About Sacred Heart Church · Waltham, Massachusetts
Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Waltham, Massachusetts, located at 311 River Street (the church building stands at the corner of River and Newton Streets). Founded in 1922 by the Stigmatine Fathers (C.P.S.) to serve the Italian immigrant community, it is today part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston. The parish offers weekend and daily Mass in English, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and a full faith-formation program under its current pastor, Fr. Agustín Anda.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Agustín Anda (F. Agustin Anda Gomez)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a small, tight-knit parish with deep roots in Waltham's Italian-Catholic heritage and a worship life centered on daily and weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered six days a week. Parishioners of every age are welcomed through faith formation for children, a Confirmation and youth group, and an active adult choir under the direction of its music director. Practical outreach — including a weekly food collection — plus a warm pastor's greeting make it easy for new faces and longtime families alike to find a place at Sacred Heart.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:30–7:15 AM
- Tuesday 5:00–6:45 PM
- Wednesday 6:30–7:15 AM
- Thursday 5:00–6:45 PM
- Friday 6:30–7:15 AM
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM
- Monday 6:30–7:15 AM
- Wednesday 6:30–7:15 AM
- Friday 6:30–7:15 AM
Welcome
Sacred Heart Parish in Waltham, Massachusetts extends an open invitation to visitors and newcomers. The parish invites people to explore the website's menu options, learn the history of the parish, and contact the rectory with questions or to get involved. Pastor Fr. Agustín Anda offers a personal welcome on the homepage, referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church's teaching that the parish is the place where believers gather to celebrate the saving mysteries, hear Christ's saving doctrine, and practice the charity of the Lord in good works and love of one another.
- Learn More About Sacred Heart
- Pastor's Welcome (Fr. Agustín Anda)
- Contact Us / Send a message
Our History
Sacred Heart was established in 1922 by the Stigmatine Fathers (C.P.S.) to serve Waltham's Italian immigrant community — about 4,000 of the city's 32,000 residents at the time — under the authority of Cardinal William O'Connell, Archbishop of Boston. The first pastor, Father Raymond Dalla Porta, C.P.S., and his assistant Father William Ludessi, C.P.S., built up the parish from a donated factory building (River & Jackson Streets) to a permanent church at River & Newton Streets, completed for Midnight Mass in December 1924. A rectory followed in 1927, and in September 1958 Father Stephen Dalla Via engaged Waltham architect Aldo A. Min to design the present church, dedicated in 1964.
- Founded November 6, 1922
- Cardinal William O'Connell directed the founding
- First pastor: Fr. Raymond Dalla Porta, C.P.S.
- Co-founder: Fr. William Ludessi, C.P.S.
- Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur supplied first liturgical goods
- Original 1924 church still houses CCD classrooms and parish hall
- Rectory completed July 1, 1927
- Current church dedicated in 1964, designed by Aldo A. Min
Our Staff
The parish is led by pastor Fr. Agustín Anda, with Fr. Barnabas Chukwuma Nkwuda in residence. Lay staff care for finance, administration, faith formation, liturgy and music, and youth ministry.
- Pastor — Fr. Agustín Anda
- In Residence — Rev. Barnabas Chukwuma Nkwuda
- Finance & Operations Manager — Tom O'Neil
- Administrative Coordinator — Noemy Mendez
- Administrative Support / Project Coordinator — Carmen Kapishnikov
- Director of Faith Formation — Dr. Angelica Avciktur (Azcikurt)
- Adult Choir Director — Lisa Custodinho
- Confirmation and Youth Group — Casey Knox
Devotions
The parish maintains the devotional tradition of its Italian founders through regular devotions and small parish gatherings beyond the Mass schedule.
- St. Anthony Devotion following the Tuesday 7:00 PM Mass
- Donut Sunday / 777 Club — parish fellowship after Sunday Masses (per parish calendar)
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
Faith Formation is directed by Dr. Angelica Avciktur, with programs for children and youth. The original 1924 church building — long since no longer used as the main worship space — now houses the CCD classrooms and serves as the parish hall for events throughout the year.
- Director of Faith Formation — Dr. Angelica Avciktur
- CCD classrooms housed in the original 1924 church building
- Confirmation and Youth Group led by Casey Knox
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Adults seeking to learn about the Catholic faith, or to be received into full communion with the Church, are invited to inquire about the parish's RCIA program. Information is available by calling 781-899-0469 (ext.) and through the parish website.
- Contact the parish office at (781) 899-0469
Music and Liturgy
Sacred Heart supports congregational and choral singing at its Masses under the direction of its Adult Choir Director, Lisa Custodinho.
- Adult Choir Director — Lisa Custodinho
Parish Life & Fellowship
The parish gathers for fellowship after Sunday Masses through Donut Sunday / 777 Club gatherings — an easy way for new families to meet regular parishioners. The parish hall (in the original 1924 church building) hosts many of these events.
- Donut Sunday / 777 Club
- Parish Hall events year-round
Outreach & Charity
Sacred Heart maintains a parish food collection as a regular outreach ministry and welcomes new volunteers to this and other parish efforts.
- Parish Food Collection (weekly)
When You Visit
First-time visitors to Sacred Heart will find a friendly, approachable parish. Mass, Confession, and Adoration times are clearly posted on the parish site, and the parish addresses the practical questions new visitors often have — what to wear, where to park, where the kids go — to make a first visit as comfortable as possible.
- Where to park: parking lot is behind the church
- Handicap parking on Grove Street, with the Grove Street door at street level (accessible entry)
Contact Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach Sacred Heart by phone or email during parish office hours, or by sending a message through the website's contact form.
- Address — 311 River Street, Waltham, MA 02453
- Phone — (781) 899-0469
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — sacredheart311.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Raymond Dalla Porta, C.P.S.1922–
Founder and first pastor of Sacred Heart; led the purchase of the River/Newton Streets property in 1924 and oversaw construction of the original church in time for Midnight Mass that December.
- Father William Ludessi, C.P.S.1922–
Co-founder and first assistant; together with Fr. Dalla Porta traveled from Lynn to build up the parish.
- Father Stephen Dalla ViaSeptember 1958–
As pastor in September 1958, engaged Waltham architect Aldo A. Min to design the present church, which was dedicated in 1964.
- Rev. Fr. Agustín Anda
Current pastor.