About Parish of The Transfiguration - St. Thomas of Villanova · Wilmington, Massachusetts
The Parish of the Transfiguration is a Roman Catholic parish in Wilmington, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston. It was formed on January 31, 2018, when Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley merged two long-standing Wilmington/South Tewksbury parishes — St. Thomas of Villanova (founded 1925) and St. Dorothy of Cappadocia (founded 1954) — into a single faith community served by one Pastoral Service Team. The parish worships at two historic church campuses, St. Thomas of Villanova Church on Middlesex Avenue and St. Dorothy of Cappadocia Church on Main Street, and offers a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, Faith Formation for grades 1–10, RCIA, and a wide range of parish ministries.
- Established
- 2018
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (predecessor parishes: St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Dorothy of Cappadocia)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Darin V. Colarusso, VF
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
The Parish of the Transfiguration welcomes Catholics of Wilmington and South Tewksbury into one large, vibrant faith community served by a single Pastoral Service Team across two historic church campuses. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered in multiple locations, alongside the Sacrament of Reconciliation, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, First Saturday Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Rosary before daily Mass. With Faith Formation for grades 1 through 10 (including adaptive and heritage tracks), RCIA, a full music ministry, a Men's Group, Ladies Sodality, Women's Club, Adult Bible Study, Intercessory Prayer Group, Prayer Shawls, and a hands-on Maintenance Ministry, the parish offers something for every age, stage, and interest — and invites everyone to "come alive in His Spirit and share His love with one another."
Mass times at Parish of The Transfiguration - St. Thomas of Villanova
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 to 3:45pm at St. Dorothy Church
- Saturday — or by appointment (call the parish office)
- Friday 3:00 to 4:00pm at St. Thomas Church (during Holy Hour)
- Thursday 6:00 to 7:00pm at St. Dorothy Church (during Holy Hour)
Adoration times
- Friday 3:00 to 4:00pm — Holy Hour with Confession at St. Thomas Church
- Thursday 6:00 to 7:00pm — Holy Hour with Confession at St. Dorothy Church
About the Parish of the Transfiguration
The Parish of the Transfiguration is the Roman Catholic parish formed on January 31, 2018, by the merger of St. Thomas of Villanova and St. Dorothy of Cappadocia Parishes, both of Wilmington and South Tewksbury. It worships at two historic church campuses — St. Thomas of Villanova Church at 126 Middlesex Avenue and St. Dorothy of Cappadocia Church at 120 Main Street — and is served by one Pastoral Service Team under Very Rev. Darin V. Colarusso, VF, Pastor, and Rev. Joseph D'Onofrio, Parochial Vicar. The parish's motto is "Loving Christ, Loving Others," and it welcomes all to join in the celebration of Word and Sacrament.
- St. Thomas of Villanova Church — 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887 (founded 1925)
- St. Dorothy of Cappadocia Church — 120 Main Street, Wilmington, MA 01887 (founded 1954)
- Main Office — 11 Harnden Street, Wilmington, MA 01887
- Faith Formation Office — 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887
History: From Two Parishes to One
St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Parish was officially founded in 1919 in Wilmington and worshiped in a chapel on Middlesex Avenue near the present library site. The current St. Thomas Church was built around 1960, and the original chapel was torn down in 1968. To the southwest, in the Silver Lake section and South Tewksbury, Catholics gathered in St. Mary's chapel, at Thompson's Grove, and in the Silver Lake Betterment Hall, until Cardinal Richard Cushing established St. Dorothy Parish at midnight on June 6, 1954. Under the leadership of Rev. Joseph W. Leahy, parishioners raised about $200,000 and broke ground in April 1959; Cardinal Cushing dedicated the cruciform brick church on June 4, 1960. In January 2010, Rev. Phillip B. Earley became pastor of both parishes. In June 2014, Cardinal O'Malley announced the Wilmington Catholic Collaborative, and on January 31, 2018, by formal decree, the two parishes were merged to form the Parish of the Transfiguration, combining territory, registers, goods and obligations into one new territorial parish.
- 1919 — St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Parish founded
- 1925 — Year of foundation listed by the parish for St. Thomas of Villanova Church
- 1953 — Archdiocese buys 13-acre Thompson's Grove property from Manuel J. Barry and others (Nov. 19)
- 1954 — St. Dorothy Parish established by Cardinal Cushing at midnight, June 6
- 1959 — Ground broken for St. Dorothy Church (April)
- 1960 — Cardinal Cushing dedicates St. Dorothy Church (June 4), built for $280,930
- 1960s — Present St. Thomas of Villanova Church erected; old chapel razed 1968
- 2010 — Rev. Phillip B. Earley becomes pastor of both parishes (January)
- 2014 — Wilmington Catholic Collaborative announced under 'Disciples in Mission' (June)
- 2017 — Presbyteral Council reviews proposed merger (December 7)
- 2018 — Cardinal O'Malley formally merges parishes into the Parish of the Transfiguration (effective 12:01 a.m., January 31)
Parish Staff & Pastoral Service Team
The Parish of the Transfiguration is served by a single Pastoral Service Team that oversees liturgy, faith formation, music, outreach, administration, and parish events. Very Rev. Darin V. Colarusso, VF, is Pastor, with Rev. Joseph D'Onofrio serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Cliff King assisting as Senior Deacon. Jeanie Pettengill is the Director of Faith Formation & Outreach Coordinator, working with Pat Pelosi (Grades 1–6 Assistant Coordinator) and Dave Guisti (Grades 7–10 Assistant Coordinator). The parish office is staffed by Parish Secretary Patty Worthington, Administrative Support Barbara Doherty, and Events Coordinator Diane Garrity. Joseph Tardif serves as Music Director, and Paul Dobbs is the Business Manager. The parish welcomes calls or emails to any staff member and offers an online contact form on the website.
- Very Rev. Darin V. Colarusso, VF — Pastor
- Rev. Joseph D'Onofrio — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Cliff King — Senior Deacon
- Jeanie Pettengill — Director of Faith Formation & Outreach Coordinator ([email protected])
- Pat Pelosi — Grade 1–6 Assistant Coordinator ([email protected])
- Dave Guisti — Grade 7–10 Assistant Coordinator ([email protected])
- Patty Worthington — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Barbara Doherty — Administrative Support ([email protected])
- Diane Garrity — Events Coordinator ([email protected])
- Joseph Tardif — Music Director
- Paul Dobbs — Business Manager
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at the Parish of the Transfiguration is directed by Jeanie Pettengill, Director of Faith Formation & Outreach Coordinator, with the help of Pat Pelosi (Grades 1–6) and Dave Guisti (Grades 7–10). The program is open for registration each year and serves students in grades 1 through 10 in preparation for the sacraments and lifelong faith. The parish also offers an adaptive faith formation class for students who need more assistance in the classroom, and a heritage faith formation session class for students who have missed one or more years and would like to return. Families can register online or by contacting the Faith Formation Office.
- Faith Formation for Grades 1–6 — Pat Pelosi, Assistant Coordinator
- Faith Formation for Grades 7–10 — Dave Guisti, Assistant Coordinator
- Adaptive Faith Formation — for students needing additional classroom support
- Heritage Faith Formation — for students returning after one or more years away
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — for adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church
- Faith Formation Office — 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887 — (978) 658-6040
Parish Ministries & Groups
The parish supports a wide and active range of ministries for men, women, youth and adults, alongside liturgical and outreach groups. These include spiritual, social, formation, fellowship, and practical-service opportunities. The Music Ministry, led by Joe Tardif, supports congregational singing and a choir that sings at the 12:00 noon Mass at St. Thomas Church during the school year. The Maintenance Ministry ("Prayer and Repair") meets one Saturday a month at Villanova Hall to handle minor repairs, painting, plumbing, and similar work. The Men's Group gathers every Saturday morning for coffee, fellowship, and conversation about faith. The Ladies Sodality meets monthly with the Rosary during Adoration, while the Women's Club meets monthly at the lower church at St. Thomas and supports projects like the Linus Project. Adult Bible Study meets Tuesday evenings at St. Dorothy's Church Hall. The Prayer Shawls ministry, Spiritual Direction with Sr. Mildred, the Intercessory Prayer Group (first Monday after 9:00am Mass at St. Dorothy), and the Wood Carving group offer additional ways to grow, serve, and connect.
- Music Ministry (Joe Tardif) — choir sings at 12:00 noon Mass at St. Thomas Church during the school year
- Maintenance Ministry — meets one Saturday a month at Villanova Hall; contact Darren Boehm at [email protected]
- Men's Group — every Saturday 7:00–8:00am, St. Thomas Church lower level; contact [email protected]
- Ladies Sodality — monthly meetings with Rosary during Adoration; contact [email protected]
- Women's Club — monthly meetings at St. Thomas lower church; Linus Project blanket-making and more
- Adult Bible Study — Tuesdays 5:45–7:00pm at St. Dorothy Church Hall; contact Sylvia Maio, 978-207-0359
- Baptism Preparation — last Sunday of the month, 2:00pm at St. Dorothy Church
- Prayer Shawls — contact Sharon Keefe, 978-697-1909
- Spiritual Direction — Sr. Mildred, 978-658-9363
- Intercessory Prayer Group — first Monday after 9:00am Mass, St. Dorothy Church; contact Kim, 978-930-3477
- Wood Carving — Saturday mornings
- Funeral Planning
Sacraments
The Parish of the Transfiguration prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments. Baptism is celebrated for infants and children after parents complete Baptism Preparation, held on the last Sunday of each month at 2:00pm at St. Dorothy Church. First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation are typically received through the parish Faith Formation program in grades 2 and 10 respectively. Adult initiation is celebrated through the RCIA. The Sacrament of Matrimony is prepared for by couples in conjunction with the parish office, and the Anointing of the Sick is available to those in need of healing. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard regularly each week — see the Confession and Adoration schedule above.
- Baptism — preparation last Sunday of the month, 2:00pm at St. Dorothy Church
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — through Faith Formation (Grade 10 track)
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults and those seeking full communion
- Matrimony — contact the parish office to begin preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00–3:45pm at St. Dorothy; Thursday 6:00–7:00pm and Friday 3:00–4:00pm during Holy Hours; or by appointment
Resources, News & Getting Involved
The parish encourages parishioners to stay connected through its website, online calendar, and bulletin. The homepage links to Faith Formation registration, FORMED (a free Catholic streaming service for parishioners offering videos, eBooks, podcasts and daily devotions), and CatholicTV broadcasts of Daily and Sunday Mass for those who cannot attend in person. The parish also publishes a regular online calendar of upcoming events, including Men's Group, Adult Bible Study, Holy Hours, First Saturday Mass, and Sunday Masses. To register as a parishioner, contact the Parish Office at (978) 658-4665 or use the website's online contact form. Tax letters are sent only to registered parishioners who donate online or use parish envelopes.
- FORMED — free Catholic streaming service for parishioners (signup.formed.org)
- Online parish calendar — Mass, Holy Hour, ministry meetings, and special events
- CatholicTV broadcasts — Daily Mass at 9:30am live (re-broadcast 7pm and 11:30pm); Sunday Masses at 10am, 4pm, 7pm, 11:30pm; Sunday Spanish Mass 8am (re-broadcast 5:30pm, 10pm) at WatchtheMass.com
- Parish registration — by phone (978) 658-4665 or via the online contact form
- Bulletin / announcements — published regularly; see thebostonpilot.com Boston Catholic Directory entry for the parish
Locations & Directions
The Parish of the Transfiguration is centered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and serves the Catholic communities of Wilmington and South Tewksbury. The Main Office is at 11 Harnden Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. The two worship sites are St. Thomas of Villanova Church at 126 Middlesex Avenue (which also houses the Faith Formation Office) and St. Dorothy of Cappadocia Church at 120 Main Street. Driving directions to both campuses are published on the parish website under the "Directions" page.
- Main Office — 11 Harnden Street, Wilmington, MA 01887 — (978) 658-4665
- St. Thomas of Villanova Church — 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887
- St. Dorothy of Cappadocia Church — 120 Main Street, Wilmington, MA 01887
- Faith Formation Office — 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA 01887 — (978) 658-6040
- Serving — Wilmington and South Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph W. Leahy
Early pastor of St. Dorothy Parish who led South Tewksbury and Wilmington parishioners in raising funds to build their church (ground broken April 1959).
- Rev. Kevin P. Horrigan
Pastor of St. Dorothy Parish at the time of the parish's 50th anniversary celebration in 2004; principal concelebrant with Bishop Emilio Allué.
- Rev. Phillip B. EarleyJanuary 2010 – January 2018
Became pastor of both St. Dorothy and St. Thomas of Villanova parishes in January 2010; led them into the Wilmington Catholic Collaborative in 2014 and recommended their merger in 2017.
- Very Rev. Darin V. Colarusso, VF2018 – present
First pastor of the merged Parish of the Transfiguration, named by Cardinal Seán O'Malley effective January 31, 2018.