About St. Mary of the Cataract · Niagara Falls, New York
St. Mary of the Cataract is the mother church of Niagara Falls, New York, and the oldest Catholic parish in the city. Founded in 1836 as a mission station of Saint John Neumann, it has served the downtown Niagara Falls community for nearly two centuries and now welcomes the millions of visitors who come to see the Falls each year. The parish sits within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and is a member of the Niagara Falls Roman Catholic Family of Parishes, alongside Holy Family (St. Joseph), St. John de La Salle, St. Leo, and St. Vincent de Paul (Prince of Peace). Its mission, in the spirit of St. John Neumann, is to provide the local community and visitors to the majestic Falls the opportunity to experience the presence of Jesus in its midst and in the Sacraments.
- Established
- 1836
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (parish is 'St. Mary'); closely associated with St. John Neumann, founder of the mission
- Rector
- Rev. Jacek P. Mazur
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Cataract is the mother church of Niagara Falls and a place where downtown residents and visitors to the Falls come together as one Catholic family. Worship is supported by a rich devotional life — weekly novenas to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and St. John Neumann, the Rosary after Friday Mass, and monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The parish runs the St. Mary's Center for Life (Neumann Center), an independent charity that provides clothing, diapers, baby items, furniture, winter snowsuits and other essentials to mothers and families referred by local social workers, hospitals and shelters. With active RCIA, Pre-Cana marriage prep, a Catholic Men's Group, and a parish nurse/grief support network, the parish offers a tangible community of faith rooted in 188 years of Niagara Catholic history.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Cataract
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (before 5:30 PM Vigil Mass)
- First Friday of the month: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (with Adoration)
- Sundays before Mass (per bulletin)
- Any time upon request
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (with confessions)
- First Saturday of the month: following 5:30 PM Mass until 8:00 PM (per bulletin)
- First Monday of the month (per Family of Parishes schedule)
History of St. Mary of the Cataract
St. Mary of the Cataract is the mother church of Niagara Falls, founded in 1836 as Saint John Neumann's mission station in the city. The current church building dates to 1847, and its sacristy — built in 1813 — is the oldest structure in continuous use in Niagara Falls. Tower construction began in 1870, and over the years the parish has carefully preserved and renewed its historic fabric, including a major 2004 renovation to a style compatible with its early history.
- Founded 1836 as a mission of St. John Neumann
- Present church built 1847
- Sacristy dates to 1813 (oldest structure in continuous use in Niagara Falls)
- Tower construction began 1870
- Steeple designed to equal the height of the American Falls
- Bell weighs 4,500 lbs; restored 1988 by parishioners and Knights of Columbus Council 247
- Tower clock completed 2002; oldest bell installed 2003
- Major interior renovation completed 2004
- Pastor's mission: 'In the Spirit of St. John Neumann, our mission is to provide the local community and the faithful visiting the majestic Falls with the opportunity to experience the presence of Jesus in our midst and in the Sacraments.'
Sacraments
St. Mary of the Cataract prepares parishioners for all seven Catholic Sacraments. Couples are asked to contact the parish at least six months in advance for marriage preparation, and parents must complete pre-baptismal instruction before a child's baptism. Those seeking full initiation through Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation are welcomed through the parish RCIA program.
- Baptism: arrangements in advance; pre-baptismal instruction required; godparents need a letter of recommendation
- Confirmation: call 946-1403
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Penance / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage: 6 months advance notice; Pre-Cana or equivalent required; parish Pre-Cana available via Deacon Chris and Caroline Privitera
- Holy Orders
- RCIA for unbaptized adults and Catholics completing their Sacraments of Initiation
St. Mary's Center for Life (Neumann Center)
St. Mary's Center for Life is an independent, parish-based charity located in the St. Mary of the Cataract parish. Its mission is to help mothers with the material things they need after delivering their babies so they will give future children life — particularly those with little or no support for their babies and older children. Help is by appointment only, based on referrals received from local social workers, hospitals, shelters and partner houses of worship.
- Independent charity housed within St. Mary of the Cataract parish
- Provides clothing, baby items, diapers, dishes, household items, furniture (including youth beds)
- Provides winter snowsuits and jackets for children
- Helps mothers and families facing economic hardship
- Service coordinated for ten years by Chuck and Mary Ann Vacanti
- Help is by referral from area social workers, hospitals, shelters and local houses of worship
- To volunteer or help, contact the Church Office and leave contact information
Parish Ministries & Groups
Through the Niagara Falls Roman Catholic Family of Parishes, St. Mary of the Cataract parishioners participate in a wide range of ministries supporting spiritual growth, family life, and outreach to those in need.
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Pre-Cana / Marriage Preparation (Deacon Chris and Caroline Privitera)
- Catholic Men's Group (John Jesz — 297-8686)
- Pro-Life ministry (Amy Garrison — 898-0919)
- Parish Nurse / Grief & Bereavement Group (Maria Stevenson — 716-297-1816)
- Bereavement Meals (427-7384)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (at Holy Family/St. Joseph — 898-0919 x 108)
- Knights of Columbus Council 247 (restored the parish bell in 1988)
- Adoration, novena, and Rosary ministries
Family of Parishes (Road to Renewal)
St. Mary of the Cataract is a member of the Niagara Falls Roman Catholic Family of Parishes, formed as part of the Diocese of Buffalo's 'Road to Renewal' initiative. The Family coordinates weekend Mass schedules, daily Mass assignments, confession times, and shared ministries across its member parishes.
- Family Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM at St. Mary of the Cataract (with confessions 4:30–5:15 PM)
- Sunday Masses at St. Mary of the Cataract: 7:15 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM
- Daily Mass (effective Nov 27, 2023): Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 12:10 PM at St. Mary; Wed 8:00 AM
- Other parishes in the Family: Holy Family (St. Joseph), St. John de La Salle, St. Leo, St. Vincent de Paul (Prince of Peace)
- Central parish office: (716) 898-0919
Parish Staff & Contacts
Parish life is led by the pastor and supported by parish staff, deacons, and volunteers who staff the parish office. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (closed Wednesdays).
- Pastor: Rev. Jacek P. Mazur
- Pre-Cana / Marriage Prep: Deacon Chris and Caroline Privitaria — 427-7384
- Parish Trustees: Ms. Carmela Borgese (per bulletin)
- Parish Office: 237 4th St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
- Phone: (716) 282-0059
- Fax: (716) 282-3372
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stmarysnf.net
- Family of Parishes main office: (716) 898-0919
Catholic Cemetery & Pre-Planning
The parish reminds families that 'the final expression of your faith as Catholics is the blessed and sacred burial in a Catholic Cemetery,' and encourages parishioners to inquire about the advantages of pre-planning. Burial options include the Divine Mercy Garden Columbarium.
- Holy Trinity Cemetery of Divine Mercy Parish
- Address: 5401 Robert St., Lewiston, NY 14092
- Phone: 716-285-7467
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Burial options include the Divine Mercy Garden Columbarium
Visiting Niagara Falls & New Parishioners
Downtown Niagara Falls is within walking distance of the American Falls and the Canadian border. The parish welcomes visitors and new parishioners alike, noting its special mission to the millions of travelers who come to see the Falls each year. The parish also encourages prayerful remembrance: 'Please remember St. Mary's Church in your will. Let the legacy of your faith continue.'
- Parish motto: mission to the local community and the millions of visitors to the Falls
- New parishioners are welcomed — contact the parish office
- Visitors welcome at all scheduled Masses and devotions
- Legacy giving encouraged via the parish will
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jacek P. Mazur
Current pastor of St. Mary of the Cataract; serves within the Niagara Falls Roman Catholic Family of Parishes