About St. Mary · Oneonta, New York
St. Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Oneonta, New York, situated on Walnut Street in the heart of Otsego County. Founded in 1883, it is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and serves as the Catholic hub for the greater Oneonta community, including the SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College Newman Catholic Community. Under the pastoral leadership of Father Christopher Welch, the parish gathers for Mass on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, with weekday Mass Monday through Wednesday, and maintains an active program of liturgical and service ministries that reach into local nursing homes, the food pantry, Habitat for Humanity, and a sister parish relationship in Guatemala.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher (Chris) Welch
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a welcoming parish with a clear mission to 'Feed, Care, and Connect.' Visitors and newcomers are warmly invited to any Mass and to greet Father Chris and the parish family. Beyond Sunday worship, parishioners can join a wide range of liturgical roles (Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Greeter, Altar Server, Sacristan, Children's Liturgy of the Word), serve neighbors through the food pantry and Peace & Justice ministries, take Holy Communion to the homebound and residents of local nursing homes, accompany Catholic students at SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick through the Newman Community, or travel in solidarity with a sister parish in Guatemala.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM (before the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month at 2:15 PM (Mass and Devotions, including Holy Hour)
About St. Mary's Parish
St. Mary's is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Albany, founded in 1883 and now centered at 39 Walnut Street in Oneonta, New York. Its mission statement is simple and pastoral: 'To Feed, Care, and Connect.' Under the leadership of Father Christopher Welch and Deacon Paul Cerosaletti, the parish welcomes visitors, newcomers, and long-time members to weekend and weekday Mass, and offers a wide network of liturgical, service, and outreach ministries serving Oneonta, Otsego County, and beyond.
Parish History
St. Mary's Parish traces its origins to 1883, when it was established to serve the Catholic families of the growing railroad town of Oneonta. The first church stood at Main and Grand Streets and seated only 400. In January 1923, pastor Father William Noonan announced the purchase of land at Elm and Walnut Streets for a new Catholic school — the city's first. That school was dedicated on August 2, 1924, and the Sisters of Mercy moved into 37 Walnut Street to teach there. By the early 1950s the parish had outgrown its original building. The present St. Mary's Church on Walnut Street, seating about 1,000, was solemnly dedicated on March 24, 1957 by the Most Reverend William A. Scully, Bishop of Albany; about 1,000 people attended and it made the front page of the Oneonta Star. The old Main Street church site was later sold and razed, and the Hughson & Benson Agency now stands there.
- 1883 — Parish founded.
- 1923 — Land purchased for a parochial school at Elm and Walnut Streets.
- 1924 — St. Mary's School dedicated August 2 (first Catholic school in Oneonta); Sisters of Mercy resident at 37 Walnut St.
- March 24, 1957 — Present church on Walnut Street dedicated by Bishop William A. Scully.
- Old Main Street church site later sold (now Hughson & Benson Agency).
Liturgical Ministries
The parish describes its liturgical ministries as 'extensions of the ministry of Christ who came not to be served but to serve others' (Matthew 20:28). All parishioners are invited to consider these roles; Eucharistic Ministers must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Training, preparation, and Safe Environment training are provided for all ministries, and a two-year commitment is requested.
- Eucharistic Ministers (parish and homebound/healthcare)
- Lectors
- Greeters/Ushers — Ministers of Hospitality
- Altar Servers (adult and youth)
- Sacristans
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (during Sunday 10:30 AM Mass)
- Art and Environment Committee
- Prayer and Worship Committee
Service Ministries and Outreach
St. Mary's Peace and Justice Ministries gathers parishioners around two subgroups: Action for Justice, which advocates for social change with local officials, and Hands Working for Christ, which offers direct service to those in need. The ministries support a network of local organizations and partner with other parishes through the Diocese of Albany.
- St. Mary's Food Pantry
- Action for Justice & Hands Working for Christ
- Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County
- Family Service Association
- Winter clothing and school-supply drives
- Knights of Columbus Council #4989 (Grand Knight Christopher Cerosaletti)
- Pueblo to People — sister parish San Sebastian, Retalhuleu, Guatemala
- Funeral Hospitality
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care extends the parish's ministry to those who cannot attend Mass. Ministers bring Holy Communion to area healthcare facilities and to the homebound, and provide prayer services in neighborhood care homes. Because HIPAA privacy rules prevent hospitals from contacting the parish directly, a family member is asked to notify the rectory when a visit or Anointing of the Sick is needed.
- Weekly Communion visits to Fox Nursing Home, Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Robynwood Home for Adults, and Hampshire House Adult Home
- Visits to The Plains at Parish Homestead and Cooperstown Center by request
- Communion visits to the hospitalized and homebound
- Anointing of the Sick — available at any time
Newman Catholic Community (Campus Ministry)
St. Mary's hosts the Newman Catholic Community for Catholic students at SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College. Open to all students, the community is organized and led by student officers. Its stated mission is to build a community that 'reflects the kingdom Jesus preached' through worship, service to the less fortunate, and friendship.
- Campus Minister: Matthew Houle — [email protected], 607-432-3920 ext. 204
- Open to SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College students
- Student-led meetings and events
Faith Formation
Faith Formation (religious education) is led by Director of Faith Formation Kate Johnston with assistant Amy Cerosaletti. The program supports parishioners of all ages in continuing growth in the Catholic faith; contact the parish office for current schedules and sacramental preparation.
- Kate Johnston — Director of Faith Formation
- Amy Cerosaletti — Faith Formation Assistant
Parish Staff
St. Mary's is served by a pastor, a deacon, administrative staff, faith formation staff, a music director, and a campus minister. The team supports the spiritual, liturgical, educational, and administrative life of the parish.
- Rev. Christopher Welch — Pastor
- Deacon Paul Cerosaletti
- Diane DeDominicis — Administrative Assistant
- Sandi Milavec — Administrative Assistant
- Kate Johnston — Director of Faith Formation
- Amy Cerosaletti — Faith Formation Assistant
- John Jurgensen — Music Director
- Matthew Houle — Campus Minister
Visit, Contact, and Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with additional limited hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the contact page. The parish is located on Walnut Street in Oneonta and can be reached by phone at 607-432-3920.
- Address: 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820
- Phone: 607-432-3920
- Fax: 607-432-6437
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Website: http://www.stmarysoneonta.org/