At 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, St. Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic parish known for active liturgical worship, a broad path of faith formation from early childhood through adult study, and service through social action and prayer ministries. Its mission describes a faith-filled community centered in Christ, gathered in the Father's love to celebrate Word and Sacrament, guided by the Holy Spirit, and marked by warmth and hospitality.
Mass at 942 Hopmeadow Street
Mass anchors the rhythm of parish life at St. Mary's. The Saturday vigil is celebrated at 5:00 PM, with Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM. Monday through Thursday, Mass is celebrated at 8:00 AM. The parish is served by Pastor Rev. Stephen Sledesky.
The prayer rhythm includes two regular adoration periods and two opportunities for reconciliation:
- Tuesday adoration: 6:00-7:00 PM
- Tuesday reconciliation: 6:00-6:30 PM, during adoration
- Saturday reconciliation: 3:30-4:15 PM
- Thursday adoration: 8:30-9:00 AM
Reconciliation is also available by appointment. The regular schedule places reconciliation within Tuesday adoration and offers a second window before the Saturday vigil.
The celebration of the Eucharist is described by the parish's Liturgy Committee as the most important work of the community. St. Mary's worship is liturgical in a deliberate way. Lectors proclaim the Old and New Testament readings and the Prayers of the Faithful; the congregation is encouraged to sing; Mass settings change with Advent, Lent, and Easter; and silence follows the readings, homily, and petitions. The parish also provides a live Mass stream and a recording archive.
Formation from Birth Through the Teen Years
St. Mary's organizes faith formation as a connected path for children, teenagers, and their parents.
- Nurturing Seedlings supports parents of children from birth to five with encouragement, practical support, and skills for nurturing their children's spiritual lives.
- Elementary Grades serves children entering PreK at age four and kindergarten through sixth grade. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from September through May.
- Confirmation Preparation prepares middle and high school students to receive the sacrament of Confirmation through Sunday evening formation from September through May.
- Vacation Bible School lasts one week in June and uses games, crafts, and faith-filled activities to bring the Bible to life for children.
- Youth Ministry gives teenagers a safe and fun environment in which to spend time with friends, make new ones, and build relationships.
Together, these programs combine parent support, classroom learning, sacramental preparation, summer activities, and peer fellowship, giving each age group a defined place in parish formation.
Bible Study and Adult Enrichment
The Tuesday Bible and Book Study begins after daily Mass and runs from 8:30 to 10:00 AM in the Forcucci Faith Formation Center, with a Zoom option. The group reads and reflects on the upcoming Sunday readings or on selected books to deepen its understanding of Scripture and Catholic faith.
Adult Enrichment meets monthly for about an hour, usually on weekday mornings, while remaining flexible around members' schedules. It identifies faith needs within the parish, coordinates speakers and faith-enrichment events, and manages the parish library, which is available to all parishioners. The group especially wants perspectives from parents of young children and from Catholic men about the challenges of faith and family life. Its stated goals are to listen and respond to new perspectives, get to know more people, and be present and listen.
Men's Ministry meets on Saturdays at 8:00 AM through Zoom or in person. Its fellowship centers on the Sunday Gospel and on sharing how faith is lived in daily life. Women's Ministry, parish retreats, social doctrine discussions, Alpha, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults broaden the parish's continuing formation. OCIA is specifically described as a way to learn about becoming Catholic, while Alpha provides another avenue for adult learning.
The Spiritual Gifts Ministry offers a structured way to explore the gifts of the Holy Spirit, with goals of personal and spiritual growth and a deeper sense of purpose. Its teaching is that every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, that these gifts unify and build up the church, and that they are to be used in love and service to one another.
Music for the Whole Parish
The Music Ministry seeks to share the Gospel through music, lead the congregation in active participation, and give parishioners a way to share their own gifts. About 25 people take part as cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists. The 8:00 AM Mass is accompanied by a cantor and organist, the 9:30 AM Mass by a music ensemble and choir, and the 11:00 AM Mass by a cantor and organist.
St. Mary's welcomes new singers and instrumentalists, and some singers take part only during particular seasons. Choir rehearsals take place in the lower-level library on Thursday nights at 7:00 PM from September through June and on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM before Mass. The ministry also hosts an annual Open Mic night featuring parish musicians and fellowship.
Serving the Word and the Table
Young people have a direct role in parish worship through the Altar Server Ministry. Servers in fourth grade and above are invited to train for the specific duties they perform during the Eucharist, including learning new liturgical terms. Introductory training is held for new servers, with additional training for experienced servers advancing to the next level.
Lectors proclaim the Scriptures and the Prayers of the Faithful, and they receive training, written guidelines, and a liturgical-year workbook with readings, pronunciations, hints, and reflections. Other liturgical ministers include Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, altar linens volunteers, flower ministers, and those responsible for liturgical decorations. The flower group places fresh arrangements under the crucifix during Ordinary Time, while the decoration team works throughout the year, especially for Christmas and Easter. Preparing the Christmas decorations takes four to five hours, and the takedown takes about two hours.
The Liturgy Committee meets monthly to promote a fitting environment for worship and to encourage communication, collaboration, and consultation among those who participate in the liturgy. Its members include representatives from lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, music ministries, ushers, and altar servers, working with Fr. Stephen. Their practical work includes welcoming regular, returning, and new parishioners, encouraging more congregational participation in singing, and preserving purposeful silence during the liturgy.
Baptism and the Other Sacraments
St. Mary's teaching holds that a child enters the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection through baptism, is freed from the power of Original Sin, and enters the new life of God's grace. Expectant parents can receive a special blessing for their unborn child, usually after the 11:00 AM Mass. Families also participate in preparation before the baptism ceremony so they can better understand their roles and responsibilities.
Godparents are ordinarily a godfather and a godmother who are practicing, confirmed Catholics able to model their faith. Prospective godparents obtain a certificate from their pastor, and non-Catholic Christians cannot serve as godparents. They may serve as Christian witnesses and be listed on the baptismal certificate, provided one of the godparents is Catholic.
Marriage, Confirmation, Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick are among the sacramental opportunities supported by the parish. A Funeral and Bereavement Ministry also forms part of its care for families.
Prayer and Care Beyond the Church Building
The ministry roster includes Homebound Ministry, Prayer Line Ministry, Prayer Pew Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, and Stephen Ministry. These ministries extend the parish's attention beyond its gatherings at church, creating distinct forms of prayer, listening, and care for people in different circumstances.
St. Mary's also supports the parish's Prayer Line and Prayer Shawl efforts alongside its Homebound and Stephen ministries. This range of ministries reflects a pastoral approach that addresses both the communal life of the parish and the particular needs present within it.
Social Action and Shared Goods
The Social Action Ministry coordinates an event every month to provide support to people in need. The Giving Tree and Granny's Attic are also part of the parish's outreach work, while the Knights of Columbus provides another avenue for Catholic fellowship and service within the parish.
Online giving supports the Sunday offertory, Holy Days, second collections, and other giving opportunities. Donors may choose a one-time or recurring contribution, while the parish also accepts giving through checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and American Express.
Learning, Belonging, and the Life of the Parish
St. Mary's offers a MyParish app, maintains a parish calendar, and provides a library of faith resources. Adult Enrichment, Bible and Book Study, Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, retreats, social doctrine discussions, and the Spiritual Gifts Ministry give adults several ways to continue learning and to share their experiences with other parishioners.
As an affiliate of the Archdiocese of Hartford, St. Mary's combines active sacramental worship with a large network of formation and service ministries. At 942 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, the parish is a community centered in Christ that seeks to deepen faith, welcome others, nurture spiritual growth, and share the Father's love through worship, learning, prayer, and service.