entrance (parish notes that main bathrooms are not yet accessible). St. James Church & Hall at 160 Federal Street is used for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and holidays like Christmas and Easter, and for programs like Alpha and crowds of 100+; entrances are on Federal Street and at the corner of Flint & Bridge Street, with parking at Flint and Bridge behind the church. The Parish Office and Youth Room at 158 Federal Street has a wheelchair lift, handicap parking at the front entrance, and accessible bathrooms from the rear parking lot entrance.
- Immaculate Conception Church, Chapel & Hall — 15 Hawthorne Blvd (main worship and programs)
- St. James Church & Hall — 160 Federal Street (Alpha, holidays, large gatherings)
- Parish Office & Youth Room — 158 Federal Street (wheelchair lift, accessible bathrooms)
- Note from parish: IC main bathrooms are not yet accessible
Contact & Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 978-745-9060 or [email protected], or schedule a meeting with a staff member online. The staff works both remotely and on-site throughout the week; visitors are asked to connect with a staff member before visiting the office. Online giving is available on the parish website. The parish describes its culture of involvement through Alpha team, Beta groups, Healing Ministry teams, the Alpha Food Ministry, music ministry, and family engagement — emphasizing that newcomers and returning Catholics alike are welcomed and accompanied.
- Phone: 978-745-9060
- Email: [email protected]
- Online giving available via mqoa.org
- Volunteer pathways: Alpha team, Alpha Food Ministry, Healing Ministry, Music Ministry, family and small-group ministry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Robert MurraySummer 2017–present
First pastor of the merged Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish; speaks English and Spanish; known for a heart for social justice, beautiful liturgy, evangelization, and for getting around Salem on his bike.