About Divine Mercy Church · Peterborough, New Hampshire
Divine Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Peterborough, New Hampshire, in the Monadnock region. Formed in 2006 by the merger of three historic parishes — St. Peter (Peterborough, est. 1874), St. Patrick (Bennington, est. 1936), and St. Denis (Harrisville, est. 1902) — it serves the towns of Bennington, Antrim, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Stoddard, Harrisville, Dublin, and Peterborough within the Diocese of Manchester. The parish worships at Divine Mercy Church at 12 Church Street, Peterborough, and describes itself as 'an ever-welcoming and compassionate community of faith' committed to proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Eucharist, embracing those in need, and defending the holiness and flourishing of human life. It is currently pastored by Very Rev. Arockia Antony, HGN, V.F., who also serves as Dean of the Monadnock Deanery.
- Established
- 2006
- Patron
- The Divine Mercy (Jesus, Divine Mercy)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Arockia Antony, HGN, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester (New Hampshire)
Why belong here
Divine Mercy Parish welcomes registered members into a regional Catholic community that spans nine Monadnock-region towns and unites three former parishes with roots going back to 1874. Members receive periodic parish mailings, the diocesan Parable magazine, and offering envelopes that validate donations for tax purposes. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass in English, regular confession times, Eucharistic adoration, RCIA for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, and a structured Youth Ministry with ministries in community service, outreach, liturgy, faith development, and social life. It is a fitting spiritual home for those who value both rooted tradition and a welcoming, small-parish feel in the Peterborough area.
Mass times at Divine Mercy Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 AM (after daily Mass)
- Thursday: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (during Adoration)
- Saturday: 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
- Other days by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- No Eucharistic Adoration in July
Welcome and Parish Identity
Divine Mercy Parish describes itself as an ever-welcoming and compassionate community of faith in the Monadnock region. Its mission statement on the website reads: 'Radiating Christ's presence, we are guided by the Holy Spirit and live in communion with the Catholic Church throughout the world. The people of Divine Mercy Parish are an ever-welcoming and compassionate community of faith, where we grow in grace and love of Jesus Christ. Proclaiming the Gospel, we are building God's kingdom in our lives, our families and our towns. We provide a joyful home for prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist and all the sacraments. Through actions and words, we embrace those in need, defend the holiness and flourishing of human life, and promote peace and justice.'
- Sunday Mass: Saturday 5:00 PM vigil; Sunday 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- Weekday Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:30 AM; Wednesday at 5:30 PM
- Confession before and after most Masses plus by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration Thursday evenings (no Adoration in July)
History and Formation (2006 Merger)
On June 25, 2006, the Diocese of Manchester merged three parishes into one new territorial parish named Divine Mercy Parish, in accordance with canons 121, 515 §2 §3, and 518 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The merger joined Saint Peter Parish of Peterborough (serving the faithful since 1874), Saint Patrick Parish of Bennington (since 1936), and Saint Denis Parish of Harrisville (since 1902), as recommended by Cluster Task Force #12 and the diocese's Long Range Planning Commission. The decree, issued by the Bishop of Manchester on June 12, 2006, stated the goal of strengthening the preaching of the Gospel and ensuring the vitality of parish life through better stewardship of resources amid a priest shortage. All sacramental registers, assets, and liabilities of the three former parishes were transferred to the new parish; the former parish juridic personalities were suppressed.
- St. Peter Parish — founded 1874, Peterborough, NH
- St. Patrick Parish — founded 1936, Bennington, NH
- St. Denis Parish — founded 1902, Harrisville, NH
- Merger decree issued June 12, 2006; effective at the close of Sunday, June 25, 2006
- Boundaries: Bennington, Antrim, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Stoddard, Harrisville, Dublin, and Peterborough
- St. Peter Church (18 Vine Street, Peterborough) has been closed; its sacramental records are now held by Divine Mercy Parish
Pastoral Leadership
Divine Mercy Parish is pastored by Very Rev. Arockia Antony, HGN, V.F., who was appointed by Bishop Peter A. Libasci effective September 18, 2024, transferring from his pastorate of St. Joseph Parish in Woodsville and Saint Catherine of Siena in Lisbon. A member of the HGN (Heralds of Good News) congregation, Father Arockia was ordained in 2011. On January 8, 2025, he was additionally appointed Vicar Forane (Dean) of the Monadnock Deanery, with supervisory responsibility over the parishes of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Greenville, St. Patrick in Jaffrey, Parish of the Holy Spirit in Keene, Divine Mercy in Peterborough, and St. Stanislaus in Winchester.
- Current pastor: Very Rev. Arockia Antony, HGN, V.F.
- First pastor: Rev. Gerald R. Belanger (appointed 2006)
- Former pastor: Rev. Sebastian Susairaj, HGN
- Parish office: 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458; phone (603) 924-7647
Worship and Liturgy
All Masses are celebrated in English. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday (with Wednesday shifted to evening), preceded by the Rosary on most days following Mass. Holy Days have a vigil Mass at 7:00 PM and two Masses on the day itself at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM.
- Weekend Mass: Sat 5:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
- Daily Mass: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:30 AM; Wed 5:30 PM
- Rosary after daily Mass on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Parish Registration and Membership
Individuals wishing to become registered members of Divine Mercy Parish may pick up or download a registration form, available at the Welcome table in the Narthex and online. Members receive periodic mailings, access to offering envelopes, and a subscription to Parable Magazine. Offering envelopes are the only way the parish can validate donations for tax purposes, so active members who wish to give systematically must be registered and assigned an envelope number.
- Registration form available in the Narthex and online
- Members receive periodic parish mailings
- Members receive Parable Magazine automatically
- Offering envelopes assigned only to registered members
Faith Formation and RCIA
The parish offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for anyone seeking membership in the Catholic Church — adults and children over the age of seven, whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or Catholic but never formally catechized. The journey begins with one-on-one meetings with an RCIA team member, then moves through the periods of inquiry, catechumenate, purification and enlightenment, culminating in the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Most inquirers take one to two years to complete the process.
- RCIA for adults and children over 7
- Easter Vigil celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Typically one-to-two-year journey
- One-on-one meetings with RCIA team members
Youth Ministry
Identified as a high-priority component of the parish's Long Term Strategic Plan, the Youth Ministry seeks to foster maturing in faith among the young people of the parish and surrounding community. Its mission is to draw young people into responsible participation in the life, work, and mission of the parish community — 'to, with, by, and for young people.' The program is organized around five areas: Community Service, Outreach, Liturgy, Faith Development, and Fun-Social.
- Community Service — assisting organizations that need special projects
- Outreach — visiting those who are less mobile and less fortunate
- Liturgy — Youth Mass participation as altar servers, greeters, readers, sacristans, ushers, and musicians
- Faith Development — building a personal relationship with Jesus
- Fun-Social — group events
- Diocesan events: Youth Day, National Catholic Youth Conference
- Retreats, service projects, sports programs, and youth liturgies
Visiting and Contact
The parish office and church are at 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458, in Cheshire County within the Monadnock Deanery. The office can be reached at (603) 924-7647. Visitors and those interested in joining the parish are encouraged to call ahead, particularly for weekday visits outside of Mass and Adoration times.
- Address: 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458
- Phone: (603) 924-7647
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.divinemercynh.org/
- Diocese: Diocese of Manchester, NH
- Deanery: Monadnock
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Gerald R. Belanger2006–
First pastor of the merged parish, appointed by Bishop of Manchester effective June 25, 2006.
- Rev. Sebastian Susairaj, HGN
Listed in Diocese of Manchester pastoral assignments as a former pastor of Divine Mercy Parish.
- Rev. Arockia I. Antony, HGN2024–present
Appointed pastor effective September 18, 2024, from St. Joseph (Woodsville) and St. Catherine of Siena (Lisbon). Named Vicar Forane (Dean) of Monadnock Deanery effective January 8, 2025.