About St. Catherine of Siena · Pittstown, New Jersey
St. Catherine of Siena is a Roman Catholic parish in Pittstown, New Jersey, in the Diocese of Metuchen. The parish serves the rural and semi-rural communities of Franklin Township and parts of Alexandria and Union Townships in Hunterdon County. Originally established in 1992 as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish in Annandale/Clinton, it became an independent parish in 1999 and today offers weekend and weekday Masses, Eucharistic adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation for youth and adults, Youth Ministry, RCIA, a Bible Camp program and a Rosary Society. The current church was built in 1992, dramatically expanded and rededicated in 2019, and is affectionately known by parishioners as the 'Little Church on the Hill.'
- Established
- 1992
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380), Dominican tertiary, Doctor of the Church
- Rector
- Rev. Chester Zalubski, SDB
- Diocese
- Diocese of Metuchen
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena offers a close-knit, family-friendly Catholic community in rural Hunterdon County with multiple Sunday Masses, daily weekday Masses, weekly Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, and an active Rosary Society. Families are supported by a full Faith Formation program (K–8), Confirmation preparation starting in 6th grade, a Youth Ministry for high schoolers, Vacation Bible Camp, RCIA for adults, and a Family Mass designed especially with children in mind. With a pastor from the Salesians of Don Bosco and a recently expanded church that tripled its seating, it is a growing parish that values stewardship, catechesis, and lay involvement.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 6:30–7:00 p.m. (Church)
- Saturdays 3:30–4:00 p.m. (Church)
- Also available by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration — Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: First Friday 3:00–7:00 p.m. (Church)
- Per liturgical page: Exposition Monday through Friday following the 8:00 a.m. Mass (some sources list this; official schedule page lists First Friday only)
Parish History and Catholic Heritage
The earliest recorded Catholic presence in the Pittstown area dates to a Mass celebrated by Father Edward Brady in the summer of 1852. From 1884 until 1999, area Catholics were served by Immaculate Conception Parish in Annandale/Clinton. The Pittstown mission was established September 25, 1992, and became an independent parish in June 1999 under Bishop Vincent DePaul Breen.
- 1852 — First Mass in Pittstown area celebrated by Father Edward Brady
- 1884 — Catholics in the area begin worshipping at Immaculate Conception, Annandale
- 1990 — Diocese of Metuchen acquires land at Route 513 and White Bridge Road
- 1991 — John W. and Catherine Raymonds gift finances for a new church
- October 21, 1991 — Construction begins
- April 29, 1992 — Cornerstone laid
- September 25, 1992 — Mission parish established by Bishop Edward T. Hughes
- October 13, 1992 — Church solemnly consecrated
- December 25, 1992 — Msgr. Immanuel W. Vernon dies
- February 1993 — Msgr. Andrew L. Szaroleta named pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. Catherine of Siena
- June 1999 — St. Catherine of Siena established as an independent parish by Bishop Vincent DePaul Breen
- June 8, 1999 — First Mass of independent parish celebrated by Father Peter G. Suhaka
- Spring 2011 — Fr. Chester Zalubski, SDB arrives as parish administrator
- April 2012 — Fr. Zalubski installed as pastor at 20th anniversary
- August 2008 — Former Our Savior Lutheran Church purchased on Perryville Road, Hampton
- October 31, 2010 — Bishop Bootkoski blesses the Parish Center
- 2017–2019 — Major expansion and renovation (96 → 307 seats, cruciform plan)
- April 28, 2019 — Bishop James F. Checchio dedicates expanded church
- 2019 — Hampton Parish Center sold
- 2023 — Plans initiated for new Parish Center on church property
Church Building and Expansion
The original 2,130 sq ft church seated just 96 people, prompting a 2017–2019 expansion that more than tripled capacity. The renovation by Paul Juliano Architects LLC converted the building into a cruciform plan by adding two transepts, plus a large divisible basement meeting room and offices.
- Original footprint: 2,130 sq ft
- Expansion added: 3,500 sq ft
- Original seating: 96
- New seating: 307
- Architect: Paul Juliano Architects LLC, Phillipsburg, NJ
- Estimated cost: ~$3 million
- Steering Committee chair: parishioner Daniel Dawson
- Subcommittees: Campaign; Communications; Design & Construction; Finance; Legal & Liturgical Design
- Construction start: June 25, 2017 (groundbreaking)
- First Mass in expanded church: Holy Thursday, April 18, 2019
- Dedication: April 28, 2019 by Bishop James F. Checchio
Mass and Sacramental Schedule
The parish offers a full schedule of weekend, weekday, and holy day Masses, plus weekly Reconciliation and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
- Monday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Tuesday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Wednesday Mass: 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Reconciliation: Wednesdays 6:30–7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 3:30–4:00 p.m., plus by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Friday 3:00–7:00 p.m.
- Rosary Society: First Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Family Mass: Last Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Catherine of Siena's Religious Education program supports parish families with monthly sessions, sacramental preparation, and Bible Camp. The parish uses the 'Alive in Christ' curriculum and offers programs for K–8, with Confirmation preparation beginning in 6th grade and celebrated in 8th grade by the Bishop. No child is denied instruction due to financial hardship.
- Monthly Religious Education for K–8
- Monday and Wednesday sessions, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- First Reconciliation (two-year preparation, beginning in 1st grade)
- First Eucharist (typically May, second grade)
- Confirmation preparation (begins 6th grade; celebrated spring of 8th grade)
- Bible Camp / Camp Saint Catherine (July, K–6)
- Curriculum: Alive in Christ series
- Family registration fee: $150 (financial hardship waived)
- Contact: Director of Religious Education ([email protected] / 908-735-5086)
Youth and Family Ministry
The parish maintains an active Youth Ministry for high school students with social and service activities, plus a Family Mass designed especially for children and teens. A Kids' Club is also available.
- Youth Ministry — open to all high school students ([email protected])
- Family Mass — last Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. with children's homily
- Kids' Club — Debbie Fass, coordinator ([email protected], 973-222-8100)
- Vacation Bible Camp counselors (entering 7th grade and up)
Sacramental Ministries and RCIA
Sacramental Ministries educate and support parishioners along their faith journey. The RCIA team welcomes adults seeking initiation or full communion and needs confirmed Catholic adults to serve as catechists for catechumens.
- Baptism Preparation Group
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Reconciliation (Confession) weekly and by appointment
Faith Formation Ministries
A wide range of small-group and devotional ministries support adult faith life and parish fellowship.
- Adult Friendship
- Bereavement ministry
- Book Club
- Catechist program
- Men's Scripture group
- Respect for Life
- Rosary Society (First Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m.)
- Music Ministry (Pat Prakopcyk, director)
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by a Salesian priest and supported by multiple permanent deacons and lay staff.
- Rev. Chester Zalubski, SDB — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Anthony C. Russo — Pastoral Associate ([email protected], 908-202-6251)
- Deacon Steve Kassebaum — Permanent Deacon ([email protected], 908-268-2910)
- Deacon Mike Meyer — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Deacon Dennis Webster — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Judith La Tournous / Sandra Kopka — Director of Religious Education
- Pat Prakopcyk — Music Ministry ([email protected] / [email protected])
- Jennifer Perna — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Debbie Fass — Kids' Club coordinator
Visiting and Contact Information
Parishioners and visitors are welcome during office hours and at all regularly scheduled Masses. The parish office is the central point of contact for sacramental scheduling, registrations, and general inquiries.
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (later by appointment)
- Church: 2 White Bridge Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867
- Mailing: P.O. Box 245, Pittstown, NJ 08867
- Phone: 908-735-4024
- Fax: 908-735-0355
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://scoschurch.org
- Check weekly bulletin for schedule changes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Immanuel W. Vernonpre-1992 (mission founder); died Dec. 25, 1992
Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Annandale; acquired the Pittstown property for the Diocese and helped secure the Raymonds' gift that funded construction of St. Catherine of Siena.
- Msgr. Andrew L. SzaroletaFebruary 1993 – 1999
Named pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. Catherine of Siena (still a mission) by Bishop Hughes after Msgr. Vernon's death.
- Rev. Peter G. SuhakaJune 1999 – Spring 2011
First resident pastor when St. Catherine of Siena was established as an independent parish in June 1999 by Bishop Vincent DePaul Breen; celebrated the first independent Mass June 8, 1999.
- Rev. Chester Zalubski, SDBSpring 2011 – present
Salesian of Don Bosco. Welcomed as Parish Administrator in spring 2011; installed as Pastor in April 2012 at the parish's 20th anniversary; led the 2017–2019 expansion and rededication.