About Holy Redeemer · Chatham, Massachusetts
Holy Redeemer Parish is the Roman Catholic parish serving Chatham on Massachusetts' Lower Cape, part of the Diocese of Fall River. A Christ-centered, welcoming community dedicated to lifelong faith formation, evangelization, social works of justice, and community outreach, the parish describes itself with the motto 'Living in Faith, Growing in Faith, Sharing in Faith.' It currently offers eight Masses each week, a livestreamed Mass, an active small-group faith-sharing movement, and a broad ministry network that includes the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Faith Formation K–9, RCIA, a Vocations Awareness team, and a nursing-home (Liberty Commons) ministry. In 2024 the parish completed a $3 million addition and renovation, rededicated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, that added an elevator, a new organ, and a more accessible, airy sanctuary.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- The Holy Redeemer (Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. John M. Sullivan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
Holy Redeemer is a year-round Lower Cape parish that warmly welcomes seasonal residents, visitors, and year-round parishioners alike. With a rich 110-year history, daily Mass, a livestream option, an eight-group Small Faith Sharing program serving 83+ members, Faith Formation for children in grades K–9, an active St. Vincent de Paul Society, a Knights of Columbus council, and a brand-new accessible sanctuary completed in 2024, it is a parish that actively reaches beyond its walls through outreach, evangelization, and community service — and that explicitly invites newcomers to make it their spiritual home.
Mass times at Holy Redeemer
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Holy Thursday: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament following the 7 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper until 11 pm
- 40 Hours Devotion (held periodically, e.g., August 21–23, 2025) with Benediction, Evening Prayer, a Taizé Prayer Service led by Music Director Teresa Lim, and closing with the Rosary and Divine Mercy Devotion led by Deacon Art
History of Holy Redeemer Parish
Catholic life in Chatham began with a Mass celebrated by Fr. William Moran on February 2, 1855. For decades the Catholic community was a mission station, served from Sandwich, Wellfleet/Truro, Hyannis, and finally Holy Trinity in Harwich by the Sacred Heart Fathers. In 1915 Matthias Slavin donated land on Highland Avenue; the Gothic Revival church was built and dedicated by Bishop Daniel Feehan in 1916. The parish was officially established on May 1, 1955, under its first pastor, Rev. Theodore Brennan, who built the rectory, Our Lady of Grace Chapel in South Chatham, and the Faith Formation program. The 2023–2024 $3 million addition and renovation was rededicated by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha on July 7, 2024.
- First recorded Mass: February 2, 1855
- Church built: 1915–1916, Gothic Revival
- Parish established: May 1, 1955
- Our Lady of Grace Chapel (South Chatham): opened 1963
- Capital campaign addition/renovation rededicated: July 7, 2024
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. John M. Sullivan and is served by two permanent deacons, a business manager, a Director of Religious Education who also serves as Administrative Assistant, and a Director of Music.
- Pastor: Fr. John Sullivan
- Business Manager: Howard F. Whelden
- Deacon: Arthur L. LaChance
- Deacon: Joseph F. Mador
- Director of Religious Education & Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Beth Norcross
- Director of Music: Teresa Lim
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
The Holy Redeemer Faith Formation program deepens children's understanding of the Catholic faith and supports parents in offering religious education to children in Grades K–9. A developmental program, it builds understanding of liturgy, sacraments, and scripture. Students are eligible to receive First Eucharist after completion of the Grades 1 and 2 program, and Confirmation is administered in Grade 9 to those who have completed the Grade 8 and Grade 9 curricula.
- Faith Formation Grades K–9
- First Eucharist after Grades 1–2
- Confirmation in Grade 9
- Director: Mrs. Beth Norcross
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
Holy Redeemer welcomes new members into the Roman Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a process of formation, faith sharing, and rituals marked by stages of prayer, study, and discussion. The parish welcomes unbaptized catechumens, baptized Christians from other denominations seeking full communion, and baptized but uncatechized Catholic adults seeking to complete their initiation through Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The process is adapted for the needs of children and youth as well.
- Unbaptized (catechumens, age 7+)
- Baptized in another Christian Church (candidates)
- Baptized but uncatechized Catholic adults (candidates)
Small Faith Sharing Groups
Small Faith Sharing groups of up to 12 men and women meet weekly or bi-weekly for prayer, Gospel reflection, and faith-sharing conversation — in the morning, afternoon, or evening, and on-site, in homes, or via Zoom. The parish currently has 83+ year-round and seasonal members in eight groups and continues to organize more. Joining is not rigid; members are encouraged to share at their comfort level, and the parish reports that participation has deepened many members' faith.
- St. Anthony of Padua Group — Bi-Weekly Monday 8:30–9:45 am (full)
- Saint Joseph Group — Bi-Weekly Monday 8:30–9:45 am (3 openings)
- St. Monica Group — Bi-Weekly Tuesday 10:00–11:30 am (3 openings)
- St. Therese of Lisieux Group — Weekly Tuesday 3:30–5:00 pm (full)
- Blessed Carlo Acutis Group — Weekly Tuesday 4:00–5:30 pm on Zoom (3 openings)
- St. Michael the Archangel Group — Weekly Wednesday 4:00–5:30 pm (full)
- St. Teresa of Calcutta Group — Weekly 5:30–7:00 pm (1 opening)
- St. Mary Group (Victorian Assisted Living) — Monthly 3:00–4:30 pm (4 openings)
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Beyond worship, Holy Redeemer runs a wide range of parish ministries and outreach efforts that strengthen Catholic life on the Lower Cape. The Knights of Columbus (Blessed Pope Paul VI Council 7312) covers Holy Redeemer, Holy Trinity in W. Harwich, and Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster. The St. Vincent de Paul Society serves the materially and spiritually poor of the parish regardless of religious affiliation through a dedicated help line. A Vocations Awareness team supports parishioners discerning priesthood or religious life and the seminarians of the Fall River Diocese. The Liberty Commons ministry assists the parish clergy at Masses held at the two nursing homes in the parish.
- Knights of Columbus — Blessed Pope Paul VI Council 7312
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — help line (508) 237-7983
- Holy Redeemer Vocations Awareness Team
- Liberty Commons Nursing Home Ministry (Mass 2nd & 3rd Mondays at 2:00 pm)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (at the 10:00 am Sunday Mass)
Building, Renovation, and Capital Campaign
After more than a century in its Gothic Revival home on Highland Avenue, Holy Redeemer completed a major $3 million addition and renovation in 2023–2024. The work added an elevator for easier access to the basement parish hall, opened up the ceiling for a more airy sanctuary, enlarged the narthex, and brought a new organ, audio system, and bathroom. A salvaged Sacred Heart of Jesus stained-glass window from the former Sacred Heart Church in Fall River is featured in the new addition. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha celebrated the Mass of Rededication and Blessing of the New Altar on July 7, 2024. The parish is now in its ongoing 'Unless the Lord Build the House' Capital Campaign, supporting continued physical and spiritual renewal.
- Gothic Revival church built 1915–1916
- 2023–2024 $3M addition and renovation
- New elevator, narthex, organ, audio system, opened ceiling, new bathroom
- Mass of Rededication by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha on July 7, 2024
- 'Unless the Lord Build the House' Capital Campaign
Sacraments
Information about the Sacraments — including Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick — is available from the Parish Office. First Eucharist is received after the completion of the Faith Formation program for Grades 1 and 2; Confirmation is administered in Grade 9 after completion of the Grade 8 and Grade 9 curricula. Reconciliation is offered Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm or by appointment.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist (after Grades 1–2)
- Confirmation (Grade 9)
- Reconciliation (Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm, or by appointment)
- Marriage (contact Parish Office)
- Anointing of the Sick
Catholic Education
Holy Redeemer points families to the Fall River Diocese's Catholic education resources, including FACE (Financial Aid for Catholic Education), supporting parish families seeking Catholic school opportunities.
- Fall River Diocese Catholic education resources
- Financial aid (FACE)
Visiting Holy Redeemer — Frequently Asked
The parish welcomes both year-round and seasonal visitors. Holy Redeemer is located a stone's throw from Chatham Center off of Old Harbor Road, with a large parking lot beside the church and four accessible parking spaces at the ground-level parking-lot entrance; an elevator there provides access to the parish hall. The church is fully handicapped accessible. Visitors are not expected to place money in the offering, may let the offertory basket pass by, and are invited to sign up for online giving if Holy Redeemer becomes their church home. Non-Catholics are asked not to receive Communion.
- Address: 44 Highland Avenue, Chatham, MA 02633
- Phone: (508) 945-0677
- Large parking lot beside the church
- Four accessible parking spaces + elevator
- Modest dress requested; shorts at least knee-length
- Children welcome at 10:00 am Mass with Children's Liturgy of the Word; narthex available for restless children
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Theodore Brennan (Sacred Heart Father)1955–1964 (1st term)
First pastor; built and expanded the parish — church expansion (1953–54), rectory, Our Lady of Grace Chapel in South Chatham, Faith Formation with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Victory.
- Rev. Paul Price1965–1969
Sacred Heart pastor.
- Rev. Daniel J. McCarthy1969–1972
Sacred Heart pastor.
- Rev. William McClenahan1972–1974
Sacred Heart pastor; returned to succeed Fr. Brennan later and was the last Sacred Heart pastor at Holy Redeemer.
- Rev. Theodore Brennan (2nd term)1974–1984
Returned for the 20th anniversary; oversaw the 1980 renovation rededicated by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin.
- Rev. James F. Buckley1988–2001
First diocesan priest appointed as pastor; came from St. Margaret's, Buzzards Bay.
- Rev. Jon-Paul Gallant2001–2008
Celebrated the parish's 50th anniversary in 2005; installed the two salvaged stained-glass windows.
- Rev. George Scales2001 (administrator); 2008–2017
Returned as pastor in 2008; entered sick leave June 2017.
- Rev. John M. Sullivan2017–present
Current pastor; led the 2023–2024 addition/renovation and capital campaign.