About Immaculate Conception · Stoughton, Massachusetts
Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic parish in Stoughton, Massachusetts, part of the Archdiocese of Boston and partnered in a collaborative with neighboring St. James Parish. The parish worships at 179 School Street, with the rectory and parish office at 122 Canton Street, and is today a multilingual community offering Mass in English, Portuguese (Brazilian), and Spanish. It serves a diverse Catholic population that has grown from the small Irish-American flock of the 1850s into a multicultural body shaped strongly by Portuguese-speaking immigrants from the Azores, Brazil, and Portugal, alongside Spanish-speaking and Haitian faithful. The current pastor, Rev. Carlos D. Suarez, leads the collaborative with parochial vicar Fr. Cleber Leite da Silva and three deacons, supported by a Religious Education program, a music ministry, and a network of service, family, and devotional ministries including iThirst, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Saint Anthony's Free Market food pantry.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Carlos D. Suarez
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception welcomes Catholics and seekers into a multilingual parish that has served Stoughton since 1859 and today worships in English, Portuguese (Brazilian), and (through its partner parish St. James) Spanish. Beyond Sunday and daily Mass, parishioners can grow through a structured Religious Education program (First Communion and Confirmation are two-year tracks), the RCIA process for adults, and ministries for every age and stage — from Little Saints Homeschool, Me and God, and Mom and Tots for families, to iThirst for those affected by addiction, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Saint Anthony's Free Market food pantry. With weekly Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confession, devotional groups like the Haitian Prayer Group, the Men's Group, and the Mil Ave-Marias (Portuguese), it is a parish where newcomers, cradle Catholics, and those returning after time away can find a place to belong.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Immaculate Conception)
- Saturday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Immaculate Conception, lower church)
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (St. James — collaborative)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Saturday 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Immaculate Conception, with Confession)
- Saturday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Immaculate Conception, lower church, with Confession)
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (St. James — collaborative, with Confession)
Parish History — From Fourteen Catholics in 1848 to a Multilingual Community Today
Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest Catholic institutions in Stoughton, with roots that reach back to the very beginnings of Catholic worship in town. The 1918 History of Norfolk County records that Mass was offered in Stoughton as early as 1840, although local Catholics were so few that the more devout walked all the way to Quincy for Sunday Mass. When Father Rodden of Quincy visited in 1848 he could find only fourteen Catholics, and diocesan records note that in 1849 Father Fitzsimmons celebrated Mass in an old house owned by Robert Porter, the Austin house. The breakthrough came in 1859, when Father Flatley purchased a half-acre of land at Canton and School Streets and erected a modest wooden church of Roman design. It was dedicated on November 24, 1859, by Bishop John B. Fitzpatrick, with the sermon preached by Rev. John J. Williams. Regular Mass did not begin until 1861, and the first resident pastor, Father Norris, was not installed until 1872. Father Norris was followed in 1878 by Rev. James M. Kieley, who served thirty years and was widely remembered as the moral force that kept Stoughton free from saloons. Rev. James F. Stanton succeeded Father Kieley and was still in charge when the parish numbered roughly 2,500 Catholics in 1918. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Immaculate Conception was reshaped by waves of immigration — especially from the Azores, Cape Verde, Brazil, and mainland Portugal — and today worships in English and Portuguese (including Brazilian Portuguese), with a Haitian Prayer Group also meeting on the parish grounds and a Spanish Mass offered at partner parish St. James.
- 1840 — First Mass said in Stoughton
- 1848 — Father Rodden finds only fourteen Catholics locally
- 1849 — Father Fitzsimmons celebrates Mass in the Austin house
- 1859 — Father Flatley buys land at Canton & School Streets; wooden church built
- November 24, 1859 — Church dedicated by Bishop Fitzpatrick; sermon by Rev. John J. Williams
- 1861 — Regular Mass begins in Stoughton
- 1872 — Father Norris becomes first resident pastor
- 1878 — Rev. James M. Kieley begins thirty-year pastorate (temperance advocate)
- c. 1908 — Rev. James F. Stanton becomes pastor
- 20th–21st c. — Portuguese-speaking immigration transforms the parish
Clergy and Staff
The Catholic Parishes of Stoughton are led by a collaborative pastoral team. Rev. Carlos D. Suarez serves as Pastor of both St. James and Immaculate Conception, with Rev. Cleber Leite da Silva as Parochial Vicar. They are assisted by three deacons: Deacon Dave Giangiordano, Senior Deacon Patrick Guerrini, and Deacon Nelson Pimentel. The collaborative is also supported by a collaborative secretary, Religious Education and Youth Ministry leadership, a Religious Education coordinator, a sacristan, and a Director of Music who serves both parishes.
- Rev. Carlos D. Suarez — Pastor
- Rev. Cleber Leite da Silva — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Dave Giangiordano
- Deacon Patrick Guerrini — Senior Deacon
- Deacon Nelson Pimentel
- Paula Myers — Collaborative Secretary (781-886-6073)
- Mary Ann Caldwell — Religious Ed. & Youth Ministry Director (781-886-6058 / 781-297-7582)
- Bridget Horan — Religious Ed. Coordinator (781-886-6060)
- Barbara Sferrazza — Sacristan / Baptism Coordinator (781-886-6066)
- Robin Cedrone — Director of Music for Immaculate Conception & St. James (ext. 123)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parishes share a Religious Education program serving children and youth in Grades 1–6 (Sunday morning sessions 8:00–8:55 AM) and a two-year Confirmation preparation for high-school-age youth (Sundays 9:00–11:30 AM, twice a month). First Communion is ordinarily received in the second grade as part of a two-year program, and Confirmation in the tenth grade as the second year of another two-year track. Registration includes tiered tuition ($125 for one student, $250 for two, $300 for three) and the parish is actively recruiting volunteer catechists and classroom assistants. For adults, the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) walks unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full Communion, and Catholics missing First Communion or Confirmation through the sacraments of initiation. Catechesis in Portuguese is also offered (Catequese), coordinated by community leaders with contacts published in the parish bulletin.
- Grades 1–6 Religious Education — Sundays 8:00–8:55 AM
- Confirmation Year 1 — Sundays 9:00–11:30 AM, twice a month
- Confirmation Year 2 — Sundays 9:00–11:30 AM, twice a month
- RCIA — year-round process for adults seeking full initiation
- Catequese (Portuguese-language catechesis)
- Volunteer catechist and assistant sign-ups available
Service Ministries and Outreach
Outreach is at the heart of parish identity. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference provides direct aid to neighbors in need; Saint Anthony's Free Market food pantry at 2 Park Ave, Stoughton, addresses the nutritional needs of low-income residents under the direction of Registered Dietitian Ginger Hoffman; and iThirst Spiritual Companionship offers spiritual support and recovery resources for individuals and families affected by addiction. The Ministry of Consolation — including adult funeral servers, a Grief Support Group, and a Prayer Shawl Ministry — accompanies parishioners through bereavement.
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (ext. 124)
- Saint Anthony's Free Market food pantry — 2 Park Ave, Stoughton
- iThirst Spiritual Companionship (ITSC)
- Adult Funeral Servers
- Grief Support Group
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
Family and Social Ministries
Immaculate Conception nurtures family life and parish fellowship through a network of family-focused and social ministries. Little Saints Homeschool, Me and God, Mom and Tots, and Rosary Playgroup serve young families and children, while a Men's Group fosters fraternity among men of the parish. Portuguese-language devotion is sustained through the Mil Ave-Marias prayer group and the Terço dos Homens (Men's Rosary), and the Haitian Prayer Group meets Saturdays 5:00–8:00 PM in the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall.
- Little Saints Homeschool
- Me and God (children's ministry)
- Mom and Tots
- Rosary Playgroup
- Men's Group
- Mil Ave-Marias (Portuguese)
- Terço dos Homens (Men's Rosary, Portuguese)
- Haitian Prayer Group — Saturdays 5:00–8:00 PM, IC Parish Hall
Music, Liturgy, and Devotions
Liturgical music for both parishes is coordinated by Director of Music Robin Cedrone (ext. 123), supporting choirs for English, Portuguese, and Brazilian-Portuguese Masses. Eucharistic Adoration is a regular devotion: Saturday afternoons (12:00–1:30 PM) at Immaculate Conception, Saturday evenings (5:00–7:00 PM) in the lower church, and Wednesday evenings (7:00–8:30 PM) at St. James, each paired with the sacrament of Confession. Devotional life in Portuguese is enriched by the Mil Ave-Marias and the Terço dos Homens.
- Director of Music: Robin Cedrone (ext. 123)
- Choirs serving English, Portuguese, and Brazilian Masses
- Eucharistic Adoration — Saturdays and Wednesdays
- Confession paired with Adoration each session
- Mil Ave-Marias and Terço dos Homens (Portuguese devotions)
Sacraments and Sacramental Life
The parish celebrates all the sacraments of initiation and vocation. Baptism is normally received as an infant but is available at any age; First Communion is ordinarily celebrated in the second grade as part of the two-year Religious Education program; and Confirmation is received in the tenth grade through another two-year program. Couples wishing to marry at Immaculate Conception (or St. James) are invited to contact the parish office to begin preparation, and adults needing Confirmation or full initiation are served through the RCIA process.
- Baptism (infant or adult; coordinator Barbara Sferrazza)
- First Communion (2nd grade, 2-year preparation)
- Confirmation (10th grade, 2-year preparation)
- Marriage (contact parish office)
- RCIA for adults
- Anointing of the Sick and pastoral care through the parish office
Parish Offices, Communications, and Getting Involved
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, at 122 Canton Street, Stoughton (phone 781-344-2073). The weekly parish newsletter goes out by email through Flocknote and carries messages directly from Pastor Father Carlos. New parishioners are encouraged to complete a parish membership form and return it at Mass or to the office. For those wanting to get involved, the ministries page lists service, consolation, family, social, and devotional opportunities across the collaborative.
- Parish Office: 122 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072-2204
- Phone: 781-344-2073
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Weekly newsletter via Flocknote
- Parish Membership Form available online and at the office
Frequently Asked Questions — Quick Reference
Key details parishioners and visitors most often ask about: where to find Mass, confession, the pastor's name, and how to join the parish.
- Mass times: see the schedule above (weekend, weekday, and 1st Saturday).
- Confession: Saturdays 12:00–1:30 PM and 5:00–7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception; also Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM at St. James; by appointment.
- Pastor: Rev. Carlos D. Suarez.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Cleber Leite da Silva.
- Address: 179 School Street (church) / 122 Canton Street (rectory & parish office), Stoughton, MA 02072.
- Phone: 781-344-2073.
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- How to join: complete the Parish Membership Form online or at the office.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Flatley1850s–early 1860s
Visiting missionary who bought the land at Canton & School Streets and erected the original wooden church dedicated November 24, 1859.
- Father Norris1872–1878
First resident pastor of Stoughton; later devoted himself to orphans at the House of the Angel Guardian, Roxbury.
- Rev. James M. Kieley1878–c. 1908
Served about thirty years; prominent temperance advocate credited with keeping Stoughton free of saloons.
- Rev. James F. Stantonc. 1908–at least 1918
Succeeded Father Kieley; pastor at the time of the 1918 History of Norfolk County, when parish numbered about 2,500 Catholics.