About St. Anne (Readville) · Boston, Massachusetts
St. Anne Parish in Readville (Boston, MA) is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston and one of the three founding parishes of the Blue Hills Catholic Collaborative (alongside Most Precious Blood in Hyde Park and St. Pius X in Milton). Officially created on December 11, 1919 and originally dedicated on October 23, 1921 by William Cardinal O'Connell, the parish has long served the Readville, Hyde Park, Manor (Dedham) and Stony Brook neighborhoods of southern Boston. Today the parish shares a pastor and staff with its sister churches in the Collaborative, while remaining a distinct parish with its own buildings, assets, and identity.
- Established
- 1919
- Patron
- St. Anne (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph M. Mazzone
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Anne's is a 100-plus-year-old parish with deep roots in Readville and the surrounding Hyde Park, Manor and Stony Brook neighborhoods, where generations of families have worshipped, attended the parish school, and played in CYO sports. Today the parish shares a pastor and staff with Most Precious Blood and St. Pius X as part of the Blue Hills Catholic Collaborative, giving parishioners access to a wide range of liturgical, faith formation, youth, music, and outreach ministries while keeping St. Anne's distinctive local identity. With a Saturday vigil Mass, a Sunday morning Mass, two weekday Masses, Reconciliation on Wednesday evenings, and an active St. Vincent de Paul chapter, it remains a welcoming community in which to pray, serve and raise a family.
Mass times at St. Anne (Readville)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM at St. Anne
- By appointment: call 617-364-9501
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 6:00–7:00 PM at St. Anne with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (combined with Reconciliation time)
History of St. Anne Parish
Saint Anne's Parish was officially created on December 11, 1919, when Father David Regan was transferred from St. Patrick's Church in Roxbury and named first pastor. He initially celebrated Mass in the basement chapel of Most Precious Blood Church, then on the second floor of St. Raphael's District School on Readville Street. Ground was broken for the new church on August 10, 1920 (delayed five months by a strike), and the original St. Anne's was dedicated on October 23, 1921 by William Cardinal O'Connell. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth taught at St. Anne's continuously from the era of Most Precious Blood's district school, and a convent was acquired in 1922 (enlarged with a chapel in 1931).
- Established December 11, 1919
- First pastor: Rev. David Regan (transferred from St. Patrick's, Roxbury)
- Original church dedicated October 23, 1921 by Cardinal O'Connell
- Land purchased from Miss Nellie McAvoy for $4,000 in 1920
- Sisters of Charity of Nazareth staffed the school continuously
Mid-Century Growth: Schools and Parish Hall
After Father Regan's death in 1947, Father James P. Dowling acquired the old Damon School on Readville Street from the City of Boston and renamed it Saint Anne's School; the old St. Raphael's District School became the Parish Hall, used for meetings and weekly 'Whist and Forty-Nine' contests. Father Hugh Doyle (1948) added the Blessed Mother statue and turned 'The Pit' into the parking lot. Father John J. Hart, arriving from Essex in 1956, oversaw construction of a new school, dedicated in September 1964 by Cardinal Cushing. CCD was introduced in 1963, and St. Anne's became one of the first parishes in the Archdiocese to form a Parish Council.
- Father Dowling — Damon School → St. Anne's School (1947)
- Father Doyle — Blessed Mother statue, 'The Pit' becomes parking lot
- Father Hart — new school dedicated by Cardinal Cushing, September 1964
- First Parish Council in the Archdiocese formed
- Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) introduced 1963
Rebuilding the Church (1982)
Father Arthur J. Driscoll fulfilled Father Regan's dream of 'putting the top' on the church. The architectural firm of John M. Gray surveyed the old church and developed options for renovation or replacement; the original had been designed for a larger, more traditional edifice, but a scaled-down building was chosen. The new church seats 550, accommodates post-Vatican II liturgical functions within a traditional axial plan, has clerestory windows at the gable ends of a wood-trussed cathedral ceiling, a chapel for weekday services, and improved parking access (the dangerous original stairs to the church were removed). Humberto Cardinal Medeiros dedicated the rebuilt church on May 30, 1982. Mass was held in the school hall during construction.
- Architect: John M. Gray
- Seating capacity: 550
- Dedicated May 30, 1982 by Cardinal Medeiros
- Father Driscoll known as 'The Mayor of Readville'
Father Joyce Years and the 1990s
Father William F. Joyce succeeded Father Driscoll in September 1989 and shepherded the parish until 2014. He upgraded the school (safety lights, parking lot repaving, new roof), established the Parish Thrift Shop, and — to avoid the cost of major structural renovations to the Rectory — purchased the house adjacent to the old Convent from the Hewes family as a new Convent, then moved the Rectory into the old Convent in October 1993. The 115-year-old Rectory was then torn down. For many years St. Anne's had two curates, but priest shortages reduced it to one curate, and by June 1994 to just the pastor. The Columban Fathers loyally served St. Anne's on weekends for over forty years. By the 1994 Boston Catholic Directory, the parish served 6,400 people, with 220 children in the school, 200 in CCD, and 55 young adults in CYO.
- Father Joyce, pastor 1989–2014
- Parish Thrift Shop established
- Rectory moved into old Convent; 1920 Rectory demolished 1993
- 1994: 6,400 parishioners, 220 in school, 200 in CCD, 55 in CYO
Becoming the Blue Hills Collaborative
In October 2013 Cardinal Seán O'Malley announced the formation of parish collaboratives under the 'Disciples in Mission' Phase II program; St. Anne's was grouped with Most Precious Blood (Hyde Park) and St. Pius X (Milton). Father David O'Leary served as Temporary Administrator from October 1, 2013, and on June 1, 2014 Father Ronald D. Coyne became pastor of all three parishes — forming the Blue Hills Collaborative, named by popular vote in late 2014. Father Charles Madi-Okin became parochial vicar. A collaborative is not a merger: each parish keeps its own assets and liabilities, and donations must remain with the parish to which they are given. After Fr. Coyne's departure in September 2019 and a period with administrators Rev. Michael Bova-Conti and Rev. Daniel Finn, Rev. Joseph Mazzone arrived as pastor in September 2020. The parish marked its 100th Anniversary in 2019 with a commemorative bulletin.
- Phase II 'Disciples in Mission' collaborative, announced October 2013
- Formed June 1, 2014 with Fr. Ronald Coyne as first collaborative pastor
- Name 'Blue Hills' chosen by popular vote, late 2014
- Collaborative Center: 20 Como Road, Hyde Park (Readville), MA 02136
- St. Anne's 100th Anniversary celebrated 2019
Clergy and Parish Staff
The current pastor of the Blue Hills Collaborative, and thus of St. Anne's, is Rev. Joseph M. Mazzone, who grew up in Rhode Island, attended the University of Notre Dame, worked as a journalist for the Prague Post, and entered Pope John XXIII Seminary; he was ordained May 24, 2008. He previously served as pastor of St. Mary's in Hull and the Stoughton Collaborative. The parochial vicar is Rev. Charles Madi-Okin, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ordained May 26, 2007 by Cardinal O'Malley. Lay staff include Director of Pastoral Ministries / Faith Formation Anna Williams Cote, Director of Finance & Operations Tony Domenici, Director of Development / Media Communications John Morton, Director of Music David Jenkins (formerly organist/music director at Most Precious Blood for 40+ years), Liturgy & Music staff member Sean Hurley, Office Manager Kathi Ryan Flynn (a lifelong Hyde Park resident), Administrative Assistant Amy McLaughlin, and Youth Ministry leaders Alyssa Sarkis and Matthew O'Neil.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph M. Mazzone (arrived September 2020)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Charles Madi-Okin
- Director of Music: David Jenkins
- Director of Development: John Morton
- Office Manager: Kathi Ryan Flynn
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
Faith Formation for children and teens (the parish's CCD program) has been offered continuously since 1963, when St. Anne's introduced the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to replace the 'Released Time' program for public school students. Adult Faith Formation is offered alongside, and the Becoming Catholic (RCIA) process is run collaboratively across the three parishes. Registration for the 2026–2027 Faith Formation year opens July 1, 2026, and Confirmation is celebrated collaboratively (the 2026 Confirmation was scheduled for Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 PM at Most Precious Blood).
- Faith Formation (Children & Teens) — parish-based CCD
- Adult Faith Formation
- Becoming Catholic — RCIA process
- 2026–2027 Registration opens July 1, 2026
Youth Ministry
St. Anne's long history of youth programming — from CYO hockey, basketball, and baseball excellence in the 1960s and 70s to the modern Youth Ministry program — continues today through Youth Ministry & Youth Events and the Blessed Carlo Acutis youth track. The parish also collaborates with the Boston Chapter of the Knights of Columbus on outings such as the annual Canobie Lake Park trip for children ages 7–17.
- Youth Ministry & Youth Events
- Blessed Carlo Acutis youth track
- Knights of Columbus Boston Chapter partnerships
- Canobie Lake Park outing (annual)
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music for all liturgies is planned by Director of Music David Jenkins, who had been organist and music director at Most Precious Blood for over 40 years before assuming the Collaborative directorship; Sean Hurley also serves in liturgy and music. Parishioners serve as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and altar servers in the Liturgical Ministries program. The Collaborative also hosts Music Ministry Concerts, and photographers and parish life partners (such as the Friends of the Catholic Parishes of the Blue Hills and Nicole Curran Photography) support parish life.
- Director of Music: David Jenkins
- Liturgy & Music: Sean Hurley
- Music Ministry Concerts
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul and Social Justice
The parish supports an active St. Vincent de Paul conference (with its own phone extension, ext. 9, and giving trees organized by the Confirmation Prep Class) that serves neighbors in need across Hyde Park, Readville, and surrounding communities. The parish also maintains a Social Justice ministry, a Social Events calendar (including the parish Thrift Shop established by Fr. Joyce), and opportunities to volunteer. The annual 2026 Catholic Appeal is supported at the Collaborative level, with parishioners designating Most Precious Blood, St. Anne, or St. Pius X for parish credit.
- St. Vincent de Paul (ext. 9)
- Parish Thrift Shop
- Social Justice ministry
- Volunteer With Us
Sacramental Requests
Baptism is celebrated during one of the Saturday/Sunday Masses each weekend; a registration form must be completed. Confirmation is prepared through Faith Formation and celebrated collaboratively. The Anointing of the Sick, Marriage (with preparation), Holy Orders discernment (linked to Vocations Boston), and Penance/Reconciliation are all arranged through the parish office at [email protected] or 857-342-9500. Funeral Rites are coordinated through the parish office as well.
- Baptism — during weekend Masses
- Confirmation — collaborative celebration
- Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Penance
- Funeral Rites
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. David Regan1919–1947
First pastor; transferred from St. Patrick's, Roxbury. Purchased land for the church and an early Rectory. Original church dedicated by Cardinal O'Connell in 1921.
- Rev. James P. Dowling1947–1948
Acquired the Damon School from the City of Boston and renamed it Saint Anne's School.
- Rev. Hugh Doyle1948–1956
Succeeded Father Dowling upon his unexpected death. Landscaped the grounds, placed the Blessed Mother statue on the lawn, and acquired 'The Pit' for the parking lot.
- Rev. John J. Hart1956–c.1989
Came from Essex. Oversaw construction of the new St. Anne's School, dedicated in September 1964 by Cardinal Cushing.
- Rev. Arthur J. Driscollc.1989–September 1989
Known as 'The Mayor of Readville.' Fulfilled Father Regan's dream of 'putting the top' on the church; commissioned the John M. Gray firm to rebuild the church.
- Rev. William F. JoyceSeptember 1989–2014
Upgraded the school (lighting, parking lot, roof), established the Parish Thrift Shop, moved the Rectory into the old Convent in 1993 and tore down the 1920 Rectory.
- Rev. David O'LearyOctober 1, 2013–June 1, 2014
Temporary Administrator following Fr. Joyce's resignation.
- Rev. Ronald D. CoyneJune 1, 2014–September 2019
First pastor of the Blue Hills Collaborative (St. Anne, Most Precious Blood, St. Pius X); shepherded St. Anne's 100th Anniversary in 2019.
- Rev. Michael Bova-Conti2019–2020
Temporary administrator following Fr. Coyne's departure.
- Rev. Daniel Finn2019–2020
Temporary administrator alongside Fr. Bova-Conti, during the COVID-era assignment delays.
- Rev. Joseph M. MazzoneSeptember 2020–present
Current pastor. Grew up in Rhode Island; attended Notre Dame; worked as a journalist in Prague; ordained May 24, 2008. Previously pastor of St. Mary's in Hull and the Stoughton Collaborative (Immaculate Conception and St. James).