About Saint Dominic Parish · Swansea, Massachusetts
St. Dominic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Swansea, Massachusetts, part of the Diocese of Fall River. Founded in 1911 by Dominican Father Bernard Percott, O.P., it has served the Catholics of Swansea for more than a century. Today it is partnered with neighboring St. Francis of Assisi Church as the 'Mt. Hope Catholic Community' — a single parish family united under the patronage of St. Francis and St. Dominic. The parish celebrates weekend Mass at its 1277 Grand Army of the Republic Highway church and shares faith formation, music, and outreach across both worship sites.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- Saint Dominic
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas Costa, Jr.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
St. Dominic offers a small, family-sized Catholic community in northern Swansea with two Sunday Masses, weekday Masses on Monday and Wednesday, and a Reconciliation schedule every Sunday before Mass. Worship is currently held in the Parish Center, and the parish shares faith formation (grades 1–7 and Confirmation I & II), music ministry, and parish staff with its sister church, St. Francis of Assisi, as part of the Mt. Hope Catholic Community. Ministries such as the Family Life Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, St. Peregrine Cancer Prayer Ministry, Knights of Columbus Council 3669, and the 50 Week Club give parishioners of every age and stage of life concrete ways to serve and belong.
Mass times at Saint Dominic Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:00–9:15 AM (come to the Sacristy before Mass to request the Sacrament)
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Dominic Parish in Swansea, Massachusetts is one of two worship sites of the Mt. Hope Catholic Community, the other being St. Francis of Assisi Church on Gardners Neck Road. The parish website describes the community as 'United in Christ and inspired by the witness of our patron saints, St. Francis and St. Dominic, we come together as one parish family, building on their humility and preaching spirit. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we share God's love and welcome all who seek Him.' Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the Masses celebrated across the two sites.
- St. Dominic Church — 1277 GAR Highway, Swansea, MA 02777
- St. Francis of Assisi Church — 530 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea, MA 02777
- Rectory — 270 Ocean Grove Ave., Swansea, MA 02777
History
St. Dominic was founded in 1911 by Dominican Father Bernard Percott, O.P., after Swansea Catholics petitioned Bishop Daniel Feehan of Fall River for a parish of their own. The first Mass was celebrated on November 5, 1911 at the Brook Side farm of Norbert P. Berard, and Bishop Feehan blessed the new church on March 3, 1912. Father Percott served 16 years as pastor, retired the parish debt, and saw the parish double in size. A century later, in November 2011, the parish marked its centennial under the theme 'One Hundred Years in Christ Alive.'
- 1911 — Mission of St. Anne's (Fall River) becomes the Parish of St. Dominic; Father Bernard Percott, O.P. named founding pastor
- Nov. 5, 1911 — First parish Mass at the Brook Side farm of Norbert P. Berard
- March 3, 1912 — Bishop Feehan blesses the new St. Dominic church
- 1927 — Father Percott returns to St. Anne's Priory; dies 1937
- 1938 — St. Francis Xavier mission chapel (Barneyville) destroyed in the hurricane
- 1995 — Father Joseph F. Viveiros appointed pastor
- 2011 — Centennial celebration
- 2019 — Father Viveiros retires after 24 years
- 2021 — Mt. Hope Catholic Community collaborative formed with St. Francis of Assisi; Rev. Thomas Costa, Jr. named pastor
Parish Staff & Clergy
The Mt. Hope Catholic Community is led by Pastor Rev. Thomas Costa, Jr., who arrived in August 2021 after serving as Co-Pastor of the Taunton Catholic North collaborative and as pastor of Annunciation of the Lord. He is assisted by Deacon Rev. Mr. Gary M. John, regular celebrant Fr. Jay Maddock, Confirmation Directors Joy and Joe Viveiros, Music Director Ada Simpson, Pastoral Associate & Faith Formation (Grades 1–7) Robert Horta, Office Manager/Bulletin Colleen Fontaine, Finance Manager/Office/Notary Fran Kelley, Property Manager Tony (Antone) Roderigues, and Administration Assistant Bonny Ferry.
- Pastor — Rev. Thomas Costa, Jr.
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. Gary M. John ([email protected])
- Celebrant — Fr. Jay Maddock
- Confirmation I & II Directors — Joy & Joe Viveiros
- Music Director — Ada Simpson
- Pastoral Associate & Faith Formation (Gr. 1–7) — Robert Horta
- Office Manager/Bulletin — Colleen Fontaine
- Finance Manager/Office/Notary — Fran Kelley
- Property Manager — Tony (Antone) Roderigues
- Administration Assistant — Bonny Ferry
Ministries & Parish Groups
The parish's ministries page lists several active parish groups and notes that more pages are forthcoming. The Family Life Ministry, coordinated by Karen Gagnon, meets regularly (e.g., February 6 at 6:30 PM in the parish hall) and offers email-only membership for those who prefer not to attend meetings. The Prayer Shawl Ministry gathers to craft and pray over prayer shawls for those in need of comfort, with a meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM. The parish also hosts a St. Peregrine Cancer Prayer Ministry and a Knights of Columbus Council 3669, and Father Tom Costa oversees the 50 Week Club.
- Family Life Ministry — contact Karen Gagnon (508-523-8143)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — meets second Wednesday at 1:00 PM
- St. Peregrine Cancer Prayer Ministry
- Knights of Columbus Council 3669
- 50 Week Club — contact Fr. Tom Costa
Faith Formation & Confirmation
Faith formation for children in grades 1 through 7 is coordinated by Pastoral Associate Robert Horta across the Mt. Hope Catholic Community. Confirmation preparation is a two-year program directed by Joy and Joe Viveiros, who can be reached at the parish office (508-674-0024) or [email protected]. Families with children in either program are encouraged to register through the parish.
- Faith Formation Grades 1–7 — Robert Horta
- Confirmation I & II — Joy & Joe Viveiros ([email protected])
Sacraments & Devotions
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Sunday at 9:00–9:15 AM; those wishing to receive the sacrament are asked to come to the Sacristy before Mass. For information about Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, First Communion, or other sacraments, parishioners are directed to contact the parish office (508-675-7206). The parish's ongoing devotion to St. Peregrine, patron of those with cancer, is supported by the St. Peregrine Cancer Prayer Ministry. Prayer requests can be sent to the parish Prayer Request Line at [email protected].
- Reconciliation — Sundays 9:00–9:15 AM (Sacristy)
- Prayer Request Line — [email protected]
Parish Communications & Bulletins
The combined bulletin of the Mt. Hope Catholic Community is the parish's primary weekly communication, listing Mass intentions, parish news, ministry events, and diocesan notices. Bulletins are posted online via parishesonline.com and are also available in printed form at the parish. The official St. Dominic Facebook page shares event updates, liturgical schedules, and community photos.
- Parish Bulletin (online): https://www.parishesonline.com/find/st-dominic-/bulletin
- Facebook: St. Dominic Parish Swansea (https://www.facebook.com/St-Dominic-Parish-Swansea-19302601077574/)
Contact & Visiting
St. Dominic's parish office is located at 1277 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Swansea, MA 02777. The office is open by appointment only and can be reached by phone at 508-675-7206 (fax 508-672-4716) or by email at [email protected]. St. Francis of Assisi, the sister parish in the Mt. Hope Catholic Community, is staffed Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (closed Thursday and Friday) at 530 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea, MA 02777, phone 508-673-2808.
- St. Dominic Parish Office — 508-675-7206 — [email protected]
- St. Dominic Fax — 508-672-4716
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish Office — 508-673-2808 — [email protected]
- Rectory — 270 Ocean Grove Ave., Swansea, MA 02777
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bernard Percott, O.P.1911–1927
Dominican founding pastor; established the parish, oversaw construction of the church blessed by Bishop Feehan on March 3, 1912, retired the parish debt, and saw the parish double in size. Returned to St. Anne's Priory; died 1937.
- Rev. Joseph F. Viveiros1995–2019
Native of St. Michael, Azores; ordained 1974 by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin. Previously served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Fatima (New Bedford), Sacred Heart, St. John the Baptist, St. Anthony of Padua, and Santo Christo parishes, and as chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Also directed the diocesan Deaf Apostolate (1974–2007) and the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities. Led the parish through its 2011 centennial celebration; retired after 24 years.