About Holy Trinity · Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Holy Trinity Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, serving Woonsocket and North Smithfield in the Diocese of Providence. It was formed on July 1, 2018 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin's decree, uniting the former Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Sacred Heart, and Holy Family parishes into a single successor parish housed at the 1409 Park Avenue church building (the former Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church, established September 1953). The parish is bilingual, celebrating a Sunday noon Mass in Spanish alongside English Masses, and runs an active social-justice and outreach program including the Holy Trinity Food Pantry and St. Gabriel's Call. It is pastored by Rev. Daniel J. Sweet, with Rev. Maurice L. Brindamour serving as Pastor Emeritus.
- Established
- 2018
- Patron
- The Holy Trinity (the merged parish is named for the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; no other specific patron saint is listed on the parish site)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel J. Sweet
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Holy Trinity offers a welcoming, bilingual Catholic community with three Sunday Mass options (including a Spanish Mass at noon), daily 7 AM weekday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, and Saturday confessions. The parish actively lives the corporal works of mercy through its Holy Trinity Food Pantry, Outreach Program (formerly St. Vincent de Paul), St. Gabriel's Call social-services office, and Social Justice Committee, while also nurturing faith formation for children and youth, a vibrant music ministry, and a Knights of Columbus council. Its location at 1409 Park Avenue serves both Woonsocket and North Smithfield, and its accessibility-focused facilities make it welcoming to older parishioners and families alike.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45 PM (before the 4:00 PM Saturday Vigil Mass)
- By appointment with the Pastor (call the rectory at 401-762-5117)
Parish History & 2018 Merger
Holy Trinity Parish was canonically established on July 1, 2018 by a decree of Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, uniting three predecessor parishes: Sacred Heart (est. 1895), Holy Family (est. 1902), and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (est. 1953). Father Daniel J. Sweet, who had begun serving all three parishes in 2017, requested the merger after leaders identified a decline in Mass attendance, sacramental practice, and finances — pressures amplified by the broader priest shortage and the cost of maintaining aging buildings. Sacramental records for all three former parishes are now maintained at the Holy Trinity Rectory on Park Avenue. Two candlesticks from Holy Family and significant items from Sacred Heart were relocated to the new worship space to preserve the heritage of the merged communities.
- Predecessor parishes: Sacred Heart (1895), Holy Family (1902), Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (1953)
- Decree issued by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, effective July 1, 2018
- Headquarters chosen at 1409 Park Avenue (former Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church)
- Sacred Heart Church closed permanently; Holy Family retained for weddings, funerals, prayer, and devotions
- Bishop Tobin celebrated Mass at Holy Trinity on December 16, 2018
- Called 'a successful model' for parish mergers by diocesan pastoral planning one year on
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Daniel J. Sweet, with Rev. Robert Rochon serving as Weekend Assistant and Rev. Maurice L. Brindamour as Pastor Emeritus. A lay Pastoral Assistant (Alicia Rochefort), Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry (Carlene Fontaine), Finance Director (Robert A. MacDonald), Bulletin Editor (Yvette Houle), and Trustees Christine M. Lynch and Jeffrey G. Pelletier support parish operations. The Music Ministry includes Music Director John Guevremont, organists Leo Fontaine and Rose Foisy, and Choir Director Suzanne Miranda. Maintenance is overseen by Marc Peloquin (Supervisor) and Fred Hyppolite.
- Pastor: Rev. Daniel J. Sweet
- Weekend Assistant: Rev. Robert Rochon
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Maurice L. Brindamour
- Pastoral Assistant: Ms. Alicia Rochefort
- Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry: Carlene Fontaine
- Finance Director: Mr. Robert A. MacDonald
- Trustees: Mrs. Christine M. Lynch and Mr. Jeffrey G. Pelletier
- Music Director: Mr. John Guevremont; Choir Director: Mrs. Suzanne Miranda; Organists: Mr. Leo Fontaine and Mrs. Rose Foisy
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation for grades K–9, including preparation for First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, is directed by Carlene Fontaine, the parish's Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry. Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their sacraments are invited to inquire through the parish's RCIA/OCIA process by contacting Carlene at the rectory. The parish is a member of the Greater Woonsocket Catholic Regional School System, which operates Good Shepherd Regional School on Mendon Road for Pre-K through Grade 8.
- Faith Formation for K–9 — Director Carlene Fontaine, 401-762-5117
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation for children
- RCIA / OCIA for adults (Becoming Catholic)
- Member parish of the Greater Woonsocket Catholic Regional School System (Pre-K–8)
- Partner school: Good Shepherd Regional School, Mendon Rd., Woonsocket
Music Ministry
A dedicated Music Ministry supports the parish's liturgical life under Music Director John Guevremont, with Choir Director Suzanne Miranda and two organists — Leo Fontaine and Rose Foisy — accompanying weekend and daily liturgies.
- Music Director: Mr. John Guevremont
- Choir Director: Mrs. Suzanne Miranda
- Organists: Mr. Leo Fontaine and Mrs. Rose Foisy
Outreach & Social Justice
Holy Trinity maintains an active social-justice and outreach apostolate that serves Woonsocket and North Smithfield families in need. The Parish Outreach Program (formerly St. Vincent de Paul) helps with unexpected emergencies such as job loss, illness, car repairs, utility shutoffs, and housing loss, paying vendors directly and pooling funds with other churches and social-service programs. The Social Justice Committee raises awareness of poverty, homelessness, immigration, climate warming, and Catholic Social Teaching. The parish also hosts St. Gabriel's Call, a diocesan satellite Social Services Office offering referrals and assistance.
- Outreach Ministry (formerly St. Vincent de Paul) — contact Chris Bijesse through the rectory (401-762-5117)
- Social Justice Committee — focus on poverty, homelessness, immigration, climate, Catholic Social Teaching
- St. Gabriel's Call — Diocesan satellite Social Services Office (Tue & Wed 9:00 AM–2:00 PM; Thu 10:00 AM–3:00 PM; or by appointment 401-762-2849)
- Holy Trinity Food Pantry (see separate section)
Holy Trinity Food Pantry
The parish Food Pantry provides food and nutritional assistance to residents of Woonsocket and North Smithfield, distributing items donated by Holy Trinity parishioners. It is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 PM and is located in the former Msgr. Gadoury school library at the Parish Center (enter through the door at the far end of the building). The first Sunday of each month is designated Food Pantry Sunday, and a Lenten Challenge encourages parishioners to bring specific items (Easter dinner supplies, personal-care items, cleaning products) to Mass each weekend.
- Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30–2:30 PM
- Location: former Msgr. Gadoury school library, Parish Center
- Food Pantry Sunday: first Sunday of each month
- Lenten Challenge weekly donation themes (baking, Easter dinner, hygiene, cleaning, etc.)
- Always-needed items: canned meats/fish, tuna, beef stew, Spam, Chef Boyardee, cereal, reusable shopping bags
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments according to Catholic tradition. Confession is offered Saturdays before the Vigil Mass or by appointment. Baptisms and Marriages are coordinated through the rectory — marriage preparation requires speaking with Fr. Dan. First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation for children are part of the Faith Formation program directed by Carlene Fontaine. Adults seeking initiation or completing their sacraments are welcomed through the parish's adult formation process.
- Penance / Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM or by appointment
- First Communion (children) — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation (children) — through Faith Formation
- Baptism — for parishioners; contact the rectory
- Marriage — speak with Fr. Dan at the rectory (401-762-5117)
- Adult initiation / completion of sacraments — contact Carlene Fontaine
Visiting & Contact
Holy Trinity welcomes visitors to its worship space at 1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI. The Parish Office is now located in the Parish Center; visitors should enter through the main door in front of the building. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Phone calls to 401-762-5117 are transferred to the appropriate staff member. The church building was specifically selected as the merged parish's home for its generous parking, accessibility, and visibility from a busy intersection.
- Address: 1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Main Office: 401-762-5117; Fax: 401-765-8875
- Office Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Parish Office moved into the Parish Center
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel J. Sweet2018–present
Founding pastor of the merged Holy Trinity Parish. Began serving all three predecessor parishes in 2017 and led the request to merge them into one successor parish effective July 1, 2018.
- Rev. Maurice L. Brindamour
Pastor Emeritus of Holy Trinity Parish (likely former pastor of one of the three merged parishes).