About Corpus Christi - St. Bernard (West Newton) · West Newton, Massachusetts
Corpus Christi - St. Bernard Parish is a Roman Catholic faith community in West Newton, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston. The parish lives on the 'western edge' of Newton — commonly known as the 'Garden City' — and serves the neighborhoods of Auburndale, West Newton and beyond. It is the product of a 2006 merger between two historic parishes: St. Bernard's (the first Catholic church erected in Newton) and Corpus Christi in Auburndale. Today the parish offers weekday and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, faith formation for youth, a music ministry, Confirmation prep, and a wide range of lay liturgical ministries, and is led by Fr. Daniel C. O'Connell as pastor.
- Established
- 1869 (St. Bernard's founding); Corpus Christi founded 1922; merged as Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish on July 1, 2006
- Patron
- St. Bernard of Clairvaux and Corpus Christi (Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel C. O'Connell (Fr. Dan O'Connell) — priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, ordained 1983; pastor since December 2012
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Corpus Christi-St. Bernard is a long-standing Catholic community rooted in two traditions — the first Catholic church in Newton (St. Bernard's, 1874) and Corpus Christi of Auburndale (1922) — that now worship and minister together as one parish in the Archdiocese of Boston. Parishioners enjoy daily and Sunday Mass celebrated with an active choir and music ministry, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation every Saturday afternoon, a Monday novena and prayer group, robust liturgical lay ministries (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Servers, Funeral Team), youth faith formation and Confirmation preparation, and parish councils that shape parish life. Whether you live in Auburndale, West Newton or the surrounding Newton neighborhoods, you'll find a parish that centers itself on the Eucharist and welcomes every visitor 'in the middle of a public square' to listen, learn and live the message of Jesus Christ.
Mass times at Corpus Christi - St. Bernard (West Newton)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
- Or by appointment (call 617-244-0608)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 8:30 am – 9:30 am (Eucharistic Adoration, following the 8:00 am Mass)
About Corpus Christi–St. Bernard Parish
Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish is a Roman Catholic faith community in the 'Garden City' of Newton, living and thriving on the western edge of the city. The parish describes itself this way: 'a Catholic faith community centered in the Eucharistic celebration. We give witness to our baptismal promises and commit ourselves to learn, love, and live the message of Jesus Christ.' Building on more than 240 years of Catholic presence in Newton, the parish welcomes parishioners and visitors alike and seeks 'to be a monument of what it means to be prayerfully and generously worthy of the promises of Christ — all in the middle of a public square, often alive with voices calling folks elsewhere.' Parish offices are at 1523 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465.
- Parish office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–3:30 pm; Friday 9:00 am–12:00 pm
- Phone: 617-244-0608 | Fax: 617-969-1025
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor: Fr. Dan O'Connell
History of the Parish
The history of Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish is the merging of two long Catholic stories — St. Bernard's in West Newton and Corpus Christi in Auburndale — into one parish family in 2006. St. Bernard's traces its beginnings to Father Bernard Flood of Waltham, who began offering Mass in northern Newton around 1866, bought a lot at Washington and Prospect Streets on May 17, 1869, and saw the Gothic brick church dedicated by Bishop Williams on August 23, 1874. After a devastating fire on June 23, 1889 under its third pastor, Rev. Lawrence J. O'Toole, the church was rebuilt and rededicated on April 27, 1890. Corpus Christi Parish was established in Auburndale in 1922, with its first Mass on June 25, 1922 in Norumbega Hall over the Keyes Drug Store on Auburn Street; the upper church was solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Richard J. Cushing on February 26, 1955. The two parishes merged on July 1, 2006 under Fr. Frank J. Silva; Fr. Dan O'Connell became pastor in December 2012 and continues that work today.
- 1869 — Fr. Bernard Flood buys the lot; first Mass in Newton Town Hall
- 1871 — Cornerstone of St. Bernard's blessed (November 12)
- 1874 — Bishop Williams dedicates the Gothic brick St. Bernard's (August 23)
- 1876 — West Newton becomes a separate parish under Fr. Michael T. McManus
- 1889 — St. Bernard's nearly destroyed by fire (June 23)
- 1890 — St. Bernard's rededicated (April 27)
- 1922 — Corpus Christi Parish named (July 2) under Fr. Thomas McManmon
- 1923 — Basement chapel of Corpus Christi complete
- 1955 — Corpus Christi Church consecrated by Cardinal Cushing (February 26)
- 2006 — Merger into Corpus Christi–St. Bernard Parish under Fr. Frank J. Silva (July 1)
- 2012 — Fr. Dan O'Connell becomes pastor (December)
History of Corpus Christi Church (Auburndale)
Corpus Christi Church began in 1922 and it was a busy first year. The first Mass was celebrated on June 25, 1922 in Norumbega Hall above the former Keyes Drug Store (now BreadSong Bakery) on Auburn Street in Auburndale. Rev. Thomas McManmon had been assigned as pastor on June 19, 1922; on July 2nd the parish was named Corpus Christi Parish. The first census in July 1922 listed 190 families. In the early 1940s, funds were accumulated to erect the present church, and with completion of the upper church interior it was solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Richard J. Cushing on February 26, 1955. Father Joseph F. McGlone came as administrator in 1972 and was made pastor in 1973 — he served the parish for 30 of its first 80 years.
History of St. Bernard's Church (West Newton)
St. Bernard's was the first Catholic church erected in Newton. Father Bernard Flood of Waltham, who offered Mass in this section occasionally from about 1866 onward, bought a lot at Washington and Prospect Streets on May 17, 1869 and hired the Town Hall for services on May 30, 1869. The cornerstone was blessed November 12, 1871, and Bishop Williams dedicated the Gothic brick church on August 23, 1874 (cost about $45,000). West Newton was made a separate parish under Father Michael T. McManus on April 20, 1876. Under Rev. Lawrence J. O'Toole (1886–1911), the church was almost completely destroyed by fire on June 23, 1889; it was rebuilt along its old lines and rededicated April 27, 1890.
Parish Staff & Clergy
The pastoral team is led by Fr. Daniel C. O'Connell, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston ordained in 1983 who has served parishes in Lowell, Quincy, West Newton, Cambridge and Downtown Boston and is now pastor of Corpus Christi-St. Bernard. He is assisted by Sister Suzanne Fondini, MFIC (Pastoral Associate); Paula Chesbrough (Director of Liturgy); Anthony Caruso (Pastoral Associate and Director of Finance/Operations); Paige Carroll (Coordinator of Parish Services); Mary Nolan (Music Director); Tim DeRosa (Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry); Brendan and Lauren Belschner (Confirmation Coordinators); and Jay Porter (Facilities Consultant).
- Fr. Dan O'Connell — Pastor (ordained 1983; pastor since December 2012)
- Sr. Suzanne Fondini, MFIC — Pastoral Associate
- Paula Chesbrough — Director of Liturgy (Pastoral Associate)
- Anthony Caruso — Pastoral Associate & Director of Finance/Operations
- Paige Carroll — Coordinator of Parish Services
- Mary Nolan — Music Director (8 years leading Adult & Children's Choirs)
- Tim DeRosa — Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
- Brendan & Lauren Belschner — Confirmation Coordinators
- Jay Porter — Facilities Consultant
Liturgical Ministries
Corpus Christi-St. Bernard relies on a strong team of lay liturgical ministers — described on the parish website as essential to its reverent and active Sunday celebrations. Each ministry has a formation process led by the pastoral staff.
- Altar Servers — children in grades 3 and up; asked to assist 1–2 times per month
- Lectors — proclaim the first and second readings and lead the Prayers of the Faithful; formation covers the Liturgy Course, spirituality for ministers of the Word, prayerful Scripture preparation, instruction in Liturgy of the Word and a proclamation practicum
- Eucharistic Ministers — distribute the Body and Blood of Christ; trained by Sr. Suzanne Fondini
- Music Ministry — Leaders of Song, Adult Choir and Children's Choir directed by Mary Nolan
- Ushers and Greeters — seat parishioners and maintain a clean, safe, welcoming environment
- Liturgical Environment
- Mass and Sacristy Coordinators — arrive 30 minutes before and remain 15 minutes after Mass
- Funeral Team — helps families with readings, music, set-up, greeting, ushering, and clean-up (a corporal work of mercy)
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry is led by Tim DeRosa, a 2022 graduate of Mount St. Mary's (theology with a focus on Liturgy) who originally joined the parish in July 2022 as Communications Director. His vision is to accompany and empower families to integrate the Faith into everyday life. The Confirmation program, coordinated by Brendan and Lauren Belschner, transitioned in January 2024 from a 9th/10th-grade model to a 7th/8th-grade model in line with the Archdiocese's changes.
- Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry: Tim DeRosa
- Confirmation Coordinators: Brendan & Lauren Belschner
- Confirmation now prepared in 7th & 8th grade (effective January 2024)
Music & Liturgy
Director of Liturgy Paula Chesbrough coordinates all parish worship and oversees lay ministry; she has long served the parish as a Pastoral and Finance Council member, Liturgy Committee chair, choir singer, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher, and Funeral Team member, and lived her Cursillo in 2008. The Music Ministry is led by Mary Nolan, an organist and keyboardist who has directed the Adult and Children's Choirs for the past 8 years and assists the parish with Funeral Liturgies. The Worship Commission assists the pastor in planning all major liturgical celebrations, especially during Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter and on Holy Days.
Commissions & Councils
Three consultative bodies help shape parish life at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard. Most Pastoral Council members are elected by parishioners for a specific term; some are appointed by the Pastor.
- Parish Pastoral Council — consultative body advising the Pastor, fostering unity and a sense of community
- Worship Commission — encourages full, active and conscious participation; assists with Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Holy Day planning
- Finance Council
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond Sunday Mass, the parish provides regular opportunities for prayer and devotion centered on the Eucharist. Adoration on Wednesday morning offers 'a moment of silence with the Lord' to hear the voice of the Shepherd. The Monday novena and prayer group keeps parishioners connected during the week.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Wednesday 8:30–9:30 am
- Novena & Prayer Group — Monday 12:00 pm
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–3:30 pm or by appointment
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bernard Flood (Waltham)c. 1866–1869
Mission priest who began offering Mass in this part of Newton and bought the lot at Washington & Prospect Streets on May 17, 1869 to build St. Bernard's.
- Father Michael T. McManusappointed April 20, 1876
First pastor when West Newton was made a separate parish from St. Bernard's.
- Rev. Lawrence J. O'Toole1886–1911
Third pastor of St. Bernard's; rebuilt the church after the June 23, 1889 fire; it was rededicated April 27, 1890.
- Rev. Thomas McManmonassigned June 19, 1922; named parish July 2, 1922
First pastor of Corpus Christi Parish (Auburndale).
- Father Joseph F. McGlone1972 admin; 1973 pastor
Served Corpus Christi Parish for 30 of its first 80 years.
- Fr. Frank J. SilvaJuly 1, 2006 – 2012
First pastor of the newly merged Corpus Christi–St. Bernard Parish.
- Fr. Dan (Daniel C.) O'ConnellDecember 2012 – present
Returned to the parish as pastor in 2012; serves the people of Auburndale, West Newton and beyond.