St. Augustine

Welcome from the Pastor

Fr. Christopher Mahar greets visitors with a reflection on the parish's nearly century-long history and the words of St. Augustine: 'Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in you.' He invites newcomers to register as parishioners and to encounter the joy of the community at Holy Mass and in the celebration of the sacraments.

• Letter from Fr. Christopher Mahar
• New Parishioner Registration form available under 'Forms'

Meet Our Pastor — Fr. Christopher M. Mahar, Ph.D., S.T.D.

Father Mahar is a Providence College and Gregorian University (Rome) educated priest, ordained in the Diocese of Providence in 2004 after being ordained a deacon in St. Peter's Basilica. He served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy (East Greenwich) and St. Mary's (Cranston), helped draft the diocese's end-of-life guidelines, and was Vice Rector of the American College of the Immaculate Conception in Leuven, Belgium. He earned an S.T.L. (2010) and then a Ph.D./S.T.D. in Theological Ethics from the Catholic University of Louvain in 2016, focusing on brain injury and artificial nutrition and hydration. He taught Moral Theology at Providence College, served on the Ethics and Patients' Rights Committee at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, worked at the Holy See's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York (2017), and then at the Vatican's Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development from April 2018. Bishop Tobin appointed him Rector of the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence in 2011 and Director of Ongoing Formation of Priests in 2013. He was assigned as Pastor of St. Augustine Church in 2023.

Parish Staff

The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and can be reached at (401) 831-3503. The staff team supports the spiritual, sacramental, musical, and educational life of the parish.

• Rev. Christopher M. Mahar — Pastor ([email protected])
• Fr. Robert H. Forcier — Priest
• Fr. Jean Joseph Brice — Priest
• Jeanne Raymond — Parish Secretary
• Elizabeth Joseph — Parish Secretary
• Peter Shaughnessy — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
• Timothy M. McGinn — Director of Liturgical Music ([email protected])
• Stephen Romano — School Principal

Parish History

St. Augustine Parish was formed in 1929 under founding pastor Fr. Thomas A. Robinson to serve the growing Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Providence. The early community was served in religious education first by the Franciscan Missionaries (from 1935 for fifteen years) and then by the Sisters of Saint Ursula beginning in 1949. The parish school opened in 1952 after construction delays, enrolling 300 children in grades 1 through 6, and a Golden Jubilee history was published in 1979 marking fifty years of parish life.

• 1929 — Parish founded; Fr. Thomas A. Robinson named first pastor
• 1935 — Franciscan Missionaries begin teaching catechism
• 1949 — Sisters of Saint Ursula arrive in the parish
• 1950 — Land purchased on Mount Pleasant Avenue for the school
• 1952 — St. Augustine School opens (September 7)
• 1979 — Golden Jubilee commemorated with published history
• 2023 — Fr. Christopher M. Mahar assigned as Pastor

Becoming Catholic

The parish welcomes those interested in becoming Catholic through its Becoming Catholic / ChristLife process, with a dedicated inquiry page and registration form on the parish website.

• ChristLife Registration Form available under 'Forms'

Sacraments

St. Augustine celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The parish website has dedicated pages for each sacrament so that families can find preparation requirements and request forms.

• Baptism
• Reconciliation
• Eucharist
• Confirmation
• Matrimony
• Anointing of the Sick
• Holy Orders

Faith Formation

Faith Formation at St. Augustine is directed by Peter Shaughnessy and prepares parishioners of all ages for a life of discipleship, including preparation for the sacraments.

• Director of Religious Education: Peter Shaughnessy
• Baptism and Confirmation sponsor request forms
• Programs for children and adults

Ministries & Outreach

The parish hosts a wide range of ministries that serve the liturgy, the parish family, and those in need. From choirs and liturgical roles to charitable outreach and men's spiritual groups, there is a place for nearly every parishioner to participate.

• Sacred Music — Director of Liturgical Music, Timothy M. McGinn
• Liturgical Ministries
• Communion to the Sick and Homebound
• Mother Teresa Society
• Knights of Columbus
• COR Initiative
• Men of St. Joseph

St. Augustine School

St. Augustine School has been a cornerstone of parish life since opening its doors on September 7, 1952, with an inaugural class of 300 students. The school continues to provide Catholic education to parish and neighborhood children and is led by Principal Mr. Stephen Romano.

• Opened September 7, 1952, with 300 students in grades 1–6
• Principal: Mr. Stephen Romano
• School website: staugustinesri.com
• Founding religious educators: Franciscan Missionaries (1935–) and Sisters of Saint Ursula (from 1949)

Bulletin, Calendar & Online Giving

Current parish bulletins and a parish calendar are posted on the website for parishioners who wish to follow the week's announcements, Mass intentions, and upcoming events. Online Giving is available through the parish site for new and returning donors.

• Weekly Bulletin — posted on the parish website
• Parish Calendar — upcoming events
• Online Giving — via the parish website (sign up with zip code and parish name)

Contact & Visit

Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Augustine Church by phone, fax, email, or the website's contact form. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

• Church Address: 639 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908
• Mailing Address: 20 Old Road, Providence, RI 02908-1937
• Phone: (401) 831-3503
• Fax: (401) 331-0414
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm