About Divine Mercy Parish · Three Rivers, Massachusetts
Divine Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, serving the village of Three Rivers in the town of Palmer. The parish offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in both English and Polish, reflecting its heritage as a community founded by Polish immigrants at the beginning of the twentieth century. Its sanctuary is Sts. Peter and Paul Church, a striking house of worship whose typical New England exterior conceals an intricate Baroque interior that has nourished the faithful of Three Rivers for over 120 years. The parish came into being in its present form on the First Sunday of Advent (November 29, 2009), when Sts. Peter & Paul Parish merged with neighboring St. Anne Parish during the Diocese of Springfield's Pastoral Planning process.
- Established
- 1902 (parish erected); church blessed September 24, 1905; merged and renamed Divine Mercy Parish on November 29, 2009
- Patron
- Divine Mercy (parish patron); Saints Peter and Paul (patrons of the original parish church)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Stefan J. Niemczyk
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
Divine Mercy Parish welcomes those seeking a Catholic community that is small enough to know one another but rich in devotional life. Worshippers can attend daily Mass in English, a Sunday Mass in Polish with English readings and homily, and frequent the Sacrament of Confession on Saturdays and Fridays. The parish is unusual for the depth of its Eucharistic Adoration (three full days a week) and for its Polish Marian devotions such as Gorzkie Żale and the Miraculous Medal Novena. With active choirs, sodalities that trace their roots to the early 1900s, a Knights of Columbus partnership, religious education for grades K–11, and the unique outdoor Divine Mercy Grotto with its Roman-made mosaics, the parish offers many ways for families and individuals to grow in faith together.
Mass times at Divine Mercy Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (until about 3:45 PM), in English and Polish
- Friday 3:00 PM (until about 3:45 PM), in English and Polish (except during the summer)
- Anytime by appointment — call (413) 283-6030
- During the summer, confessions are heard on First Fridays and every Saturday at 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Parish History
Divine Mercy Parish traces its origin to the wave of Polish Catholic immigrants who settled in the Palmer area beginning in 1886. After years of organizing through the St. Joseph Men's Society of Thorndike (formed 1895), the Polish community was granted permission by Bishop Thomas D. Beaven to found their own parish. Father Wacław Lenz was appointed the first pastor in July 1902; he purchased land at Four Corners and oversaw the construction of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, which was blessed on September 24, 1905. The parish has been served by seven pastors in 120 years, with Father Stefan Niemczyk, the current pastor, having led the community since 1997.
- 1886 – First Polish immigrants arrive in Palmer area
- 1895 – St. Joseph Men's Society of Thorndike formed
- 1899 – Representatives petition Bishop Beaven for a Polish parish
- July 1902 – Father Wacław Lenz appointed first pastor
- 1903 – Groundbreaking at Four Corners site
- September 24, 1905 – Sts. Peter and Paul Church blessed
- November 29, 2009 – Sts. Peter & Paul and St. Anne parishes merge to form Divine Mercy Parish
Our Lady of Three Rivers and the Devotion to Mary
Marian devotion has been at the heart of parish life since its earliest years. The Holy Rosary Sodality, the oldest parish organization, was founded in 1903 by Mrs. Katarzyna Kosińska and Mrs. Tekla Pobudzyńska to promote devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the daily recitation of the Rosary. The Junior Rosary Sodality (originally the Children of Mary Sodality) was founded in 1911 by Anna Kruczek and Mary Szczepanek. The Polish tradition of Gorzkie Żale (the Lenten 'Bitter Lamentations') with Benediction is celebrated each Sunday during Lent at 2:00 PM.
- Holy Rosary Sodality (founded 1903)
- Junior Rosary Sodality / Children of Mary Sodality (founded 1911)
- Gorzkie Żale and Benediction every Sunday during Lent at 2:00 PM
- Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary statue in May
- First Saturday Devotion kept monthly by the Rosary Sodality
St. Joseph Kalwowski Society
The parish continues to honor St. Joseph through the legacy of the St. Joseph's Society that organized the original Polish community in Thorndike in 1895. The society's advocacy before Bishop Beaven was the decisive step that led to the founding of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish.
The Divine Mercy Grotto
Behind Sts. Peter and Paul Church stands the Divine Mercy Grotto, an outdoor fieldstone shrine whose interior mosaics were crafted by artists in Rome. It was blessed on October 5, 1996, by Father Seraphim Michalenko, M.I.C., then-rector of the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and vice-postulator for the Canonization Cause of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska. The grotto was a major parish project under Father Robert J. Ceckowski and was the reason the merged parish took the name Divine Mercy in 2009. An outdoor shrine of St. Fiacre, patron of gardeners and cab drivers, stands to the front left of the grotto. The Tri-Village Knights of Columbus Council #5956 has presented a Living Rosary at the Grotto.
- Fieldstone construction with Roman-made mosaic interior
- Blessed October 5, 1996 by Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, M.I.C.
- Inspired the parish name 'Divine Mercy' chosen in 2009
- Adjacent outdoor shrine of St. Fiacre (patron of gardeners and cab drivers)
Pastor — Father Stefan J. Niemczyk
Father Stefan J. Niemczyk, the sixth pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish and current pastor of Divine Mercy Parish, was born in Poland on December 10, 1953. He spent his early childhood and elementary school years in Giedlarowa, Poland, before studying automotive technology at the Automotive Institute in Rzeszów. After priestly formation, he came to serve in the Diocese of Springfield. In January 1998, following the death of Father Robert Ceckowski, Father Niemczyk was appointed administrator of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish and shortly thereafter named its sixth pastor. He is deeply committed to the liturgical and spiritual life of the parish, offering Mass every day of the week, supporting religious education and youth formation, and ministering to people of all ages.
- Born December 10, 1953 in Giedlarowa, Poland
- Sixth pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish; first pastor of Divine Mercy Parish
- Administrator since January 1998; pastor since 1998
- Oversaw renovation of parish hall, revival of parish picnic, and 2019 repainting of church interior
Parish Staff and Parish Council
The parish is supported by a small dedicated staff and an active Parish Council.
- Rev. Mr. John Fox — Deacon
- Luke Roberts — Parish Council President
- Joseph Brozek — Organist & Choir Director
- Maryann Wostena, Michael Wostena, Diane Pikul — Sacristans / Bulletin Editors
- Donna Olearczyk — Secretary for Weekly Collection and Votive Lamps (Mondays)
- Deborah O'Sullivan — Child Safety Advocate
- John Dziedzic — Groundskeeper
Parish Organizations — Get Involved
Parish life is strengthened by a rich variety of organizations, several of which date back to the early 1900s. New members are welcome in every group.
- Altar Servers — young men who have made their First Holy Communion
- St. Cecilia Choir — sings at the Sunday 8:00 AM Polish Mass (rehearsal Sunday 7:30 AM)
- Holy Family Choir — sings at the Saturday 4:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM Masses (rehearsal Saturday 3:30 PM)
- Eucharistic Adoration Society — Coordinator: Lynne Riendeau (413-283-7038)
- Holy Rosary Sodality (since 1903) — President: Deborah O'Connor
- Junior Rosary Sodality / Children of Mary Sodality (since 1911) — Coordinators: Valerie Włodyka and Donna Jasak
- Lectors
- Sacred Heart Society (since 1913)
- Sts. Peter and Paul Men's Guild (since 1995) — President: Fred Orszulak; meets second Tuesday of the month
Religious Education (C.C.D.)
The Saints Peter & Paul School of Religious Education (C.C.D.) instructs students in the basics of the Roman Catholic Faith from kindergarten through eleventh grade. The program principally includes preparation for the Sacraments of Penance and First Holy Communion (annually) and Confirmation (bi-annually). Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, September through May. The parish emphasizes that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith.
- Grades K-11
- Sunday mornings, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, September through May
- Annual preparation for Penance and First Holy Communion
- Bi-annual preparation for Confirmation
- Contact: Parish Office, (413) 283-6030
Mass and Devotions Schedule
Divine Mercy Parish offers daily Mass along with a robust schedule of devotions, confession, and Eucharistic Adoration throughout the week.
- Daily Mass Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM (Tuesday at 5:30 PM)
- Saturday Mass at 8:00 AM and Anticipated Mass at 4:00 PM
- Sunday 8:00 AM Polish Mass with readings and homily in English; 10:00 AM English Mass
- Holy Days: 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM
- Confessions Saturday 3:00 PM and Friday 3:00 PM (except summer)
- Eucharistic Adoration Wednesday (9:00 AM–6:00 PM), Thursday and Friday (9:00 AM–4:00 PM)
- Miraculous Medal Novena Tuesday 5:15 PM
- Rosary for World Peace Monday 4:00 PM
- Stations of the Cross and Mass Friday 6:00 PM during Lent
- Gorzkie Żale and Benediction Sunday 2:00 PM during Lent (in Polish)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and welcomes inquiries about Baptism, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and First Communion / Confirmation preparation. All arrangements are made through Father Stefan Niemczyk at the Parish Office.
- Baptism — infant baptism arranged in advance
- Holy Matrimony — by appointment with the pastor
- Anointing of the Sick
- Penance / Confession — Saturday 3:00 PM and Friday 3:00 PM (except summer); by appointment
- First Holy Communion (annual preparation)
- Confirmation (bi-annual preparation)
Visiting and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The church mailing address is P.O. Box 157, Three Rivers, MA 01080; the physical address is 2267 Main Street, Three Rivers, MA 01080, within the town of Palmer.
- Phone: (413) 283-6030
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.churchofdivinemercy.org
- Office hours: Monday & Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Mailing: P.O. Box 157, Three Rivers, MA 01080
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. Wacław (Wenceslaus) Lenz1902–1911
First pastor; appointed by Bishop Beaven; purchased the Four Corners site and oversaw construction of the church and rectory.
- Rev. Fr. Władysław Kiełbasiński1911–1913
- Rev. Fr. Andrzej Krzywda1913–1947
Longest-tenured pastor; founded the Sacred Heart Society in 1913.
- Rev. Fr. Józef Szczepaniak1947–1948
- Rev. Msgr. Alphonse A. Skoniecki1948–1972
- Rev. Fr. Robert J. Ceckowski1972–1997
Founded the Sts. Peter and Paul Men's Guild in 1995; oversaw construction of the Divine Mercy Grotto, blessed in 1996.
- Rev. Fr. Stefan J. Niemczyk1997–present
Sixth pastor; led the 2009 merger into Divine Mercy Parish; oversaw renovation of the parish hall, revival of the parish picnic, and 2019 repainting of the church interior.