Immaculate Conception

Welcome to Our Lady of the Cape Parish

Our Lady of the Cape Parish is a welcoming Catholic community on Cape Cod, served by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. Its mission is to 'invite, evangelize and serve all people, making Christ known by sharing His reconciling love.' The parish has two worship sites: the main church at 468 Stony Brook Road in Brewster (year-round) and the historic Immaculate Conception Chapel at 2580 Main Street (Route 6A) in East Brewster, which opens seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Immaculate Conception Chapel (East Brewster)

The seasonal chapel is at 2580 Main Street (Route 6A), East Brewster, near Foster Square. It hosts a Saturday 5:00 PM and Sunday 9:30 AM Mass from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, after which it closes for the winter. The 1998–99 restoration returned the interior to a neo-gothic feel.

• Address: 2580 Main Street (Route 6A), East Brewster, MA 02631
• Season: Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day Weekend
• Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM
• Sunday Mass: 9:30 AM
• Seating: about 250

Our Lady of the Cape Church (Main / Year-Round)

The main parish church is at 468 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, MA 02631-7799. Built on 28 acres purchased in 1961 to serve the new parish of Brewster and the parts of Dennis and Harwich north of Route 6, the church was first used on July 12, 1962, and dedicated by Bishop James L. Connolly on July 14, 1963. A 2004 renovation expanded seating to roughly 850. The parish mailing address is P.O. Box 1799, Brewster, MA 02631-7799.

Parish History

Our Lady of the Cape traces its roots to 1908, when the Rev. George McGuire built the original Immaculate Conception church on Route 6A in Brewster. In 1961 Bishop Connolly carved out Brewster (and parts of Dennis and Harwich) as a new Immaculate Conception Parish under Fr. Joseph A. Nolin, M.S., who oversaw the Stony Brook Road church and renamed the parish Our Lady of the Cape. Since then, nine more La Salette priests have served as pastor, and the parish has built a rectory (1965), a multi-purpose parish center (1989), and expanded both churches (most recently in 2004).

• 1908 – Immaculate Conception Chapel dedicated by Bishop Feehan (Aug. 16)
• 1947 – Chapel becomes a mission of St. Joan of Arc, Orleans
• 1961 – New parish created; Fr. Joseph Nolin, M.S., appointed Administrator
• 1962 – First Mass in the new church (July 12); Midnight Mass (Dec. 14)
• 1963 – Solemn Blessing & Dedication by Bishop Connolly (July 14)
• 1989 – Parish center built, dedicated by Bishop Daniel Cronin (Oct. 29)
• 2004 – Main church expanded to ~850 seats; chapel becomes summer worship site

Clergy & Pastoral Staff

The parish is led by Rev. Joseph Everton, M.S., with Rev. John Dolan, M.S., and Rev. Raymond Vaillancourt, M.S. assisting. The Pastoral Staff also includes a Director of Faith Formation (Diane Rinkacs), Director of Music (Kyle Davis), Ministry Coordinator & Pastoral Outreach (Stefanie Murray), Bookkeeper (Paula Laliberte), and Administrative Assistant (Tracey Konecnik).

• Rev. Joseph Everton, M.S. — Pastor (ext. 11, [email protected])
• Rev. John Dolan, M.S. — Associate (ext. 12, [email protected])
• Rev. Raymond Vaillancourt, M.S.
• Diane Rinkacs — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 14, [email protected])
• Kyle Davis — Director of Music (ext. 29, [email protected])
• Tracey Konecnik — Administrative Assistant (ext. 10, [email protected])
• Paula Laliberte — Bookkeeper (ext. 28, [email protected])
• Stefanie Murray — Ministry Coordinator & Pastoral Outreach (x14, [email protected])

La Salette Missionaries

Our Lady of the Cape is served by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.), a religious congregation founded after the 1846 apparition of Our Lady at La Salette in the French Alps, where Mary appeared weeping over the people's sins and calling them to reconciliation. The parish website notes the order is discerning 'faithful men' to serve the Church and 'make Mary's message of reconciliation known to all her people.' Every priest listed on the parish staff carries the M.S. post-nominal.

Liturgical Ministries

The parish invites parishioners to serve at Mass in a number of roles.

• Eucharistic Ministers (year-round at Our Lady of the Cape and the summer chapel; also take Communion to the homebound and to local nursing homes and assisted-living facilities)
• Lectors — proclaim the Word at all Masses, scheduled 5–6 months in advance with training provided
• Sacristans — assist the priests in preparing the sanctuary for liturgy
• Ushers/Greeters — greet and seat parishioners and visitors at both churches
• Music Ministry — cantors, instrumentalists and choir members under Director of Music Kyle Davis

Support Ministries & Fellowship

Lay faithful care for the parish's pastoral and community life outside of the sanctuary.

• Coffee, Tea and Donut Sundays — third Sunday of each month after the 8:30 & 10:00 Masses
• Baptismal Preparation Ministry — meets Wednesdays; prepares parents of infants for the sacrament
• Parish Nurse Ministry — wellness screenings and bereavement support, especially in winter months
• Nursing Home, Assisted Living & Homebound Ministry — visits Regal Care of Harwich, Pleasant Bay, the Woodlands, and Maple Wood of Brewster (contact Diane Rinkacs, ext. 14)
• Adult Faith Education programs

Service to Others (Outreach)

Outreach is central to the parish identity. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference maintains a hotline (508-385-7582) for neighbors in need. The parish also operates a Thrift Shop (508-896-5377) and, through the national Parish Twinning Program, has been twinned with St. Claire's Church in Dessalines, Haiti — a relationship over roughly 25 years that has channeled about $1.5 million to its sister community.

• St. Vincent de Paul Hotline: 508-385-7582
• Thrift Shop: 508-896-5377
• Parish Twinning with St. Claire's, Dessalines, Haiti
• Prayer Line: 508-896-3800 / 508-896-9781

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation for children and adults is coordinated through the parish Religious Education office (508-385-2115) under the Director of Faith Formation. The office prepares children for the sacraments and runs adult-education programs that have historically included a dedicated coordinator (Sister Betty Doyle in earlier years).

Devotion and Prayer

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a regular part of parish life, especially on First Fridays and during the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent. The parish also keeps a staffed Prayer Line (508-896-3800 and 508-896-9781) for parishioners in need of intercession.

Sacraments

All seven sacraments are celebrated through the parish. Weddings are a particular tradition at Immaculate Conception Chapel, which hosts a large share of the parish's summer weddings each year.

• Baptism — preparation program (Wednesdays) for parents of infants
• Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:15–3:45 PM or by appointment
• First Eucharist & Confirmation — through Faith Formation
• Marriage — coordinated with Stefanie Murray (x14, [email protected])
• Anointing of the Sick & Funeral preparation — by request through the parish office

Weddings at Immaculate Conception Chapel

Immaculate Conception Chapel is one of Cape Cod's most sought-after summer Catholic wedding sites. The parish typically handles 46–47 weddings a year at the chapel alone. Couples begin by contacting Stefanie Murray, Ministry Coordinator & Pastoral Outreach (508-382-3252 x14, [email protected]); Music Director Kyle Davis manages the music for the ceremony.

Visiting & Directions

Immaculate Conception Chapel is at 2580 Main Street (Route 6A) in East Brewster near Foster Square. From Route 6, take Exit 10 (Route 124) north to Route 6A, turn right, and the chapel is on your right. The main church is reached via Route 6 East to Exit 9B, then Route 134 to Route 6A, and a right onto Stony Brook Road after the 'Entering Brewster' sign.

• Chapel – From Rt. 6, Exit 10 (Rt. 124) north to Rt. 6A; right on 6A; chapel on the right near Foster Square
• Church – From Rt. 6 East, Exit 9B onto Rt. 134, to Rt. 6A, right on 6A, then right on Stony Brook Rd. about 1 mile after 'Entering Brewster' sign; rectory (green building) is behind the church

Contact & Office Hours

Parish Office: 508-385-3252 (ext. 10). Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. General email: [email protected]. Fax: 508-385-6864. Important phone numbers include the Prayer Line (508-896-3800 / 508-896-9781), Religious Education (508-385-2115), Thrift Shop (508-896-5377), and St. Vincent de Paul Hotline (508-385-7582).