About St. Anthony · Woonsocket, Rhode Island
St. Anthony is a Roman Catholic parish in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1924 by Bishop William A. Hickey as an Italian-American parish, it has long served the historic Italian community of Woonsocket's north side from its church on Greene Street. Today St. Anthony remains an active, welcoming parish celebrating Mass in English and Vietnamese, with weekday devotions, Saturday confession, CCD religious education, and a Catholic Charity Appeal. The parish is pastored by Rev. Msgr. Ronald P. Simeone, J.C.L.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Anthony (of Padua)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Ronald P. Simeone, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Anthony offers a stable, traditional Catholic life in the heart of Woonsocket: daily morning Mass Monday through Friday, four Sunday Masses in English, and a Vietnamese Mass each second Sunday for the area's Vietnamese faithful. The parish keeps a regular Saturday confession schedule (with confessions available on request), CCD religious education for children, the Catholic Charity Appeal, and the kind of tight-knit neighborhood community that comes from a century-old Italian-rooted parish. It is a place to believe, belong, and become — welcoming long-time Woonsocket families and newcomers alike.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (or anytime on request)
About St. Anthony Parish
St. Anthony is a Roman Catholic parish at 128 Greene Street in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, belonging to the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1924 to serve Woonsocket's Italian immigrant community, it remains an active worship site with daily Mass, four Sunday Masses, Saturday confession, CCD religious education, and a Vietnamese Mass on the second Sunday of every month. The parish is led by Rev. Msgr. Ronald P. Simeone, J.C.L.
- Diocese: Providence
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Ronald P. Simeone, J.C.L.
- Languages: English, Vietnamese
- Founded: 1924
History & Heritage
St. Anthony was established on November 14, 1924, by Bishop William A. Hickey of Providence as the Italian national parish for Woonsocket's growing Italian immigrant population. The first pastor was Rev. Nicola Armento, appointed in 1924, and the parish grew quickly under his successor, Monsignor Anthony Bove (1927–1933), who built the present church and rectory and raised the religious, educational, and social life of the Italian community. Mgr. Bove was preparing a parochial school with a convent of Italian-American Sisters when, in February 1933, he was promoted to pastor of St. Ann's Church in Providence. The parish has continued to evolve — now also serving a Vietnamese Catholic community with a monthly Mass in Vietnamese.
- Founded November 14, 1924 by Bishop William A. Hickey
- First pastor: Rev. Nicola Armento (1924–1927)
- Monsignor Anthony Bove, pastor 1927–1933, built the church and rectory
- Originally an Italian national parish
Faith Formation & Ministries
St. Anthony runs a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) religious education program for the parish's children, continuing a long Italian-American parish tradition of forming young Catholics in the faith. The parish also participates in the annual Catholic Charity Appeal of the Diocese of Providence.
- CCD — religious education for children
- Catholic Charity Appeal participation
Visit, Contact & Accessibility
The parish is located at 128 Greene Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895, with a phone line at (401) 766-2640 and an email at [email protected]. According to the United Way of Rhode Island service directory, the parish is handicap accessible. Mass is open to all; there are no fees, only welcome and donations.
- Address: 128 Greene Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Phone: (401) 766-2640
- Email: [email protected]
- Handicap accessible
- Website: saintanthonywoonsocket.org
Woonsocket Catholic Community Context
St. Anthony sits in the heart of Woonsocket, a small city with one of the densest concentrations of Catholic churches in Rhode Island. Nearby sister parishes include Precious Blood (Carrington Ave), St. Elias, St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Michael, Holy Family, Sacred Heart, All Saints, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, and the former St. Charles Borromeo (now closed). The parish is part of the Diocese of Providence, which was led by Bishop Hickey when St. Anthony was founded in 1924.
- One of many historic Catholic parishes in Woonsocket
- Part of the Diocese of Providence
- Founded during Bishop William A. Hickey's tenure
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Nicola Armento1924–1927
First pastor appointed when the parish was established by Bishop Hickey in November 1924.
- Mgr. (Monsignor) Anthony Bove1927–1933
Built the new church and rectory; led the Italian community; promoted to St. Ann's, Providence, in February 1933.