About Our Lady of the Visitation Parish - St. Mary of the Hills · Milton, Massachusetts
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Milton, Massachusetts, just south of Boston, formed from the merger of two historic parishes: St. Mary of the Hills (founded 1931) and St. Elizabeth Parish (founded 1947). The combined parish worships at two campus churches — St. Elizabeth Church on Reedsdale Road and St. Mary of the Hills Church on St. Mary's Road — and is led by Rev. Eric M. Bennett. It is part of the Archdiocese of Boston and offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, the sacraments, faith formation for children and youth, music programs, and ongoing outreach in a multi-ethnic community that draws on the legacy of nearly a century of Catholic life at the foot of the Blue Hills.
- Established
- 1931
- Patron
- St. Mary of the Hills (parish patron at the original parish); parish name honors the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Eric M. Bennett
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish offers the rare gift of two historic worship sites in one Catholic family — the 1931-founded St. Mary of the Hills Church at the foot of the Blue Hills and the 1964-dedicated St. Elizabeth Church on Reedsdale Road — so parishioners can choose from seven weekly Sunday Masses in English plus a daily Mass schedule. The parish runs a faith formation program spanning pre-K through tenth grade, a youth ministry, and a strong music ministry under Director Dr. George Ashur, with adult cantors and a youth choir. Its longstanding school (St. Mary of the Hills School, founded 1958), sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, OCIA/RCIA), Communion visits to the sick, and its multi-ethnic, intergenerational community make it a stable anchor of Catholic life on the South Shore just south of Boston.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish - St. Mary of the Hills
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM (or 3:00–3:50 PM per bulletin) at St. Elizabeth Church
- Wednesday 6:00–6:50 PM at St. Elizabeth (during Holy Hour)
Adoration times
- Wednesday Holy Hour, 6:00–6:50 PM at St. Elizabeth Church
About Our Lady of the Visitation Parish
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish is the merged Roman Catholic parish of St. Mary of the Hills (founded 1931) and St. Elizabeth (founded 1947), both historically rooted in the town of Milton, Massachusetts. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Boston and serves a multi-ethnic, socially, culturally, and educationally diverse Catholic community just south of Boston at the edge of the Blue Hills Reservation. The parish mission is to give witness to the Kingdom of God on earth, to support one another, and to strive for a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The parish welcomes all to participate in living out the Gospel message of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and prays for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to serve better the Lord and one another.
- Parish Office: 29 St. Mary's Road, Milton, MA 02186
- St. Elizabeth Church: 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, MA 02186
- St. Mary of the Hills Church: 29 St. Mary's Road, Milton, MA 02186
- Pastor: Rev. Eric M. Bennett
- Part of the Archdiocese of Boston (South Region)
History of St. Mary of the Hills
St. Mary of the Hills was established November 18, 1931 by directive of William Cardinal O'Connell, Archbishop of Boston, to serve the increasing number of Catholics in Milton. The first pastor was Rev. Richard S. Millard, whose sister suggested the parish name in reference to the nearby Blue Hills. The first Masses were celebrated in Blue Hills Hall until a basement church was completed and paid for by 1934. A rectory was added in 1935 and the upper church was dedicated in 1949. Monsignor Francis Flaherty, who became pastor in 1953, oversaw the addition of a 16-room parish school and convent in 1958 under the Missionary Franciscan Sisters. The parish grew to nearly 1,000 families under its seventh pastor, Rev. Arthur F. Wright, and celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2006 with Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley.
- Founded November 18, 1931
- First pastor: Rev. Richard S. Millard
- Basement church completed 1934
- Rectory built 1935
- Upper church dedicated 1949
- 16-room school and convent added 1958 under Missionary Franciscan Sisters
- Diamond Jubilee closing Mass November 19, 2006 with Cardinal O'Malley
History of St. Elizabeth Parish
St. Elizabeth Parish was founded March 22, 1947, and the present St. Elizabeth Church, located at 350 Reedsdale Road in Milton, was dedicated June 25, 1964. In the Archdiocese of Boston's pastoral planning, St. Elizabeth was merged with neighboring St. Mary of the Hills to form the new parish of Our Lady of the Visitation. The worship site continues in active use for Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Faith Formation, and parish offices.
- Founded March 22, 1947
- Present church dedicated June 25, 1964
- 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, MA 02186
- Now part of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Eric M. Bennett, Pastor. Operations are handled by Finance & Operations Manager Tony Ilacqua. Faith Formation is directed by Denise Johnson-Ilacqua, who oversees pre-K through grade 5 programs and is also Director of grades 6–10 and Youth Minister. The Music Ministry is led by Dr. George Ashur (Director of Music, Our Lady of the Visitation Parish) with Anita Ashur Wakim as Assistant Director of Music and Soloist, and Cantors Cyndi Fedewa and Janet Wallace at St. Mary of the Hills. The Boston Catholic Directory also lists Dr. Peter Watchorn in Liturgy and Music. Administrative support is provided by Cyndi Fedewa.
- Rev. Eric M. Bennett — Pastor
- Tony Ilacqua — Finance & Operations Manager
- Denise Johnson-Ilacqua — Director of Faith Formation / Youth Minister
- Dr. George Ashur — Director of Music
- Anita Ashur Wakim — Assistant Director of Music & Soloist
- Cyndi Fedewa — Cantor / Administrative Staff
- Janet Wallace — Cantor (St. Mary of the Hills)
- Dr. Peter Watchorn — Liturgy and Music
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish serves children from pre-K through tenth grade, including preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. The program is administered from the St. Elizabeth Campus (Faith Formation office: 617-698-5763) under the direction of Denise Johnson-Ilacqua. The parish also runs a youth ministry program for grades 6–10. Adult initiation into the Catholic Church is offered through OCIA (formerly RCIA).
- Pre-K through Grade 10 Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry for grades 6–10
- Sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation)
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Faith Formation office: 617-698-5763
St. Mary of the Hills School
St. Mary of the Hills School is the parish elementary school, founded in 1958 under the guidance of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters at the direction of then-pastor Monsignor Francis Flaherty. The school has been supported by the parish, parish families, and the wider St. Mary of the Hills community for more than six decades to build strong Catholic education in Milton. The school website describes itself as 'building a cornerstone of educational excellence and nurturing young families throughout [its] history.'
- Founded 1958
- Opened under the Missionary Franciscan Sisters
- Parish elementary school on the St. Mary of the Hills campus
- Supports Catholic education from early childhood through grade school
Music and Liturgy
The parish maintains a strong music and liturgy tradition under Director of Music Dr. George Ashur, with Anita Ashur Wakim serving as Assistant Director of Music and Soloist. The St. Mary of the Hills campus is served by Cantors Cyndi Fedewa and Janet Wallace. The parish has historically supported both an adult choir and a youth choir, with liturgical dance performed by youth at major celebrations including the 2006 Diamond Jubilee Mass with Cardinal O'Malley. Music for that Mass was provided by the adult choir led by Peter Watchorn and the youth choir led by Jon Niven.
- Director of Music: Dr. George Ashur
- Assistant Director of Music & Soloist: Anita Ashur Wakim
- St. Mary Cantors: Cyndi Fedewa and Janet Wallace
- Adult choir, youth choir, and youth liturgical dance
- Past leaders include Peter Watchorn and Jon Niven
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments on a regular schedule. Baptism is celebrated Saturday at 2:00 PM and Sunday at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Church, and Sunday at 1:00 PM at St. Mary of the Hills; Baptismal Catechesis is required for first-time parents. Confession is heard Wednesday at 6:00–6:50 PM at St. Elizabeth during the Holy Hour and Saturday at 3:00–3:50 PM at St. Elizabeth. Couples must contact the parish office at least six months before the wedding date. Eucharist Ministry to the Sick brings Holy Communion to those at home, and OCIA (RCIA) prepares adults for full initiation into the Church.
- Baptism: Sat 2 PM / Sun 10 AM at St. Elizabeth; Sun 1 PM at St. Mary of the Hills
- Confession: Wed 6 PM at St. Elizabeth (Holy Hour); Sat 3 PM at St. Elizabeth
- Marriage: contact office 6+ months in advance
- Anointing / Communion of the Sick: call parish office
- OCIA (RCIA) for adults
Live Stream
The parish live-streams several Masses each week for those unable to attend in person. Live-streamed Masses are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM; Saturday at 4:00 PM; and Sunday at 9:15 AM. Recordings of previously streamed Masses are archived on the parish website.
- Monday 9 AM
- Wednesday 9 AM
- Friday 9 AM
- Saturday 4 PM
- Sunday 9:15 AM
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is located at 29 St. Mary's Road, Milton, MA 02186, with office hours Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM. The main parish phone is 617-696-0120 or 617-696-6688, with Faith Formation reachable at 617-698-5763 and fax 617-696-7044. Both worship sites are handicapped accessible, and St. Elizabeth has designated parking spaces near the elevator entrance. Visitors are invited to attend any scheduled Mass or Holy Hour.
- Parish office: 29 St. Mary's Road, Milton, MA 02186
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Phone: 617-696-0120 / 617-696-6688
- Faith Formation: 617-698-5763
- Handicap accessible, elevator access at St. Elizabeth
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Richard S. Millard1931–?
First pastor of St. Mary of the Hills; founding pastor appointed when the parish was established November 18, 1931 by Cardinal O'Connell. His sister suggested the parish name 'St. Mary of the Hills'.
- Rev. / Msgr. Francis Flahertyfrom 1953
Pastor who in 1953 saw the need for a parish elementary school; St. Mary of the Hills School opened under his leadership in 1958 under the Missionary Franciscan Sisters.
- Msgr. John D. Day1966–1987
Pastor of St. Mary of the Hills from 1966 to 1987; remembered in prayer at the 2006 Diamond Jubilee closing Mass.
- Rev. Tom Foley1987–2002
Pastor of St. Mary of the Hills from 1987 to 2002; concelebrated the 75th-anniversary Mass with Cardinal O'Malley in November 2006.
- Rev. Arthur F. Wrightby 2006–?
Seventh pastor of St. Mary of the Hills; welcomed Cardinal O'Malley and Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD at the Diamond Jubilee Mass in November 2006.
- Rev. Eric M. Bennettpresent
Current pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish (the merged parish of St. Mary of the Hills and St. Elizabeth).