About Holy Ghost · Tiverton, Rhode Island
Church of the Holy Ghost is a Roman Catholic parish rooted in the heart of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and the mother church of the town. Founded in 1913 to serve the growing Catholic population tied to the local mills, it now reaches more than 3,400 families across Tiverton and surrounding communities. The parish is known for celebrating the Mass reverently in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite, for its devotion to the Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration, Marian prayer, and frequent Confession, and for a strong tradition of faith formation that has produced multiple priestly and religious vocations. Under the pastoral care of Fr. Jay A. Finelli — host of the long-running iPadre Catholic Podcast — Holy Ghost is a welcoming, tradition-minded spiritual home for families in the East Bay of Rhode Island.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- The Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Jay A. Finelli (ninth pastor, appointed July 1, 2002)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Holy Ghost is a large, tradition-minded parish with a deep devotional life: Mass is celebrated reverently in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite, the Blessed Sacrament is adored in the parish chapel Monday through Friday, and Confession is offered weekly plus by appointment. Faith formation is a clear priority — a full Religious Education program from Grades 1 through 9, with First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation preparation, plus an active RCIA process for adults — and the parish has produced four priestly and religious vocations in recent years. Between the Knights of Divine Mercy, Ladies of Divine Mercy, Adoration Chapel, Rosary & Altar Society, and an active school of liturgical and outreach ministries, there is room for every age and state of life to belong.
Mass times at Holy Ghost
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- First Friday: following morning Mass (Divine Mercy Meeting Room)
- 1st Sunday of the Month during the 9:00 AM Mass
- During Knights & Ladies of Divine Mercy meetings (see schedule)
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Adoration Chapel, Parish Center)
- Saturday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (per bulletin schedule)
About Holy Ghost Parish
Church of the Holy Ghost, founded in 1913, is the mother church of Tiverton, Rhode Island. The parish website describes it as a vibrant, faithful community 'rooted in the heart of Tiverton' that exists to proclaim the timeless truths of the Catholic faith and lead souls to Jesus Christ. Its life flows from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass — celebrated reverently in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite — and is sustained by devotion to the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist, Marian prayer, frequent Confession, and the Church's cherished traditions. Today more than 3,400 families comprise the parish community.
A Century of Parish History
Holy Ghost traces its origins to the early twentieth century, when Bishop Matthew Harkins entrusted Tiverton, Portsmouth, and Little Compton to the Holy Ghost Fathers (C.S.Sp.) in 1908. A mission church in North Tiverton — first called the Church of the Holy Paraclete — was authorized in 1913, and the Roman-style church was dedicated on June 6, 1915. In 1920 the church was renamed Church of the Holy Ghost under Bishop William Hickey. The mission was elevated to parish status in 1923 and grew steadily under pastors Fr. Joseph Boehr, C.S.Sp., and Fr. Kerry O'Connor Keane, C.S.Sp., opening Holy Ghost School in 1950.
Quick History Timeline
A concise timeline of parish milestones drawn from the parish's own history page.
- 1874: First Catholic family settles in North Tiverton
- 1915: Mission church dedicated (Holy Paraclete / Holy Ghost)
- 1923–1925: Raised to parish; rectory completed
- 1950–1962: School opens (1950), permanent building blessed (1958), convent (1962)
- 1984–1987: Fire destroys sanctuary; new church dedicated in 1987
- 1997–present: Strong pastoral leadership, major restorations, renewed liturgy
The 1984 Fire and Rebuilding
On December 3, 1984, an electrical fire devastated the church sanctuary, causing $500,000 in damage. Masses moved temporarily to Blessed Sacrament Church and the Knights of Columbus Hall. A Building Committee under Leo St. Laurent selected Robinson Green Beretta of Providence as architects; ground was broken in September 1986, and Bishop Louis E. Gelineau dedicated the new church on November 15, 1987.
Parish Staff
Holy Ghost is led by its ninth pastor, Fr. Jay A. Finelli, supported by a small parish staff.
- Rev. Fr. Jay A. Finelli — Pastor ([email protected])
- Ms. Kathleen Troost-Cramer — Religious Education Coordinator ([email protected])
- Mrs. Francois Garrepy — Music Director / Organist
- Mrs. Linda Greffen — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Mr. James Melanson — Maintenance
- Mrs. Maria Monteiro — Housekeeper
Meet the Pastor: Fr. Jay A. Finelli
Father Jay A. Finelli is a priest of the Diocese of Providence, ordained to the diaconate on June 1, 1991 and to the priesthood on June 13, 1992 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul in Providence by Bishop Louis E. Gelineau. A native of Woonsocket, RI, he attended Rhode Island Junior College, then Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT; spent seven years as a Friar Minor with the Order of Friars in Kennebunkport, ME (earning a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Hyacinth College Seminary); and completed his theological studies at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, MA, where he received an M.Div. in 1991. He was appointed pastor of Holy Ghost on July 1, 2002 — his first pastorate — and also serves as Chaplain of Knights of Columbus Council #4753 in Tiverton, is on the board of the Meet-the-Father Ministry, and was invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on November 2, 2018, promoted to Knight Commander on November 4, 2022. He hosts the iPadre Catholic Podcast (debuted September 1, 2005), which has produced more than 300–398 episodes with over 1.5 million downloads.
Pastoral Succession
The parish website's full parish history lists each pastor in order.
- Rev. Christopher Rooney, C.S.Sp. (1913–1919) — first pastor of the mission
- Rev. Joseph Boehr, C.S.Sp. (1919–1943) — first resident pastor (from 1923); former African Congo missionary
- Rev. Kerry O'Connor Keane, C.S.Sp. (1943–1967) — added brick exterior, bell tower, opened school
- Rev. John J. Condon (1967–1971) — first diocesan pastor; Vatican II renovations
- Rev. Peter G. Young (1971–1994) — religious education priority; Parish Council formed 1972
- Rev. David Rolando (1994) — sixth pastor
- Rev. Joel Lecuvre (1994) — administrator
- Rev. Charlie Quinn (1995–1997) — seventh pastor
- Rev. Henry P. Zinno, Jr. (1997–2002) — eighth pastor; repairs, new devotions and statues
- Rev. Jay A. Finelli (2002–present) — ninth pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith and doctrinal formation is described by the parish as 'a vital part of every parish community.' Children begin formal religious education in Grade 1, preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in Grade 2. First Penance is ordinarily celebrated in late January, and First Holy Communion the weekend before Mother's Day, followed by the parish May Procession in honor of Our Lady. The Diocese of Providence has transitioned the reception of Confirmation to Grade 8, requiring a two-year preparation program (Confirmation I in Grade 8, Confirmation II in Grade 9 with a full-day retreat). RCIA is offered for adults seeking the sacraments.
- Grades 1–7 ongoing faith formation
- First Penance and First Holy Communion (Grade 2)
- Confirmation I (Grade 8): 13 sessions
- Confirmation II (Grade 9): 12 sessions, full-day retreat
- R.C.I.A. for adults
- Parish Penance Services required twice yearly (Advent & Lent)
Parish Ministries & Groups
Holy Ghost hosts a rich mix of spiritual, devotional, and service ministries.
Knights of Divine Mercy
Founded in 2006 by Fr. Richard Heilman (pastor of St. Mary's, Pine Bluff, WI), the Knights of Divine Mercy is a men's spiritual formation apostolate aimed at helping men grow in spiritual strength and respond to God's call to holiness. Meetings run September through May on the 1st Friday.
- 5:00 PM Low Mass
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Talk (men only)
- Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet during Confession
- Benediction
- Food and fellowship in the church hall
Ladies of Divine Mercy
Founded in 2015 by Fr. Richard Heilman, the Ladies of Divine Mercy is an apostolate for Catholic women's faith formation, with monthly Adoration, Confession, learning about the faith, and fellowship. Meetings are held September through May on the 3rd Friday.
- 5:00 PM Low Mass
- Talk (women only)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
- Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet during Confession
- Benediction
- Food and fellowship in the church hall
Other Ministries & Devotions
Holy Ghost also maintains a number of long-standing societies and outreach programs.
- Adoration Chapel (one-hour-a-week commitment program)
- Eileen George Prayer Group
- Rosary & Altar Society
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (since 1932)
- Liturgical Ministries: Extraordinary Ministers, Readers, Altar Servers, Funeral Servers, Ushers & Greeters
- Parish Choir and Music Program (classic hymns, Gregorian chant, polyphony)
- Parish Council (formed 1972)
- Flocknote parish communications and Online Giving
- Live Stream of Masses
Sacraments
The parish website lists full information on each of the seven sacraments, including preparation requirements, sponsor certificates for Confirmation, a Marriage Prep Form, Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites on request, and Funeral Mass guidelines. To receive Holy Communion, one must be a Catholic in good standing; children not yet making their First Holy Communion are directed to the Religious Education program, and adults to RCIA.
- Baptism
- Confirmation (Grade 8)
- First Penance (Grade 2)
- First Holy Communion (Grade 2)
- Sacrament of Penance (Confession)
- Sacrament of Matrimony (with Marriage Prep Form)
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites
- Funeral Mass
Music & Liturgical Tradition
Beginning in 2004 Fr. Finelli built a traditional music program for the parish, featuring classic Catholic hymns, Gregorian chant, and polyphony, supporting the 9:00 AM Missa Cantata and the Extraordinary Form Masses. Mrs. Francois Garrepy serves as Music Director and Organist. Statues of St. Pio and the Divine Mercy image, a Holy Ghost statue above the reredos, the restored original statue of St. Thérèse, two reproduction angels by Raphael, and Raphael's Disputation of the Holy Sacrament adorn the east wall, contributing to the parish's devotion to beauty in liturgy.
Visit & Contact
Holy Ghost's three buildings are clustered together in North Tiverton. The church itself is at 316 Judson Street; the rectory/mailing address is 311 Hooper Street; the Parish Center (which houses the offices, Religious Education offices, and Adoration Chapel) is at 303 Hooper Street. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Friday closed). Visitors to the Parish Center should enter by the door facing Judson Street. Masses are also live-streamed online.
- Church: 316 Judson Street, Tiverton, RI 02878
- Rectory/Mailing: 311 Hooper Street, Tiverton, RI 02878
- Parish Center (Offices, Religious Education & Adoration Chapel): 303 Hooper Street, Tiverton, RI 02878
- Parish Office: (401) 624-8131 — Fax: (401) 625-5156
- Religious Education: (401) 624-3664
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Fri closed)
Vocations from the Parish
Holy Ghost has produced multiple priestly and religious vocations, including the parish's most recent callings celebrated on its website.
- Rev. Zenon St. Laurent, Jr. (1941) — first priestly vocation from Holy Ghost
- Rev. Nicholas Fleming — ordained June 27, 2015 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin; first Solemn Mass June 28, 2015 at Holy Ghost (second vocation)
- Rev. Mr. Shane Conlon, F.S.S.P. — ordained deacon April 5, 2025 for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (third vocation; priestly ordination set for May 28, 2026)
- Michael Santos — entered the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (Stockbridge, MA) on August 1, 2025 (fourth vocation)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Christopher Rooney, C.S.Sp.1913–1919
First pastor; founded the mission (Church of the Holy Paraclete).
- Rev. Joseph Boehr, C.S.Sp.1919–1943
Second pastor; first resident pastor (from 1923); former missionary in the Portuguese African Congo.
- Rev. Kerry O'Connor Keane, C.S.Sp.1943–1967
Added brick exterior, bell tower, opened Holy Ghost School (1950), introduced lectors. His death in 1967 ended Holy Ghost Fathers' ministry here.
- Rev. John J. Condon1967–1971
First diocesan pastor; oversaw Vatican II renovations.
- Rev. Peter G. Young1971–1994
Prioritized religious education; hired first full-time CCD coordinator; formed Parish Council (1972).
- Rev. David Rolando1994
Sixth pastor (July 1 – November 30, 1994).
- Rev. Joel Lecuvre1994
Administrator (through December 31, 1994).
- Rev. Charlie Quinn1995–1997
Seventh pastor (Jan 1, 1995 – Jan 31, 1997).
- Rev. Henry P. Zinno, Jr.1997–2002
Eighth pastor; new roof, HVAC, centered tabernacle, new devotions and statues.
- Rev. Jay A. Finelli2002–present
Ninth pastor; traditional music, Ad Orientem Mass, anonymous confessional, host of iPadre Catholic Podcast.