About St. Anthony · Watertown, New York
St. Anthony's Catholic Church, located at 850 Arsenal Street in Watertown, New York, is one of three worship sites that together form Blessed Sacrament Parish in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The Italianate-style church was built on Arsenal Street in 1931 and historically also served as the host church for St. Anthony's Parochial School. It is now joined in pastoral care with St. Patrick's Church and Holy Family Church under the leadership of Pastor Reverend John M. Demo and Parochial Vicar Reverend Jude Nnadibuagha, supported by five deacons. St. Anthony's serves the parish community with a Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM, a daily 7:00 AM weekday Mass, weekday confessions before Mass, weekly Tuesday adoration from 3:00–6:00 PM, and a First Friday Holy Hour from 6:00–7:00 PM.
- Established
- 1931
- Patron
- St. Anthony (of Padua)
- Rector
- Reverend John M. Demo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Ogdensburg (Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg)
Why belong here
St. Anthony's offers the early-morning Mass habit that many faithful cherish — a quiet daily 7:00 AM Mass Monday through Friday and an 8:00 AM Sunday Mass, with confessions heard right before each daily Mass from 6:45–6:55 AM. As part of Blessed Sacrament Parish, parishioners also have access to the wider community of St. Patrick's and Holy Family churches, the Elizabeth Ministry for those facing childbearing issues, parish faith formation, electronic giving, and the diocesan Faith Formation resources of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The 1931 Italianate church on Arsenal Street is a piece of Watertown's Catholic heritage, with its longtime role as the home of St. Anthony's Parochial School still part of parish memory.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:45–6:55 AM (St. Anthony's)
- Tuesday 6:45–6:55 AM (St. Anthony's)
- Wednesday 6:45–6:55 AM (St. Anthony's)
- Thursday 6:45–6:55 AM (St. Anthony's)
- Friday 6:45–6:55 AM (St. Anthony's)
- By appointment: 315-782-1190
Adoration times
- Tuesday 3:00–6:00 PM (St. Anthony's)
- 1st Friday 6:00–7:00 PM (St. Anthony's)
About St. Anthony's Church
St. Anthony's Catholic Church stands at 850 Arsenal Street in Watertown, New York, and is part of Blessed Sacrament Parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. It is the home of the early-morning Mass tradition for the Watertown Catholic community, with daily 7:00 AM Mass Monday through Friday and an 8:00 AM Sunday Mass.
- Address: 850 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601
- Mailing Address: 123 South Massey Street, Watertown, NY 13601
- Parish website: catholicwatertown.org
- Phone: 315-782-1190
- Email: [email protected]
History of St. Anthony's
St. Anthony's Catholic Church was built on Arsenal Street in Watertown in 1931 in the Italianate style and once served as the host church for St. Anthony's Parochial School. In 2016 the Diocese of Ogdensburg announced a reorganization merging Watertown's Catholic parishes; in 2021 St. Anthony's, St. Patrick's, and Holy Family were joined under the new umbrella name Blessed Sacrament Parish.
- Built 1931
- Italianate architecture
- Historically hosted St. Anthony's Parochial School
- Merged in 2016 reorganization; named 'Blessed Sacrament Parish' in 2021
Pastoral Staff
Blessed Sacrament Parish, which includes St. Anthony's, is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, and a team of five deacons. Father John Demo has led the community through the parish reorganization.
- Pastor: Reverend John M. Demo
- Parochial Vicar: Reverend Jude Nnadibuagha
- Deacon Michael J. Allan
- Deacon Guy Javarone
- Deacon Kevin T. Mastellon
- Deacon Edward R. Miller
- Deacon Donald J. Wilder
Sacraments
The parish prepares families for the sacraments and welcomes inquiries by phone. A Baptism Preparation program is required for parents of children to be baptized, scheduled as a one-hour class through the Parish Office.
- Baptism — preparation class required; call Parish Office (315-782-1190)
- Confession — Mon–Fri 6:45–6:55 AM at St. Anthony's, plus by appointment
- Holy Orders / Vocations — referral available
- Other sacraments (Marriage, Anointing) — by appointment through the Parish Office
Ministries and Outreach
Blessed Sacrament Parish supports families through the Elizabeth Ministry, which offers hope, help, and healing on issues related to childbearing. Parishioners can also engage in faith formation resources, electronic giving, and the Glenwood Cemetery Campaign run out of the parish office.
- Elizabeth Ministry — contact 315-921-2806
- Faith Formation Materials (parish website hub)
- Electronic / Online Giving
- Glenwood Cemetery Campaign
Diocesan Context: Diocese of Ogdensburg
St. Anthony's belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg, which oversees faith formation, youth ministry, and catechist certification across northern New York. Parishioners are linked to diocesan resources including the Department of Faith Formation, the Office of Youth Ministry (Director Patrick Looby), and the Family Catechesis for the Seven Sacraments program.
- Department of Faith Formation, Diocese of Ogdensburg
- Office of Youth Ministry — Director Patrick Looby
- Catechist Certification (Growth in Faith Program)
- Family Catechesis for the Seven Sacraments
Parish Reorganization (2016–2021)
In 2016 the Diocese of Ogdensburg announced a reorganization merging Watertown's three historic Catholic parishes to address the priest shortage. The new umbrella name 'Blessed Sacrament Parish' was chosen from four options put to parishioners and announced in 2021, uniting St. Anthony's, St. Patrick's, and Holy Family under one pastor and one parish identity while preserving each church as a worship site.
- 2016: Merger announced by Diocese of Ogdensburg
- September 2021: 'Blessed Sacrament Parish' name chosen
- Reason cited: priest shortage in the diocese
- Father John Demo: 'Blessed Sacrament really typifies [our shared belief in the Holy Eucharist]'
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or email, and confessions and other sacraments can be arranged by appointment. The parish bulletin, homilies, and online giving are available through the parish website.
- Parish Office: 315-782-1190
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: catholicwatertown.org
- Online giving and bulletins available via parish website