About St. Margaret Mary Church (St. Junipero Serra Parish) · South Windsor, Connecticut
St. Margaret Mary Church is a Catholic church located at 80 Hayes Road in South Windsor, Connecticut, now operating as one of two worship sites of St. Junípero Serra Parish in the Archdiocese of Hartford. The parish was founded in the fall of 1961 and was named after St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the French Visitandine nun whose visions of Christ gave rise to the modern devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On March 31, 2017, the Archdiocese of Hartford merged St. Margaret Mary with neighboring St. Francis of Assisi Church (the 'mother parish') to form St. Junípero Serra Parish; the parish is named after the 18th-century Spanish Franciscan missionary who founded the California missions. St. Margaret Mary Church serves as the home of the parish Adult Choir and hosts the Saturday Vigil Mass, the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, daily Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Monday confessions and Eucharistic Holy Hour, and ongoing faith formation.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (Apostle of the Sacred Heart)
- Rector
- Rev. Edward J. Przygocki, M.S.A. (Administrator, since September 2025; Archdiocese of Hartford clergy directory titles him Pastor)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Hartford
Why belong here
St. Margaret Mary / St. Junípero Serra Parish is a welcoming, mission-driven Catholic community in the heart of South Windsor where families can attend daily and weekend Mass, raise their children in the faith through the parish's Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation programs, and grow spiritually through the parish Adult Choir, Festival Chorus, cantor program, and other lay ministries. The parish offers a full sacramental life — including Monday evening Confessions and Eucharistic Holy Hour, Baptisms, Confirmation, and ongoing devotions such as the biweekly Divine Mercy Cenacle — all rooted in a community that has served South Windsor for more than 60 years. Whether you're a long-time parishioner, new to the area, or returning to the practice of the Catholic faith, the parish website extends a warm welcome to all members and newcomers alike.
Mass times at St. Margaret Mary Church (St. Junipero Serra Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Mondays 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM in the SMM Chapel (left side of the Main Entrance) — combined with Holy Hour
Adoration times
- Adoration & Holy Hour: Mondays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at SMM (except on Holy Days & Holidays)
About St. Margaret Mary / St. Junípero Serra Parish
St. Margaret Mary Church is one of two worship sites of St. Junípero Serra Parish, a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Hartford serving the community of South Windsor, Connecticut. Originally founded in 1961 and reorganized by merger in 2017, the parish today offers weekend and daily Mass, the Sacraments, faith formation for children and youth, music ministry, and ongoing prayer and devotion in a parish family that traces its roots back more than six decades. The parish website extends a warm welcome to all members and newcomers — whether visiting, looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of the Catholic faith, or simply curious to learn more.
Parish History & Heritage
The detailed history of the parish, published on the official website, recounts the founding of St. Margaret Mary in 1961, the construction of the church and rectory, the team-ministry era of the 1970s–80s, the long pastorate of Fathers Sullivan and Zizka, and the 2017 merger with St. Francis of Assisi that created today's St. Junípero Serra Parish. Key milestones, pastors, parochial vicars, and longtime parish organizations (Ladies Guild, Holy Name Society, religious instruction) are named and dated.
- Fall 1961: St. Margaret Mary Parish established; Rev. Thomas C. O'Neil appointed founding pastor.
- October 4, 1961: Parish incorporated; John Nachyly, Jr. and Francis Coleman appointed trustees.
- October 21, 1961: Addition to the rectory begun at 80 Hayes Road — later used as a chapel for daily Mass, baptisms, and confession.
- September 23, 1962: Groundbreaking for new church and rectory buildings after $250,000 fund drive.
- 1962: Ladies Guild (Mrs. James Rafferty), Holy Name Society (Mr. Charles Maurer), and religious instructions (Mrs. Julia Durig) formed.
- Spring 1972: Father O'Neil transferred to St. Therese, North Haven; Archbishop Wheelon appointed Schick-McGrath team ministry.
- June 1978: Father John Quinn becomes pastor; assisted by Father Joseph Keating, then Father Mark Flynn (1981).
- June 7, 1984: Fathers Daniel Sullivan and Peter Zizka begin tenure as Co-Pastors of long team ministry.
- 1986: Father Shellman appointed Parochial Vicar.
- 1995: Father Francis 'Frank' Krukowski appointed Parochial Vicar (Holy Family statue on grounds dedicated to him).
- September 5, 2013: Father Sullivan retires; Father Michael J. Dolan becomes Pastor.
- March 31, 2017: Merger of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Margaret Mary by the Archdiocese of Hartford to form St. Junípero Serra Parish.
- September 2020 – July 2025: Father Jorge Castro serves as Administrator.
- September 2025: Rev. Edward J. Przygocki, M.S.A. (Administrator) and Very Rev. Martin D. Rooney, M.S.A. (Priest in Residence) take over leadership.
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry at St. Junípero Serra Parish seeks to offer prayerful and uplifting enhancement to liturgy at both St. Francis of Assisi and St. Margaret Mary Churches, building a vibrant singing assembly through a blend of traditional and contemporary music. The ministry roots music in prayer and centers the delivery in worship, engaging parishioners in three principal ways: the parish Adult Choir, the Festival Chorus, and the Cantors and Organists program.
- Adult Choir (high school age and older): sings three weekends a month, rotating between SFA 4:00 PM or 9:00 AM Mass and SMM 10:30 AM Mass from October through Pentecost.
- Adult Choir rehearsals: Thursday evenings 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM in the SMM Choir Loft.
- Festival Chorus: supplemental ensemble for parishioners unable to commit weekly; sings Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Holy Triduum, and Easter Sunday.
- Festival Chorus rehearsals: seasonally Sundays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM in the SMM Choir Loft.
- Cantors and Organists: leads sung liturgy throughout the parish.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Junípero Serra Parish supports the catechetical and spiritual growth of children, youth, and adults. Programs include a K-5 weekly religious-education program (referred to on the site as 'WPC'), Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, and ongoing support from the Director of Faith Formation and Faith Formation Administrative Assistant. The parish also supports a Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Catechist who runs the Spirit Fire youth events.
- Faith Formation (K-5 WPC program)
- Sacramental Preparation: Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Confirmation Coordinator program
- Youth Ministry & Catechist (Spirit Fire / Youth Rally)
- Director of Faith Formation and Administrative staff ([email protected])
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Junípero Serra Parish is led by an Administrator (who serves in the role of pastor in parish governance) supported by a Priest in Residence, a Permanent Deacon, a retired deacon, and a team of lay staff handling faith formation, communications, music, finance, and facilities. The parish is served by Mill Hill Missionaries (M.S.A.).
- Rev. Edward J. Przygocki, M.S.A. — Administrator ([email protected]; 860-644-2411 ext. 109)
- Very Rev. Martin D. Rooney, M.S.A. — Priest in Residence ([email protected]; ext. 105)
- Deacon Michael D. Haines — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Deacon Thomas J. Conklin — Retired Deacon
- Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Confirmation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Catechist ([email protected])
- Music Director ([email protected])
- Business Manager ([email protected]; [email protected]; ext. 103)
- Director of Communications / Bulletin ([email protected])
- Administrative Coordinator ([email protected]; ext. 102)
- Faith Formation Administrative Assistant ([email protected]; ext. 106)
- Office Assistant ([email protected]; ext. 103)
- Building and Maintenance
Devotions & Ongoing Prayer
Beyond the sacraments and the Sunday Mass schedule, the parish hosts ongoing devotional and prayer gatherings. The longest-running is the Divine Mercy Cenacle, a small-group prayer and study gathering named for the Marian apparition of Divine Mercy. The parish also marks the major seasons of the liturgical year with celebrations including Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, the Holy Triduum, and Easter Sunday.
- Divine Mercy Cenacle: every other Tuesday at 3:00 PM at SMM Chapel (contact Mike Cianciolo, 860-604-1745)
- Festival Chorus sings for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, Holy Triduum, and Easter Sunday
- Monday evening Adoration & Holy Hour
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
Parishioners and visitors can connect with St. Junípero Serra Parish by phone, email, social media, or in person at the parish office. The website lists the bulletin, business, faith formation, youth ministry, and communications staff, each with their own email addresses and phone extensions. The parish is active on Facebook and Instagram and offers live-streamed Masses on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
- Parish phone: 860-644-2411
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office hours and appointments by extension (Faith Formation line: 860-644-2549)
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/SouthWindsorCC
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/SouthWindsorCC
- YouTube live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYDYWNLEaaY
- Bulletin inquiries: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas C. O'NeilFall 1961 – Spring 1972
Founding pastor. First weekend assistant: Rev. Edward McLean, replaced in 1962 by Father William Crane, M.S. Assistant Father Joseph Schick joined in 1963. Left to become Pastor of St. Therese Church, North Haven.
- Rev. Joseph Schick and Rev. William McGrathJune 1972 – June 1978
Team ministry appointed by Archbishop Whealon following O'Neil's departure.
- Rev. John QuinnJune 1978 – 1984
Pastor's six-year term; assistants Rev. Joseph Keating (later Rev. Mark Flynn, August 1981). Left to become Catholic Chaplain at Saint Francis Hospital.
- Rev. Daniel Sullivan and Rev. Peter ZizkaJune 7, 1984 – 2013
Co-Pastors beginning a long team ministry, supported by Parochial Vicars Rev. William R. Crochetiere, Rev. Shellman (1986), and Rev. Francis 'Frank' Krukowski (1995).
- Rev. Michael J. DolanSeptember 2013 – September 2020
Took over after Father Sullivan retired on September 5, 2013.
- Rev. Jorge CastroSeptember 2020 – July 2025
Served as Administrator.
- Rev. Edward J. Przygocki, M.S.A.September 2025 – present
Current Administrator; appointed alongside Very Rev. Martin D. Rooney, M.S.A. as Priest in Residence.