About Saint Boniface Catholic Church · Lunenburg, Massachusetts
Saint Boniface Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Worcester. Founded in 1950, it was the very first new parish created by Bishop John J. Wright, the first bishop of Worcester. The parish worships in English, runs an active Religious Education program for Grades 1 through high school, and operates St. Boniface Early Education School (a licensed preschool/childcare) as a community ministry. Today's faith community is led by Administrator Fr. Charles P. O. Omolo, originally from Kenya, and a small, dedicated lay staff who coordinate music, religious education, and parish life.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Saint Boniface (the English-born Benedictine monk known as the 'Apostle of Germany')
- Rector
- Fr. Charles P. O. Omolo (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts
Why belong here
Saint Boniface is a small, multigenerational Catholic community in Lunenburg that actively lives out its mission to 'be a living witness of the Gospel' through prayer, liturgy, and service. The parish runs a robust Religious Education program (Grades 1 through high school), operates a licensed preschool that serves families across the region, and offers a wide range of lay ministries — from RCIA, altar servers, lectors, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to a food pantry, clothing drive, Christmas Giving Tree, hospital and shut-in visiting, Ladies of St. Boniface, and a Finance and Pastoral Council. Newcomers, returning Catholics, and anyone seeking the sacraments are warmly welcomed.
Mass times at Saint Boniface Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (on the last Wednesday of each month, paired with Eucharistic Adoration)
- Saturday, 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Other times can be arranged with the priest by appointment
Adoration times
- Last Wednesday of each month, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Eucharistic Adoration before the 6:30 PM Mass; the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance for one-on-one quiet prayer)
Welcome and Mission
Saint Boniface Parish describes itself as a Catholic Christian community called to be a living witness of the Gospel through prayer, liturgy, and service. Its mission statement, posted on the About page, reads: 'We welcome people from all diverse walks of life who seek God's love to join us in Christian fellowship.' The welcome message from Fr. Charles Omolo opens with Jesus' words from Matthew 11:28 — 'Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest' — and extends an invitation both to longtime Catholics and to those returning to the faith or seeking the sacraments for the first time.
- Mission: 'Be a Living Witness of the Gospel' through prayer, liturgy, and service
- Open invitation to new parishioners, returning Catholics, and those seeking the sacraments
- Welcome letter signed by Fr. Charles Omolo, Pastor (sic) of Saint Boniface
Parish History
Founded in 1950 as the first new parish of the Diocese of Worcester under Bishop John J. Wright, Saint Boniface began life in the Lunenburg Town Hall and Whalom Ballroom. The first pastor, Father John E. O'Toole, opened the parish on July 5, 1950. The present church was built under Father Peter B. Malloy and dedicated October 9, 1954. The parish has since been served by a succession of pastors, with religious education made a priority under Father Edward J. Moran (fifth pastor, 1979) and the present-day preschool opening in 2006. The community celebrated its 75th anniversary on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi in 2025.
- 1950 — Parish founded; first Masses at Town Hall and Whalom Ballroom
- 1952 — Father Peter B. Malloy becomes second pastor; Whalom–North Leominster area separated to form Our Lady of the Lake Parish
- 1953–1954 — Church constructed; dedicated by Bishop Wright on October 9, 1954
- 1979 — Father Edward J. Moran becomes fifth pastor; religious education expanded
- 1981 — Church renovated and rededicated
- 2006 — St. Boniface Early Education School opens
- 2021 — Father Charles P. O. Omolo named administrator
- 2025 — 75th anniversary celebrated on Corpus Christi with Bishop McManus
Religious Education
St. Boniface's Religious Education program is led by Coordinator Lucy Marcil and offers age-appropriate faith formation for children in Grade 1 through high school. The program is committed to supporting parents as the first educators in faith of their children and inviting all families into greater participation in the life and mission of the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation programs (First Communion, Confirmation) include additional required parent meetings. Registration is $50 per child with a $75 family maximum, with payment plans or waivers available for families experiencing financial hardship. Class sizes are kept small, especially in Grades 1–6.
- Coordinator: Lucy Marcil ([email protected])
- Faith formation for Grades 1 through high school
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- RCIA for adults and RCIC for children of catechetical age
- Registration: $50/child, $75 family maximum; financial aid and payment plans available
- Parents' reflection emphasizes Mass as 'Mission' and forming lifelong faith
St. Boniface Early Education School (Preschool and Childcare)
St. Boniface Early Education School opened in August 2006 with a single goal: to provide the highest-quality education and childcare possible. Located in the same building complex as the church at 817 Massachusetts Avenue (Route 2A), the preschool is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care for up to 30 children at a time. Although the preschool itself does not incorporate religious instruction, the revenue it generates supports the parish, and it is a ministry to families throughout Lunenburg and surrounding towns. Director Nina Charpentier leads a year-round program that runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM (summer 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), with full-time, part-time, half-day, and preschool-enrichment options for children ages 2 years 9 months through 5.
- Director: Nina Charpentier ([email protected])
- Opened August 2006
- Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (license #177363)
- Ages 2 years 9 months – 5 years
- Full-time, part-time, half-day, and preschool-enrichment options
- Year-round, Monday–Friday; summer hours 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Music and Liturgy
Music ministry at St. Boniface is coordinated by Director of Music Carolyn Farley, with Judit Ernst serving as Organist/Pianist and Nina Charpentier as Sacristan. The parish is served by a regular parish choir and is known to welcome additional choirs for major feasts — for the 75th anniversary Mass in 2025, the music program featured St. Boniface's folk group and youth choir alongside the Moipei sisters (from Kenya) and African choirs from St. Andrew Mission in Worcester, reflecting the cultural reach of the parish under Father Omolo's leadership.
- Director of Music Ministry: Carolyn Farley
- Organist/Pianist: Judit Ernst
- Sacristan: Nina Charpentier
- Folk group, youth choir, and visiting choirs for major feasts
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish's Ministries page lists an unusually broad range of lay-led groups covering liturgy, formation, fellowship, and outreach. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, and Hospitality. Faith-formation ministries include Catechists, RCIA and RCIC teams, and Baptism and Marriage Preparation. Outreach ministries include a Food Pantry, Clothing Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, Hospital Ministry, Visiting Shut-ins, North Star Family Services, Domestic Violence Prevention, and the Ecumenical Good Friday Walk. Parish governance is supported by a Pastoral Council, a Finance Committee, and the Ladies of St. Boniface (a women's group that continues the legacy of the original St. Boniface Guild founded in 1950).
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, Hospitality
- Formation: Catechists, RCIA, RCIC, Baptism Prep, Marriage Prep
- Outreach: Food Pantry, Clothing Drive, Christmas Giving Tree, Hospital Ministry, Visiting Shut-ins, North Star Family Services, Domestic Violence Prevention, Ecumenical Good Friday Walk
- Parish life: Ladies of St. Boniface, Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Hall Monitors, Parish Website/Directory team
Parish Staff
The parish is supported by a small, dedicated lay staff working alongside Administrator Fr. Charles P. O. Omolo. Cheryl Maclure serves as Administrative Assistant; Lucy Marcil as Religious Education Coordinator; Carolyn Farley as Director of Music Ministry; Judit Ernst as Organist/Pianist; Nina Charpentier as Director of the Preschool and as Sacristan; Lisa Ramos handles payroll; Allison Lilly coordinates the Ministry Schedule; and Louise Nadeau, Nancy Featherstone, and Claire Jancaitis assist in the Preschool/Childcare program. The parish office can be reached at 978-582-4008 or [email protected].
- Fr. Charles P. O. Omolo — Administrator
- Cheryl Maclure — Administrative Assistant
- Lucy Marcil — Religious Education Coordinator
- Carolyn Farley — Director of Music Ministry
- Judit Ernst — Organist/Pianist
- Nina Charpentier — Director of Pre-School; Sacristan
- Lisa Ramos — Payroll
- Allison Lilly — Ministry Schedule
- Louise Nadeau, Nancy Featherstone, Claire Jancaitis — Preschool/Childcare
Sacraments
Saint Boniface celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments through scheduled liturgies and preparation programs. Baptisms and Marriages are arranged with the parish office; the Religious Education program prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation (with required parent meetings). Adults seeking full initiation participate in the RCIA, and children of catechetical age go through the RCIC. Confession is heard Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Mass and on the last Wednesday of each month, with other times by appointment. The Anointing of the Sick is available on request.
- Baptism — preparation required
- First Communion and Confirmation — preparation through Religious Education
- Marriage — preparation required; contact the parish office
- RCIA (adults) and RCIC (children of catechetical age)
- Confession — Saturday 5:00–5:30 PM; last Wednesday 5:30–6:30 PM; by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
Online Giving and Bulletins
Parishioners can support Saint Boniface through online giving — credit card, debit card, or electronic check, with one-time or recurring Sunday offering options — or by mail to 817 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462. The parish also publishes its weekly bulletin online through the website, with current and past issues available for download.
- Online giving via credit/debit card or electronic check (one-time or recurring)
- Mail-in offerings to 817 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462
- Weekly bulletins (current and past) available on the parish website
Visit, Contact, and Office Hours
The parish invites newcomers to register, browse the weekly bulletin, and contact the office with any questions. The Rectory/Parish Office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with additional hours available on request. Callers are encouraged to leave a message at 978-582-4008 and a staff member will return their call. The Contact Us page also offers an online directory and a secure online form for messages.
- Address: 817 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462
- Phone: 978-582-4008
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Wed, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (additional hours on request)
- Online directory and contact form available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John E. O'Toole1950–1952
Founding pastor; opened the parish on July 5, 1950; celebrated the first Masses in the Lunenburg Town Hall and Whalom Ballroom.
- Rev. Peter B. Malloy1952–
Second pastor; oversaw construction of the present church; broke ground August 16, 1953; building dedicated October 9, 1954. Still pastor at the time of the 1954 dedication booklet.
- Rev. Edward J. Moran1979–
Named fifth pastor in 1979; made religious education a parish priority and oversaw the 1981 church renovation/rededication.
- Rev. John A. DwyerRetired
Retired as pastor of St. Boniface; the diocese then appointed an administrator to lead the parish.
- Rev. Dennis J. O'Brien
Administrator while remaining pastor of neighboring Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Leominster.
- Rev. Anthony J. Mpagi
Pastor; later transferred to St. James Parish in South Grafton.
- Rev. Charles P. O. Omolo2021–present
Administrator (functioning as pastor) since 2021; originally from Kenya; also chaplain to Fitchburg State University.