About St. Cecilia · Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Saint Cecilia Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts, serving the community of Wilbraham in Hampden County from its church at 42 Main Street. Founded in 1951 during Wilbraham's post-war building boom, the parish has grown from an initial 800 parishioners to a thriving faith community centered on the Eucharist and living Christ's example through prayer, worship, education, and service. Under the patronage of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, the parish maintains an active liturgical, educational, and outreach life — including a HOPE Ministry that has donated over $560,000 to charitable causes, a Knights of Columbus council, a Women's Club, full faith formation through Confirmation, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Saint Cecilia
- Rector
- Rev. James Nolte
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
Saint Cecilia offers a complete Catholic life in a close-knit Wilbraham setting: three Sunday Masses (with a Saturday Vigil), daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, twice-weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a Saturday 3:00 PM Reconciliation line, and a strong music tradition rooted in its Theodore Gilbert pipe organ. Parishioners can grow through Faith Formation for grades 1–11 (using the Sadlier 'We Believe' curriculum and a Reachout program for grades 7–8), Confirmation preparation, OCIA for adults and OCIC for children, and a high school youth group. Outreach is robust: the parish-founded HOPE Ministry (Help Our Parish Evangelize) has donated over $560,000 to fight hunger, support pro-life causes, and assist those in need, supported by an active Knights of Columbus Council 10195, a Women's Club, and seasonal projects like the Angel Tree.
Mass times at St. Cecilia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00-3:30 PM (also by appointment with Father Nolte: 413-596-4232 x102)
- Additional reconciliation times during Lent and Advent (see bulletin)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 4:00-8:00 PM
- Thursday 9:30-11:00 AM
Parish Mission & Patron
Saint Cecilia Parish centers its identity on the Eucharist and on living Christ's example through prayer, worship, education, and service. According to the parish website: 'We, the Parish Community of St. Cecilia, are a Roman Catholic community of faith, centered on the Eucharist, embracing God's presence in all we do. God's unconditional Love and Word guide us to live Christ's example through prayer, worship, education and service. We seek to carry out this mission under the patronage of St. Cecilia.' The parish's patron, Saint Cecilia, is the well-known patron saint of music — a connection the parish celebrates through its fine pipe organ and dedicated Music Director.
History & Pastor Succession
Founded on June 23, 1951 under Father John J. Scanlon, Saint Cecilia grew from 800 parishioners during Wilbraham's post-war housing boom. A second church was consecrated on November 22, 1958 by Bishop Christopher J. Weldon, and the present church welcomed its first Mass on November 22, 1996 under Father Joseph Soranno. Seven pastors have served the parish across its history.
- Rev. John J. Scanlon — 1951-1967 (first pastor)
- Rev. Francis J. Sullivan — 1967-1970
- Rev. James P. Sears — 1970-1988 (oversaw Gilbert pipe organ)
- Rev. Joseph M. Soranno — 1988-2014 (built current church; founded HOPE Ministry)
- Rev. Daniel J. Boyle — 2014-2020 (died December 17, 2020)
- Rev. John Connors — 2020-2025
- Rev. James Nolte — present pastor
Parish Staff
The parish is led by its pastor and supported by two permanent deacons, a pastoral minister, a music director, a parish director, and a faith formation coordinator.
- Rev. James Nolte — Pastor (extension 102)
- Deacon James Ziemba
- Deacon Andrew Nowicki (cell: 413-222-4244)
- Sister Mary McCue, SND — Pastoral Minister (extension 105)
- Todd Rovelli — Music Director (413-537-3223)
- Annette Bishop — Parish Director (extension 101)
- Rosemary Oldread — Faith Formation (extension 113)
Mass & Liturgy
The parish offers a robust weekly schedule of Masses with separate summer and non-summer weekend arrangements, plus daily Mass Tuesday through Friday and a Miraculous Medal Novena Mass on Mondays.
- Weekend (after Labor Day through Memorial Day Weekend): Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM; Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM
- Summer Weekend (Memorial Day – Labor Day): Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 and 10:00 AM
- Monday 5:30 PM with Miraculous Medal Novena
- Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 AM
- First Friday 9:00 AM
- Special Liturgies hosted periodically by the Women's Club and Knights of Columbus Council 10195, with Father Nolte presiding and Dr. Todd Rovelli providing music
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Saint Cecilia offers a comprehensive Faith Formation program for children in grades 1 through 11, using the Sadlier 'We Believe' curriculum. Classes for grades 1–6 meet on Mondays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, September through April. The Reachout Program for grades 7 and 8 combines Saturday 4:00 PM Mass with follow-up classes and a requirement of 10 hours of community service. Confirmation preparation meets the first Sunday of each month from 5:00 to 6:15 PM in the Parish Center, with Confirmation celebrated in the spring and 20 hours of community service required. Second-grade students receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist in May each year. Rosemary Oldread coordinates Faith Formation (extension 113).
- Grades 1-6 Faith Formation — Mondays 4:00-5:00 PM (September-April)
- Grades 7-8 Reachout Program — Saturdays (includes 4:00 PM Mass)
- Confirmation Preparation — first Sunday monthly, 5:00-6:15 PM, Parish Center
- First Eucharist — received in May by 2nd graders
- Family Liturgy at the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Penance Services, Stations of the Cross, and Holy Hour / Adoration as part of the Reachout year
OCIA & OCIC
The parish runs both the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and the Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) for those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. OCIA welcomes non-Catholic Christians, those who are not Christian, and baptized-but-uncatechized adults, as well as Catholic adults seeking First Eucharist or Confirmation. OCIC assists children on their journey into the Catholic faith and prepares Catholic children to enter Faith Formation.
- OCIA contact: Louisa Mentekidis (413-348-6597)
- OCIC contact: Linda Kelly (413-668-6658)
Youth & Altar Servers
High-school-age young people meet Sundays from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the Faith Formation House for the parish Youth Group, coordinated by Carolee McGrath. The Altar Server program welcomes children from 3rd grade through high school; enrollment forms are available at the back of church and online, with Dr. Wadzinski as the contact.
HOPE Ministry
HOPE (Help Our Parish Evangelize) Ministry, founded in September 2005 under then-pastor Rev. Joseph M. Soranno, was renamed and refocused in September 2023 to act upon the Gospel imperative to feed the hungry, clothe the impoverished, and care for those in need — using the time, talent, and treasure of the parish to support local and international programs that defend human dignity and the sanctity of life. Since its founding, HOPE Ministry has donated more than $560,000 to its mission. The ministry is led by Pastor Father James Nolte and operates three areas of focus, sustained in large part by the parish Gift Card Program, which sells gift cards after every Mass.
- Hunger and Food Insecurity — supports Survival Center, Western Mass Food Bank, and other food-collection efforts (Chair: Fr. James Nolte)
- Children and Pro-Life — assists homeless children and their families; Birthday Wishes project; annual baby shower for Bethlehem House (Chair: Katy Reed; Vice Chair: Kathy Fuss)
- Gift Card Program — finances all HOPE missions; coordinated by John Gilbertie (413-847-3415)
- HOPE Ministry Board includes Jackie Madden, Maxine (Treasurer), and advisors including John Gilbert
Knights of Columbus Council 10195
Saint Cecilia Parish sponsors Knights of Columbus Council 10195, affiliated with the international Catholic fraternal organization devoted to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Men of the parish aged 18 and older are welcome to join the monthly meeting in the Parish Center, which opens with a 6:00 PM social hour (with the rosary prayed in the Church at 6:00 PM), followed by dinner at 6:30 PM and the meeting at 7:00 PM on the third Tuesday of every month. The council offers an annual scholarship for parish youth.
- Grand Knight: Joshua Mitchell (518-726-7272)
- Meeting: Third Tuesday of each month, Parish Center
- KOC Scholarship Application — downloadable from the parish website
St. Cecilia Women's Club
The Women's Club 'seeks to foster religious and social unity among the women of St. Cecilia's parish' (By-Laws Article II). Its monthly meetings (September through May, no January meeting) are held at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday in the Parish Center and feature activities ranging from the parish Rummage Sale to a Bowling League and Loaves and Fishes meal preparation.
- Spiritual Director: Rev. James Nolte
- President: Darlene Willey Sliwa
- Vice President: Cheryl Wesolowski
- Treasurer: Norma Bandarra
- Recording Secretary: Jackie Pahl
- Corresponding Secretary: Kim Lawler
- Immediate Past President: Jackie Pahl
- Contact: Jackie Pahl (413-427-1589)
Parish Outreach & Seasonal Giving
Beyond HOPE Ministry and the Knights, the parish sustains several seasonal and ongoing outreach efforts — most visibly the Advent Angel Tree project, which provides Christmas gifts to individuals and families in need through a network of community agencies.
- Angel Tree — led by Barbara Spear (525-2913) and Karen Wright (566-8390)
Prayer & Spirituality Groups
Several ongoing prayer and small-group ministries help parishioners cultivate a deeper spiritual life beyond the Sunday liturgy.
- Cenacle Prayer Group
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy (Tue-Thu, 8:30 AM)
- Spiritual Growth Group
- T.O.O.L.
- Tuesday Morning Prayer Group
Sacraments
Saint Cecilia prepares parishioners for and celebrates all the major Catholic sacraments. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons or by appointment; First Eucharist is celebrated with 2nd graders in May; Confirmation is conferred in the spring after a multi-month preparation; OCIA and OCIC accompany adults and children into full communion; and Baptisms and Marriages are coordinated through the parish office.
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00-3:30 PM (or by appointment)
- First Eucharist — May, 2nd grade
- Confirmation — Spring
- OCIA / OCIC — by arrangement
- Baptism & Marriage — contact the parish office
Music & Liturgical Heritage
Music holds a special place at Saint Cecilia, fitting for a parish named for the patron saint of musicians. Father James P. Sears (pastor 1970–1988) brought his lifelong love of music from his years as Director of the Diocesan Priests' Choir and Music Director at Cathedral High School, and oversaw the design and installation of the church's pipe organ — built by Wilbraham native Theodore Gilbert. That tradition continues today under Music Director Dr. Todd Rovelli (413-537-3223), who prepares liturgy music with his staff and partners with the Women's Club and Knights of Columbus on periodic special liturgies.
Visiting & Getting Involved
Saint Cecilia welcomes new parishioners and visitors to its weekend liturgies, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and seasonal events. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 42 Main Street, Wilbraham. Ministry opportunities span across ages — from altar serving and youth group to the Knights, Women's Club, HOPE Ministry, faith formation catechesis, and ongoing prayer groups.
- Parish office: 42 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095
- Phone: (413) 596-4232
- Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John J. Scanlon1951-1967
First pastor; welcomed 800 parishioners in 1951; oversaw the consecration of the second church on November 22, 1958 by Bishop Christopher J. Weldon.
- Rev. Francis J. Sullivan1967-1970
Second pastor; Holyoke native.
- Rev. James P. Sears1970-1988
Third pastor; former Director of the Diocesan Priests' Choir and Music Director at Cathedral High School; oversaw the design and installation of a new pipe organ built by Wilbraham native Theodore Gilbert.
- Rev. Joseph M. Soranno1988-2014
Fourth pastor; ordained 1974 for the Diocese of Springfield; University of Scranton graduate; spearheaded the campaign that produced the current church, first Mass November 22, 1996; founded HOPE Ministry in September 2005; retired June 30, 2014.
- Rev. Daniel J. Boyle2014-2020
Fifth pastor; Springfield native; ordained June 17, 1978; previously Pastor of Pope John Paul the Great Parish; passed away December 17, 2020.
- Rev. John Connors2020-2025
Sixth pastor; former U.S. Marine; ordained June 2, 2001; previously served Holy Name (Springfield), St. Mary's (Ludlow), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Northampton), St. Anne's (Chicopee); retired June 30, 2025.
- Rev. James Nolte2025-present
Seventh and current pastor.