About St. Michael · Exeter, New Hampshire
St. Michael Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Exeter, New Hampshire, established in 1859 to serve the immigrant Catholic families — primarily Irish, French-Canadian, and Polish mill workers — who had begun settling in Exeter in the 1840s. Today the parish partners with neighboring St. Mary Church in Newmarket and offers more than 30 ministries and social groups supporting parish families in their spiritual journey. It is part of the Diocese of Manchester's Seacoast Deanery and is served by a pastor, associate pastor, and permanent deacon who celebrate Mass daily and livestream each liturgy.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew (Matt) Mason
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester (Seacoast Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Michael Parish warmly welcomes anyone seeking a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church. With more than 30 ministries and social groups — spanning faith formation for every age, men's and women's groups, Knights of Columbus, healing prayer, Alpha, bereavement support, and a thriving partnership with St. Mary Church in Newmarket — the parish is built around accompanying families in their spiritual growth. Daily Mass, weekend vigil and four Sunday liturgies, Eucharistic Adoration, and two weekly Reconciliation times mean there is always a place to pray, with livestream options for those at home.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (or by appointment, call 603-772-2494)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Adoration after Wednesday morning Mass)
History of St. Michael Parish
Catholics first worshipped in Exeter around 1848, gathering in a blacksmith shop on Spring Street amid open anti-Catholic hostility. The parish was officially organized in 1859 to serve Irish, French-Canadian, and Polish immigrants working in the local mills. Its first dedicated church was built on Center Street in 1879 and consecrated with the parish's new name, St. Michael after the Archangel. After eight decades of growth, that church was replaced by the present Front Street church, dedicated September 29, 1958. The parish school on Main Street, opened in 1932, closed in the 1970s and was sold to the Town of Exeter.
- 1859 — Parish officially organized (originally as St. Bernard).
- 1879 — Center Street church consecrated; parish renamed St. Michael.
- 1884 — Becomes part of the newly created Diocese of Manchester.
- 1932 — St. Michael School opens on Main Street.
- 1958 — Present church on Front Street dedicated September 29.
- 1970s — Parish school closes and is sold to the town.
- 2009 — Parish celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Parish Clergy & Staff
St. Michael is served by a pastor, associate pastor, and a permanent deacon, supported by parish office and faith formation staff. The parish partners with neighboring St. Mary Church in Newmarket to share ministerial resources across the two communities.
- Rev. Matthew (Matt) Mason — Pastor
- Rev. Diery Irafasha — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Eric Lambert — Permanent Deacon
- Susan Breton — Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Debbie Ambrose — Religious Education Coordinator (603-772-2494 x114)
- Jan Moran — Spiritual Direction (603-770-1578)
- Leah Grant — Mercy Meals Team coordinator (603-772-2494 ext 209)
Sacramental Schedule
Confession is offered twice weekly, and Eucharistic Adoration fills the day every Wednesday. A parish Prayer Line, Healing Prayers Ministry, and the Mass of Healing and Hope round out a robust sacramental and devotional life.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM and Wednesday 7:30–8:00 PM (or by appointment).
- Adoration: Wednesday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM, following the 8:00 AM Mass.
- Mass of Healing and Hope (periodic).
- Spiritual Direction by appointment.
- Parish Prayer Line for prayer requests.
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation at St. Michael follows the Restored Order used throughout the Diocese of Manchester: Reconciliation in 2nd Grade, followed by First Eucharist and Confirmation celebrated together in 3rd Grade. Sacramental prep now happens within Family Formation, and older children or adults use Journey of Faith or RCIA. Susan Breton leads Faith Formation; Debbie Ambrose coordinates Sacramental Prep.
- Family Formation — parish-based catechesis for children and families.
- Team Jesus — Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 4–7, select Sundays).
- Preschool Bible Story Time.
- Journey of Faith — for older children (ages 7–18) needing sacramental preparation.
- Middle & High School Youth Ministry.
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
- Vacation Bible School (summer).
- Resources: Dynamic Catholic Blessed (First Communion), Augustine Institute You Are Sent (Confirmation), and FORMED.org (parish code KYJ3M2).
Prayer & Spiritual Growth
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish runs a deep bench of small groups and devotional programs to help parishioners grow in prayer, scripture, and fellowship.
- Spiritual Direction with Jan Moran.
- Society of St. Therese of Lisieux — daily prayer for parish intentions.
- Parish Prayer Line (Grace Smyth / Deb Pasno).
- Healing Prayers Ministry and Mass of Healing and Hope.
- Wrapped in Love Prayer Shawl Ministry.
- Alpha Course.
- St. Ignatius 30-day Spiritual Exercises.
- Walking with Purpose (women's ministry).
- Men's Prayer Group and Conquer Series for Men.
Parish Life, Fellowship & Outreach
St. Michael has more than 30 ministries and social groups. The parish emphasizes accompaniment — parish leaders describe their work as offering 'a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and His Church' — and extends outreach into the wider community through funeral-reception meals, bereavement support, and Knights of Columbus service.
- Knights of Columbus Council (Supreme Chaplain's Challenge on the 4th Monday).
- Bereavement Group (with St. Mary Parish, 3rd or 4th Monday).
- Mercy Meals Team — funeral reception outreach (Cotter Hall).
- Welcome 2.0 Weekend (men's and women's experiences).
- Bible Study Groups (multiple offerings).
- Volunteer opportunities in Liturgical Ministries and Catechesis.
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (summer hours: 9 AM – 3 PM Monday–Thursday, closed Fridays). The church building itself is open from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily. The parish can be reached by phone, email, or through the website's Contact Us form.
- Parish Office: 9 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH 03833.
- Church / Rectory: 91 / 93 Front Street, Exeter, NH 03833.
- Phone: (603) 772-2494.
- General email: [email protected].
- Become a Parishioner — registration via the website.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael LuceyAssigned 1875
Built the 1879 Center Street church and converted the Patch House into a rectory.
- Father Daniel CotterLong pastorate, 1930s
Built St. Michael School on Main Street in 1932.
- Father Marc MontminyPrior to 2009
18th pastor as of the 150th anniversary year (named in Seacoast Online coverage).
- Rev. Marc DrouinPrior to Fr. Montminy
Spoke with Seacoast Online in 2007 about parish history and growth.
- Rev. Matthew (Matt) MasonCurrent
Listed as current Pastor on the parish website and Diocese of Manchester directory.