About St. Catherine of Siena · Springfield, Massachusetts
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a Roman Catholic parish serving the residents of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. Located at 1023 Parker Street in the 01129 ZIP code, the parish gathers the faithful around the Eucharist and the Word of God. Its official mission statement reads: 'The Roman Catholic Community of St. Catherine of Siena, through the celebration of the Eucharist and the Word of God, is committed to experiencing, teaching, and sharing the Faith. Together in prayer and active stewardship, we serve as the voice, the hands and the feet of Christ.' The parish is led by Fr. Jeffrey A. Ballou and supported by a deacon, a pastoral minister, a parish secretary, and a custodian, and it sustains a wide network of ministries, formation programs, and service projects rooted in Catholic tradition.
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Jeffrey A. Ballou
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena is a stable, mid-sized Catholic parish where parishioners can build real relationships with the pastor, deacon, and pastoral minister. The parish offers daily and Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet after weekday Mass — giving regulars many touchpoints for prayer during the week. Newcomers can plug into a vibrant set of ministries, including Loaves and Fishes (first-Friday meals for those in need), the Community Survival Center food drive, the Pro-Life Commission, the Women's Guild, and a chartered Scouting program that has produced 19 Eagle Scouts. Two-year sacramental preparation tracks for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and RCIA / RCIC make it a welcoming place for both lifelong Catholics and those entering the Church.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 p.m. (currently heard in the Cry Room)
Adoration times
- Thursday following the 8:00 a.m. Mass until 7:00 p.m.
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a small but committed staff led by the pastor, with a deacon, pastoral minister, parish secretary, and custodian supporting the work of liturgy, formation, and administration. All staff can be reached through the main parish office phone line and email.
- Rev. Fr. Jeffrey A. Ballou — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. John Antaya — Deacon
- Kathy Nemphos — Pastoral Minister ([email protected])
- Rose Lopez — Parish Secretary
- Eric Plahna — Custodian
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments and runs two-year preparation tracks for Christian initiation. Adults seeking Baptism or full reception into the Catholic Church are invited through RCIA, while children follow RCIC, with First Reconciliation in 2nd grade and First Communion in May after two years of preparation.
- Baptism — two-year program; call the parish office
- First Reconciliation — celebrated in 2nd grade
- First Communion — celebrated in May after 1st & 2nd grade prep
- Confirmation — two-year program celebrated in spring for high-school students and adults
- Anointing of the Sick — for the seriously ill, those facing surgery, or the elderly
- Matrimony — at least 6 to 12 months advance planning required
- Holy Orders / Vocations — referrals to the Diocese Office of Vocations
Faith Formation
St. Catherine of Siena Parish runs both youth and adult faith formation programs, covering everything from first-grade religious education through adult Scripture study. The parish also assists families who send their children to local Catholic schools with tuition grants.
- Religious Education for grades 1 through high school
- Special preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion in 1st & 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation for high-school students
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC)
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Scripture Study on Wednesdays after the morning Mass
Parish Ministries & Service
The parish lives out its mission 'to serve as the voice, the hands and the feet of Christ' through a wide network of outreach, social, and spiritual committees. From feeding the hungry to defending the unborn, members have multiple ways to put their faith into action.
- Community Survival Center — ongoing food drive for the Indian Orchard food bank
- Loaves and Fishes — first-Friday-of-the-month meal program for those in need
- Giving Tree — seasonal (Advent and Lent) gift and grocery-card outreach
- Pro-Life Commission — rose sale, Bethlehem House baby shower, Rosary for the Unborn, March for Life, Rachel's Vineyard, 40 Days for Life
- Spiritual Life Committee — coordinates spiritual development opportunities
Women's Guild
The Women's Guild is an association of women aged 18 and older who meet monthly for Spirituality, Fellowship, and Good Works. The Guild sponsors the annual Holiday Craft Fair and administers the Bishop Leo E. O'Neil Scholarship for parish members pursuing higher education.
- Monthly meetings at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center West Wing, first Tuesday, September–May
- Annual Holiday Craft Fair on the first Saturday in November, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Bishop Leo E. O'Neil Scholarship — typically two $1,000 awards per year
- Eligibility: parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena; high school senior, college student, or adult learner
Scouting
Since the early 2000s, St. Catherine of Siena Parish has been the Chartered Organization for Cub Scout Pack 303, Scout Troop 303, and Venture Crew 303, including a girls' troop. The program has produced 19 Eagle Scout awards and is supported by parish youth-protection and Diocesan training policies.
- Cub Scout Pack 303 — boys and girls K–5th grade
- Scout Troop 303 — boys and girls ages 11–18
- Venture Crew 303 — boys and girls ages 14–20 (or 13 in 9th grade)
- All adult leaders complete Diocesan and BSA youth protection training
- Two-deep leadership on every activity
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish cultivates a daily prayer life with a Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet after weekday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and weekly Scripture Study on Wednesdays. The Spiritual Life Committee coordinates additional formation opportunities throughout the year.
- Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet immediately after the 8:00 a.m. Mass
- Eucharistic Adoration — Thursdays after 8:00 a.m. Mass until 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday Confessions — 3:00–3:45 p.m. in the Cry Room
- Wednesday Scripture Study following the morning Mass
Visit, Contact & Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. Office hours are Monday through Thursday only; the office is closed on Fridays. The parish website publishes current information on Mass times, sacraments, and events.
- Address: 1023 Parker Street, Springfield, MA 01129
- Phone: (413) 783-8619
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastoral Minister email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon.–Thu. 9:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (closed 12:30–1:00 p.m. for lunch)
- Summer hours: Mon.–Thu. 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; closed Friday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- William Cyr
Listed as Pastor in older public records of the parish at 1023 Parker St.
- Rev. Fr. Jeffrey A. Ballou
Current Pastor as listed on the parish website.