About St. Mary · Westfield, Massachusetts
St. Mary's Parish is the historic mother parish of Westfield, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. Founded in 1862 with Fr. M. X. Carroll as its first resident pastor, it serves a parish family of more than 2,700 families and is the spiritual ancestor of every Catholic parish in Westfield and Our Lady of the Lake in Southwick. Under its patroness the Blessed Virgin Mary, the parish offers daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, a parochial school system (preschool through grade 12 at 27 Bartlett Street), a vibrant Religious Education program, and a network of service ministries including St. Vincent de Paul and the Meals Ministry.
- Established
- 1862
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (the parish refers to itself as serving under "our patroness, St. Mary")
- Rector
- Fr. Jonathan Reardon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Mary's is the historic mother parish of Westfield, serving more than 2,700 families with daily Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, the sacrament of Confession every Saturday afternoon, and a full K–12 Catholic education through St. Mary's Parish School and High School. Parishioners can grow through Bible study, RCIA, the Little Church program for young children, the Knights of Columbus, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, the Pro-Life Club, and service to neighbors in need through St. Vincent de Paul and the Meals Ministry (which delivers over 840 hot meals a year to local seniors). It is a parish where nearly two centuries of Westfield Catholic life continue to grow under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (upper Church)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (upper Church)
- Benediction: Wednesday 5:00 PM
History of St. Mary's Parish
From the first Masses celebrated in Westfield sometime between 1828 and 1830, St. Mary's has served the Catholics of the Pioneer Valley. The first wooden church was built in 1853; it was nearly burned down on the eve of July 4, 1854 by a Know-Nothing mob, saved by the intervention of selectman Hiram Hull and the men of the parish. St. Mary's became an official parish in 1862 under Fr. M. X. Carroll, its first resident pastor. Because that first parish stretched across the entire region, every parish in Westfield today — as well as Our Lady of the Lake in Southwick — traces its origin to St. Mary's.
- 1828–1830: First Masses celebrated in Westfield
- 1853: First wooden church built
- 1854: Church nearly destroyed by a Know-Nothing mob on July 3
- 1862: Becomes an official parish with Fr. M. X. Carroll as first resident pastor
- 1881 (March): Wooden church destroyed by fire (faulty flue)
- 1881 (Christmas): Mass already being celebrated in the basement of today's brick church
- 1885 (March 1): Completed brick church dedicated
- 2008 (March): Three-year renovation completed (stairwell, accessibility, lighting, sound, organ)
Architecture, Renovation & the Historic Casavant Organ
The present brick church, dedicated March 1, 1885, was built on the foundations of the 1853 wooden structure that burned in 1881. Over the decades, the parish added an elevator, air conditioning, modern lighting and sound. The March 2008 completion of a three-year renovation made the sanctuary steps easier to navigate, improved safe egress with a new stairwell, refinished the floors and pews, and repainted every surface. The single most striking feature added during this campaign is the 1897 Casavant Organ (Opus 78), installed in the choir loft — the oldest Casavant organ still in use in the United States.
- Original construction: brick, dedicated March 1, 1885
- 2008 renovation highlights: new stairwell, relocated sanctuary steps, refinished pews and floors, fully overhauled lighting and sound
- 1897 Casavant Organ (Opus 78) installed in choir loft — oldest Casavant organ still in use in the USA
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
St. Mary's is led by a pastor supported by a parochial vicar, two deacons, and a dedicated lay pastoral team. The current pastor, Fr. Jonathan Reardon, was warmly welcomed by the parish in September 2024 and also serves as Chaplain of St. Mary's High School. Fr. Paul Onuegbu serves as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Osvaldo Mendez and Deacon Pedro Rivera assist in liturgical and Hispanic ministry. The staff also includes Mrs. Joanne Bagge (Adult Education / RCIA), Mrs. Lisa Laferriere (Faith Formation Director), Mrs. Robin Jensen (Campus Executive Director / Advancement), Mr. Rob Lepage (Music Director), and Mrs. Angela Roy (Pastoral Minister).
- Fr. Jonathan Reardon — Pastor
- Rev. Paul Onuegbu — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Osvaldo Mendez
- Deacon Pedro Rivera
- Mrs. Joanne Bagge — Adult Education / RCIA
- Mrs. Lisa Laferriere — Faith Formation Director
- Mrs. Robin Jensen — Campus Executive Director / Advancement
- Mr. Rob Lepage — Music Director
- Mrs. Angela Roy — Pastoral Minister
Catholic Education: St. Mary's Parish School & High School
St. Mary's has provided Catholic education in Westfield since 1898, when the Sisters of St. Joseph began teaching. Today, St. Mary's Parish School educates students from preschool through grade 8 (at 27 Bartlett Street), and St. Mary's High School — which became a diocesan school in August 2019 — continues the tradition through grade 12. The high school's chaplain is Fr. Jonathan Reardon. The entire campus is known as the 'Saints,' with green and gold as school colors and the motto 'Pulchra Est' (She Is Beautiful).
- 1898: Sisters of St. Joseph begin teaching at St. Mary's
- Preschool through Grade 8 at St. Mary's Parish School
- St. Mary's High School: Grades 9–12 (diocesan since 2019)
- Motto: Pulchra Est (She Is Beautiful) — Team name: Saints
- Colors: Green and gold
- Phone: Parish School 413-568-2388; High School 413-568-5692
Faith Formation, RCIA & Sacramental Preparation
Religious Education at St. Mary's runs from 'Little Church' for children as young as 4 years old through CCD classes for Grades K to High School (September through April). Sacramental preparation includes annual First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation programs, with parent meetings, retreats, and rehearsals each spring. Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church participate in the parish's RCIA program under Mrs. Joanne Bagge. The parish also offers ongoing adult Bible Study (Wednesday mornings and evenings) and Lectio Divina for the 11:30 AM Spanish Mass lectors.
- Little Church (ages 4+)
- CCD Grades 1–High School
- First Reconciliation & First Communion annual preparation
- Confirmation interviews, rehearsal, and ceremony
- RCIA for adults (Joanne Bagge, coordinator)
- Adult Bible Study and Lectio Divina
Music Ministry
Music is a thriving part of parish life at St. Mary's, with four rotating Spanish-language ensembles (each rehearsing on their own and playing once a month), an Adult Choir that rehearses Thursday evenings at 6:30 and sings weekly at the 8:30 AM Mass, and a Folk Group that rehearses Mondays at 6:00 PM and sings at the 10:00 AM Mass. The Children's Choir currently runs through the elementary school, and the parish hopes to offer an option for public-school students soon. No prior musical experience is required — only a willingness to sing and learn.
- Adult Choir — Thursday 6:30 PM rehearsal (sings 8:30 AM Mass)
- Folk Group — Monday 6:00 PM rehearsal (sings 10:00 AM Mass)
- Children's Choir (via parish school)
- Four rotating Spanish-language ensembles (monthly)
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul & Meals Ministry
St. Vincent de Paul and the Meals Ministry are the parish's principal outreach arms, embodying the Corporal Works of Mercy. The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the parish center (86 Mechanic Street) and welcomes new members and food donations (collection basket at the back of the church). The Meals Ministry, part of the diocesan 'Take & Eat' program, prepares about 80 meals a month in the St. Mary's High School cafeteria and delivers them to over 70 Westfield seniors on the second Sunday of each month — more than 840 meals a year.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — meets 2nd Monday, 7:00 PM, parish center (86 Mechanic St.)
- Meals Ministry — prepares ~80 meals/month, delivers to 70+ seniors each 2nd Sunday
- Annual delivery: over 840 meals to Westfield seniors
- Volunteer roles: bakers, cooks, packers, drivers, delivery, clean-up
Youth, Family & Hispanic Ministry
Beyond faith formation, the parish runs a full youth ministry under the Life Teen banner, including the annual Steubenville Youth Conference (e.g., Steubenville East 2024 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, for students entering 9th grade and up). The parish also supports Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, and a High School Pro-Life Club. Hispanic Ministry is rich and varied — under the coordination of Deacon Pedro Rivera — with Círculo de Oración, Cofradas, Hijas de María, Juan XXIII, and Ultrella among the active groups.
- Youth Ministry / Life Teen — 413-568-1127
- Steubenville East Youth Conference (annual)
- Cub Scouts / Boy Scouts / Knights of Columbus
- Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary
- High School Pro-Life Club
- Hispanic Ministry groups: Círculo de Oración, Cofradas, Hijas de María, Juan XXIII, Ultrella
Parish Identity, Diocese & Practical Information
St. Mary's is a Latin-Rite (Roman Rite) parish of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts, which covers Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties and is currently led by Bishop William Draper Byrne. The parish describes itself as a thriving community of more than 2,700 families continuing the tradition of Catholic Westfield life under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Worship is offered in both the upper and lower church; the parish campus includes the school buildings at 27 Bartlett Street and the parish center at 86 Mechanic Street.
- Diocese: Springfield in Massachusetts (current bishop: William Draper Byrne)
- Rite: Roman (Latin) Rite
- Families served: 2,700+
- Parish office: 413-562-5477 — fax 413-562-5478
- Address: 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA 01085
- Parish center: 86 Mechanic Street
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. M. X. Carroll1862 onwards (first resident pastor)
Founded St. Mary's as an official parish in 1862. It was under his pastorate that the parish became the mother of every Catholic parish in Westfield and Our Lady of the Lake in Southwick.
- Fr. John SalatinoListed as Pastor in parish bulletins as recently as January 2024
Predecessor to Fr. Jonathan Reardon; email shown as [email protected] in early 2024 bulletins.
- Fr. Jonathan ReardonInducted September 2024 (continuing)
Current pastor; welcomed by the parish in early September 2024 bulletins. Also serves as Chaplain of St. Mary's High School.