About Mater Christi · Albany, New York
Mater Christi Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the New Scotland Avenue neighborhood of Albany, New York, formed in 2009 through the merger of St. Teresa of Avila Parish (founded 1920) and St. Catherine of Siena Parish (founded 1953). The parish takes its name — Latin for 'Mother of Christ' — from the former Mater Christi Seminary that once stood on New Scotland Avenue, whose tabernacle now sits in the parish church sanctuary. Mater Christi belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and shares its campus with Mater Christi School, a PreK through Grade 8 Catholic elementary school originally founded under St. Catherine of Siena in 1953. The parish is guided by a mission to 'form disciples of Christ through Mary,' offering daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, RCIA, family faith formation, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a food pantry, music ministry, and outreach to the homeless and homebound.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (under the title 'Mater Christi' / Mother of Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. Daniel Quinn
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
Mater Christi is a welcoming Albany parish with deep roots in the New Scotland Avenue neighborhood and a clear Marian identity. Daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, and Saturday Vigil Mass make it easy to plug into the liturgical life of the parish. Strong formation opportunities — including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for young children, monthly Family Formation sessions, and RCIA for adults — make it a good fit for families and those exploring the Catholic faith. Outreach runs deep here too: the parish operates a food pantry on Erie Street, serves as a host site for the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless four times a year, and sustains ministries that bring Communion, flowers, and greeting cards to homebound parishioners.
Mass times at Mater Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
- Saturday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (and by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Parish History & Identity
Mater Christi Parish was formed in 2009 by merging two long-standing New Scotland Avenue parishes: St. Teresa of Avila (founded 1920) and St. Catherine of Siena (founded 1953). Parishioners chose the name 'Mater Christi' — Latin for 'Mother of Christ' — to place the new community under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The name also connected the parish to the former Mater Christi Seminary, the Albany diocese's seminary for priestly formation that had once stood just up New Scotland Avenue; the seminary's tabernacle now graces the sanctuary of the parish church.
- 2009 — founding merger of St. Teresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena
- Name 'Mater Christi' chosen with parishioner input
- Tabernacle of the former Mater Christi Seminary installed in the sanctuary
Parish Staff & Clergy
Mater Christi is led by a pastor and supported by parochial vicars shared with other Albany-area parishes. A lay staff runs parish operations, faith formation, the food pantry, school liaison, and campus maintenance.
- Pastor — Fr. Daniel Quinn
- Parochial Vicar — Fr. Stephen Yusko
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Kyle Gorenski (multi-parish assignment, effective July 1, 2023)
- Office Manager — Irina Clark
- Administrative Assistant — Edith Sleasman
- Bookkeeper — Wendi Matusic
- Faith Formation & Sacraments — Anne Conklin
- Faith Formation (CGS) — Lauren Patterson
- Food Pantry Coordinator — Emily Hoffman
- Campus Maintenance — Francis Coons
- School Principal — Ashley Romand
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Mater Christi offers formation for the whole parish family. Children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation gather monthly for classes, while the youngest parishioners (ages 3–6) can experience the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in a specially prepared Atrium space. Family Formation sessions are held monthly on Sunday mornings for families of all ages.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6), Saturdays 9:30–11:00 AM, contact [email protected]
- Family Formation sessions for all ages, Sunday mornings 9:00–10:30 AM
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation (children)
- RCIA for adults — contact parish office
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments with parishioners and welcomes inquiries from those seeking to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. All initial inquiries go through the parish office at (518) 489-3204.
- Baptism — for infants, children, and adults
- First Communion and First Reconciliation (children)
- Confirmation (children)
- RCIA — adult initiation process
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion visits for the homebound
- Holy Orders and Religious Life — referred to the Diocese of Albany Office of Vocations
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music is an active part of worship at Mater Christi. The parish music ministry welcomes cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists — both adults and children ages 8 and up — at every level of talent.
- Music Ministry — cantor, choir, and instrumentalist opportunities
- Children's music participation (ages 8+)
- Contact: [email protected]
Outreach & Charity
Mater Christi takes seriously its call to serve neighbors in need. The parish operates a food pantry, hosts the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless multiple times a year, and sustains several ministries that reach homebound parishioners in senior centers, assisted living, and nursing homes.
- Mater Christi Food Pantry — 3 W Erie St, Albany NY 12208 ([email protected])
- Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless — host site four times a year
- Pastoral Visits to homebound parishioners (Communion and companionship)
- Greeting Card Ministry — monthly messages to homebound parishioners
- Flower Ministry — delivers arrangements to parishioners in senior facilities
Funeral Ministry
An experienced team of parishioner volunteers walks families through the funeral planning process when a loved one dies, taking on liturgical and hospitality roles at the funeral Mass.
- Volunteer roles: Sacristan, greeter, reader, candle bearer, planner
- Contact the parish office to arrange a funeral at Mater Christi
Mater Christi School
Mater Christi School is the parish's PreK through Grade 8 Catholic elementary school, sharing the Hurst Avenue / Hopewell Street campus. The school was originally founded in 1953 under the building's founding parish, St. Catherine of Siena, and is part of the Diocese of Albany Catholic Schools system. Friday Mass at 8:15 AM is celebrated with the school community.
- Address: 35 Hurst Ave, Albany, NY 12208
- Phone: (518) 489-3111
- Principal: Ashley Romand
- Grades served: Early Childhood (3 y/o), Pre-K (4 y/o), Elementary K–5, Middle School 6–8
- Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany Catholic Schools
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. The 11:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person.
- Parish Office: (518) 489-3204
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 40 Hopewell St, Albany, NY 12208
- Website: https://www.materchristi.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parishofmaterchristi/
- Live-streamed Sunday 11:00 AM Mass on YouTube