Blessed Trinity Parish - St. Catherine of Alexandria Church

About Blessed Trinity Parish

Blessed Trinity Parish is one Catholic community with two worship sites: St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Westford and St. Anne Church in Littleton. Formed in January 2020, the parish carries forward the rich histories and traditions of both founding parishes while uniting them in shared mission and ministry. The parish is led in team ministry by Rev. Joseph Rossi and Rev. Peter Quinn, supported by deacons, a director of music and liturgy, faith formation staff, and a lay community organized through councils and commissions.

History: St. Catherine of Alexandria (Westford)

St. Catherine's began as a Catholic mission church in 1892, established to serve the Eastern European immigrant families who worked in the Abbot Worsted Company mills of Graniteville and Forge Village. In 1922 the mission became an independent parish, growing with the local population while continuing to serve many founding families across successive generations. Today it remains the town's only Roman Catholic ministry, serving a large geographic area and a community now composed primarily of families with young children alongside longtime parishioners.

• Mission founded: 1892
• Independent parish established: 1922
• Address: 107 North Main Street, Westford, MA
• Published parish history: Doris R. Karkota, 'History of St. Catherine of Alexandria Roman Catholic Church' (available via Westford Historical Society & Museum)

History: St. Anne (Littleton) and the 2020 Merger

St. Anne Parish in Littleton was founded in 1945, with its current church dedicated in 1960. In January 2020, St. Anne and St. Catherine of Alexandria merged to form Blessed Trinity Parish — one parish with two worship sites. The merger drew its inspiration from Jesus' Farewell Discourse prayer in John 17, 'that all may be one.' The priests, Fr. Joe and Fr. Peter, described the union as 'a cause for great rejoicing in the fervent hope that each retains its rich history, traditions and identity.'

• St. Anne Parish founded: 1945
• St. Anne Church dedicated: 1960
• Blessed Trinity Parish merger effective: January 2020
• St. Anne Church address: 75 King Street, Littleton, MA

Pastoral Team & Staff

The parish is led in team ministry by Rev. Joseph Rossi and Rev. Peter Quinn, who together have more than 90 years of ordained ministry. They are assisted by deacons and a strong staff team including a Communications & Volunteer Coordinator/Cantor/Children's Choir Director, two K-7 Faith Formation Coordinators, a Director of Confirmation & Grade 8, a Director of Music and Liturgy, an OCIA (formerly RCIA) Coordinator, a Pastoral Assistant, a Finance and Operations Director / Cemetery Manager, a Parish Secretary, an Executive Administrative Assistant, a Receptionist, and a Finance Assistant.

• Rev. Joseph Rossi — Team Ministry
• Rev. Peter F. Quinn — Team Ministry (978-320-4202)
• Deacon Bill Dwyer
• Deacon Luc Lambert
• Additional deacon on staff

Faith Formation (K-7) and Sacramental Preparation

The K-7 Faith Formation program uses the family-based 'Families Forming Disciples' model from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, emphasizing the family as the 'Domestic Church.' Families (with at least one parent) meet in small groups approximately every other week from September through spring, with simple at-home mission activities each month. Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist typically occurs in grades 2-3 using Dynamic Catholic's 'Blessed' program. First Reconciliations are celebrated in January, and First Communions are celebrated at regular Masses in May. At least one year of prior faith formation is normally expected before beginning sacramental prep.

• Curriculum: Families Forming Disciples (Archdiocese of Atlanta)
• Sacrament Prep curriculum: Dynamic Catholic's 'Blessed'
• First Reconciliation: celebrated in January
• First Eucharist: celebrated in May

Eighth Grade and Confirmation

The 8th-grade program uses Loyola Press's 'Called to be Catholic' and 'Living the Mass' curricula. The Confirmation preparation program is an 11-month journey open to all high school students not yet confirmed. It has three components: Mass/Class sessions, Sponsor meetings, and Works of Mercy projects. Candidates must attend either the 8th-grade prep or a 6-week course on 'Living the Mass' and parents must complete 'What Every Catholic Should Know' before beginning. Highlights include selecting a sponsor, attending a retreat, attending the Triduum, writing a reflection, and writing a letter to the bishop.

• Curriculum: 'Called to be Catholic' and 'Living the Mass' (Loyola Press)
• Program length: 11 months
• Components: Mass/Class, Sponsor Meetings, Works of Mercy Projects
• Director: Mary Collins — 978-320-4206

Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Blessed Trinity's youth and young adult ministries invite young people to grow in faith, friendship, and service through prayer, community, and outreach. Programming is organized around three pillars: Service, Spirituality, and Fellowship, and includes a Mission Trip and Youth Group activities.

• Three pillars: Service, Spirituality, Fellowship
• Annual Mission Trip
• Youth Group meetings

St. Vincent de Paul Conference

Blessed Trinity's St. Vincent de Paul conferences follow the Society's mission: 'a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.' Services are open to anyone in need — you do not have to be a parishioner or Catholic — and all contact is confidential. Direct phone lines and dedicated email addresses are maintained for residents of different towns in the area.

• Food and household products
• Medical, dental, rent, mortgage, utility, insurance, and car repair bill assistance
• Home repairs/maintenance help
• Support for the homeless searching for housing
• Support for local food pantries
• Outreach to natural disaster victims
• Annual Friends of the Poor® Walk fundraiser
• Annual Golf Tournament at Sky Meadow Country Club (Nashua, NH)

Councils and Commissions

Through communion, mission, and stewardship, parish councils and commissions unite laity and clergy to strengthen parish life around Christ and the Gospel. The Finance & Administration Council is advisory, meets monthly, and works with the Finance and Operations Director and Parish Accountant to develop a balanced budget. Members come from a range of professional backgrounds including banking, finance, human resources, and engineering.

• Finance & Administration Council (co-Chairs: Jeff Gottschalk and Bob Stall)
• Liturgy Commission
• Pastoral Council

Contact, Locations, and Accessibility

The parish office is located at 2 West Street, Westford, MA 01886, and is open Monday–Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The main phone line is 978-320-4220 (fax 978-392-0644). Both worship sites — St. Catherine of Alexandria Church at 107 North Main Street, Westford, and St. Anne Church at 75 King Street, Littleton — along with their parish halls, are handicap accessible, and hearing assistance devices are available; ask an usher.

• Parish Office: 2 West Street, Westford, MA 01886
• Phone: 978-320-4220 | Fax: 978-392-0644
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
• Email: [email protected]
• St. Catherine: 107 North Main Street, Westford
• St. Anne: 75 King Street, Littleton
• Handicap accessible; hearing assistance devices available