About St. Patrick · Mystic, Connecticut
St. Patrick Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Mystic, Connecticut, belonging to the Diocese of Norwich. The parish traces its roots to the Irish immigrant community of the 19th century and was formally dedicated on October 30, 1870 by Bishop Francis P. McFarland and Father Patrick Lawler. Today the parish is served by Father Kevin M. Reilly and is widely known — even well beyond southeastern Connecticut — as a small-town parish that has become a magnet for young Catholic families, with standing-room-only Sunday Masses and long lines at confession.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin M. Reilly
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a small, warm, family-oriented parish where Sunday Masses are regularly filled with young families, and confession lines keep getting longer. Father Reilly's preaching centers on two pillars he returns to constantly — frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation and worthily receiving the Eucharist — and the parish backs that up with First Friday adoration, monthly First Monday confession and adoration hours, OCIA for adults, and Faith Formation for children in grades K through 9. It is a place where newcomers quickly feel known by name.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
- First Monday of the month 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of every month after the 12:05 PM Mass until 1:30 PM
- First Monday of every month 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Our History
Before 1870, Catholics in Mystic walked to Stonington for Mass. As the Irish community grew — about 450 souls by 1870 — the congregation purchased a former Methodist church on Church Street and rededicated it under the patronage of St. Patrick on October 30, 1870 by Bishop Francis P. McFarland and Father Patrick Lawler. The Stonington Mirror reported that Father James Reynolds led about 130 children awaiting Confirmation into the church that day, and nearly 2,000 people attended. A larger church was begun on East Main Street in 1908 (cornerstone laid August 16, 1908) and dedicated in 1909; it is the building the parish still uses today. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2020.
- 1870 — Parish dedicated on October 30
- 1870 — Catholic population numbered about 450 souls
- 1870 — First Confirmation of ~130 children celebrated the same day as the dedication
- 1908 — Cornerstone of present church laid August 16
- 1909 — Current East Main Street church dedicated
- 2020 — 150th anniversary of the parish
Our Vision
The parish's published vision states that 'St. Patrick is a welcoming Roman Catholic community that puts faith in God into action, affirms each person is precious and valued, strengthens the sense of family, nourishes the spirit, and enables its members throughout their journey through life to live as best as possible in God's sight.'
Faith Formation (K–9)
Faith Formation classes are open to students in Kindergarten through Grade 9. While the parish's own formation center is being built, classes meet at Precious Memories Place, 168 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, on Sundays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Registration is handled through the parish office.
- Grades served: K through 9
- Temporary location: Precious Memories Place, 168 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic
- Class time: Sundays 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Contact: 860-536-1800 or [email protected]
Sacramental Preparation
Separate sacramental preparation tracks are offered for First Communion and Confirmation. Classes meet in person on the second Sunday of each month at the parish church.
- First Communion classes: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (second Sunday of the month)
- Confirmation classes: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (second Sunday of the month)
- Coordinator: Kate Rotella, [email protected], 860-885-6225
Adult Faith Formation — OCIA
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or already baptized Catholic and seeking to complete the sacraments of initiation. Spouses and inquirers are welcome to attend.
- Director: Rick Getti (call 860-5??-8442 option 2)
- Email: [email protected]
- Inquiries welcomed from unbaptized adults, Christians entering full communion, and Catholic adults completing initiation
Parish Ministries
St. Patrick's runs a wide range of lay ministries that worshippers can join, from liturgical roles to outreach and parish maintenance. The parish regularly invites new volunteers through its Outreach Committee.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
- Music Ministry (Adult Choir sings at the 10:15 AM Sunday Mass)
- OCIA / Baptism Preparation
- Faith Formation
- Ushers
- Altar Servers
- Pro-Life
- ACTS Retreats
- Donut & Coffee Hour
- Garden Maintenance
- Sanctuary Care
- Rosary
- Facilities
- Outreach Committee
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Patrick's is led by Minister of Music Richard Schumacher and Organist Joshua Ziemski. The Adult Choir sings at the 10:15 AM Sunday Mass and the parish live-streams Sunday Mass for those unable to attend in person; recordings remain available on the parish website afterward.
Outreach & Community Life
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish hosts 'Coffee & Connections' on the first Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM, an all-ages social time to meet fellow parishioners. The Outreach Committee organizes parish service opportunities for the wider Mystic community.
- Coffee & Connections — first Thursday of the month, 10:00 AM
- Outreach Committee — service opportunities within and beyond the parish
Live-Streamed Mass
The parish live-streams Sunday Mass on its website. Recordings of previous Masses — celebrated by Father Kevin Reilly and featuring the day's Scripture readings — are archived on the 'Previous Masses' page for those who miss the live broadcast.
- Live Masses streamed via stpatrickmystic.org
- Archive of previous Masses kept on the website
Our Staff
St. Patrick's small staff combines ordained, lay, and volunteer leadership. Office inquiries go through the parish secretary; parish office hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the office is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Rev. Kevin M. Reilly — Pastor
- Nicole Peterson — Parish Secretary
- Richard Schumacher — Minister of Music
- Joshua Ziemski — Organist
Visit & Contact
The parish is located at 32 East Main Street in downtown Mystic, with a rectory office open limited days. Phone, fax, and email are listed below; weekly bulletins and current information are posted on the parish website.
- Address: 32 East Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355
- Telephone: (860) 536-1800
- Fax: (860) 572-1513
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (closed Tuesday & Wednesday)
- Website: www.stpatrickmystic.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Patrick Lawler1870
Dedicated the parish alongside Bishop Francis P. McFarland on October 30, 1870.
- Father James Reynolds
Led about 130 children awaiting Confirmation at the 1870 dedication ceremony.
- Rev. John F. Murphy1895–1900
Permanent pastor of St. Patrick's, Mystic, who later sought a military chaplaincy; documented by the local Knights of Columbus council.
- Rev. Kevin M. Reilly2011–present
Ordained for the Diocese of Norwich in May 2003; named pastor of St. Patrick's in 2011.