About St. Andre Bessette Parish - Star of the Sea · Salisbury, Massachusetts
St. André Bessette Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Merrimack region of northeastern Massachusetts, within the Archdiocese of Boston. It is a linked parish uniting St. Joseph Church in Amesbury with Star of the Sea Church in Salisbury, drawn together by the rivers, lakes, and ocean that shape the coastline. The community worships at Star of the Sea Church on Beach Road in Salisbury and at its seasonal Star of the Sea Beach Chapel on North End Boulevard, which opens each Memorial Day weekend and closes after Columbus Day. The parish proclaims its mission as making disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer and worship, lifelong learning, generous service, and sharing the faith.
- Patron
- St. André Bessette (Alfred Bessette, 1845–1937), a Canadian Holy Cross brother known for his devotion to St. Joseph and his healing ministry; he was the first canonized male saint of Canada.
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick Fiorillo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. André Bessette Parish welcomes families, year-round Salisbury residents, and seasonal beach visitors into a community grounded in the Eucharist and sacramental life. It offers a full Faith Formation program for children and youth (grades K–10) including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, plus opportunities for parish involvement through ministries, the choir, and Knights of Columbus events. Worshippers can attend Mass at the historic Star of the Sea Town Church in winter and at the Star of the Sea Beach Chapel in summer, with regular confession offered at the parish and seasonal Eucharistic Adoration during Lent.
Mass times at St. Andre Bessette Parish - Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 2 School St., Amesbury
- Star of the Sea Chapel: Sundays 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. (seasonal)
- Monthly Adoration and Confession: 2nd Monday of each month, 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Star of the Sea
- During Lent: Mondays, 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Star of the Sea
Adoration times
- 2nd Monday of each month, 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Star of the Sea (with Confession)
- Lenten Mondays (Feb 23 – Mar 30), 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Star of the Sea (Confession & Eucharistic Adoration)
About St. André Bessette Parish
St. André Bessette Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Merrimack region, in the northeast corner of the Archdiocese of Boston. St. Joseph Church in Amesbury and Star of the Sea Church in Salisbury are linked as one parish, united geographically by the rivers, lakes and ocean that shape the coastline and spiritually by the waters of baptism. The parish's mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer and worship, lifelong learning, lives of generous service, and sharing the faith.
- Linked parish of St. Joseph Church (Amesbury) and Star of the Sea Church (Salisbury)
- Located in the Merrimack Region of the Archdiocese of Boston
- Mission: prayer, worship, lifelong learning, generous service, evangelization
- Welcomes young and old; emphasizes stewardship of gifts and talents
History & Heritage of Star of the Sea
Star of the Sea has served Catholics in Salisbury for well over a century. The Beach Chapel on North End Boulevard is a 1896 Shingle-Style Roman Catholic chapel, a distinctive landmark of the Salisbury Beach community. The Town Church on Beach Road serves year-round residents of Salisbury center. In recent decades the parish was reorganized under the patronage of St. André Bessette and joined with St. Joseph Church in Amesbury in a collaborative model of ministry.
- 1896 Shingle-Style Beach Chapel on Salisbury Beach
- Star of the Sea Town Church on Beach Road (year-round worship)
- Parish reorganized and renamed St. André Bessette Parish
- Linked with St. Joseph Church, Amesbury
Worship Sites in Salisbury
The parish maintains two worship sites in Salisbury, plus the parish offices shared with St. Joseph Church in Amesbury.
- Star of the Sea Town Church, 18 Beach Road, Salisbury (winter Mass site)
- Star of the Sea Beach Chapel, 141 North End Blvd., Salisbury (open Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend)
- Parish Offices, 11 Sparhawk Street, Amesbury, MA 01913
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation program serves children in grades K–10 with family-centered, in-person and at-home sessions. Families gather for the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church in Amesbury, then move to the parish hall for class. The 2025–2026 program uses the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, with additional sacramental preparation materials as needed. Faith Festivals throughout the liturgical year support the 'domestic church.'
- K–10 Faith Formation using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies
- Sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. Mass; classes end around 12:00 p.m.
- Faith Festivals throughout the liturgical seasons
- Tuition: $150 for K–8 ($75 each additional); $200 for First Communion/Confirmation ($75 each additional)
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation is a two-year program for students in grades 7–10. The parish is transitioning Confirmation to 8th grade in obedience to the Cardinal's directive, with transitional classes for current 8th–10th graders. Students must complete regular weekly Mass attendance and 10 Parish Involvement Hours over the two years.
- Two-year Confirmation program
- Confirmation Retreat: Sunday, April 12, 2026, 1:00–7:00 p.m.
- Confirmation: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the 4:00 p.m. Mass
- Parish Involvement Hours: 5 per year, 10 total (choir, altar serving, greeting, events)
Parish Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities
Beyond faith formation, parishioners can serve through the Knights of Columbus, liturgical ministries (altar servers, choir, greeters), and as catechists or hospitality volunteers. Safe-environment requirements (CORI background check and Protecting God's Children training) apply to those working with children.
- Knights of Columbus family program
- Altar Servers
- Parish Choir
- Greeters & Hospitality
- Catechists, Classroom Aides, Babysitters for Volunteers
- Pick-up/Drop-off Monitors
- Protecting God's Children safe-environment training
Parish Staff & Clergy
Parish leadership includes a pastor, deacon, business manager, facilities manager, administrative assistant, and Faith Formation coordinator. Office staff can be reached through the parish offices at 11 Sparhawk Street, Amesbury, or by extension at (978) 388-0330.
- Rev. Patrick Fiorillo – Pastor (ext. 105)
- Deacon Chuck Hall
- Andrea Sevigny – Business Manager (ext. 103)
- Suzanne Greaney-Nolan – Administrative Assistant (ext. 104)
- Maria Marques – Facilities Manager (ext. 101)
- Helen Theriault – Receptionist / Bulletin & Media Editor (ext. 109)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments with parishioners; contact the parish office to begin preparation.
- Baptism – call parish office to schedule
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist
- Confirmation (currently grades 8–10, moving to 8th grade)
- Matrimony – contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick – call parish office for emergencies or hospital visits
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone, email, or in person at the parish offices in Amesbury. The two Salisbury worship sites are open year-round (Town Church) and seasonally (Beach Chapel).
- Parish Offices: 11 Sparhawk Street, Amesbury, MA 01913
- Phone: (978) 388-0330
- General email: [email protected]
- Star of the Sea Town Church: 18 Beach Road, Salisbury
- Star of the Sea Beach Chapel: 141 North End Blvd., Salisbury (Memorial Day – Columbus Day)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ronald St. Pierre
Listed in parish directory listings as a former pastor.