About St. Athanasius (Christ the King Parish) · Reading, Massachusetts
Christ the King Parish in Reading, Massachusetts is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston that was formed on March 1, 2023 through the merger of the historic St. Agnes Parish and St. Athanasius Parish. The unified parish maintains two worship sites — St. Agnes Church at 186 Woburn Street and St. Athanasius Church at 300 Haverhill Street — serving the roughly 25,000 residents of Reading, a town located about 16 miles north of Boston. The parish motto, visible on its bulletin, is 'Bringing hope and healing through encounters with the Living Christ,' and it offers daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, family faith formation, youth ministry, and a broad array of lay ministries including a St. Vincent de Paul conference and Knights of Columbus council.
- Established
- 2023 (parish); predecessor parishes St. Agnes and St. Athanasius date to mid-20th century (IRS ruling date 1946)
- Patron
- Christ the King (parish name); St. Athanasius and St. Agnes are patrons of the two church buildings
- Rector
- Rev. Robert A. LeBlanc ('Fr. Bobby')
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Christ the King Parish welcomes everyone — visitors, returning Catholics, and seekers alike — and meets them at two well-maintained churches in central Reading. A robust schedule of daily and weekend Masses in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, two weekly confession windows, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), family faith formation, youth Confirmation ministry, and over 160 people engaged in Faith & Fellowship small groups offer multiple on-ramps. Outreach through the parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference, the Knights of Columbus Summer Family Food Program, and parish-wide hospitality (coffee & donuts, Welcome Sunday, the Outdoor Mass and Picnic, and the Christmas Faire) makes it easy to belong.
Mass times at St. Athanasius (Christ the King Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM at St. Agnes Church
- Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at St. Athanasius Church
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM at St. Athanasius Church
- By appointment with clergy
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM at St. Agnes Church
- Friday 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM at St. Agnes Church (follows the 9:00 AM Mass)
- Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at St. Athanasius Church
Welcome to Christ the King Parish
Christ the King Parish is the Catholic family in Reading, MA, formed on March 1, 2023 through the merger of St. Agnes Parish and St. Athanasius Parish. The parish extends an explicit 'ALL ARE WELCOME' to every visitor, regardless of present status in the Church, family or marital situation, age, background, or self-image. Located about 16 miles north of Boston in the town of Reading (population ~25,000), the parish is led by Pastor Fr. Bobby LeBlanc and operates two worship sites: St. Agnes Church (186 Woburn Street) and St. Athanasius Church (300 Haverhill Street).
- Two worship sites: St. Agnes (186 Woburn St) and St. Athanasius (300 Haverhill St)
- Parish motto: 'Bringing hope and healing through encounters with the Living Christ'
- Part of the Archdiocese of Boston
Our Churches
St. Agnes Church sits at 186 Woburn Street, while St. Athanasius Church is at 300 Haverhill Street — together they form the two physical campuses of Christ the King Parish. The parish website dedicates a page to each saint: St. Athanasius, also called Athanasius the Great or the Confessor, was a bishop and Doctor of the Church known as the 'Father of Orthodoxy,' the 'Pillar of the Church,' and 'Champion of Christ's Divinity' for his lifelong opposition to Arianism. He is depicted in art as a bishop with an open book or standing over a defeated heretic, and is patron of theologians and faithful Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians; his feast day is May 2.
- St. Agnes Church — 186 Woburn Street, Reading MA 01867
- St. Athanasius Church — 300 Haverhill Street, Reading MA 01867
- St. Athanasius: bishop and Doctor of the Church, defender against Arianism
- St. Athanasius feast day: May 2
Parish Staff and Clergy
Christ the King Parish is pastored by Rev. Robert A. LeBlanc ('Fr. Bobby') and supported by a parochial vicar, a senior priest in residence, two permanent deacons, and a full lay staff team covering music, faith formation, youth ministry, finance, operations, communications, and parish administration.
- Rev. Robert A. LeBlanc — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Stephen P. Zukas ('Fr. Z') — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Rev. Edward T. Malone — Senior Priest in Residence ([email protected])
- Deacon William K. Reidy ([email protected])
- Deacon Matthew P. Baltier
- Michelle Goldner — Youth Minister & Confirmation Coordinator
- Paula Colpitts — Director, Family Faith Formation
- Emily Stone — Music Director
- Anne Baynes — Accounting
- Jim Fitzgerald — Operations
- Larry Immerman — Facilities Management
- Monica Sylva — Office Coordinator
- Jacqueline Steele — Administrative Coordinator (also Media Communications)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Family Faith Formation for parish children is led by Paula Colpitts and is structured to bring the whole family into the life of the Church. The program runs alongside the parish's two-year Confirmation preparation for Grades 7–10, coordinated by Youth Minister Michelle Goldner. Confirmation uses a 'Faith-in-Action' Credit System that requires candidates to attend Mass, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration, pray the Rosary, go to Confession, perform Corporal Works of Mercy service, and build community through parish and youth events — earning 10 credits each year (at least 5 for service).
- Director of Family Faith Formation: Paula Colpitts ([email protected])
- Confirmation Program: Grades 7–10, two-year cycle with Year 1 Reconciliation Event and Year 2 All-Day Retreat
- Confirmation: 10 credits/year, 5+ for service; Credit Form submitted per activity
- Youth Mass volunteers and Service Coordinators needed each year
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry under Michelle Goldner centers on the Confirmation journey but extends into broader parish engagement. Candidates are required to attend Sunday Mass (with a 'Youth Mass' on class weeks where Year 2 students serve with their small groups), special events, and service opportunities. The program is volunteer-driven, seeking adult Service Coordinators and Youth Mass volunteers to support candidates and 'foster a welcoming environment.'
- Michelle Goldner — Youth Minister & Confirmation Coordinator
- Youth Mass components integrated into the Confirmation schedule
- Volunteer roles: Service Coordinators, Youth Mass Volunteers, small group leaders
Faith & Fellowship Small Groups
Faith & Fellowship Small Groups are a flagship ministry of Christ the King Parish, having welcomed over 160 participants into community. Groups meet weekly or biweekly in homes or at the parish center (with some via Zoom) to grow spiritually, share meals, support one another through challenges, and engage in service projects. A highlighted study for 2025 is Dr. Edward Sri's video-based 'A Biblical Walk Through the Mass,' kicking off Thursday, October 2, 2025 with a 6:30 PM Rosary at St. Agnes followed by group time.
- 160+ people have participated in Faith & Fellowship Small Groups
- Weekly and biweekly groups, in homes, parish center, and on Zoom
- Featured 2025 study: 'A Biblical Walk Through the Mass' by Dr. Edward Sri
- Launch: Thursday, October 2, 2025, 6:30 PM Rosary at St. Agnes
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Reading St. Vincent de Paul Conference has supported Christ the King parishioners and Reading residents for over 14 years, offering financial aid, guidance, connections to essential programs, and compassionate companionship during hardship. The conference is part of a worldwide Vincentian network animated by humility, compassion, and prayer, and works hand-in-hand with the Reading Knights of Columbus on the Summer Family Food Program, delivering weekly groceries to families with school-age children in need.
- Help line: 781-258-8767
- Email: [email protected]
- Venmo account available for donations
- Summer Family Food Program delivered weekly with Knights of Columbus
- Bi-weekly meetings open to new Vincentian volunteers
Knights of Columbus
The Reading Knights of Columbus council is an active partner in parish life, co-sponsoring outreach efforts including the Summer Family Food Program with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Pastor Fr. Bobby highlighted the Knights alongside Faith & Fellowship, music, altar service, and the SVdP as pillars of parish vitality.
- Co-sponsors the Summer Family Food Program
- Recognized by the pastor as a pillar of parish community life
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life is supported by Emily Stone (Music Director) and a team of liturgical ministers. The parish welcomes new altar servers, lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — including those willing to bring the Eucharist to the homebound. The parish also hosts an Annual Outdoor Mass and Parish Picnic as well as a Parish Christmas Faire that brings the community together beyond the walls of the church.
- Music Director: Emily Stone ([email protected])
- Altar Server ministry — open to new servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including homebound visits)
- Lectors, Coffee & Donuts / Hospitality, Welcoming Sunday
- Annual Outdoor Mass & Picnic; Parish Christmas Faire
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) and Adult Formation
Adults interested in the Catholic faith — including those baptized but not yet confirmed — are invited into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), led by Fr. Stephen Zukas. Inquiries go to [email protected]. Adult formation also extends through the Faith & Fellowship small-group video studies and parish-wide opportunities for spiritual growth.
- OCIA: contact Fr. Stephen Zukas ([email protected])
- Open to unbaptized adults and baptized but unconfirmed Christians
- Adult formation via Faith & Fellowship video studies
Sacraments
Christ the King Parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments with parish-wide preparation programs. Baptism is offered twice a month on Sundays at 1:00 PM (maximum six babies per service); Baptism Preparation classes are typically held the second Sunday after the 11:30 AM Mass at St. Agnes Lower Church. First Communion, Confirmation (Grades 7–10), Marriage (arrangements at least six months in advance), Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral liturgies are all coordinated through the Parish Office.
- Baptism: twice monthly Sundays at 1:00 PM; max 6 babies per service
- Baptism Prep: 2nd Sunday after 11:30 AM Mass at St. Agnes Lower Church
- First Communion: through Parish Office
- Confirmation: Grades 7–10, two-year Faith-in-Action program
- Marriage: contact a priest at least six months ahead
- Anointing of the Sick: on request to the Parish Office
- Funerals: 781-944-0490
Pastoral Planning and Stewardship
In 2025 Pastor Fr. Bobby formed a six-member Pastoral Planning Committee — Tom O'Rourke, Rosemarie DeLacy, Ron Fotino, Steve Goldner, Amy Statker, and Bert Almeida — to help the parish navigate an operating loss and the long-term upkeep of six aging buildings. The committee meets bi-weekly. Earlier, on Pentecost Sunday 2021, then-pastor Fr. Steve Rock commissioned a 15-member Pastoral Planning Team that spent more than a year in prayerful discernment, surveying 575 parishioners via the Disciple-Maker Index and producing a three-year plan around Accompaniment, the Sunday Experience, Community, and Vocations — all under the Archdiocese's 'Disciples in Mission' framework.
- 2025 Pastoral Planning Committee: O'Rourke, DeLacy, Fotino, S. Goldner, Statker, Almeida
- 2021 Pastoral Planning Team led by Fr. Steve Rock — 575 survey responses
- Four pastoral-plan goal areas: Accompaniment, Sunday Experience, Community, Vocations
- Tied to the Archdiocese's 'Disciples in Mission' plan
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Steve RockThrough ~2022
Pastoral leader of the Reading Catholic Collaborative; commissioned the 2021 Pastoral Planning Team.
- Rev. Robert A. LeBlanc ('Fr. Bobby')Installed by 2024; letter dated May 2025
Current pastor of Christ the King Parish following the 2023 merger.