Immaculate Conception

About Immaculate Conception Parish

Immaculate Conception Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the heart of downtown Lowell, Massachusetts, set on East Merrimack Street right next to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Its mission statement reads: 'We, the Catholic faith community of The Immaculate Conception Church, strive to continue the mission of Christ through the Word and Eucharist, spiritual growth, education, stewardship, and advocacy. Inspired by our patron, Immaculate Mary, we dedicate ourselves to reach out and minister to the needs of others with love, respect, and support.' The parish describes itself as 'a warm welcoming community of faith located in the downtown area of Lowell,' inviting visitors to 'come join us anytime to worship our loving God.'

• Patron: the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception (feast day December 8).
• Diocese: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.
• Pastor: Rev. Nicholas A. Sannella.
• Parish Office: 3 Fayette Street, Lowell, MA 01852 — open Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; closed Friday.
• Parish e-mail: [email protected]; main phone 978-458-1474.

Our Church History

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate were invited to Lowell in 1868 by Bishop John Williams of Boston to serve the booming French-Canadian mill-worker population. Two Oblate priests arrived on April 18, 1868, and almost immediately the community raised enough money to buy a former Unitarian church on Lee Street, dedicated as St. Joseph on May 3, 1868 — Lowell's first French-speaking parish. The same year, Father Candidus Lagier, OMI, took charge of the chapel at St. John's Hospital, and the Oblates' 1869 purchase and expansion of that chapel is generally regarded as the founding of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception.

Sacraments

Information on the seven sacraments is taken from the parish bulletin and the Sacraments page of iclowell.org. First Communion and First Penance are received in the 2nd-grade Religious Education year; Confirmation is prepared for after grades 1–8 of Religious Education have been completed, with a letter from the previous DRE required for transfer students. Marriages must be arranged at least six months in advance. The Ministry to the Sick brings Communion regularly to the homebound and to parishioners in nursing homes.

• Baptism — by individual appointment through the Rectory Office.
• Reconciliation (Confession) — by appointment.
• First Penance — winter of 2nd-grade Religious Education year.
• First Holy Communion — early May of 2nd-grade Religious Education year.
• Confirmation — after completing grades 1–8 of Religious Education.
• Matrimony — at least six months' advance arrangement with the parish.
• Anointing / Visitation of the Sick — notify the parish about anyone homebound or in a nursing home so Communion can be brought.

Religious Education Program

Immaculate Conception's Religious Education Program trains children in the Catholic faith from grade 1 through grade 10, meeting on Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the parish school. Classes run from the end of September through mid-April, fulfilling Archdiocese of Boston requirements. Children must complete the 1st-grade curriculum before enrolling in the 2nd-grade First Communion program; in 2nd grade they receive First Penance in the winter and First Communion in early May. Students preparing for Confirmation must have completed grades 1–8; transfers need a letter from their previous Director of Religious Education. The parish is continuously recruiting new teachers for all grades — teachers must complete the Protecting God's Children program and attend teacher meetings.

• Director: Ms. Claire Couillard, Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education — [email protected] / [email protected], 978-458-1474 x21.
• Classes: Sunday 9:00–11:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception School (bi-monthly).
• First Penance: winter (e.g. March 22, 2025 in 2024–25 calendar).
• First Communion: early May (e.g. May 4, 2025 in 2024–25 calendar).
• Confirmation: after grades 1–8 completed.

Immaculate Conception School

Immaculate Conception School (ICS), located at 218 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, is a Catholic elementary school founded in 1880 and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Its mission statement: 'Immaculate Conception School fosters students in a Catholic Community with a highly dedicated staff centered on outstanding academic excellence, ongoing commitment to service, and a love for learning!' The school enrolls roughly 360 students with an average class size of about 20; 95% of students receive a sacrament each year, 100% receive faith-based education, and 50% participate in a club. ICS describes itself as a community 'where we strive to create a Christian environment for the growth of all members, students, and staff in a supportive community of friends in Christ.'

• Address: 218 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852.
• Phone: 978-454-5339.
• Principal: Catherine Fiorino.
• Founded: 1880.
• Enrollment: ~360 students; average class size ~20.
• Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Parish Staff & Clergy

Immaculate Conception is led by a team of Oblate-tradition and diocesan priests, a permanent deacon, a religious brother, lay parish staff, and school administrators. The pastor is Rev. Nicholas A. Sannella. He is assisted by Rev. Kenneth Healey, SM (Society of Mary) as parochial vicar, Rev. Raju Muringayil, O. Praem. (Premonstratensians) as assisting priest, and Deacon Stephen M. Papik. Brother James Lucas, OMI (Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate) continues the parish's founding Oblate charism through Ministry to the Sick. Claire Couillard serves as Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education, Catherine Fiorino as School Principal, David McLean as Business Manager, and Cheryl Daigneault and Nancy Rego as Administrative Assistants / Bulletin editors.

• Rev. Nicholas A. Sannella — Pastor
• Rev. Kenneth Healey, SM — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. Raju Muringayil, O. Praem. — Assisting Priest
• Deacon Stephen M. Papik
• Bro. James Lucas, OMI — Ministry to the Sick
• Ms. Claire Couillard — Pastoral Associate & Director of Religious Education
• Ms. Catherine Fiorino — School Principal
• David McLean — Business Manager
• Cheryl Daigneault — Administrative Assistant / Bulletin Editor
• Nancy Rego — Administrative Assistant / Bulletin

Parish Ministries & Groups

The parish sustains a broad volunteer life that the parish itself identifies in its CORI (Criminal Offense Record Information) volunteer policy. Active groups include the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which meets Monday evenings in the church basement), the Adult Choir (Wednesday evenings), the Children's Choir (Friday afternoons), the Women's Guild, and the Religious Education catechists. Liturgical ministries include lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers, with a separate team of visitors to the sick and homebound coordinated through Bro. James Lucas, OMI.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society — Monday 7:00 p.m., church basement off the parking lot.
• Adult Choir — Wednesday 7:00 p.m. in church.
• Children's Choir — Friday 2:00 p.m. in church.
• Women's Guild.
• Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers.
• Religious Education teachers and helpers.
• Visitors to the sick and homebound.
• School personnel age 18+ (also CORI-checked).

Volunteer Safeguarding (CORI)

Per Massachusetts state law, any volunteer aged 17 or older serving in any parish ministry — including lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, Religious Education teachers and helpers, Women's Guild members, visitors to the sick and homebound, choir directors, adult choir members, St. Vincent de Paul Society members, and school personnel 18 and older — must complete a CORI form and verify identity with a photo document such as a Massachusetts driver's license or passport. The form is available from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at the Parish Office now located in the basement of the church (enter from Brown Street into the parking lot and turn left).

• CORI forms required for all volunteers 17+.
• Photo ID required (e.g. MA driver's license or passport).
• Office: Parish Office in the church basement, accessed from Brown Street parking lot.

Visit, Contact & Location

Immaculate Conception sits at 144 East Merrimack Street in downtown Lowell, adjacent to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, with a parking lot off Brown Street. Rectory/parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; the office is closed on Friday. The parish mailing address for general inquiries is [email protected]; the Rectory phone line is 978-458-1474 (fax 978-446-0790). The school office is at 218 East Merrimack Street and can be reached at 978-454-5339. The parish encourages visitors to come worship at any time.

• Church — 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852.
• Rectory / Parish Office — 3 Fayette Street, Lowell, MA 01852.
• School — 218 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852.
• Phone: 978-458-1474 (Rectory); 978-454-5339 (School).
• Fax: 978-446-0790.
• Email: [email protected].
• Rectory hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; closed Friday.
• Parking: lot on Brown Street.