About St. Mary's of the Nativity · Nassau, New York
St. Mary's of the Nativity is a small Roman Catholic parish in the village of Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York, founded in 1852 and part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The parish community is rooted in a Franciscan heritage of service, having been entrusted to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (the Franciscans of St. Anthony-on-Hudson) from 1916 until 2009. Today St. Mary's is administered jointly with nearby parishes, while continuing its long-standing traditions of ecumenical prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and outreach to the poor in the Nassau area.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. John Cronin
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Why belong here
St. Mary's offers a small, family-sized Catholic community where every parishioner can be known and involved. The parish blends a deep Franciscan heritage — passed on by nearly a century of Conventual Franciscan friars — with the practical ministries of today: a full Faith Formation program (K through 10), a robust music ministry, outreach to the homebound and to the local food pantry, and weekly opportunities for Eucharistic adoration, Bible study, and the rosary. Visitors are warmly welcomed at a peaceful village church where ecumenical cooperation with neighboring congregations is a long-standing tradition.
Mass times at St. Mary's of the Nativity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Individual Confession is offered at scheduled times — see bulletin for the current Reconciliation schedule (Lenten examples: weekday evenings such as Thursday 6:30 PM at St. Mary's)
Adoration times
- Tuesdays: St. Anthony Novena and Eucharistic Adoration following the 9:30 am Mass until 10:30 am
- First Friday of the month: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 6:00 pm
- Lent: Stations of the Cross at 6:00 pm followed by Adoration every Friday
- Nocturnal Adoration following Holy Thursday Mass through Good Friday morning
Parish History
St. Mary's of the Nativity was founded in 1852 by Fr. Theodore Noethen to serve the Catholic residents of the village of Nassau and surrounding Rensselaer County communities. For its first six decades the mission worshipped in a series of borrowed or temporary spaces; the current church on Church Street was built in 1926. From 1916 until 2009 the parish was entrusted to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Franciscans) of St. Anthony-on-Hudson, and the Franciscan spirit of service remains central to parish life.
- Founded 1852 by Fr. Theodore Noethen
- Cemetery land purchased 1872; consecrated 1873
- First Franciscan pastor Fr. Gregory Scheuermann appointed 1916
- Current church building constructed 1926
- Last Franciscan pastor Fr. Antone Kandrac served 1994–2014
- Placed under St. Henry's, Averill Park in 2009
Mission Statement & Franciscan Identity
Adopted by the Parish Pastoral Council on September 16, 2001, the parish mission statement reads: 'We, the Catholic Community of St. Mary's, Nassau, vow to foster the spirit of St. Francis by becoming instruments of God's peace to help each other grow spiritually. We choose to respond to our baptismal call to live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ through our commitments of time, talent, and treasure in the love and service of all people.' The parish's patroness is the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated under the title of her Nativity on September 8.
- Mission Statement adopted September 16, 2001
- Patron: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Feast Day: September 8
Clergy & Staff
St. Mary's is currently served by a small team of clergy, faith formation leaders, and administrative staff, with the pastorate shared with neighboring parishes in the Diocese of Albany.
- Rev. John Cronin — Pastor
- Rev. John Close — Sacramental Minister (also pastor of Immaculate Conception, New Lebanon)
- Dee McCumber — Parish Secretary
- Barbara Wurzburg — Associate for Faith Formation ([email protected], 518-801-7605)
- Linda Ridzi — Associate for Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Joanna Towse — Music Minister (518-436-7857)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Mary's runs a year-round Faith Formation program for children in Kindergarten through 10th grade, with two-year sacramental preparation tracks for First Reconciliation / First Communion and Confirmation. The parish also offers an active RCIA program for adults seeking to become Catholic or learn more about the faith, and a Monday-evening adult education series called 'Learning About Our Faith'.
- Faith Formation: Sundays 8:45 am – 9:45 am, September to May
- Fees: $60 per child; $5 each additional child
- Two-year sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation / First Communion
- Two-year preparation for Confirmation
- RCIA for adults (catechists welcome to assist)
- 'Learning About Our Faith' adult series: Mondays 6:30–7:30 pm at the Rectory
Parish Ministries & Organizations
The parish encourages parishioner involvement across more than two dozen named ministries, spanning liturgical service, outreach, formation, and the physical upkeep of the church and grounds. The parish offices invite anyone interested to call (518) 766-2701 for more information on joining.
- Liturgical: Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Cantor, Greeters & Ushers, Music Ministry (Resurrection Choir for funerals)
- Formation: Youth Ministry, RCIA, Faith Formation, Marriage Preparation Team, Baptism Preparation
- Pastoral: Pastoral Council, Visitation Ministry, Funeral Ministry, Greeting Card Ministry
- Outreach: Food Pantry (ecumenical with other Nassau churches and synagogues), Respect Life Ministry, Evangelization Committee
- Stewardship: Financial Council (with two Trustees), Buildings & Grounds, Hall Helpers, Church Decorating, Church Cleaners
- Cemetery: Parish Cemetery Committee for graves, interment, and perpetual care
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry enhances and encourages congregational singing at all Masses and is led by Music Minister Joanna Towse. The Resurrection Choir leads the singing at all funeral liturgies, and the Cantor ministry supports liturgical worship by leading congregational singing.
- Music Minister: Joanna Towse (518-436-7857)
- Resurrection Choir for funeral liturgies
- Cantor ministry for weekend and Holy Day Masses
Sacraments
St. Mary's prepares parishioners for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments. Parents and godparents receive instruction before Baptism, engaged couples are sponsored by the Marriage Preparation Team, and the sick and homebound are visited regularly with Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick through the Visitation Ministry.
- Baptism (preparation required)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion (2-year program)
- Confirmation (2-year program)
- Marriage (preparation team available)
- Anointing of the Sick and Visitation of the homebound
- RCIA for adults becoming Catholic
Parish Cemetery
St. Mary's has maintained a parish cemetery since 1872, when land was purchased for that purpose; the cemetery was blessed and consecrated in 1873. The Parish Cemetery Ministry assists parishioners with the purchase of graves, interment arrangements, and the 'Perpetual Care' of the cemetery.
- Cemetery land acquired 1872
- Blessed and consecrated 1873
- Perpetual Care program
- Contact parish office for grave purchases and arrangements
Outreach & Ecumenical Cooperation
Following its long Franciscan tradition of service, St. Mary's maintains strong ecumenical ties with the other Christian congregations and synagogues of the Nassau area. The parish hosts the first Ecumenical Prayer Service in the village — a tradition that still continues — and works with neighboring faith communities to provide food and clothing to the needy, especially at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- First Ecumenical Prayer Service in Nassau (ongoing)
- Cooperative food and clothing drives with other churches and synagogues
- Food Pantry / Outreach to the Poor ministry
- Respect Life Ministry
Annual Traditions & Events
The parish's calendar is shaped by traditions inherited from its Franciscan past and shaped by community life in the village of Nassau. Highlights include the St. Francis weekend each October and the Christmas Greccio, a re-creation of St. Francis's first nativity scene, which has become a beloved long-standing tradition.
- St. Francis Weekend — October
- Christmas Greccio
- Annual Vacation Bible School (typically a July week, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
- Lenten program: Stations of the Cross, Adoration, and Mission / discussion series
- Discussion & Reflection gatherings in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 am Mass
Visiting & Contact
St. Mary's warmly welcomes visitors and those seeking a parish home. The parish office is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and the parish publishes a weekly bulletin with the current schedule, ministry updates, and faith formation information. Interested individuals are invited to call (518) 766-2701 to register or get involved.
- Parish Office: Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Phone: (518) 766-2701
- Fax: (518) 766-2702
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing: PO Box 435, Nassau, NY 12123
- In-person: 26 Church Street, Nassau, NY 12123
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Theodore Noethen1852–
Founder; originally from Europe; also served as pastor of churches in Albany and Utica. Established the mission and celebrated sacraments in various locations.
- Various shared pastors from neighboring churches
Until 1916, pastors came from neighboring parishes.
- Fr. Gregory Scheuermann, OFM Conv.1916–
First Franciscan pastor after Bishop Thomas F. Cusack placed the parish under the Order of Friars Minor Conventual at St. Anthony-on-Hudson; first regular Sunday and Holy Day Masses.
- Fr. Antone Kandrac, OFM Conv.December 1994–2009 (Pastor Emeritus until 2014)
Last Franciscan pastor; longtime VA chaplain; served as pastor, caretaker, painter, and gardener; frequently visited the sick and homebound.
- Fr. John Provost2009–
Pastor of St. Henry's in Averill Park, who assumed jurisdiction over St. Mary's in 2009.
- Fr. Thomas Homes
Pastor of St. Henry's during the transition period.
- Fr. John Close2014–
Pastor of neighboring Immaculate Conception in New Lebanon; replaced Fr. Antone as sacramental minister upon his retirement.
- Rev. John Cronin
Current pastor.