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“Here comes everyone” – using the words of James Joyce – best describes the open and welcoming ministry of Saint Mary’s Church. This downtown parish, - the largest in Auburn and Cayuga County – serves as a church home for Catholics of all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Founded in 1868 by Bishop Bernard McQuaid, the first bishop of Rochester, to meet the demands of the growing Catholic population of the City of Auburn, St. Mary’s still ministers to the ever-growing diverse population of Auburn and Cayuga County.
Although the parish was founded in the late 1860’s, the present church structure was erected in 1874 under the guidance of the second pastor, the Rev. Dr. Myles J. Loughlin, D.D. A charming description of the church building comes from an early history of the parish: ”The church is built entirely of gray limestone. Its style is a modification of Gothic architecture in the form of a Latin cross, with nave, side aisle, transepts and apse. The ceilings are groined and enriched with foliated bosses, and the capitals and corbels are finely ornamented. St. Mary’s people are to be congratulated upon the possession of such a magnificent church. It would, indeed, be hard to find a more beautiful structure. Its interior is art crystallized, its architecture is devotion idealized, its symmetry is art immortalized. Outside it hangs together like a picture, inside it pours down on you all the grandeur, devotion and magnificence of a cathedral. Some one has said that art is frozen music, but art and architecture such as St. Mary’s are religion, not frozen, asleep, perhaps, but with open eyes. Look at it; go into the church, and everything there, the walls, the pillars, the triple arch, the altar, the ceilings, furnishings, all speak mutely but eloquently of God, of Jesus, of heaven and its inhabitants.”
Liturgy and Prayer
The liturgical and sacramental life of Saint Mary’s is the center and heart of the parish. St. Mary’s believes that “the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; and at the same it is the fountain from which all her power flows” (Constitution on Sacred Liturgy #10). In addition to the Eucharist, the celebration of the Sacraments is a vibrant part of parish ministry. Many children of parishioners return to Saint Mary’s for the baptism of their children. It is not unusual to have one or two wedding celebrations per week during the “wedding season.” Christian burial is also a prominent feature of the liturgical life of the parish. The Mass of Remembrance on the first Sunday of November for families of deceased loved ones is an annual occurrence. People from everywhere take advantage of individual Reconciliation each Saturday afternoon. Sung Evening Prayer and Solemn Benediction conclude an afternoon of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the feasts of Christ the King and the Body & Blood of Christ. Nocturnal Adoration takes place four times a year. The Rosary & Scapular Society sponsor a special “Rosary Event” each October and May. A Rosary for Vocation is prayed every Wednesday in church at 6:30 pm.
Saint Mary’s Choir is a standard feature of the liturgical life of the parish. The choir has two recordings to its credit. Few churches can boast of housing two organs the caliber of those at St. Mary’s. The chancel organ, built around 1872 by Garrett House of Buffalo was acquired by St. Mary’s in 2006, replacing a previous 1884 Garrett House organ installed in 1979. The gallery organ was built by the Barckhoff Organ Company in 1886. Both organs have been restored by A. Richard Strauss of Ithaca. A concert of music performed on both organs (Organa Dupla) is available on CD.
Faith Formation
Saint Mary’s has always had a strong Catholic School connection. The school building next door to the church was demolished in 1960 and a new school building was erected on Clymer Street. Eventually St. Mary’s School combined with other parochial schools, all of which evolved into the current St. Joseph School with the largest number of students coming from Saint Mary’s Parish.
Saint Mary’s, one of the oldest parishes in Auburn and Sacred Heart Church, the newest parish, were one of the first to share staff positions. Hired jointly by St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart are the Faith Formation Director and the Coordinator of Youth Ministry. Religious Education for elementary school children takes place in weeklong intensive morning sessions during the summer months, with follow-up sessions for families during the school year. The two parishes also share sacramental preparation. CYO Basketball and cheerleading is available to all those enrolled in the Catholic School or the religious education program. St. Mary’s has a toddlers program and Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:45 Sunday Eucharist.
There is an active senior high youth program, with a number of senior high teens taking part in the diocesan youth convention as well as the National Catholic Youth Convention. Adult education opportunities and RCIA are shared with all the Auburn parishes. St. Mary’s is an active participant in Ecumenical and Interfaith events in the Auburn area. St. Mary’s also has a Vocation Awareness Team which promotes vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. During the course of its history, St. Mary’s has generated forty-two vocations to the priesthood for the Diocese of Rochester.
Social Ministry and Outreach
Because of its downtown location, St. Mary’s has always been involved in ministries and programs and projects that deal with the needs of the wider community. Either through its social ministry team or one of its staff members, St. Mary’s is involved in the Business Improvement District of downtown Auburn, Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes, the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency in a monthly food collection, Options for Independence, the Homeless Task Force, the Elder Abuse Task Force, the Auburn Chapter of the NAACP, the Cayuga County Area Interfaith Ministries (CC-AIM), and an annual summer Migrant Workers Project. AA and a Divorced / Separated / Widowed Group also find a home-base at St. Mary’s.
Parish Life
In addition to weekly Monday night BINGO, St. Mary’s has become known for its Pasta Supper on the second Tuesday of each month. Parishioners, as well as people from the wider community of Auburn, look forward to the second Tuesday of the month for good food and fellowship. The Rosary & Scapular Society for women and the Holy Name Society for men are active organizations in the parish. The Knights of Columbus Albert J. Shamon Assembly holds its monthly meeting at St. Mary’s. The Parish Life Committee coordinates various social events throughout the year which brings together the parish community. A highlight of these events is the annual parish picnic which takes place on the patronal feast of the parish, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15th.
Perhaps the connection that generations of parishioners feel to Saint Mary’s can best be captured by the father who pointed out a stained glass window in church to his young son: “See this name at the bottom. That is the name of your great grandfather who donated this window.” Four generations of families as well as newcomers call Saint Mary’s their church home.
updated March 1, 2008
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