About St. Michael the Archangel · Cary, North Carolina
St. Michael the Archangel is a large, vibrant Roman Catholic parish in Cary, North Carolina, within the Diocese of Raleigh, serving approximately 5,900 registered families. Founded in 1963 as a mission and formally established as a parish in 1967, the community has grown into one of the largest parishes in the diocese, offering more than 60 ministries, a preschool (since 1984), an elementary school (since 1999), and a robust Hispanic Ministry that includes a Spanish-language Mass each week. Worship is at the center of parish life, with multiple daily Masses, a Saturday Vigil and six Sunday Masses (two in Spanish), Eucharistic Adoration, and regular Reconciliation. The parish is led by its tenth pastor, Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F., who was installed on September 25, 2024, by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama.
- Established
- 1963 (mission); 1967 (parish)
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Michael's offers the full breadth of Catholic parish life in one place: multiple Sunday Masses including a vibrant Spanish-language liturgy, daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation three times a week, and a rich Sacramental Preparation program for children and adults. Families can grow together through the on-site St. Michael Preschool (since 1984) and St. Michael School (PreK–8), and members serve the wider community through more than 60 ministries — including a long-standing sister-parish relationship in Honduras, St. Michael SHARES, Habitat for Humanity, and support for the Mother Teresa Catholic Mission. Whether you are new to the area, returning to the faith, or simply looking for a large parish that intentionally tries to 'feel small,' St. Michael's is built to welcome you.
Mass times at St. Michael the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM (Bilingual)
- Saturday 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (First Saturday of each month only) — Bilingual
- Saturday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Bilingual; last penitent admitted at 3:45 PM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:30 AM – 6:45 PM (During Lent & Advent)
- Friday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Benediction at 4:45 PM)
Parish History
St. Michael the Archangel began as a mission church in 1963, with the first Mass celebrated by Rev. Michael Carey at Cary High School. Officially recognized as a parish in 1967, the community grew steadily over the next decade — welcoming its first full-time pastor, building a parish staff, drafting its first mission statement, and dedicating its original church building. In 1984, the parish opened the Early Childhood Center (today's St. Michael Preschool) to serve young families, planting the seed for what would become a full Catholic education campus.
- 1963 — First Mass at Cary High School (mission church)
- 1967 — Recognized as an official parish
- 1984 — Early Childhood Center opens (today St. Michael Preschool)
- 1992 — High House Road site selected for expansion
- 1995 — Construction begins on new church and Trinity Center
- 1996 — New church dedicated Sept. 29
- 1997 — Parish Center built
- 1998 — Stained-glass windows installed
- 1999 — St. Michael School established
- 2000s — Acquisition of Westwood Baptist property; Archangel Hall constructed
- 2021 — New altar consecrated by Bishop Zarama (25th anniversary)
Clergy & Staff
St. Michael is led by Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F., the parish's tenth pastor, who was installed September 25, 2024, by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama. He also serves as Dean of the Raleigh Deanery. Two parochial vicars and five deacons assist him, alongside two pastors emeritus who continue active ministry in the parish.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Lourduraj Alapaty
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Thomas S. Tully
- Deacon Luis Alfonso Royo Camacho
- Deacon Anthony Favale
- Deacon Patrick Pelkey
- Deacon Brian Phillips
- Deacon David A. Wulff
- Pastor Emeritus: Msgr. John A. Wall
- Pastor Emeritus: Msgr. Douglas P. Reed
Mass & Worship Schedule
Worship centers on the celebration of the Mass, which the parish calls 'the center and foundation of all that we do and all that we are at St. Michael.' In addition to a Saturday Vigil in English and Spanish, six Sunday Masses are offered — including a Spanish liturgy and a Praise & Worship Mass — plus daily Mass Monday through Saturday. Several Masses are livestreamed each week on the parish's Livestream and YouTube channels.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English, Livestreamed) and 7:00 PM (Spanish)
- Sunday: 7:30, 8:30 (Livestreamed), 10:30 (Livestreamed), 12:30, 2:15 PM Spanish (Livestreamed), 5:00 PM Praise & Worship
- Daily: Mon–Sat 7:00 AM; Mon–Fri 8:30 AM (Livestreamed)
- Tuesday evening: 7:00 PM (Spanish)
- Friday: also 12:30 PM (English)
- Civic Holidays: 9:30 AM
Sister Parish in Honduras
St. Michael has maintained a 25+ year sister-parish relationship with Nuestra Señora de Suyapa in Honduras. The partnership was initiated in the late 1990s by Monsignor John Wall, then pastor, at the request of Pope John Paul II that wealthier-world parishes serve economically challenged ones. Today the partnership supports 846 students, has helped over 5,550 children access education over its lifetime, and has donated more than 150 refurbished laptops. Funds are raised mostly through parish fundraisers and supporting grants, with operations running on roughly $150,000–$200,000 per year.
Mother Teresa Catholic Mission (West Cary Outmission)
What began as a handful of volunteers meeting at Green Hope High School — the 'Green Hope Community' — has grown into Mother Teresa Catholic Mission, a sister community still supported by St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael donated 20 acres of wooded land on Yates Store Road for the Mission's future church site. The Mission also partners with Haven House Services and its Street Outreach Program, connecting volunteers with homeless youth in the Raleigh area.
Uganda Partnership
The parish supports biannual fundraisers for community projects at St. Matia Mulumba Roman Catholic Church in Mityana, Uganda — including water tanks, solar panels, buildings, plumbing, and school supplies. Delegations from the Ugandan community regularly visit Cary, and the parish continues to send mission trips in return.
Faith Formation & Catholic Education
Catholic education is described as 'an important part of our parish mission.' St. Michael hosts both a Preschool and a PreK–8 elementary school on its campus, alongside youth ministry and adult formation offerings. The Faith Formation program spans sacramental preparation, OCIA (formerly RCIA), adult confirmation, and resources for growing in faith at every stage of life.
- St. Michael Preschool (since 1984) — ages 2–5, play-based, Catholic environment; tours by appointment (919-468-6110, [email protected])
- St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School (PreK–Grade 8, since 1999) — [email protected], (919) 468-6140
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- High School Youth Group
- First Communion Preparation
- Confirmation Preparation
- Intermediate Sacramental Preparation
- OCIA / 'Become Catholic' (adults)
- Adult Confirmation and Adult Sacraments
- Resources for Growing Your Faith (Bible studies, mission speaker events)
- Catholic Steward Tuition Rate (parishioner tuition benefit)
- Safe Environment program
Sacraments at St. Michael
The full sacramental life of the Church is supported at St. Michael's, with preparation tracks for children and adults. The parish website provides dedicated pages for each major sacrament, and the Worship hub links Mass intentions, altar-flower donations, funerals, and the on-site Columbarium.
- Baptism (a new baptismal font was installed as part of recent campus developments)
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (daily, Sunday, vigil, and Spanish Masses)
- Reconciliation (Tuesday evening and Saturday)
- Anointing of the Sick (via Pastoral Care)
- Holy Matrimony (and Worldwide Marriage Encounter)
- Holy Orders (vocations supported through parish life)
Campus & Facilities
The Cary campus on High House Road has grown steadily since the 1996 dedication of the current church. Major facilities include the Trinity Center (with the preschool floor), the Parish Center (1997), stained-glass windows (1998), St. Michael School (1999), the newly acquired Westwood Baptist property, Archangel Hall, a new baptismal font, and the parish Columbarium. The 25th-anniversary renovations refreshed the church interior and sanctuary and added expanded meeting spaces.
- Sanctuary with newly consecrated altar (2021)
- Trinity Center (incl. preschool floor)
- Parish Center (1997)
- Archangel Hall
- Stained-glass windows (1998)
- New baptismal font
- On-site Columbarium
- Westwood Baptist property (acquired post-2000)
Getting Involved
The parish emphasizes that 'we strive to figure out how to make a big parish small,' with small groups, 'pockets,' and service opportunities for all ages and walks of life. Newcomers are encouraged to register through the parish's new-member registration and to be added to the parish database (REALM) so they can be properly welcomed.
- Over 60 ministries and groups
- Knights of Columbus
- Women's groups
- Worship ministries
- Youth groups
- Service & social-action ministries
- New Ministry Request Application (online)
- New-member registration via REALM database
- Newcomer small groups and outreach
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Carey1963
Celebrated the first Mass as a mission church at Cary High School in 1963.
- Msgr. John A. Wall1995–2005
Led the parish through its relocation to High House Road; current church dedicated 1996; oversaw the addition of St. Michael School. Now Pastor Emeritus.
- Msgr. Douglas P. Reed2011–2020
Now Pastor Emeritus; continues to support Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Wake One ministry, and Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School.
- Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, V.F.2024–present
Tenth pastor; installed September 25, 2024, by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama; also Dean of the Raleigh Deanery.