About St. Bonaventure · Plymouth, Massachusetts
St. Bonaventure is a Roman Catholic parish in the Manomet village of Plymouth, Massachusetts, belonging to the Archdiocese of Boston. Established in 1950 by Richard Cardinal Cushing as the first Catholic parish in south Plymouth, it grew from a small summer chapel of 200 people into one of the largest parishes in the archdiocese, serving roughly 3,000 households and more than 10,000 registered parishioners. A new, larger church was built just behind the original 1951 wood-framed building and dedicated by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley on January 26, 2014, marking the parish's transition from a tight beachside community into a vibrant year-round Catholic congregation.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- St. Bonaventure (Franciscan cardinal and Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Paul K. Hurley
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Bonaventure is a large, growing, and welcoming Catholic community serving the Manomet section of Plymouth and surrounding south-shore neighborhoods. The parish offers daily Mass, a family Sunday liturgy, a robust faith formation program for roughly 800 students, and active outreach through its Food Pantry, Fund for the Needy, and Justice Ministry. With its spacious new church dedicated in 2014 and a thriving calendar of ministries, music, and devotion, it is a parish where newcomers can easily find a seat, get involved, and put their faith into action.
Mass times at St. Bonaventure
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Saturday 8:30–10:00 AM
Parish History
St. Bonaventure was established in 1950 by Cardinal Richard Cushing as the first Catholic parish in south Plymouth. A wood-framed church with seating for about 550 was built in 1951, and the parish grew steadily as Manomet changed from a summer village into a year-round community. By the early 2010s the original building could no longer hold the congregation; a new cruciform-plan church was dedicated by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley on January 26, 2014, allowing the parish to expand its ministries and outreach.
- 1950 – Parish established by decree of Cardinal Cushing
- 1951 – Original wood-framed church built
- September 2012 – Auxiliary Bishop John A. Dooher blesses the new church site
- July 2013 – Rite of Laying the Foundation; parish time capsule sealed
- January 26, 2014 – Cardinal O'Malley dedicates the new church
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a substantial Faith Formation program serving roughly 800 students, directed by Ms. Sheilah Burleigh Segatore. Programs support children, youth, and adults preparing for sacraments and continuing in their faith.
- Faith Formation for school-age students
- Family Mass component integrated with the Sunday 10:00 AM liturgy
- Evangelization ministry led by Ms. Carol Holland
Liturgy and Music
Liturgy and music at St. Bonaventure is led by Mr. Christopher Ricci. The new church's open floor plan, large windows, and acoustics were designed to draw the community into worship, in keeping with the Franciscan theological tone set by St. Bonaventure himself.
- Director of Liturgy and Music: Mr. Christopher Ricci
- Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses at 8:00, 10:00 (Family Mass), and 11:30 AM
- Daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM
Sacraments
St. Bonaventure celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Reconciliation is offered weekly, weekday Masses are celebrated every morning, and the parish prepares parishioners for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick.
- Reconciliation: Wednesdays 6:00–7:00 PM and Saturdays 8:30–10:00 AM
- Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral rites available through the parish office
Parish Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a central part of parish life. The Food Pantry and Fund for the Needy serve local families in need, while the Justice Ministry promotes Catholic Social Justice Teachings and responds to issues affecting the dignity of the human person, from the unborn to the elderly.
- Food Pantry
- Fund for the Needy
- Justice Ministry
- Respect Life ministry
Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes
St. Bonaventure is home to Knights of Columbus Council 12240 and its women's auxiliary, the Columbiettes. The council supports Special Olympics, local food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life ministries, and many other parish and community causes.
- Knights of Columbus Council 12240
- Columbiettes (Catholic women ages 18+)
- Charities supported: Special Olympics, food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, Respect Life
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father Paul K. Hurley and a lay staff responsible for day-to-day operations, liturgy and music, faith formation, and evangelization.
- Pastor: Rev. Paul K. Hurley
- Operations: Ms. Monique Hubbard
- Liturgy and Music: Mr. Christopher Ricci
- Faith Formation: Ms. Sheilah Burleigh Segatore
- Evangelization: Ms. Carol Holland
The Church Building
The current church at 801 State Road was completed in 2014 and dedicated by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley. Its cruciform plan, open interior, and large windows were designed to bring worshippers and nature together, while the exterior reflects traditional New England architecture. The altar incorporates a rock from a quarry inspired by the Native American historical site Sacrifice Rock, and the crucifix above the altar was sculpted by Pablo Eduardo of Gloucester.
- Architect: Treff LaFleche
- Advisor on liturgy and sacred art: G. Thomas Ryan
- Cruciform plan; energy-efficient and sustainable construction
- St. Catherine Chapel inside the church honors the former White Horse Beach parish
Visit & Contact
St. Bonaventure is located in the Manomet section of Plymouth, Massachusetts, with the church at 801 State Road and the parish office and rectory at 803 State Road. The mailing address is P.O. Box 996, Manomet, MA 02345-0996.
- Church: 801 State Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
- Parish Office / Rectory: 803 State Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
- Phone: (508) 224-3636
- Website: http://www.stbonaventureplymouth.org/
- Facebook: facebook.com/StBonaventurePlymouthMA
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Kenneth C. Overbeckserved as pastor through the 2012 groundbreaking and January 26, 2014 dedication of the new church
Led the parish through its largest expansion and the building of the new $7.96 million church; subsequently appointed Pastor of St. Joseph, Medway in 2024.
- Rev. Paul K. Hurleyappointed to St. Bonaventure effective June 1, 2024
Current pastor; appointed as a second or third appointment by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley.