St. Anthony

About Our Parish and Our Saints

St. Anthony of Padua was born in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Order, a powerful preacher and teacher who died at the age of 36 in Padua, Italy. Typically portrayed holding the Child Jesus, a lily, and a book, he is one of the Catholic Church's most popular saints and is honored as the patron of lost articles. Many people give alms to St. Anthony's Bread in thanksgiving for blessings received through his prayers. His Feast Day is June 13.

• Born: 1195, Lisbon, Portugal
• Order: Franciscan priest and preacher
• Died: age 36, in Padua, Italy
• Patron of: lost (and stolen) articles
• Feast Day: June 13

History of St. Anthony's

St. Anthony of Padua was established as a mission of St. Joseph's Parish in Fairhaven in 1906. The congregation converted a former Advent chapel into a place of worship in 1908, and a new church was built in 1911 and later enlarged. The mission became a parish with its own resident pastor in 1954, and the present church was dedicated in 1974. The care of the parish passed from the Sacred Hearts Community to diocesan clergy in 1988. Recent exterior renovations keep with the Cape Cod feel of the South Coast, and renovated Parish Hall space is used for Faith Formation classes and parish community activities such as Fish Dinners, Movie Nights, and a Christmas Fair.

• 1906 — mission of St. Joseph's, Fairhaven
• 1908 — former Advent chapel converted to a place of worship
• 1911 — new church built and later enlarged
• 1954 — becomes a parish with a resident pastor
• 1974 — present church dedicated
• 1988 — care passes from Sacred Hearts Community to diocesan clergy
• Recent — exterior renovations; Parish Hall renovated for Faith Formation and community events

Saint Anthony–Saint Rita Parish (2023 Union)

On March 21, 2023, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D., of the Diocese of Fall River decreed that, effective April 3, 2023, the parishes of Saint Anthony in Mattapoisett and Saint Rita in Marion be suppressed and the new Saint Anthony-Saint Rita Parish be erected with the two worship sites of the suppressed parishes. Pastoral and spiritual care of the combined community is provided by the priests assigned to the new parish, with the Parish Office remaining at 22 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation is offered by the parish to help parents teach the Catholic faith to the young; classes for both Saint Anthony and Saint Rita families are held at St. Anthony's in Mattapoisett. The program uses 'A Family of Faith' for Grades 1–8, with adults meeting once a month and then teaching the lessons at home, and 'CHOSEN' by Ascension Press for Confirmation preparation in Grades 9–10.

• Grades 1–8 — 'A Family of Faith' curriculum; adults meet monthly, then teach children at home
• Second Grade — preparation for Reconciliation (fall/winter) and First Communion (spring)
• Confirmation I (Grade 9) — 10 hours of required community service
• Confirmation II (Grade 10) — 15 hours of required community service; using 'CHOSEN' by Ascension
• Classes held Sunday mornings, twice a month, 8:30–10:30am

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all the usual sacraments at St. Anthony's. Baptisms are scheduled on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and during Mass on the 3rd Sunday. First Communion is celebrated as part of the 2nd Grade Faith Formation program, and Confirmation in 10th Grade. Marriage preparation requires at least six months. Reconciliation is offered Saturdays at 3:45pm or by appointment, and Anointing of the Sick is offered after the 8:00am daily Mass. The parish also runs an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program for adults entering the Church.

• Baptism — 2nd & 4th Sunday; during Mass on 3rd Sunday
• First Communion — 2nd Grade
• Confirmation — 10th Grade (via CHOSEN)
• Marriage — at least 6 months preparation; contact Marriage Coordinator
• Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:45pm or by appointment
• Anointing of the Sick — after 8:00am daily Mass
• OCIA — for adults entering the Church

Community Outreach and Charity

Outreach is a major pillar of parish life at St. Anthony's. Active organizations at both St. Rita's and St. Anthony's serve local communities through direct aid, partnerships, and volunteer service — supporting those in need without regard to religion.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul — lay Catholic volunteer service to those who are needy or suffering (both St. Anthony and St. Rita have active conferences)
• Catholic Charities / Catholic Social Services — basic needs, homelessness, immigration, housing, disabilities, elder services (New Bedford office)
• My Brother's Keeper — delivers furniture and food to local families in need (Easton and Dartmouth, MA)
• Gifts To Give
• Mobile Loaves & Fishes
• Mattapoisett Lions Club — local humanitarian service and the Harbor Days community event

Music and Liturgy

Music is celebrated at all Masses at St. Anthony's, with the Adult Choir singing at the 9:30am Sunday Mass. Karen DeVoe directs the music ministry and can be reached at 508-965-1329. A special Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 9:30am Sunday Mass for younger parishioners.

• Music Director — Karen DeVoe (508-965-1329)
• Adult Choir — sings at the 9:30am Sunday Mass
• Children's Liturgy of the Word — at the 9:30am Sunday Mass

Parish Staff and Office

The Parish Office is at 22 Barstow Street, in the center of Mattapoisett across from Center School. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00am–2:00pm (closed for Holidays), with the office also closed for lunch 12:30–1:30pm. The main parish phone number is 508-758-3719, and the office email is [email protected].

• Pastor — Fr. Paul Fedak
• Music Director — Karen DeVoe (508-965-1329)
• Deacon Tyrone — leads First Friday Blessed Sacrament Adoration
• Office Hours — Mon–Fri 9:00am–2:00pm (closed 12:30–1:30pm for lunch)
• Phone — 508-758-3719
• Email — [email protected]

Becoming a Member

New members are warmly welcomed into the parish family. Registration can be completed by calling the Parish Office during office hours (Mon–Fri 9:00am–2:00pm, with the office closed for lunch 12:30–1:30pm), or by downloading a registration form from the parish website and mailing or dropping it off at Mass.

• Register by phone during office hours
• Register by mail/drop-off using the downloaded registration form