About Our Lady of the Hills Parish · Haydenville, Massachusetts
Our Lady of the Hills Parish is a welcoming Catholic community in the village of Haydenville, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Springfield. The parish worships in the historic St. Mary of the Assumption Church on Main Street, the first Catholic church built in the Northampton area (dedicated in 1868 on land donated by factory owner Joel Hayden). Formed in 2007 from the merger of St. Mary of the Assumption in Haydenville and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Leeds, the parish now serves a wide rural footprint stretching west from Northampton toward the Hilltowns. Its mission is 'to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our local community in word, deed, and truth,' and it lives that out through daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for adults and youth, social-justice outreach, and the ecumenical Take and Eat meal program for homebound elderly neighbors.
- Established
- 2007 (as Our Lady of the Hills; predecessor St. Mary of the Assumption Church dedicated 1868)
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Hills (the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the title 'Our Lady of the Hills'; the original church was named for St. Mary of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. John Gawienowski (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Hills is a small, intergenerational Catholic community in the Hilltowns with a deep history stretching back to 1868 and a pastor who knows every name in the pews. Mass is celebrated every day (Mon–Thu, plus Saturday vigil and two Sunday Masses), and the parish offers the full sacramental rhythm of the Church — Reconciliation twice a week, Monday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, daily Rosary before Mass, and the St. Jude Novena each Monday. Beyond worship, members find meaningful ways to serve: teaching faith formation, delivering meals through the ecumenical Take and Eat program, advocating through the Social Justice Commission, or simply gathering in small groups like the Cross Walk discussion circle and the LGBTQ+ welcoming group.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Hills Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM
- Wednesday 9:00–9:30 AM
Adoration times
- Monday 1:00–2:00 PM (with Benediction at 1:50 PM)
Our Story — The History of Our Lady of the Hills
Our Lady of the Hills Parish was established on February 4, 2007, from the merger of St. Mary of the Assumption in Haydenville and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Leeds. But the parish's story is much older: the historic St. Mary of the Assumption Church on Main Street was dedicated on April 16, 1868 — the first Catholic church built in the Northampton area. The land was donated by Joel Hayden, the factory owner for whom the village is named, and the rectory was added in 1890. The site also includes St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery in Leeds, consecrated in 1890 and still administered by the parish. The 2007 merger was part of the Diocese of Springfield's wider response to fewer priests and parishioners in the region.
- 1868: St. Mary of the Assumption Church dedicated (first Catholic church in the Northampton area)
- 1890: Rectory built
- 1890: St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery consecrated in Leeds
- 2004: St. Catherine of Alexandria (Leeds) 'yoked' with St. Mary of the Assumption (Haydenville)
- February 4, 2007: Merger creates Our Lady of the Hills Parish
Our Priests — A Long Line of Shepherds
The parish's website preserves a remarkable list of every priest who has served at St. Mary of the Assumption and Our Lady of the Hills — more than two dozen names stretching back to the 19th century, including Revs. Patrick Moyes, Edward Dunphy, John McMahon, William Lang, George Fitzgerald, Joseph Daley, John Roberts, Francis O'Connor (curate), John Kenney, John Mongovan, Jeremiah Murphy, Richard Hoey, Henry McKeon, William Smith, Edward Reilly, John Loftus, James Cronin, Joseph Miller, Michael Twardzik, Leo O'Neil, Lionel Edward Bonneville, Francis Sullivan, Ronald Yargeau, Michael Devlin, Donald LaPointe, William Cyr, Darius Wudarski, John Lis, and Galadima Goni. Rev. Richard Bondi was installed as pastor on August 15, 2017, succeeding Goni (who had served as administrator for eight years). The parish is currently led by Administrator Rev. John Gawienowski.
- Rev. Galadima Goni — Administrator for 8 years (predecessor to Bondi)
- Rev. Richard Bondi — Pastor, installed August 15, 2017
- Rev. John Gawienowski — Current Administrator
- Deacon Mark Kolasinski — Assists in liturgy and on parish committees
Devotions and Other Liturgical Services
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish keeps a rich rhythm of devotion. The Rosary is prayed every weekday morning at 8:00 AM before Mass, and the St. Jude Novena is prayed at the Monday 8:30 AM Mass. The Liturgy Committee organizes monthly visits to two local nursing homes for Mass and recitation of the Rosary, and Eucharistic ministers bring Communion to the homebound on the third Sunday of each month. Monday Adoration closes with Benediction at 1:50 PM.
- Daily Rosary — 8:00 AM before weekday Mass
- St. Jude Novena — Monday 8:30 AM Mass
- Monday Adoration with Benediction — 1:00–2:00 PM
- Monthly nursing-home Masses and Rosary
- Third-Sunday homebound Communion visits
Parish Staff and Office
The parish is served by a small but dedicated staff. Rev. John Gawienowski serves as Administrator (413-268-7212 ext 102). Heidi Pruzynski is the Parish Secretary. Steve Calderone is the Organist and Music Ministry Director and the Parish Safe Training Coordinator ([email protected]). Donna Polwrek directs Faith Formation (413-268-4045, [email protected]). Colleen Padeck serves in another staff role (listed on the website). Deacon Mark Kolasinski assists in liturgy and on committees. Garry Michaud handles Maintenance. The Rectory Office is open Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
- Rev. John Gawienowski — Administrator
- Deacon Mark Kolasinski
- Heidi Pruzynski — Parish Secretary
- Steve Calderone — Organist & Music Ministry Director; Parish Safe Training Coordinator
- Donna Polwrek — Faith Formation Director
- Colleen Padeck — Staff
- Garry Michaud — Maintenance
- Office hours: Mon–Wed 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Faith Formation — Adult and Youth
The parish offers faith formation for both adults and youth, coordinated by Faith Formation Director Donna Polwrek (413-268-4045, [email protected]). Adult programming includes the Cross Walk, a periodic informal discussion group where members meet 'where they are on their individual journeys of faith' to talk about how Catholic faith intersects with daily life. No registration is required. Youth faith formation is also available — contact the Faith Formation line or the Rectory for details and registration.
- Faith Formation Director: Donna Polwrek (413-268-4045)
- Email: [email protected]
- Cross Walk — informal adult faith discussion group
- Youth faith formation programs offered
Parish Committees and Programs
Our Lady of the Hills is shaped by a wide range of lay-led committees. The Parish Pastoral Council (chaired by Jim Seney) advises the Administrator on day-to-day running and meets the first Wednesday of each month (except summer). The Finance Committee (chaired by Jim DiDonato) meets the fourth Tuesday at 3 PM, presenting annual financial reports at weekend Masses. The Liturgy Committee plans the regular and special liturgical services, schedules Lectors, Altar Servers, and Ministers of Hospitality, and coordinates nursing-home visits and Communion to the homebound. The Bereavement Committee supports families at funeral services and arranges reception hospitality in the church hall. The Buildings and Grounds Committee handles repairs and safety, and the Social Justice Commission integrates Catholic social teaching into parish life.
- Parish Pastoral Council (Chair: Jim Seney) — 1st Wed monthly
- Finance Committee (Chair: Jim DiDonato) — 4th Tuesday, 3 PM
- Liturgy Committee — 1st Thursday monthly
- Bereavement Committee — funeral support and hall receptions
- Buildings and Grounds Committee — repairs and safety
- Social Justice Commission — Catholic social teaching and advocacy
Take and Eat — Ecumenical Outreach to the Homebound
Our Lady of the Hills partners in the ecumenical Take and Eat program, which was founded in 2003 by Deacon Francis Ryan and his wife Kathleen to recruit, train, and empower volunteers from various faith-based community organizations to prepare and deliver free hot meals to homebound elderly in the Hilltown Communities. Our Lady of the Hills provides meals on the first and third Saturdays of every month, with parish volunteers delivering weekend food and a friendly hello to elderly neighbors who might otherwise go without.
- Founded 2003 by Deacon Francis Ryan and his wife Kathleen
- Meals delivered 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
- Serves homebound elderly in the Hilltown Communities
- Ecumenical — involves volunteers from multiple faith communities
LGBTQ+ Welcoming Group
The parish hosts a continuing support group for Catholic LGBTQ+ people and the friends and families of Catholic LGBTQ+ people, meeting periodically in the Church Hall as a safe environment to share stories and listen. Contact [email protected] or 413-586-7966 for information on the next meeting.
- Safe-environment discussion and support group
- Open to LGBTQ+ Catholics, families, and friends
- Meets in the Church Hall (next meeting posted on the parish website)
- Contact: [email protected] or 413-586-7966
Mass Intentions
Masses at Our Lady of the Hills can be reserved as Mass Intentions for deceased loved ones, family, friends, parish or community members, the sick, or for special intentions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and thanksgivings. The stipend is $15.00 per Mass. Reservations may be submitted by placing an envelope in the collection basket, emailing the rectory at [email protected], or calling 413-268-7212. The 2026 Mass Intentions Book was still open for the remainder of the year at time of writing.
- Stipend: $15.00 per Mass
- Submit via collection envelope, email, or phone call
- Available for the living, the dead, the sick, and special intentions
St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery
The parish administers St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery at 434 Haydenville Rd., Leeds, MA 01053. The cemetery was consecrated in 1890 as the parish cemetery for St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Haydenville. Cemetery rules are available from the parish secretary, and tours of the grounds can be arranged by appointment. The parish office (413-268-7212) will provide an information packet on request.
- Address: 434 Haydenville Rd., Leeds, MA 01053
- Consecrated 1890
- Administered by Our Lady of the Hills Parish
- Information packets and tours by appointment
Giving and Fundraising
Parishioners and friends can support Our Lady of the Hills in several ways. The regular Sunday collection is taken up at Mass; donations can also be mailed to 173 Main St., Haydenville, 01039, or given by calling the rectory. A current 'Keep the Heat On' capital campaign is raising money to replace the historic church's aging boiler — gifts may be designated 'heating system' on the check memo and given at suggested levels of $25, $50, $100, or $500. The parish also runs an annual Fall Craft Fair (held Saturday in October) and has benefited from the Florence Bank Annual Customers' Choice Community Grants (the parish received $5,000 in 2025 through parishioner voting).
- Sunday collection at Mass
- Mail gifts to 173 Main St., Haydenville, 01039
- Keep the Heat On — boiler replacement campaign
- Annual Fall Craft Fair (typically 2nd Saturday in October)
- Florence Bank Customers' Choice Community Grant recipient
Getting Involved
The parish's website and bulletins list several ways to plug in: serve on the Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Liturgy Committee, Bereavement Committee, or Buildings and Grounds Committee; join the Social Justice Commission; volunteer for the Take and Eat meal-delivery program; help with Faith Formation; sing in the choir; or serve as a Lector, Altar Server, or Minister of Hospitality. Visitors and parishioners alike are encouraged to contact any staff member or the rectory at 413-268-7212 / [email protected].
- Lay leadership — Pastoral Council, Finance, Liturgy, Buildings & Grounds
- Outreach — Take and Eat, Social Justice Commission
- Liturgical roles — Lectors, Altar Servers, Ministers of Hospitality, Music
- Faith formation — Adult and Youth programs
- Contact: 413-268-7212 / [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick Moyes
Served at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Haydenville
- Rev. Edward Dunphy
- Rev. John McMahon
- Rev. William Lang
- Rev. George Fitzgerald
- Rev. Joseph Daley
- Rev. John Roberts
- Rev. Francis O'Connor
Curate
- Rev. John Kenney
- Rev. John Mongovan
- Rev. Jeremiah Murphy
- Rev. Richard Hoey
- Rev. Henry McKeon
- Rev. William Smith
- Rev. Edward Reilly
- Rev. John Loftus
- Rev. James Cronin
- Rev. Joseph Miller
- Rev. Michael Twardzik
- Rev. Leo O'Neil
- Rev. Lionel Edward Bonneville
- Rev. Francis Sullivan
- Rev. Ronald Yargeau
- Rev. Michael Devlin
- Rev. Donald LaPointe
- Rev. William Cyr
- Rev. Darius Wudarski
- Rev. John Lis
- Rev. Galadima Goni
Administrator for 8 years, preceding Bondi
- Rev. Richard Bondi2017–
Installed as pastor on August 15, 2017
- Rev. John Gawienowski
Current Administrator