About Saint Patrick. St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish. · Falmouth, Massachusetts
St. Patrick Church, located on Main Street in downtown Falmouth, Massachusetts, is one of three parish churches that make up St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish — a newly merged Catholic community of nearly 3,000 households formed on July 1, 2021. Originally built in 1899 as a mission of St. Joseph's in Woods Hole, St. Patrick was dedicated in 1911 by Bishop Daniel Feehan and became Falmouth's first independent Catholic parish church in 1931. Today the church serves year-round residents and Cape Cod summer visitors, with a Saturday morning Mass, two Sunday Masses, and a Saturday evening Mass celebrated in Portuguese/Brazilian for the local community. Its sister chapel, St. Thomas Chapel in Falmouth Heights, is open seasonally for worship from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
- Established
- 1899
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Avila
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
St. Patrick is a welcoming parish within a larger merged community of nearly 3,000 households spread across three churches and two chapels, offering the oldest continuously-operating Catholic worship site in Falmouth. It features a unique Saturday-evening Mass celebrated in Brazilian Portuguese for the Cape's Portuguese-speaking faithful, daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic adoration on First Fridays, and a robust lineup of lay ministries — including the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which runs the thrift shop and offers emergency assistance), the Knights of Columbus, a Women's Ministry, a Couples Club, a Men's Club, the Community Meal, and faith formation for children and adults. Whether you are a year-round Falmouth resident, a summer visitor, or just passing through Cape Cod, the parish is ready to welcome you into its sacramental and community life.
Mass times at Saint Patrick. St. Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family Parish.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 1st Friday: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM at St. Patrick Church
- 1st Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM at St. Patrick Church
Adoration times
- 1st Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM at St. Patrick Church
About St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish
Members of St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish strive to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ by encountering His presence in Word, Sacrament, and Community. As part of His Body, the Church, they participate in Jesus' saving mission by actively sharing their faith and carrying His life and love out into the world. The parish is a newly established community of close to 3,000 households, with three main churches and two chapels, rich in history and vibrant in Catholic faith. It serves year-round residents, summer residents, and visitors to Cape Cod.
- Three churches: St. Anthony (East Falmouth), St. Elizabeth Seton (North Falmouth), St. Patrick (Downtown Falmouth)
- Two chapels: St. Joseph (Woods Hole) and St. Thomas (Falmouth Heights, seasonal)
- Main office: 167 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536
- Main office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
History of St. Patrick Church & St. Thomas Chapel
St. Patrick was originally a mission of St. Joseph's Church in Woods Hole, which had been founded in 1889 by Fr. Cornelius McSweeney. The Bishop of Providence, Matthew Harkins, granted Fr. McSwiney permission to build a wood-framed church on Main Street in Falmouth for under $5,000; that building was completed in 1899, making St. Patrick the oldest continuously-operating Catholic parish church in Falmouth. It was formally dedicated in 1911 by Bishop Daniel Feehan. The parish grew steadily through the twentieth century with major renovations in 1946/1949, 1964, 1991, and 1999, and merged with three other Falmouth parishes in 2021 to form today's St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish.
- 1899 — Original wood-framed church completed on Main Street, Falmouth
- 1911 — Formal dedication by Bishop Daniel Feehan
- 1918 — First Mass at St. Thomas Chapel (converted ballroom) celebrated July 4
- 1928 — St. Thomas designated a full parish with St. Patrick its mission
- 1931 — St. Patrick becomes the parish church; Fr. James Coyle appointed first pastor
- 1949 — Major renovation nearly doubles seating capacity; oak furnishings and Tyrolean statues installed
- 1991 — New stained-glass window dedicated to Our Lady of St. Patrick installed behind the altar
- 1999 — Further renovations
- July 1, 2021 — St. Patrick unites with St. Anthony, St. Elizabeth Seton, and St. Joseph Woods Hole to form St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish
St. Thomas Chapel
St. Thomas Chapel, located in Falmouth Heights, began as a leased ballroom in Harbor View Park that was converted into a chapel by Fr. Thomas Kennedy. The first Mass was celebrated there on July 4, 1918, and the property was purchased by the parish in 1921. Today it serves as a seasonal mission chapel of St. Patrick, open for Mass and prayer from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend. Its Saturday Vigil Mass is at 5:30 PM and Sunday Mass is at 10:30 AM during the season. The chapel is open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM during the season.
- Seasonal Masses: Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM; Sunday 10:30 AM (Memorial Day – Columbus Day)
- Chapel open for prayer: Mon–Fri 8 AM – 2 PM (seasonal)
Parish Staff, Clergy & Deacons
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Avila, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Bryan R. Bangs and a diaconate corps of five permanent deacons. Lay staff include a Director of Business & Operations, Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Music Ministry for each church (including Barbara Leighton at St. Patrick), a Director of Youth Faith Formation & Evangelization, an Adult Faith Formation/Pastoral Coordinator, and parish secretaries — with Peg Frederick serving as Secretary for St. Patrick ([email protected]). Ministry to the Sick is coordinated by Sr. Juleanne Burns.
- Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Avila — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Bryan R. Bangs — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon James 'Gus' Adams
- Deacon Peter M. Guresh
- Deacon Paul J. Harney
- Deacon William W. Hays
- Deacon Patrick J. Mahoney
- Daniel Cunha — Director of Business & Operations
- Maura Polles — Director of Youth Faith Formation & Evangelization
- Thomas Palanza Jr. — Pastoral Coordinator & Adult Faith Formation
- Barbara Leighton — Director of Music Ministry, St. Patrick
- Peg Frederick — Secretary, St. Patrick ([email protected])
- Sr. Juleanne Burns — Ministry to the Sick (508-563-6079)
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministries at St. Patrick and the wider parish include Altar Servers (youth from third grade through high school, as well as adults), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Music Ministry, Wedding Coordinators, Funeral Liturgy Planning Ministry, and Sanctuary Upkeep. Training is provided for altar servers; wedding coordinators run wedding rehearsals and guide couples, parties, and vendors through the marriage liturgy at each church.
- Altar Servers (youth grades 3–12 and adults)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Music Ministry (Director: Barbara Leighton, St. Patrick)
- Wedding Coordinators
- Funeral Liturgy Planning Ministry
- Sanctuary Upkeep
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Faith Formation program serves students in grades 1 through 9, including Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. It aims to introduce young parishioners to Jesus Christ and help them build a lasting relationship with him, integrating Catholic tradition in music, prayer, intellect, and service — while equipping parents to grow in faith with their children at home. Confirmation for high-school students includes required parent/student meetings with Fr. Steve, Mass attendance, and a regional Confirmation retreat. Adult Faith Formation welcomes the never-baptized, those baptized in non-Catholic communities, and Catholics who never received Confirmation, as well as offering seasonal Bible studies.
- Youth Faith Formation — grades 1–9, sacramental prep
- Confirmation (High School) — meetings, retreat at Corpus Christi Sandwich
- Adult Faith Formation — RCIA-style inquiry, Bible studies
- Director of Youth Faith Formation & Evangelization: Maura Polles
Service & Outreach Ministries
St. Patrick is home to several outreach and service ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul Society supports many programs that assist Falmouth neighbors with unexpected expenses for housing, utilities, and medical bills; advocates are available in the SVdP office at St. Patrick's Church Monday–Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and the group meets at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of every month in the St. Patrick basement. The SVdP Thrift Shop offers clothing and housewares at reduced prices to fund the society's charitable giving. The Community Meal Ministry hosts a shared lunch at St. Patrick's basement on select Sunday afternoons. The Spiritual Workers Odd-Job Taskforce (SWOT) helps aging parishioners with minor household repairs and errands. Walking with Moms in Need supports pregnant women and families.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — meets 2nd Tuesday 7 PM at St. Patrick basement
- SVdP Thrift Shop — 508-540-0505
- Community Meal — St. Patrick basement
- SWOT (Spiritual Workers Odd-Job Taskforce)
- Walking with Moms in Need
Community Building
The parish's community-building organizations help parishioners form lasting, holy friendships through social, spiritual, and service activities. The Women's Ministry (WOSJ) provides a forum for women of the parish through prayerfully planned events and service. The Couples Club fosters friendship through religion with activities like Mass and communion breakfasts, trips, and picnics, and supports drives for the homeless at St. Joseph House in Hyannis. The Men's Club hosts social events, sponsors prayer and liturgical celebrations, and supports parish youth. The Sisters in Spirit group offers faith-based community for women. The Knights of Columbus, meeting 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at St. Patrick basement, conducts programs benefiting Church, Council, Community, Family, and Youth under the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism.
- Women's Ministry (WOSJ)
- Couples Club
- Men's Club
- Sisters in Spirit
- Knights of Columbus — meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 7 PM at St. Patrick basement
Devotions & Prayer
St. Patrick and the wider parish offer a rich devotional life beyond the Mass schedule. First Fridays feature Confession (2:00–3:00 PM) and Eucharistic Adoration (12:00–3:00 PM) at St. Patrick. The Holy Souls Apostolate meets on Tuesday mornings at St. Anthony after the 8 AM Mass to pray for the dead. The Rosary Making Ministry gathers at 10 AM for fellowship and crafting. Seasons of Hope is a bereavement-support program. That Man Is You (TMIY) is a men's program addressing the pressures of fatherhood and faith.
- First Friday Devotions at St. Patrick (Confession + Adoration)
- Holy Souls Apostolate (Tuesdays, St. Anthony)
- Rosary Making (monthly)
- Seasons of Hope (bereavement)
- That Man Is You (TMIY)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are generally celebrated on specific Saturdays or Sundays depending on the church; families are encouraged to be registered parishioners and meet with a deacon. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the Youth Faith Formation program. Weddings are reserved for Falmouth residents or those with family ties to the parish; couples begin by emailing Pastoral Coordinator Thomas Palanza Jr. ([email protected]). Funeral liturgies are coordinated through the Funeral Liturgy Planning Ministry. Ministry to the Sick (including Anointing) is coordinated by Sr. Juleanne Burns.
- Baptism — register, meet with a parish deacon
- First Communion & Confirmation — through Faith Formation
- Marriage — begin with email to [email protected]
- Funerals — coordinated through the Funeral Liturgy Planning Ministry
- Anointing / Ministry to the Sick — Sr. Juleanne Burns (508-563-6079)
Parish Cemeteries
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish operates parish cemeteries, with a Superintendent of Cemeteries (Gary Parsons) and a Cemetery Coordinator & Bulletin Editor (Cindy LaRuffa) on staff.
- Superintendent of Cemeteries: Gary Parsons (ext. 105)
- Cemetery Coordinator & Bulletin Editor: Cindy LaRuffa (ext. 115)
Contact, Location & Visiting
The main parish office for St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish is at 167 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536 (at St. Anthony's Church). The main office phone is 508-548-0108 ([email protected]), with hours Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. St. Patrick Church is at 511 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02541. The parish is active on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and livestreams Masses from St. Anthony Church.
- Main Office: 167 East Falmouth Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536
- Phone: 508-548-0108
- Email: [email protected]
- St. Patrick Church: 511 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02541
- Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube — @falmouthcatholic
- Livestream Masses from St. Anthony Church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Cornelius McSweeneyfounded 1889
Pastor of St. Joseph's, Woods Hole, who oversaw construction of the original St. Patrick Church in 1899
- Fr. Thomas Kennedyearly 20th c.
Then-pastor of St. Joseph's who leased Harbor View Park and converted its ballroom into St. Thomas Chapel (first Mass July 4, 1918)
- Fr. James Coyle1931–
First pastor of St. Patrick after it was elevated from mission to parish church