About Annunciation of the Lord · Taunton, Massachusetts
Annunciation of the Lord is a Roman Catholic parish in Taunton, Massachusetts, part of the Diocese of Fall River. It was formed in 2000–2001 by merging two historic Weir Village parishes — Sacred Heart (est. 1873) and Our Lady of Lourdes (est. 1905) — and today serves the faithful from its church at 31 First Street as a linked parish with St. Nicholas of Myra in North Dighton. The community is currently led by Father David C. Deston, Jr. and is known for its warm Portuguese-American heritage, including the celebrated Domingas (Holy Ghost) tradition each spring.
- Established
- 2000
- Patron
- Annunciation of the Lord (the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. David C. Deston, Jr. (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
Annunciation of the Lord offers daily and weekend Mass in the heart of Taunton's Weir Village, with a pastor who has personally committed to expanding the schedule so the Eucharist is available every day of the week. The parish is small but deeply rooted, with active ministries for men (Knights of Columbus #11914), women (Women's Guild, including trips like Sight & Sound's "Noah"), outreach to the poor (St. Vincent de Paul), and faith formation for children and adults under Director Mary Ann Prunier. Its unique Domingas tradition — seven weeks of nightly rosary, host families, and a Pentecost "Sopas" celebration — gives the parish a distinctive Portuguese-Catholic identity that warmly welcomes new members.
Mass times at Annunciation of the Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- One half hour before every Mass
- By appointment — call the parish office (508-823-2521)
Adoration times
- Saturdays: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (no Saturday Adoration in July and August)
- First Friday of the month: after the 8:00 AM Mass until 4:00 PM
Parish History
Annunciation of the Lord was born in 2000–2001 from the merger of Sacred Heart Parish (founded 1873 in Taunton's Weir Village) and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (founded 1905 for Portuguese-speaking Catholics). In 2023 the parish celebrated 150 years of continuous Catholic life in the Weir, joined by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha and six concelebrating priests. The affiliated Our Lady of Lourdes School also marked its 60th anniversary that year.
- 1873 — Sacred Heart Parish founded in Weir Village
- 1905 — Our Lady of Lourdes Parish founded for Portuguese-speaking Catholics
- 2000/2001 — Two parishes merged to form Annunciation of the Lord
- 2012 — Parish cited by diocese as a model of collaboration with neighboring parishes
- 2019 — Fr. Tom Costa reassigned; diocesan-wide Taunton consolidation
- 2021 — Fr. David C. Deston, Jr. assigned as parochial administrator; linked with St. Nicholas of Myra
- 2023 — 150th anniversary celebration with Bishop da Cunha
Clergy, Staff & Seminarians
The parish is led by Fr. David C. Deston, Jr. — a Fall River diocesan priest ordained in 2009 who grew up in Fall River and graduated from UMass Dartmouth before entering seminary in 1999. A small, dedicated staff supports faith formation, parish administration, music, and the sacristy. The parish also welcomes seminarians in formation; in summer 2025 it hosted David Ferrucci, a former airline pilot with over 24,500 flight hours discerning priesthood for the diocese.
- Fr. David C. Deston, Jr. — Pastor / Parochial Administrator
- Mary Ann Prunier — Director of Faith Formation
- Maureen Brawley — Safe-Environment Coordinator
- Jackie Paige — Administrative Assistant
- Phil Cronin — Sacristan
- Kevin Correira — Organist
- David Ferrucci — Seminarian (summer assignment)
- Deacon Robert Faria — Finance Council
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Annunciation of the Lord is directed by Mary Ann Prunier and serves the children and families of the linked parish community. The parish also shares an educational mission through the affiliated Our Lady of Lourdes School, which serves students from the parish and surrounding communities.
- Director of Faith Formation: Mary Ann Prunier
- Parish sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Affiliated school: Our Lady of Lourdes School (ololtaunton.com) — celebrating 60th anniversary in 2023
- Youth Ministry founded under Fr. Tom Costa (circa 2012)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
A small but active lay community sustains the parish through several long-standing organizations: the Knights of Columbus, the Women's Guild, the St. Vincent de Paul Society for charitable outreach, and the Holy Ghost Society (Irmandade do Espírito Santo), which carries the parish's Portuguese heritage.
- Knights of Columbus #11914 — Grand Knight Bob Crossman, 508-823-7920
- Women's Guild — Maureen Delaney, 508-822-8710 (trips, parish events)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — 508-880-1583 (outreach to those in need)
- Holy Ghost Society (Irmandade do Espírito Santo) — Domingas and Soupas
- Finance Council — chaired by Colleen Simpson
- Pastoral Council
Holy Ghost Society & the Domingas Tradition
One of the most distinctive features of Annunciation of the Lord is its annual Domingas — a seven-week Portuguese-Catholic devotional tradition brought to the United States by Azorean immigrants. Beginning on Easter Sunday, host families take turns hosting the 'Dominga' (named for the seven Sundays leading to Pentecost), gathering each evening at 7:00 PM in the parish hall to pray the rosary for about an hour and to honor the Holy Spirit with a silver crown topped by a dove, inspired by the 14th-century Queen St. Elizabeth of Portugal. Each week a different 'Mordoma' family receives a special blessing and is 'crowned.' The tradition culminates on Pentecost Sunday (May 16, 2027 in the current cycle), when the parish processes from Our Lady of Lourdes School to the church for a special 12:00 noon Mass, then returns to the school hall for a free 'Sopas' (traditional soup) meal open to the entire community, all funded by donations raised by the Holy Ghost Society.
- Inspired by 14th-century Queen St. Elizabeth of Portugal (feast day July 4)
- Begins on Easter Sunday with blessing of the Dominga Altar, Crown and Scepters
- Seven Sunday 'Domingas' through Pentecost, hosted by designated Mordoma families
- Rosary prayed nightly at 7:00 PM for about one hour
- Ends on Pentecost Sunday with procession, 12:00 noon Mass, and free Sopas meal
- All costs covered by Holy Ghost Society donations
Sacraments
Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the seven sacraments in the ordinary way of the Roman Rite. Parents seeking Baptism, couples preparing for Marriage, and Catholics seeking Reconciliation are asked to contact the parish office in advance.
- Baptism — registered, practicing parishioners; call the rectory to arrange
- Reconciliation (Confession) — 30 minutes before every Mass, or by appointment
- Matrimony — registered parishioners should contact the rectory at least 8 months in advance
- Confirmation — preparation through the Faith Formation program
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion for the homebound — contact the parish office
Office, Location & Contact
The parish office is located in the church basement at 31 First Street, Taunton, MA 02780, and is staffed on a limited weekday schedule. The mailing address is 282 Somerset Avenue, Taunton, MA 02780. The parish can be reached by phone, fax, email, or through its Facebook page.
- Address: 31 First Street, Taunton, MA 02780
- Mailing Address: 282 Somerset Avenue, Taunton, MA 02780
- Phone: 508-823-2521
- Fax: 508-823-2522
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday — 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Facebook: facebook.com/AnnunciationTaunton
Linked Parish — St. Nicholas of Myra (North Dighton)
Since 2021, Annunciation of the Lord has been paired with St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in North Dighton, MA, sharing priests and ministry staff under one administration. Weekend and weekday Masses are split between the two churches so that every day of the week the Eucharist is available in the linked community.
- Saturday Vigil at St. Nicholas of Myra: 4:00 PM
- Sunday at St. Nicholas of Myra: 10:30 AM
- Weekday 8:00 AM Monday–Wednesday at St. Nicholas of Myra
- Pastors reside at Annunciation of the Lord in Taunton, about six miles from North Dighton
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Driscollcirca 2012
Pastor at time of 2012 Taunton Gazette article; spoke of parish collaboration with St. Anthony's.
- Rev. Tom Costaapproximately 2012–2019
Revered pastor who founded a youth ministry at Annunciation and remained closely tied to Our Lady of Lourdes School; reassigned in 2019 diocesan consolidation.
- Rev. David C. Deston, Jr.2021–present
Fall River diocesan priest (ordained 2009), assigned as parochial administrator of the linked Annunciation of the Lord / St. Nicholas of Myra parishes in 2021.