About Sacred Hearts (Bradford) · Haverhill, Massachusetts
Sacred Hearts Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Bradford section of Haverhill, Massachusetts, within the Archdiocese of Boston. It serves the Bradford and Groveland communities and surrounding areas through two worship sites — Sacred Hearts Church on South Main Street in Bradford and St. Patrick Church in neighboring Groveland. The parish runs a parish school (Sacred Hearts School), a faith formation program for grades K–8, a parish food pantry that serves over 1,200 Haverhill families a week, and a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries. It is currently pastored by Fr. John Delaney, who has served the community since 2012.
- Established
- Late 19th century (parish organized in the 1880s–1890s; church interior completed 1913)
- Patron
- The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
- Rector
- Fr. John Delaney
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Sacred Hearts is a welcoming two-site parish (Bradford and Groveland) that combines traditional Catholic worship with active outreach. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered in English across both churches, with Saturday Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration. The parish supports a parish school, K–8 faith formation, a robust youth ministry, music and liturgical ministries, and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry that serves more than 1,200 Haverhill families each week. It is a community rooted in immigrant Catholic heritage that continues to invest in formation, charity, and devotional life.
Mass times at Sacred Hearts (Bradford)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel (Sacred Hearts Church)
- Lent: Wednesday evenings 6:30–8:00 PM in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
- By appointment — call the Pastoral Center at 978-373-1281
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered at the parish (see parish website for current schedule; linked from the main navigation as 'Adoration')
About Sacred Hearts Parish
Sacred Hearts Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Bradford section of Haverhill, Massachusetts, within the Archdiocese of Boston. It ministers to the Bradford/Groveland communities and surrounding areas through two worship sites: Sacred Hearts Church in Bradford and St. Patrick Church in Groveland. The parish runs a parish school, a K–8 faith formation program, a large food pantry, and a variety of liturgical and outreach ministries. Its stated mission is that 'All Are Welcome' — inviting visitors to join a ministry or become a parishioner.
- Two worship sites: Sacred Hearts Church (Bradford) and St. Patrick Church (Groveland)
- Part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
- Approximately 2,300 families
History
The parish was established in the late 19th century to serve the surge of European and French-Canadian Catholic immigrants who transformed Haverhill between 1878 and 1898, when the city's population roughly doubled from 18,500 to 37,000. The grand interior of Sacred Hearts Church was completed and unveiled in 1913, described by the Haverhill Gazette as 'breathtaking.' The parish later extended pastoral care to St. Patrick Church in Groveland, creating the present two-site configuration. Successive pastors of the Archdiocese of Boston have shaped the modern parish, including Fr. Michael C. Randone (2003–2005) and, since 2012, Fr. John Delaney.
- Parish roots in late-19th-century Catholic immigration to Haverhill
- Church interior completed and revealed in 1913
- Two-site parish formed with St. Patrick Church in Groveland
- Pastors have included Fr. Michael C. Randone (2003–2005) and Fr. John Delaney (2012–present)
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. John Delaney, Pastor, who can be reached at the Pastoral Center at 978-373-1281 ext. 122. Dr. Elizabeth Woodard serves as Pastoral Associate and leads adult faith formation, OCIA, and retreat work. Parish staff also support the food pantry, faith formation program, music ministry, and parish school. A senior priest, Rev. Richard Moran, has also been associated with the pastoral team.
- Fr. John Delaney — Pastor (since 2012)
- Dr. Elizabeth Woodard — Pastoral Associate (adult faith formation, OCIA, retreats)
- Rev. Richard Moran — senior priest
- Pastoral Center: 978-373-1281
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Sacred Hearts Parish offers faith formation for students in grades K–8. The program is responsible for sacramental preparation in all grades. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion typically takes place in 2nd grade. The parish also offers adult faith formation and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for those exploring the Catholic faith, led by Pastoral Associate Dr. Elizabeth Woodard.
- K–8 Faith Formation program
- Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and Communion in 2nd grade
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults
- Adult retreats and Spiritual Direction
Sacred Hearts School
Sacred Hearts School is the parish's parish elementary school, serving approximately 300 students. Children enrolled in Sacred Hearts School participate in the parish sacramental preparation program alongside children in the Faith Formation program.
- Parish elementary school (~300 students, per 2005 press coverage)
- Participates in parish sacramental preparation
Serving Our Neighbors — Food Pantry & Outreach
The Sacred Hearts Parish Food Pantry, run by the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference, is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:30 to 11:00 AM at 16 Carleton Avenue, Bradford, MA. The pantry serves over 1,200 Haverhill families each week. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference also helps neighbors in need with rent, utilities, and other basic needs. Food donations may be dropped in the vestibule of either Sacred Hearts Church or St. Patrick's Church.
- Food Pantry: Mon/Wed/Fri 7:30–11:00 AM at 16 Carleton Avenue, Bradford
- Serves 1,200+ Haverhill families weekly
- Run by the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Assistance also provided for rent, utilities, and other basics
Get Involved — Ministries
The parish invites participation across a wide range of ministries, grounded in Hebrews 10:24 — 'And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.' Opportunities include liturgical, musical, youth, family, and outreach ministries.
- Music Ministry
- Liturgical Ministries
- Youth Ministry
- Parents & Tots
- Disciples in Mission
- Serving Our Neighbors (outreach)
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Parents are asked to call the Parish Office to begin the process of scheduling an infant or young child's Baptism and to attend a Baptism Preparation class (unless attended within the previous three years). Children in 2nd grade or higher, enrolled in Faith Formation or Sacred Hearts School, are eligible for First Reconciliation and First Communion. The parish also arranges homebound Communion visits and supports Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Confirmation preparation.
- Baptism (infants and young children)
- First Reconciliation & First Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation preparation
- Eucharist & Communion calls to the homebound
- Reconciliation (Saturdays + by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders
Annual Outdoor Mass & Devotions
Each year the parish gathers for the Annual Outdoor Mass and Ice Cream Social, celebrated outside in the Mary grotto on the parish grounds. Mass begins at 6:00 PM and is followed by ice cream sundaes — described by the parish as 'a fun, family annual tradition.'
- Annual Outdoor Mass at the Mary grotto (begins at 6:00 PM)
- Followed by an ice cream social
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Delaney2012–present
Previously at St. Michael, North Andover (2000–2012) and St. Joseph, Needham (1995–2000). Fostering Catholic life in the community with parish staff and volunteers.
- Fr. Michael C. Randone2003–2005
Resigned as pastor in March 2005 after controversy involving off-campus electronic communications with students while serving as chaplain of Central Catholic High School.