About St. Anthony of Padua-St. Mary Parish @ St. Mary · Cortland, New York
St. Anthony of Padua–St. Mary Parish is a canonically linked Roman Catholic parish in Cortland, New York, served by one pastor and administered from a shared Parish Center at 59 N. Main Street. The parish operates two worship sites: St. Mary's Church at 46 N. Main Street (founded 1855) and St. Anthony of Padua Church at 50 Pomeroy Street (founded 1917). It belongs to the Diocese of Syracuse and offers weekend Masses at both churches, daily Masses, faith formation, and a parish school (St. Mary's School, founded 1928).
- Established
- 1855
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary's Church) and St. Anthony of Padua (St. Anthony's Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph S. Zareski
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua–St. Mary offers parishioners the rare gift of two worship sites — the historic 1855 St. Mary's Church on North Main Street and St. Anthony of Padua on Pomeroy Street — united under one pastor and one Parish Center. The parish sustains daily and weekend Masses at both churches, a faith formation program for children and families, an active music ministry, St. Mary's School, and a network of deacons, councils, and trustees. It is a small, accessible parish where newcomers can easily get involved in liturgy, education, or parish governance.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua-St. Mary Parish @ St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — call the Parish Center at (607) 756-9967
- Saturday 3:00 PM (per parish bulletin/directory listings)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:30 PM–6:30 PM at St. Mary's (1st, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays)
About the Parish
St. Anthony of Padua–St. Mary Parish is the combined Roman Catholic community of two historic Cortland churches — St. Mary's (1855) on North Main Street and St. Anthony of Padua (1917) on Pomeroy Street — canonically linked and served by one pastor from a shared Parish Center. It belongs to the Diocese of Syracuse and offers daily and weekend Masses across both worship sites.
History
The Catholic community in Cortland dates to 1855 with the founding of St. Mary's. In May 1889 Bishop Patrick A. Ludden of Syracuse dedicated the present St. Mary's Church at Solemn High Mass with roughly 30 visiting priests, and confirmed about 140 people. The building was the legacy of the late Father 'Mac' McLoughlin and completed under Father John (J. J. McLoughlin), who was installed as pastor at the same ceremony. The bishop also urged the establishment of a Catholic school — a goal realized in 1928.
- 1855 — St. Mary's parish founded in Cortland
- May 1889 — St. Mary's Church solemnly dedicated by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden
- 1917 — St. Anthony of Padua Church established at 50 Pomeroy St.
- 1928 — St. Mary's School founded under Monsignor Patrick Donohoe
Worship Sites
The parish celebrates Mass and the sacraments at two distinct churches, both in the city of Cortland, sharing one pastor and one bulletin.
- St. Mary's Church — 46 N. Main St., Cortland, NY 13045 (founded 1855)
- St. Anthony of Padua Church — 50 Pomeroy St., Cortland, NY 13045 (founded 1917)
- Parish Center / Offices — 59 N. Main St., Cortland, NY 13045
Clergy & Staff
The linked parishes are served by one pastor together with a parochial vicar, a retired priest, and three deacons, supported by office staff, a music ministry, and parish council leadership.
- Pastor — Rev. Joseph S. Zareski
- Administrator — Rev. Fr. Malachi F. Clark
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Fr. Moses M. Arung, OP
- Deacons — Dc. Timothy Stedman, Dc. Kurt Behrenfeld, Dc. Stephen Smith (Retired)
- Principal, St. Mary's School — Denise Hall
- Office Staff — Sue Laman, Joan Sweeting
- Faith Formation — Theresa Smith; Bob & Stephanie Densmore
- Music Ministry — Nancy Yang Stevens, Armand DiScenna, Erika Linsdell
- Pastoral Council President — Annamaria Maniaci
St. Mary's School
St. Mary's School was founded in 1928 by Monsignor Patrick Donohoe as a parish Catholic school to bring Christ-centered education to the youth of Cortland. The Sisters of St. Francis of Allegany staffed the school for most of its history; today it is led by lay principal Denise Hall.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is offered for children and families of the parish. The program is back in session — families are encouraged to email the parish for current registration and schedule information.
- Coordinator: Theresa Smith
- Contact: [email protected]
Ministries & Organizations
The parish supports a range of lay ministries, councils, and devotional life through its staff, deacons, and lay volunteers.
- Music Ministry
- Pastoral Council
- Parish Trustees (Finance)
- Faith Formation
- Liturgy and Deacons' ministry
- Parish Bulletin (Editor: Brittany Laman)
Sacraments
Information on receiving the sacraments is available through the Parish Center, with a separate emergency sacramental line for the sick and dying.
- Baptism, Marriage, Confirmation — contact Parish Center
- Anointing of the Sick / Emergency: 607-756-2494
Visit, Contact & Directions
Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 59 N. Main St., Cortland. From I-81 take Exit 12 / Homer / Hwy 11, follow signs to Homer Ave. into Cortland, turn left at the light onto N. Main St., and continue east-southeast — after the next two closely-spaced traffic lights, St. Mary's Church will be on the right.
- Parish Center: 59 N. Main St., Cortland, NY 13045
- Phone: 607-756-9967
- Fax: 607-756-3444
- Emergency: 607-756-2494
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: http://www.stmaryscortland.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father 'Mac' McLoughlin
Late pastor remembered at the 1889 dedication of St. Mary's as having built up the parish before his death; the new church was called 'a fitting monument over his tomb.'
- Rev. J. J. McLoughlin ('Father John')
Pushed the new church to completion; formally named pastor of St. Mary's of Cortland by Bishop Ludden at the May 1889 dedication.
- Monsignor Patrick Donohoe
Founded St. Mary's School in 1928 to bring Catholic education to the youth of Cortland.
- Rev. Fr. Ken Kirkman
Parochial Vicar of the linked St. Mary and St. Anthony of Padua parishes before being appointed Administrator of St. Anthony of Padua–St. Joseph in Endicott effective July 1 (announced May 30).