About St. Agatha · Woonsocket, Rhode Island
St. Agatha's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, part of the Diocese of Providence, currently partnered with the historic Precious Blood Parish (the French-Canadian 'mother church' founded in 1873). Since 2013 the community has been led by Fr. Michael A. Kelley, who serves both parishes with Deacon Anthony Gagliani and a small lay staff. The parish is known for its vibrant Religious Education program, its active lay ministries (Legion of Mary, Men of St. Joseph, Junior Legion of Mary, St. Monica Prayer Group, Adoration Team, Small Faith Sharing Groups), and its outreach to neighbors through the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Fr. Kelley describes the community's mission as becoming 'A Catholic Community of Missionary Disciples,' rooted in daily noon Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a year-round thrift shop, bazaars, and youth events.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Agatha of Sicily
- Rector
- Rev. Michael A. Kelley
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Agatha's is a warm, mid-century parish where daily noon Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and an unusually rich roster of lay-led groups — Legion of Mary, Junior Legion of Mary, Men of St. Joseph, St. Monica Prayer Group, Small Faith Sharing, Adoration Team — give plenty of ways to plug in. The Helping Hands Food Pantry (1st and 3rd Fridays) and the year-round thrift shop put Catholic faith into practical outreach to Woonsocket neighbors, while the parish's longstanding Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs welcome children, Confirmation candidates, and adults in OCIA. As Fr. Kelley puts it, the parish is striving to be 'A Catholic Community of Missionary Disciples' — and visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass, inquire about the sacraments, and join in.
Mass times at St. Agatha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (or by request)
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- First Friday of the Month 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Welcome from the Pastor
On the homepage of sapbwoonsocket.weebly.com, Fr. Michael A. Kelley writes: 'My name is Fr. Michael A. Kelley. I have been honored to be pastor of St. Agatha's and Precious Blood Parishes for the past 13 years. Along with Deacon Tony Gagliani and our dedicated staff we serve many families and individuals in the Woonsocket area in a great variety of ways because we love the Lord Jesus!' He highlights the parishes' shared special events — yard sales, youth events, retreats, the Autumnfest booth, the Christmas Bazaar, and the year-round thrift shop — and names the lay communities that animate parish life: Men of St. Joseph, Legion of Mary, Junior Legion of Mary, St. Monica Prayer Group, Adoration Team, Food Pantry Ministers, and Small Faith Sharing Groups. The parish's stated mission is to be 'A Catholic Community of Missionary Disciples,' and visitors are warmly invited to attend Mass and inquire about the sacraments.
- Pastor: Fr. Michael A. Kelley (since 2013)
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Anthony Gagliani
- Mission statement: 'A Catholic Community of Missionary Disciples'
Parish History
According to the parish's own 'St. Agatha's Parish' page, the parish was incorporated in 1953 when it was 'carved' out of the large territory of Precious Blood Parish. The former Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish (now Holy Trinity) was incorporated the same year as a sister daughter church of Precious Blood. St. Agatha's is the only Catholic church in Woonsocket that has never had a Catholic school associated with it; the parish credits that fact with helping it build a long-vibrant Religious Education program and an active youth ministry. A Silver Jubilee commemorative booklet covering 1953–1978 is held by the Rhode Island Historical Society.
- Incorporated in 1953 as a daughter church of Precious Blood Parish
- Never had a parish school
- Silver Jubilee (1953–1978) commemorated in a published booklet (RIHS)
Office & Staff
The parish rectory is located at 34 Joffre Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895, with parish phone (401) 767-2950 and email [email protected]. Summer office hours are Monday and Tuesday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, Wednesday closed, and Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. The small, dedicated staff includes a religious education / youth minister, secretary, bookkeeper, and communications coordinator.
- Pastor — Rev. Michael A. Kelley
- Deacon — Rev. Mr. Anthony Gagliani
- Religious Education / Youth Ministry — Becky Keegan
- Secretary — Diane Libucha
- Bookkeeper — Mary Ann DeRestie
- Communications Coordinator — Ann Van Orsouw
Parish Ministries
St. Agatha's lists a remarkable roster of lay-led ministries and groups on its 'Parish Ministries' page. Many parishioners are involved in liturgical roles — greeters, altar servers, sacristans, ushers, decorators, musicians, singers, and church cleaners — while others serve in the parish's signature outreach efforts and prayer groups.
- Helping Hands Food Pantry — 1st and 3rd Fridays, 9:30–11:00 AM, St. Agatha's Church hall
- Legion of Mary
- Junior Legion of Mary
- Men of St. Joseph
- St. Monica Prayer Group
- Adoration Team
- Small Faith Sharing Groups
- Hospitality Ministry
- SAPB Grounds Keeping Ministry
- Year-round thrift shop
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
St. Agatha and Precious Blood Parishes share a Religious Education and Youth Ministry program directed by Becky Keegan. The parish describes its Religious Education program as long-vibrant and especially important because the parish has never had a Catholic school. Youth Ministry events are advertised through a dedicated Facebook page, and the parish runs an annual Vacation Bible Camp (recently branded 'Kingdom Rock 2025').
- Religious Education / Youth Ministry: Becky Keegan
- Annual Vacation Bible Camp
- Youth Ministry events (see parish Facebook)
- Confirmation preparation — two-year program starting in 8th grade (ages 13–18)
- First Holy Communion preparation for baptized Catholics
Sacramental Preparation & OCIA (RCIA)
The parish publishes clear sacramental requirements on its Religious Education page. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) is offered for adults 18 and older who are unbaptized and seeking baptism, or who are already baptized Christians preparing to receive First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation. The OCIA class begins each September, meets weekly in St. Agatha's Rectory, and culminates with the candidates receiving the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- OCIA / RCIA — weekly class in St. Agatha's Rectory, beginning each September
- Confirmation — 2-year preparation, 8th grade and older
- First Holy Communion — for baptized Catholics
- Contact Fr. Kelley at 401-767-2950
Year-Round Events & Fundraisers
In normal times the parish hosts a packed calendar of community and fundraising events: Vacation Bible Camp in summer, yard sales, the Autumnfest booth, the Christmas Bazaar, and the year-round thrift shop. The parish also runs the 'Light of the World' retreat.
- Vacation Bible Camp
- Yard Sales
- Autumnfest Booth
- Christmas Bazaar
- Year-round thrift shop
- 'Light of the World' parish retreat
- Youth events and retreats
The Partnered Parish: Precious Blood
St. Agatha and Precious Blood Parishes share one pastor and staff, and the website presents them as a single partnered Catholic community in Woonsocket. Precious Blood Church is at 94 Carrington Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895; it was founded in 1873 to serve French-Canadian immigrants and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Precious Blood's Mass schedule is Saturday 4:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM, and 5:00 PM (Vigil) and 8:00 AM on Holy Days, with confessions Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM or by request.
- Precious Blood Church — 94 Carrington Ave, Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Founded 1873 for French-Canadian immigrants
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Precious Blood Masses: Sat 4:00 PM; Sun 9:00 AM; Holy Days 5:00 PM Vigil and 8:00 AM
- Precious Blood confessions: Sat 3:00–3:45 PM
Plan a Visit & Connect
The website offers 'Plan a Visit' and 'Connect with Us' pages inviting newcomers to leave their contact information so a member of the parish can follow up. Visitors are warmly welcomed and invited to attend Mass, inquire about the sacraments, and get involved in any of the parish's ministries and events.
- Plan a Visit — fill out the contact form on the parish website
- Connect with Us — submit a contact form to get involved
- Bulletin & Announcements page available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward St. Godard1953–1955
Founding pastor
- Rev. Christian E. Guilbault1955–1963
- Rev. Eugene J. Durocher1963–1973
- Rev. Wilfrid Gregoire1973–1986
- Rev. Edward Kelley1986–1991
- Rev. Roger L. Marot1991–1996
- Rev. Msgr. John C. Allard1996–2013
- Rev. Michael A. Kelley2013–present
Current pastor; serves both St. Agatha and Precious Blood parishes