About Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish - St. James · Salem, Massachusetts
Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish (MQOA) is a bi-cultural Roman Catholic parish in Salem, Massachusetts, within the Archdiocese of Boston. It was formed on August 1, 2017, by the merger of historic Immaculate Conception Parish and St. James Parish, the two oldest Catholic congregations in Salem. The parish worships at two church sites — Immaculate Conception Church on Hawthorne Boulevard and St. James Church on Federal Street — and ministers to a community that is roughly half Latino, with Sunday and weekday Masses offered in both English and Spanish. MQOA is a member of the Divine Renovation International network (joined 2017) and is widely known for its healing ministry, which includes monthly bilingual Healing Prayer Nights, the Five Keys private prayer sessions, Anointing of the Sick, and a parish mission built around the motto: 'Be Welcomed. Be Healed. Belong.'
- Established
- 2017 (parish merger); St. James parish established 1850; Immaculate Conception parish established 1826
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of the Apostles (María, Reina de los Apóstoles)
- Rector
- Father Robert W. Murray
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Mary, Queen of the Apostles is a parish where people are welcomed regardless of where they are on their faith journey — from seekers to lifelong Catholics. It is a deliberately bi-cultural English/Spanish community that calls itself a 'beacon of hospitality and healing,' and the parish has built a nationally-notable healing ministry around monthly bilingual Healing Prayer Nights, the Five Keys private prayer model, Anointing of the Sick, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and Reconciliation. With Alpha, Beta groups, RCIA, Confirmation preparation for youth and adults, and active family-engagement programs, MQOA offers a clear path to belong, to be accompanied, and to grow as a missionary disciple of Jesus.
Mass times at Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish - St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Immaculate Conception Chapel (Capilla de IC)
- By appointment (call 978-745-9060 or email [email protected])
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Immaculate Conception Chapel
Our Story: From Two Historic Parishes to Mary, Queen of the Apostles
Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish was created on August 1, 2017, when the Archdiocese of Boston merged Salem's two oldest Catholic parishes — Immaculate Conception and St. James — into a single bi-cultural community. The new name was chosen deliberately: in a parish that is now predominantly Latino, members more often call it María, Reina de los Apóstoles. The parish also joined the Divine Renovation International network in 2017, embracing Fr. James Mallon's 'Maintenance to Mission' approach and the three key principles of the Holy Spirit, evangelization, and leadership.
- Immaculate Conception Parish: established 1826 (first Catholic church in Salem), present church built 1857 to designs by Enoch Fuller, $550,000 renovation in 1992.
- St. James Parish: organized 1849–1850 to relieve crowding at St. Mary's/Immaculate Conception; first wooden church built 1850, demolished 1892.
- Current St. James Church built 1891–1900 in Gothic Revival style by Brooklyn architect Thomas F. Houghton; 178 feet long, 98-foot nave.
- 2004: St. James spared in archdiocesan closings; St. Joseph parishioners joined St. James.
- 2013: St. James, St. John the Baptist, and Immaculate Conception enter a collaborative with St. Anne (Castle Hill).
- August 1, 2017: official merger into Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish.
Our Mission and Vision
MQOA describes itself as a 'beacon of hospitality and healing' whose mission is to 'proclaim the Gospel message and healing love of Jesus Christ to the whole city of Salem.' The parish's vision is to be a bi-cultural community where people come to meet and experience the love of Jesus, enter into relationship with Him through prayer and the sacraments, and then — as His disciples — go out and share that experience with others. The parish's motto sums it up: 'Be Welcomed. Be Healed. Belong.'
- Three guiding principles of Divine Renovation: the Power of the Holy Spirit, the Primacy of Evangelization, the Best of Leadership.
- Parish identity: bi-cultural, missionary, outward-focused.
- Parish commitment: maintenance of the flock plus invitation and welcome of others.
Mass and Worship Schedule
All Sunday Masses are celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church (15 Hawthorne Blvd.). Daily Mass is offered in the IC Chapel on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, with an additional Spanish Mass on Tuesday evenings. The Sunday 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM (Spanish) Masses are accompanied by 'Wondrous Stories,' the parish's children's program.
- Sunday 9:00 AM — English (IC Church, with Wondrous Stories)
- Sunday 11:30 AM — Español (IC Church, with Wondrous Stories)
- Sunday 5:00 PM — English (IC Church)
- Monday 8:00 AM — English (IC Chapel)
- Tuesday 8:00 AM — English (IC Chapel)
- Tuesday 7:00 PM — Español (IC Chapel)
- Wednesday 8:00 AM — English (IC Chapel)
- Friday 8:00 AM — English (IC Chapel)
- No Mass on Thursday or Saturday
Becoming Catholic: Alpha, Beta, RCIA, and Confirmation
MQOA has built an unusually clear, layered path for newcomers and returning Catholics. The first step the parish recommends is Alpha, a free 10-week series of dinner, video, and small-group conversation covering the basics of the Christian faith. From there, people are invited into Beta groups (English and Spanish) for ongoing formation, and into the RCIA process for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). The parish also prepares youth aged 14+ and adults for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Alpha (English) — 10 weekly sessions of about 2 hours each, free, with dinner; held at St. James Hall, 150 Federal Street.
- Beta Groups in Spanish (Mari Alix) and English follow-up small groups.
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for unbaptized adults and for already-baptized Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church; usually culminates at the Easter Vigil.
- Youth Confirmation for teens 14+ who have received Baptism and First Communion; preparation begins each fall.
- Adult Confirmation for baptized Catholics who have received Communion but never Confirmation.
Healing Ministry
The Healing Ministry is one of the most distinctive features of MQOA. The parish believes 'God still heals in practical and visible ways today,' and offers multiple layers of prayer support — from large monthly bilingual Healing Prayer Nights to private one-on-one sessions — all rooted in a trauma-informed pastoral approach. The lead staff member is Dr. Christine Williams, PhD.
- Monthly bilingual Healing Prayer Nights with trained clergy and lay prayer ministers praying in small teams for physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
- The Five Keys — a model of healing prayer brought to MQOA by Fr. Murray that guides people through five prayerful responses to Jesus, releasing the power of the Gospel into their hearts and unlocking freedom from unhealthy patterns and emotional bondage.
- Anointing of the Sick, offered at the Monday Healing Service and by appointment.
- Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration as part of the same Monday-night rhythm.
- Hallow App partnership for personal prayer and meditation.
Sacraments and Sacramental Records
MQOA prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and keeps sacramental records for its merged communities. Records from 2017 onward are kept on-site at the parish; records for St. James Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish before 2017 are held by the Archdiocese of Boston Archives, and the parish will forward record requests to the Archive office on your behalf.
- Baptism
- First Communion (Eucharist)
- Confirmation — youth and adult tracks
- Marriage / Weddings — celebrated at St. James Church and Immaculate Conception Church; Wedding Coordinator on staff
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Mondays 6–7 PM in the IC Chapel, plus by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- RCIA — unbaptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by a Senior Leadership Team, supported by parish staff and ministry leads. The pastor, Fr. Robert W. Murray, is bilingual and visible across both the English and Spanish communities. The team includes a dedicated Evangelization lead, a Director of Family Engagement, a Wedding Coordinator, a Business Manager, a Property Manager, a Music Director, an Administrative Assistant, and leads for Healing, Beta groups, and Liturgy.
- Fr. Robert W. Murray — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 105)
- Christine Williams, PhD — Healing and Small Group Ministry ([email protected])
- Peter Gordon — Evangelization ([email protected])
- Mari Alix — Beta Groups en Español ([email protected])
- Shayne Osterberg — Wedding Coordinator | Senior Leadership Team ([email protected])
- Steven Antonio — Director of Family Engagement, English-speaking ([email protected])
- Michelle Kolodziej — Business Manager ([email protected], ext. 107)
- Melanie I. Martinez — Administrative Assistant ([email protected], ext. 104)
- Mary Pagliarulo / Charisse Nocera — Music Director ([email protected] / [email protected], ext. 110)
- Franklin Quintín — Property Manager ([email protected])
- Julie McCannon — Liturgy ([email protected])
- Deacon Jesus Pena
Our Church Sites, Halls, and How to Get Here
MQOA operates from two historic church buildings, a parish office, and a youth room in Salem. Immaculate Conception Church on Hawthorne Boulevard is the main worship site (all Sunday Masses are held there). St. James Church on Federal Street is used for weddings, funerals, baptisms, Christmas and Easter, and large parish gatherings such as Alpha. The Parish Office and Youth Room are at 158 Federal Street.
- Immaculate Conception Church & Hall — 15 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, MA 01970; front (Hawthorne Blvd) and side entrances; side parking lot with handicap parking near the side entrance (note: IC bathrooms are not yet wheelchair accessible); chapel and hall entrances in the side parking lot.
- St. James Church & Hall — 160 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970; front (Federal Street) and back (Flint & Bridge) entrances; parking lot at Flint and Bridge behind the church; wheelchair lift and handicap parking at front entrance; accessible bathrooms from the rear parking-lot entrance; St. James Hall entrance in the parking lot.
- Parish Office & Youth Room — 158 Federal Street; office entrance on Federal Street with handicap and general parking; youth-room entrance in the St. James parking lot.
- Office hours: staff work remotely and on-site throughout the week; please contact a staff member before visiting.
Get Involved: Volunteering, Family Faith Formation, and Parish Life
MQOA's vision is outward-focused: members are encouraged to move from being 'maintained' to being 'missionary disciples.' Practical entry points include the volunteer sign-up, the Food Ministry (affectionately called 'Chef Steve'), the Liturgy and Music ministries, Family Faith Formation, and the parish's Alpha/Beta small-group system. The parish publishes a regular bilingual bulletin and weekly announcements to keep everyone connected.
- Volunteer sign-ups across hospitality, liturgical, and outreach roles
- Family Faith Formation (Formación familiar en la fe)
- Food Ministry — meal preparation for parish events
- Liturgy and Music ministries
- Healing Prayer Team (trained lay ministers who pray in small teams at Healing Prayer Nights)
- Bilingual weekly parish bulletin with announcements in English and Spanish