St. Mary of the Annunciation

Parish Identity & the Danvers Catholic Collaborative

St. Mary of the Annunciation is paired with St. Richard of Chichester under the Danvers Catholic Collaborative, sharing a pastor, deacons, office staff, music directors, and faith-formation programs. The collaborative mission statement — published on the parish bulletin — reads: "Growing our faith community through prayer, word, and service, welcoming all, and celebrating the unique gifts bestowed on each vibrant Parish. Inspiring faith through formation and ongoing spiritual growth by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ." The Collaborative Parish Office is at 90 Forest Street, Danvers, while St. Mary's church itself stands at 24 Conant Street.

History of the Parish

St. Mary of the Annunciation traces its origins to 1853, when Danvers became a mission of Salem's St. James Parish. The first Catholic Mass was celebrated in town on November 1, 1854 in the home of Edward McKeigue. In 1859, Bishop John B. Fitzpatrick purchased a former 1833 Universalist meetinghouse on High Street for $2,500; that building was dedicated by Bishop John J. Williams on April 30, 1871 and formally named St. Mary of the Annunciation. The present Romanesque church on Conant Street, opened November 7, 1937, was built under Father James Canarie after the old church was demolished for Route 128. The 22-room rectory followed in 1948; the parish school opened in 1958 and the convent in 1960.

• 1853 — Danvers becomes a mission of St. James Parish, Salem
• 1854 — First Catholic Mass celebrated in Danvers on November 1
• 1859 — Bishop Fitzpatrick purchases Universalist meetinghouse for $2,500
• 1871 — Bishop Williams dedicates and names St. Mary of the Annunciation (April 30)
• 1937 — Present Romanesque church on Conant Street opens (November 7)
• 1948 — 22-room rectory completed
• 1958 — Parochial school opens (cornerstone laid July 16, 1958 by Archbishop Cushing)
• 1960 — Convent on Otis Street completed
• 2015 — Transept, chapel, and marble sanctuary renovation completed

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation for children and youth is coordinated across the collaborative by Marissa Morrison, Coordinator of Faith Formation, and Colleen Mulholland, who serves as both Confirmation Coordinator and Youth Ministry Coordinator. Classes are held on Sunday mornings and at Confirmation time, and the parish actively recruits volunteer teachers, teacher assistants, and hall monitors. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is led by Pastoral Associate Ken Meltz, who welcomes adults considering Baptism or full reception into the Catholic Church.

• Religious Education classes (Grades K–8) — Sunday mornings
• Confirmation preparation — Colleen Mulholland
• OCIA / RCIA — Ken Meltz, Pastoral Associate, [email protected]
• First Eucharist preparation — children and adults
• Volunteer catechists, aides, and hall monitors

Prayer & Devotional Life

Beyond Sunday Mass, St. Mary's sustains an active devotional life centered on the Eucharist, the Rosary, and small-group faith sharing. The collaborative publishes a regular weekly bulletin listing rosary groups, men's fellowship, and adult education. Adoration at St. Mary's takes place on the last Sunday of each month; the chapel that hosts daily Mass is also the setting for the Thursday Our Lady Queen of Peace Marian Rosary.

• Monday evenings 6:30 PM — Online Rosary Prayer Group (Zoom)
• Thursday afternoons 2:00 PM — Our Lady Queen of Peace Marian Rosary in the chapel at St. Mary's
• Saturday 7:00 AM — Men's discussion group in Father Dorgan Hall
• Monthly Eucharistic Adoration (last Sunday, 1:00–3:00 PM)
• Adult faith-formation series (e.g., 'The Trinity and New Testament')

Music & Liturgy

St. Mary's music program is led by R. David Porper, Director of Music and Organist, and Anne Farmer, Director of Contemporary Music. Together they support both the traditional parish choir and the contemporary ensemble that leads sung worship at weekend Masses. Maura Lynch serves as Director of Music at St. Richard of Chichester across the collaborative.

• Director of Music and Organist — R. David Porper
• Director of Contemporary Music — Anne Farmer
• Sunday Masses with both traditional and contemporary musical settings

Sacraments at St. Mary's

Baptism at St. Mary's is celebrated on the Third Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM, with parents asked to submit an online request form through DanversCatholic.org. First Eucharist and Confirmation are prepared through the Faith Formation and Youth Ministry offices. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday before the Vigil Mass and by appointment. Engaged couples are asked to contact the rectory at least six months before their wedding date. The Sacrament of the Sick is available by request for the homebound or hospitalized.

• Baptism — 3rd Sunday of the month, 1:00 PM
• First Eucharist & Confirmation — coordinated by Marissa Morrison and Colleen Mulholland
• Reconciliation — Saturday 3:15–3:45 PM or by appointment
• Marriage — contact rectory 6+ months in advance
• Anointing of the Sick — call (978) 774-7575

Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team

The Danvers Catholic Collaborative is led by Pastor Reverend Michael J. Doyle, with Senior Priest Rev. Monsignor Frederick J. Murphy assisting. Two deacons — Deacon John Koza and Deacon Stephen Powers — serve the parishes. Lay staff include a Pastoral Associate, Coordinators of Faith Formation, Youth Ministry and Confirmation, parish office staff, a facilities manager, and three music directors.

• Pastor: Rev. Michael J. Doyle
• Senior Priest: Rev. Msgr. Frederick J. Murphy
• Deacons: John Koza, Stephen Powers
• Pastoral Associate: Kenneth Meltz
• Faith Formation Coordinator: Marissa Morrison
• Confirmation / Youth Ministry: Colleen Mulholland
• Facilities Manager: Bob Barrows
• Office Staff: Sandra Ciruolo, Norma Haddad, Kristy Heath

Getting Involved & Contact

Parishioners can register with the collaborative through DanversCatholic.org and engage through religious education volunteering, the men's group, rosary groups, the music ministry, or the Parish Pastoral Council. The Collaborative Parish Office at 90 Forest Street is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. Bulletin submissions and announcements go to [email protected] by 11 PM Thursday (10 days before publication).

• Collaborative Office: 90 Forest Street, Danvers, MA 01923
• Office Phone: (978) 774-7575
• St. Mary's Church: 24 Conant Street, Danvers, MA 01923 — (978) 774-0340
• Email: [email protected]
• Bulletin submissions: [email protected]