About Precious Blood · Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Precious Blood Parish (L'Église du Précieux Sang) is a Roman Catholic parish in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, founded in 1873 to serve the growing influx of French Canadian families in the city. The parish is part of the Diocese of Providence and has been twinned with neighboring St. Agatha's Parish since the pastorate of Fr. Michael A. Kelley, who serves both communities with Deacon Tony Gagliani. Located at 94 Carrington Avenue, Precious Blood offers weekend Masses, Saturday confessions, a Sunday rosary, and a wide range of lay ministries including the Legion of Mary, the Helping Hands Food Pantry, and a year-round thrift shop that supports local charities.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- The Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ
- Rector
- Rev. Michael A. Kelley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Precious Blood is a small, multi-generational Catholic community with deep roots in Woonsocket's French Canadian heritage and a wide range of ways to get involved. Beyond its weekend Masses and Saturday confessions, the parish runs a year-round thrift shop (with proceeds helping the homeless), the Helping Hands Food Pantry, the Legion of Mary and Junior Legion of Mary, the Men of St. Joseph, the St. Monica Prayer Group, an Adoration Team, Small Faith Sharing Groups, faith formation for children and youth, OCIA for adults, and special events like the Autumnfest booth and Christmas Bazaar. Anyone looking for a parish where they can know their pastor by name and put their faith into action will feel at home here.
Mass times at Precious Blood
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- By request (call the rectory at (401) 767-2950)
Welcome from the Pastor
Fr. Michael A. Kelley has served as pastor of both St. Agatha's and Precious Blood Parishes for the past 13 years. In his welcome message on the parish website, he writes that he and Deacon Tony Gagliani, along with the parish staff, serve many families and individuals in the Woonsocket area 'in a great variety of ways because we love the Lord Jesus.' He invites visitors to come to Mass, inquire about the Sacraments, and join the parish's many events and ministries.
- Parish mission: 'A Catholic Community of Missionary Disciples.'
- Pastor: Rev. Michael A. Kelley
- Deacon: Rev. Anthony (Tony) Gagliani
History of Precious Blood Parish
Precious Blood was established in 1873 to serve the growing French Canadian population of Woonsocket, Manville, Pawtucket and Central Falls. Because no French-speaking priests were available, the first two pastors were Belgian. Over nearly 150 years the parish has formed generations of Catholics in the city.
- Founded 1873
- First pastors: Rev. Bernard (1873) and Rev. Berkins (1874), both from Belgium
- Longest-serving pastor: Msgr. Charles Dauray, 1875–1931
- Heritage language: French
Msgr. Charles Dauray — The Pastor Who Built a City
Msgr. Charles Dauray was the third and longest-lasting pastor of Precious Blood. Born in Marieville, Quebec on March 15, 1838, he came to Rhode Island in 1873 after just three years as a priest. During his 54-year pastorate he reshaped Catholic life in northern Rhode Island by founding institutions that still serve the region and by bringing religious Sisters and Brothers to staff them. He died in February 1931 at the age of 93 while still serving as pastor.
- Established St. Antoine Nursing Home
- Established St. Claire School for girls
- Established St. Joseph Orphanage
- Established Mt. St. Charles High School for boys
- Brought religious congregations of Sisters and Brothers to Woonsocket
Parish Staff
The joint St. Agatha's / Precious Blood staff ministers to both parishes from the St. Agatha's Rectory at 34 Joffre Avenue.
- Pastor — Rev. Michael A. Kelley
- Deacon — Rev. Anthony Gagliani
- Religious Education / Youth Ministry — Becky Keegan
- Secretary — Diane Libucha
- Bookkeeper — Mary Ann DeRestie
- Communications Coordinator — Ann Van Orsouw
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Faith formation for children and youth is coordinated by Becky Keegan across the joint parishes. The program includes sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion and a two-year Confirmation program beginning in 8th grade. High-school students who have not yet been confirmed are welcome to register as first-year candidates.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — weekly class at St. Agatha's Rectory beginning in September, culminating at the Easter Vigil; for unbaptized adults and baptized adults seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation — two-year program starting in 8th grade; requirements include faithful class attendance, weekly Sunday and Holy Day Mass, a Confirmation retreat, and a sponsor certificate
- SAPB Vacation Bible Camp (online registration on parish site)
- Youth Ministry events — see the parish's Religious Education / Youth Ministry Facebook page
Parish Ministries and Groups
Precious Blood and St. Agatha's together host a broad network of lay ministries that put faith into action through prayer, fellowship, service, and stewardship of the parish grounds.
- Legion of Mary
- Junior Legion of Mary
- Men of St. Joseph
- St. Monica Prayer Group
- Adoration Team
- Small Faith Sharing Groups
- Hospitality Ministry
- Helping Hands Food Pantry (1st and 3rd Fridays, 9:30–11:00 AM, St. Agatha's Church hall; volunteer contact: Diane Cheever, (401) 766-4849)
- SAPB Grounds Keeping Ministry
- Light of the World Parish Retreat
Precious Blood Thrift Shop
The parish operates a year-round thrift shop in the Precious Blood Parish Hall, with entrance off Hamlet Avenue. It is a major fundraiser and community gathering place. Effective the first Monday in September, the shop expanded to Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (previously Wednesday and Saturday only). Small furniture is accepted, and the shop is exploring a 'Christmas year-round' display. 10% of proceeds are donated to assist the homeless.
- Location: Precious Blood Parish Hall, 94 Carrington Ave (entrance off Hamlet Ave)
- Hours: Wednesday and Saturday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM (expanding to Monday/Wednesday/Saturday in September)
- Thrift Shop phone: (401) 234-2030 (Sheila)
- Large-item pickup: (401) 595-1575
- 20% of large-item sale proceeds go to the parish; 10% of all proceeds assist the homeless
- Donations accepted during hours of operation only — no clothing, large electronics, VHS tapes, or baby furniture
Sacraments
Inquiries about all sacraments can be made through the parish office. Preparation programs are coordinated jointly with St. Agatha's Parish.
- Baptism — contact the rectory
- First Holy Communion — Religious Education program
- Confirmation — two-year preparation starting in 8th grade
- Marriage — contact the rectory
- Confession — Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM or by request
- OCIA — for adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their initiation
Events and Parish Life
In addition to its standing ministries, the parish hosts a lively calendar of special events throughout the year that bring the two parishes together and serve the wider Woonsocket community.
- Yard Sales
- Youth Events and Retreats
- Autumnfest Booth
- Christmas Bazaar
- Year-round Thrift Shop
- Events calendar and bulletins posted on the parish website
Office Hours and Contact
Parish business for Precious Blood is handled at the shared St. Agatha's Rectory at 34 Joffre Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895. Visitors can also plan a visit or connect with the parish through the website's contact forms.
- Summer Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (closed Wednesdays)
- Phone: (401) 767-2950
- Email: [email protected]
- Precious Blood Church: 94 Carrington Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Parish Office / St. Agatha's Rectory: 34 Joffre Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernard1873
First pastor; came from Belgium to serve French Canadian immigrants.
- Rev. Berkins1874
Second pastor; also from Belgium.
- Msgr. Charles Dauray1875–1931
Longest-serving pastor (54 years). Born Marieville, Quebec 1838. Founded St. Antoine Nursing Home, St. Claire School for girls, St. Joseph Orphanage, and Mt. St. Charles High School for boys. Brought religious Sisters and Brothers to Woonsocket. Died February 1931, aged 93.
- Rev. George W. Bedard1931–1949
- Msgr. Moise O. Leprohon1949–1955
- Msgr. Joseph A. Cobriel1955–1966
- Msgr. Oscar A. Guilbault1966–1973
- Rev. René E. Gagne1973–1996
- Msgr. John C. Allard1996–2013
- Rev. Michael A. Kelley2013–present
Currently also pastor of St. Agatha's Parish; serves both parishes with Deacon Tony Gagliani.