About St. Catherine of Siena · Manchester, New Hampshire
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, serving the north-east end of the city of Manchester. Founded on September 24, 1954 by Bishop Matthew F. Brady to serve the growing population of the North end, the parish began with an estimated 900 families and grew rapidly, leading to the construction of a new church, parish hall, and the founding of St. Catherine of Siena School in 1959. Today the parish describes itself as one of the most active and thriving in the Diocese of Manchester, with a deep devotion to the Eucharist, prayer, Sacred Scripture, and evangelization — all inspired by the words of its patroness, St. Catherine of Siena: 'If You Are What You Should Be, You Will Set the World On Fire!'
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena
- Rector
- Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Martel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena is a thriving north-end Manchester parish where daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and frequent confession form the backbone of parish life. The community is grounded in devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and service to those in need — supported by an active faith-formation program, St. Catherine of Siena School (founded 1959), a youth choir, Knights of Columbus council, Men of St. Joseph group, and ongoing Adult Faith Formation. It's the kind of parish where families, students, and adults can find both a deep prayer life and a strong sense of belonging.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- And by appointment
Adoration times
- Sunday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
About St. Catherine of Siena Parish
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, serving the North-east end of the city of Manchester. Established on September 24, 1954 by the late Bishop Matthew F. Brady, it began with an estimated 900 families and quickly grew, leading to the construction of a new church, parish hall, and St. Catherine of Siena School (1959). The parish community centers on devotion to the Most Precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, prayer, Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, service, and evangelization, all inspired by the famous exhortation of its patroness: 'If You Are What You Should Be, You Will Set the World On Fire!'
- Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Manchester, NH
- Amoskeag Deanery
- Founded September 24, 1954
- Patroness: St. Catherine of Siena — feast day April 29
Parish History and Pastoral Succession
The parish has been led by five pastors since its 1954 founding. Msgr. John Foley was the founding pastor (1954–1966); Msgr. Philip J. Kenney followed in January 1967 and retired in April 1971 to become Vicar for Community Affairs for the Diocese; Msgr. Thomas J. Hannigan then led the parish for the next 36 years until retiring in early 2007. Rev. Paul D. Montminy was appointed in 2007 and served until May 2018, during which time the church was renovated to add a gathering space, elevator, and bell tower. Rev. Fr. Christopher Martel was appointed pastor in October 2018 and continues to lead the parish today.
- 1954–1966: Msgr. John Foley (founding pastor)
- 1967–1971: Msgr. Philip J. Kenney
- 1971–2007: Msgr. Thomas J. Hannigan (36 years)
- 2007–2018: Rev. Paul D. Montminy
- 2018–present: Rev. Fr. Christopher Martel
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a multi-grade Faith Formation program, with weekly Sunday-morning classes held at the school from 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM for children not enrolled at a Catholic school. Students in Catholic schools are also registered so the parish can keep families informed of retreats and sacramental events. The Faith Formation office coordinates retreats, family discussions, and parish involvement opportunities.
- Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings, 10:15–11:45 AM at the school
- Two-year Sacrament Program for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
- Parent meetings and required retreats for each sacrament
- Confirmation Retreat and Communion Prep
Sacrament Preparation and the Restored Order
Through the Diocese of Manchester's 'Restore, Renew, Proclaim the Hope that Is Christ' initiative, the parish is implementing the Restored Order of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. Over the next several years the standard age of Confirmation will move to third grade, and Confirmation will be celebrated before — not after — First Communion. This restores the original sequence: Baptism, Confirmation, then Eucharist. The parish provides a published implementation schedule and renewed programming for lifelong faith formation across all ages.
- Year One — Sacrament Preparation: Reconciliation (parent meeting, student retreat)
- Year Two — Confirmation and Communion Preparations: parent meeting, take-home lessons, retreat
- Standard Confirmation age moving to third grade in the Diocese
- Three Sacraments of Christian Initiation in original order: Baptism → Confirmation → Eucharist
St. Catherine of Siena School
St. Catherine of Siena School was built in 1959, just five years after the parish's founding, and remains an integral part of parish life. The school community is deeply rooted in its Catholic faith and seeks to foster spiritual development, academic excellence, and a commitment to serve others. A dedicated Campus Ministry program, led by Campus Minister Mr. Spencer Gregory, coordinates school-wide faith activities including weekly Mass, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Reconciliation Services, Family Adoration Night, and outreach such as the annual Kids Caring for Kids backpack program.
- Catholic elementary school founded 1959
- Campus Minister: Mr. Spencer Gregory (603-622-1711 ex. 113, [email protected])
- Weekly school Mass on Mondays at 10:15 AM (families welcome)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet on Thursdays at Noon (Grades 4–6, Mary Star of the Sea Chapel)
- Rosary on Fridays at 8:00 AM in the school gym (families welcome)
- Annual Kids Caring for Kids backpack program for homeless children
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music is supported by an adult Music/Choir group, which rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, and a Youth Choir open to all students in Grades 3–12 that meets from 4:00 to 5:00 PM and sings at the first Saturday 4:00 PM Mass each month. The parish's identity is grounded in devotion to the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ, and its worship life is enriched by regular Eucharistic Adoration.
- Parish Music/Choir practice: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
- Youth Choir (Grades 3–12): Saturdays, 4:00–5:00 PM
- Youth Choir sings at the first Saturday 4:00 PM Mass each month
Parish Groups and Outreach
St. Catherine of Siena has an active community life with several lay organizations and formation groups for adults. The Knights of Columbus council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM and welcomes all men of the parish. A Men of St. Joseph group is also active. Adult Faith Formation sessions are held periodically on Wednesday evenings. The parish school also runs service initiatives like the annual Stations of the Cross egg hunt for Pre-K through Grade 2, and the Kids Caring for Kids backpack drive.
- Knights of Columbus — first Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM
- Men of St. Joseph group
- Adult Faith Formation — Wednesday evenings
- School outreach: Kids Caring for Kids backpack program
Clergy and Staff
The pastoral team is led by Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Martel, appointed pastor in October 2018. He is assisted by Rev. Eric Ouellette (parochial vicar) and Deacon Edward Munz, D.Min. A dedicated Faith Formation / Religious Education director oversees the parish's faith-formation programming.
- Very Rev. Christopher Martel — Pastor
- Rev. Eric Ouellette
- Deacon Edward Munz, D.Min.
- Religious Education Director (Faith Formation office)
Contact, Location, and Accessibility
The parish office and rectory are located at 207 Hemlock Street, Manchester, NH 03104-3248 (Hillsborough County). The parish is part of the Diocese of Manchester's Amoskeag Deanery. A prayer-request line is available at 603-622-2094 for those who wish to be prayed with. The church was renovated under Fr. Paul D. Montminy to add an elevator, improving accessibility for those with mobility needs.
- Parish Office / Rectory: 207 Hemlock Street, Manchester, NH 03104-3248
- Phone: 603-622-4966
- Prayer line: 603-622-2094
- Diocese: Manchester, NH (Amoskeag Deanery)
- Accessible: elevator installed during church renovation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. John Foley1954–1966
Founding pastor; led the parish through its first 12 years; passed away in 1966.
- Msgr. Philip J. Kenney1967–1971
Succeeded Msgr. Foley; retired April 1971 to serve as Vicar for Community Affairs for the Diocese of Manchester.
- Msgr. Thomas J. Hannigan1971–2007
Longest-serving pastor (36 years).
- Rev. Paul D. Montminy2007–May 2018
Renovated the church to include a gathering space, an elevator, and a bell tower.
- Rev. Fr. Christopher MartelOctober 2018–present
Current pastor; previously served as Rev.; now Very Rev.