About St. Cecilia · Leominster, Massachusetts
St. Cecilia Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Leominster, Massachusetts, founded in 1900 to serve the Canadian/Acadian community of the city, sometimes referred to locally as the parish on 'French Hill.' It belongs to the Diocese of Worcester and is pastored by Msgr. James P. Moroney with parochial vicar Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ. The parish complex sits on Mechanic Street and includes a large church (180 Mechanic St.), a rectory (170 Mechanic St.) and a busy Parish Center (188 Mechanic St.) that hosts Friday night Bingo, religious education, RCIA, a Haitian Prayer Group, the Ladies of St. Anne, and the beloved annual Acadian Christmas meat pie tradition.
- Established
- 1900
- Patron
- St. Cecilia
- Rector
- Msgr. James P. Moroney
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester (originally founded under the Diocese of Springfield)
Why belong here
St. Cecilia is one of the most rooted Franco-Acadian parishes in central Massachusetts and welcomes anyone looking for reverent liturgy, warm community, and active outreach. Weekday and Sunday Masses are offered in the church and the chapel, with the 11:15am Sunday Mass also livestreamed on Facebook for the homebound. The parish keeps the faith alive through long-standing Acadian traditions (Christmas meat pies, the January Calendar Raffle), a strong RCIA and Religious Education program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children, and a vibrant St. Vincent de Paul conference that feeds, clothes and shelters neighbors in need.
Mass times at St. Cecilia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM
- Also by appointment — call the rectory at (978) 537-6541
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Chapel) — Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows the 9:00 AM Mass, with Benediction at noon
- Fridays: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Chapel) — Adoration follows the 9:00 AM Mass, with Benediction at noon
Parish History
St. Cecilia Parish was founded in January 1900 when Bishop Beaven of the (then) Diocese of Springfield authorized the Canadian/Acadian community of Leominster to form their own parish and appointed Rev. Wilfrid Balthasard as its first pastor. The first Mass was celebrated in a rented hall in downtown Leominster before a permanent church was built on Mechanic Street. The website's History page links to a much longer 'Robert Cormier's Detailed History' for those who want the full story.
- Founded January 1900 by Bishop Beaven for the Canadian/Acadian community
- First Mass in a rented hall in downtown Leominster
- Nine pastors and three administrators have served the parish
- Longer narrative available via Robert Cormier's Detailed History on the parish site
Current Pastor and Parochial Vicar
The parish is currently led by Msgr. James P. Moroney, Pastor, with Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ serving as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Ronald J. Aubuchon is listed as Deacon Emeritus. A full parish staff supports the liturgical, educational, and administrative life of the parish from the Rectory at 170 Mechanic Street.
- Msgr. James P. Moroney — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Ronald J. Aubuchon — Deacon Emeritus
- BettyAnn Harrington — Executive Assistant
- Adam Cormier — Administrative Assistant
- Patricia (Pat) Secino — Coordinator of RCIA and Adult Education / Director of Continuing Education
- Paula Doucet — Director of Religious Education
- David Lasky — Organist
- Claire Neas — Cantor
- Denis Leger — Property Manager
- Jamie Camire — Rectory Cook
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments. Parents are asked to call the rectory in advance for baptismal instruction, and Sacramental Preparation programs are run through the Religious Education Office for First Communion (typically 2nd grade) and Confirmation (typically 10th grade). Adults seeking initiation participate in the parish RCIA.
- Baptism — contact the rectory for instruction
- Reconciliation (Confession) — see scheduled times
- First Communion — Sacramental Preparation, usually 2nd grade
- Confirmation — Monday evening program, usually 10th grade
- Marriage — contact the rectory
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the rectory
- RCIA — Sundays in the Rectory
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Cecilia serves children, teens and adults. Younger children attend the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd on Sunday mornings in the Parish Center. Children preparing for First Communion attend weekly Sunday morning classes with additional sessions throughout the year. Confirmation candidates (typically 10th grade) meet on Monday evenings from 7:00–8:15 PM. Adults journeying toward full initiation gather for RCIA on Sunday mornings in the Rectory.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (younger children) — Sunday 9:45–11:00 AM, Parish Center
- Religious Education Grades 7–10 — Monday 7:00–8:15 PM, Parish Center
- Sacramental Preparation for First Communion — weekday and weekend sessions
- RCIA for adults — Sunday 10:00–11:00 AM, Rectory
- Director of Religious Education: Paula Doucet
- Director of Continuing Education / RCIA Coordinator: Pat Secino
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul
St. Cecilia's St. Vincent de Paul Conference is part of the international Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded in France in the 19th century by Frederic Ozanam. The local conference feeds, clothes, houses and heals individuals and families in the Leominster community, while also providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for parishioners.
- Shelter for the homeless
- Fuel Assistance
- Thrift-store partnerships for food and clothing
- General assistance for individuals in need
- Help line: 978-848-7380 (all calls private and confidential)
- Also reachable via the parish rectory at 978-537-6541
Parish Life, Acadian Traditions and Fellowship
St. Cecilia has a lively social and cultural life rooted in its Acadian heritage. The Ladies of St. Anne host an annual Christmas Party; the Sunday Night Card Players meet weekly in the Parish Center; and the parish runs one of the few remaining Friday-night Bingo games in central Massachusetts. Each January brings the Calendar Raffle, and each Advent the parish sells handmade Christmas meat pies — a treasured Acadian tradition led by Jeannine Brideau and her crew.
- Ladies of St. Anne — women's fellowship, annual Christmas Party
- Sunday Night Card Players — Sunday evenings, Parish Center
- Friday Night Bingo — doors 4:00 PM, games 6:30 PM, Parish Center, 188 Mechanic St.
- January Calendar Raffle — 31 days of prizes ($100–$1,000), calendars $15 / three for $40
- Acadian Christmas Meat Pies — annual fundraiser, $15 each (baked or unbaked)
- Haitian Prayer Group — Wednesdays (and some Thursdays) 7:00–9:00 PM, Chapel
- Christmas Pageant — annual children's Nativity presentation
Music and Liturgy
Music at St. Cecilia is led by Organist David Lasky and Cantor Claire Neas. The parish worships in both the main Church (used for weekend Masses and Saturday confessions) and the Chapel (where most weekday Masses, Adoration, the Rosary and devotions take place). The website offers a five-stop virtual tour that highlights the church's shrines and the Divine Mercy / St. Joseph Chapel.
- Organist: David Lasky
- Cantor: Claire Neas
- Virtual Tour 1 — Entrance to the Church
- Virtual Tour 2 — At the Crossing
- Virtual Tour 3 — Western Shrines
- Virtual Tour 4 — Eastern Shrines
- Virtual Tour 5 — Divine Mercy / St. Joseph Chapel
- Sunday 11:15 AM Mass livestreamed on Facebook
Facilities and Renovation Project
The parish operates three connected buildings on Mechanic Street in Leominster: the Rectory (170 Mechanic St.), the Church (180 Mechanic St.) and the Parish Center (188 Mechanic St.). The Parish Center houses Religious Education classrooms, the lower hall where meat pies are distributed, and the Friday Bingo. The website highlights an ongoing 'Renewing St. Cecilia Church' renovation campaign.
- Rectory: 170 Mechanic Street
- Church: 180 Mechanic Street
- Parish Center: 188 Mechanic Street (with adjacent hall at 190 Mechanic)
- Free parking at the Parish Center for Bingo and events
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Rectory Phone: (978) 537-6541
Getting Involved
St. Cecilia offers many ways to get involved — from liturgical ministries (lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, choir) to faith formation (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, RCIA team), to outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, to parish fundraisers like Bingo, the Calendar Raffle and the Christmas meat pie project. The parish also uses Flocknote for email and Flocknote communications.
- Liturgical ministries — Lectors, EMHCs, Ushers, Choir
- Faith Formation volunteers — Children's programs and RCIA team
- St. Vincent de Paul volunteers — call 978-848-7380
- Friday Bingo volunteers — call the rectory at 978-537-6541
- Calendar Raffle and meat pie fundraiser volunteers
- Sign up for parish communications via Flocknote
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Wilfrid BalthasardJanuary 1900 – November 1914
First pastor; founded the parish for the Canadian/Acadian community
- Rev. Joseph ChicoineNovember 1914 – October 1948
Longest-tenured early pastor, 34 years
- Rev. Leon SauvageauOctober 1948 – January 1949
Administrator
- Rev. Joseph BoutinJanuary 1949 – September 1950
Pastor
- Rev. Arthur GravelSeptember 1950 – June 1968
Asterisked on parish history page
- Rev. Gerard LucierJune 1968 – November 1976
Pastor
- Rev. George DenommeNovember 1976 – June 1992
Asterisked on parish history page; 16 years
- Rev. Francis GoguenJune 1992 – December 2013
Over 21 years as pastor
- Rev. Richard RogerDecember 2013 – June 2014
Administrator
- Rev. Robert BrusoJune 2014 – July 2020
Pastor
- Rev. Jose RodriguezJuly 2020 – July 2021
Administrator
- Msgr. James P. MoroneyJuly 2021 – present
Current pastor; has led pilgrimages to Acadia and Quebec