About Our Lady of Fatima · Peabody, Massachusetts
Our Lady of Fatima Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 50 Walsh Avenue in Peabody, Massachusetts. Founded in 1965 by Portuguese immigrants who sought a faith community led by a pastor of their own language and culture, the parish was built by the Portuguese Community of Peabody and solemnly dedicated on October 11, 1975. Today the parish describes itself as a multi-ethnic, socially, culturally, and educationally diverse faith community deeply committed to Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Church, with a special devotion to Our Lady. It continues to celebrate Mass in both English and Portuguese, serving as a spiritual home for generations of Portuguese-American Catholics in the North Shore region.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Reverend Christopher Gomes
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Our Lady of Fatima is a parish where the gifts and talents of all — young and old — are recognized and graciously used to nourish others. It offers a bilingual liturgical life in English and Portuguese, with weekday Masses and a Sunday Mass celebrated in Portuguese for the local Portuguese-speaking community. Parishioners can join a wide range of liturgical ministries (choir, lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist), social-justice ministries (visiting the homebound, serving the poor, food pantries, the St. Vincent de Paul Society), and parish-life groups such as youth ministry, men's and women's groups, and the annual parish bazaar.
Mass times at Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday 5:00 PM (Holy Hour / Adoração ao Santíssimo)
- Sunday 3:00 PM (Holy Hour / Adoração ao Santíssimo)
About Our Parish
Our Lady of Fatima Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston, located at 50 Walsh Avenue in Peabody, Massachusetts. The parish describes itself as a multi-ethnic, socially, culturally, and educationally diverse faith community. Deeply committed to Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Church He founded, the parish strives to be a warm and caring community in which the gifts and talents of all, young and old, are recognized and graciously used to nourish others.
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to 1964, when Portuguese immigrants in Peabody sought to form a Portuguese Catholic Mission led by a pastor of their own language and culture. On January 6, 1965, the mission was officially founded under Reverend Charles Medeiros Saudade, who together with the community launched a fundraising effort to build a house of worship. Construction was nearing completion when Father Saudade died on April 2, 1975. His successor, Reverend Jose da Silva Ferreira, completed the project, and the church was solemnly dedicated on October 11, 1975 as a landmark of the unshakable faith of the Portuguese immigrant.
- 1964 — Portuguese community in Peabody begins organizing a Portuguese Catholic Mission.
- January 6, 1965 — Mission officially founded under Fr. Charles Medeiros Saudade.
- April 2, 1975 — Father Saudade dies before the church is completed.
- May 1, 1975 — Reverend Jose da Silva Ferreira arrives to continue the work.
- October 11, 1975 — Solemn dedication of Our Lady of Fatima Church.
- July 3, 1981 — Fr. Ferreira concludes his tenure; mission transitions to parish.
Parish Life and Ministries
The parish encourages parishioners to use their gifts and talents in service to the community. Opportunities include liturgical ministries, social-justice outreach, and parish social life. The parish website invites anyone with an idea for a new ministry to contact the parish office.
Liturgical Ministries
Volunteers serve at Mass in a variety of liturgical roles.
- Choir
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Social-Justice and Outreach Ministries
The parish supports those in need through home visits and food assistance, including involvement with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and local food pantries.
- Visiting the Homebound
- Serving the Poor
- Food Pantry Volunteers
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
Parish Groups and Events
Beyond liturgy and outreach, the parish fosters community through dedicated groups and an annual celebration.
- Youth Ministry
- Men's Groups
- Women's Groups
- Annual Parish Bazaar
- Annual Feast of Our Lady of Fatima (Festa de Nossa Senhora de Fátima)
Faith Formation / Religious Education
Faith formation is described on the parish website as a vital element of parish life, supporting parishioners in growing in their Roman Catholic faith. Families are invited to participate through the parish's Religious Education program. (The website highlights the program as one of the central ways to engage with parish life alongside Mass and the parish calendar.)
Visit / Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcome at the church located at 50 Walsh Avenue, Peabody, MA 01960. The parish office can be reached by phone or email for inquiries about sacraments, ministries, or general information.
- Address: 50 Walsh Avenue, Peabody, MA 01960
- Phone: 978-532-0272
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.ourladyoffatimapeabody.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Charles Medeiros SaudadeJanuary 6, 1965 - April 2, 1975
Founder of the Portuguese Catholic Mission of Peabody; led fundraising and construction of the church; died before its completion.
- Reverend Jose da Silva FerreiraMay 1, 1975 - July 3, 1981
Tought up the dream and oversaw completion of the church; led the community's transition from mission to parish.
- Reverend Antonio MedeirosJuly 4, 1981 - October 1, 1996
Pastor.
- Reverend Aristide Zacharias ArrudaAdvent 1988 - October 1, 1996
Vicar.
- Reverend John MendonçaOctober 1, 1996 - 2003
Pastor.
- Reverend Albert Sylvia2003 - July 31, 2008
Pastor.
- Reverend Richard T. BurtonAugust 1, 2008 - April 11, 2010
Administrator.
- Reverend Christopher GomesApril 12, 2010 - present
Current pastor.