About St. Michael's Parish · East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
St. Michael's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a town in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of western Massachusetts. It is part of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts and is currently led by Fr. Wayne Biernat, Pastor. The parish sits at 128 Maple Street (with its Religious Education Office at 53 Somers Road), and warmly welcomes visitors to its weekend and weekday Masses, communal Reconciliation on Saturdays, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust slate of ministries serving youth, family, and the wider community. Worship is offered weekdays, three Sundays, and the Saturday Vigil, with choirs, a Religious Education program, a Knights of Columbus Council #9960, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, the Open Pantry, and more.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Fr. Wayne Biernat
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Michael's offers a full sacramental life — three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, daily Mass Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, a Wednesday Communion Service, weekly Confession on Saturdays, and Eucharistic Adoration — supported by a dedicated choir program (St. Michael's Choir at 10:00 AM and Contemporary Choir at the 11:30 AM Mass) and a parish grounded in its 1887 roots. Families benefit from a Religious Education program with First Communion (Grade 2) and Confirmation (Grade 9+), youth and family-life programs, and the parish's own Knights of Columbus Council #9960. The parish lives out the corporal works of mercy through ministries such as St. Vincent de Paul, the Open Pantry, the Gray House, Friends of the Homeless, Coats for Kids, and collection drives — making it a welcoming spiritual home for any Catholic in the East Longmeadow area.
Mass times at St. Michael's Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (in the church)
- By appointment — call the parish office at 413-525-4253 to schedule with Fr. Wayne
Adoration times
- Monday 8:00 AM – Eucharistic Adoration
- Holy Thursday — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following the 7 PM Mass of the Lord's Supper until 9 PM
History of St. Michael's Parish
St. Michael's was established in 1887 when the original church was built on Somers Road, becoming the first Catholic parish in what was then still 'East Village,' part of Longmeadow. After East Longmeadow incorporated as its own town in 1894, the parish continued to grow, erecting the Our Lady of Peace Italian marble statue in 1947 to memorialize parishioners who served in World War II. By 1969 the steeple of the old church had been removed due to deterioration, and in 1970 the parish moved to its present home at 128 Maple Street, where portions of the exterior were faced in red sandstone from East Longmeadow's Redstone Quarry — a nod to the town's stone-quarrying heritage. The old Somers Road church was razed on February 24, 1972.
- 1887 — Original St. Michael's Church erected on Somers Road
- 1894 — Town of East Longmeadow incorporated; parish continues to anchor the Catholic community
- 1947 — Our Lady of Peace statue dedicated to WWII servicemen and women
- 1969 — Steeple of old Somers Road church removed
- 1970 — Parish relocates to present church at 128 Maple Street, faced in part with Redstone Quarry sandstone
- 1972 — Original Somers Road church razed
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish offers a full weekly schedule designed for both daily and Sunday worship. Weekday Mass is celebrated Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM. Wednesday's 9:00 AM is a Communion Service (Liturgy of the Word with Communion), followed at 9:30 AM by the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00 PM, and three Masses are celebrated on Sunday at 8:00, 10:00, and 11:30 AM. The Saturday Vigil is also live-streamed for parishioners at home.
- Monday: 9:00 AM Mass
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM Mass
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM Communion Service; 9:30 AM Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Friday: 9:00 AM Mass
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM (live-streamed)
- Sunday: 8:00, 10:00, and 11:30 AM
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are prepared for on the last Tuesday evening of the prior month via Zoom (7:00–8:00 PM); contact Mrs. Beth Chase at 413-525-2075. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received in 2nd grade; Confirmation is prepared for in 9th grade and beyond. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturdays and by appointment. The Anointing of the Sick is available to those facing illness by calling the parish office, and weddings are scheduled by appointment with Fr. Wayne as early as possible.
- Baptism — Zoom prep class last Tuesday of prior month
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — Grade 2
- Confirmation — Grade 9+; Sunday evenings 6:30–7:30 PM, September–May
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 2:30–3:30 PM and by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the parish office
- Marriage — by appointment with Fr. Wayne, arranged as early as possible
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Michael's Religious Education program, with the slogan 'Bringing Faith to Life and Life to Faith,' serves Grades 1–8 and a separate Confirmation track. The program is directed by Rosemary Stella and assisted administratively by Teresa Shea, with additional support from CCD Teacher volunteers. Sacramental-year students (Grades 2 and 9+) must submit a baptismal certificate if they were not baptized at St. Michael's, along with the appropriate Information Sheet. Registration for the 2026–2027 program opens April 1, 2026. The Religious Education Office is located at 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 (phone 413-525-0371, fax 413-525-2443).
- Grades 1–8 faith formation program
- Confirmation preparation (Grade 9+) — Sunday evenings
- First Communion preparation — Grade 2
- Baptismal certificates and Information Sheets required for sacramental years
- Religious Education Office: 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 — 413-525-0371
Music & Liturgy
Music is central to the parish's liturgical life. The St. Michael's Choir sings at the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass, while the Contemporary Choir performs at the 11:30 AM Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Choir director contact: Anna Giza. The Spiritual Life Commission coordinates the selection of music with the Pastor, Choir Director, and Organist, and oversees lector, Eucharistic Minister, altar server, and usher training.
- St. Michael's Choir — Sundays, 10:00 AM Mass
- Contemporary Choir — 11:30 AM Mass, 2nd & 4th Sundays
- Music coordinated by Spiritual Life Commission with Pastor, Choir Director, and Organist
Outreach & Community Service
St. Michael's lives out a strong culture of service through its parish ministries and its Knights of Columbus Council #9960. Parishioners volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul, the Open Pantry, the Gray House, Homework House, Friends of the Homeless, nursing home sacristan and rosary ministries, Bible Camp, the Blood Drive, and the annual Share the Love Food Drive. The parish's Knights of Columbus, led by Grand Knight Alex Coverdill, also funds scholarships and supports a wide network of partner charities and seminarians.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Open Pantry Volunteers and Food Drive
- Friends of the Homeless
- Gray House and Homework House support
- Nursing Home Rosary and Nursing Home Sacristan
- Bible Camp and Blood Drive
- Share the Love Food Drive
Knights of Columbus Council #9960
The parish's K of C council is Council #9960, with mailing address P.O. Box 972, East Longmeadow, MA. Grand Knight Alex Coverdill leads the council, which meets at 7:15 PM on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Through its Scholarship Fund and General Charities Fund, the council supports an extensive list of organizations including Catholic Charities, Coats for Kids, College Scholarships, Cub Scouts, the East Longmeadow Fire Department, East Longmeadow Senior Center, Alzheimer's Research, Morality in Media, the physically and mentally challenged, Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley, Seminarians, Shriner's Hospital, the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Springfield Rescue Mission, St. Michael's Parish, TNL (Tuesday Night Life), WOTS (Word on the Street), and Tornado Relief.
- Grand Knight: Alex Coverdill
- Council #9960, P.O. Box 972, East Longmeadow, MA
- Meets 1st Tuesday, 7:15 PM
- Scholarship Fund and General Charities Fund
- Charitable focus includes Catholic Charities, Coats for Kids, Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley, Springfield Rescue Mission, and more
Parish Staff & Leadership
Parish leadership is shared among clergy and lay staff. Fr. Wayne Biernat serves as Pastor. Mrs. Beth Chase is the Pastoral Minister and key contact for baptisms. Maria Murphy is the Office Administrator and Safe Environment Coordinator. Rosemary Stella directs Religious Education, supported by Teresa Shea as the program's administrative assistant. Anna Giza coordinates music ministry / choir participation.
- Fr. Wayne Biernat — Pastor (413-525-4253)
- Mrs. Beth Chase — Pastoral Minister (413-525-2075)
- Maria Murphy — Office Administrator / Safe Environment Coordinator (413-525-4253)
- Rosemary Stella — Dir. of Religious Education (413-525-0371)
- Teresa Shea — Religious Education Administrative Assistant (413-525-0371)
- Anna Giza — Choir contact
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors are welcomed at the parish office by phone and in person. The main parish is located at 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 (phone 413-525-4253); the Religious Education Office is at 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 (phone 413-525-0371, fax 413-525-2443). Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
- Parish Office: 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 — (413) 525-4253
- Religious Education Office: 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028 — (413) 525-0371 (fax 413-525-2443)
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/stmichaelsel/
Holy Week & Easter Schedule
Each year, St. Michael's publishes a detailed Holy Week and Easter schedule. Most recently the parish has celebrated Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7 PM followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 9 PM; Good Friday with a live dramatization of the Way of the Cross at 3 PM and a Prayer Service with Holy Communion at 7 PM; Holy Saturday Vigil Service and Mass at 8 PM; and Easter Sunday Masses at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:30 AM.
- Holy Thursday — 7 PM Mass of the Lord's Supper, Adoration until 9 PM
- Good Friday — 3 PM Way of the Cross dramatization; 7 PM Prayer Service with Communion
- Holy Saturday — 8 PM Vigil Service and Mass
- Easter Sunday — 8, 9, 10, & 11:30 AM Masses
Get Involved
The parish encourages parishioners to find a ministry that fits their gifts. Volunteers are needed as Adult Altar Servers, Bible Camp leaders, Blood Drive donors, CCD teachers, Eucharistic Ministers, Family Life Commission members, Friends of the Homeless volunteers, Lectors, Nursing Home Rosary leaders, Open Pantry volunteers, Parish Council members, St. Vincent de Paul members, and Ushers. Opportunities range from one-time service (food drives, blood drives) to ongoing liturgical roles.
- Liturgical roles — Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Ushers
- Service roles — Open Pantry, Friends of the Homeless, St. Vincent de Paul, nursing home ministry
- Formation roles — CCD Teachers, Bible Camp leaders
- Community events — Share the Love Food Drive, Parish TNL, Word on the Street