About St. Denis Parish · Ashburnham, Massachusetts
St. Denis Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, part of the Diocese of Worcester. Formed as a parish on September 5, 1951, by then-Bishop (later Cardinal) John J. Wright, the community worships in the second-oldest church edifice in the Diocese of Worcester — a former Methodist meetinghouse built in 1832, purchased by Ashburnham Catholics in 1871 and dedicated to St. Denis by Bishop Patrick T. O'Reilly on October 26, 1873. The parish describes itself as 'a lively community of faith, home of hundreds of families in Ashburnham who gather around the Eucharistic table to show our love to the Lord.' Since 2015, following the closure and demolition of St. Anne Parish in South Ashburnham, St. Denis has welcomed those former parishioners into one combined faith family at 85 Main Street.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- St. Denis (Dionysius of Paris, 3rd-century martyr and first Bishop of Paris)
- Rector
- Father David Cotter
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester
Why belong here
St. Denis offers the traditional rhythms of small-town Catholic life: two Sunday Masses (8:00 and 10:00 AM), a Saturday vigil, weekday morning Mass Monday through Wednesday with the Holy Rosary prayed afterward, and First Friday Mass with Adoration and Confessions. A parish Religious Education program serves children in grades 1–10 with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation, and a religious-education coordinator (Regina Steigelman) is available to walk families through the process. Parishioners find ways to serve through the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Sick/Elderly/Homebound Ministry, the Parish Council, and the historic social organizations like the St. Denis Guild of Catholic Women, the Men's Club, the Ladies Spiritual Enrichment Group, and the St. Nicholas Society. Worshipping in the second-oldest church edifice in the Diocese of Worcester — a former 1832 Methodist meetinghouse — gives the parish a tangible sense of continuity with the faith of earlier generations of Ashburnham Catholics.
Mass times at St. Denis Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM and by appointment
- 1st Friday: after the 7:00 PM Mass (followed by Adoration and Confessions)
Adoration times
- 1st Friday of the month (following the 7:00 PM Mass)
- Special 40-hour Adoration periods have been held (e.g., for prayer events such as the 2023 SatanCon observance)
Welcome and Parish Identity
The parish home page greets visitors with the line: 'St Denis parish is a lively community of faith, home of hundreds of families in Ashburnham who gather around the Eucharistic table to show our love to the Lord.' The site publishes the weekly Mass schedule, the daily readings, links to recorded Eucharistic celebrations from Holy Week and Easter, and a Donate button. The parish's identity is rooted in being a small-town Eucharistic community housed in a 19th-century building with deep Ashburnham roots.
- Weekly Mass schedule published on the home page
- Daily Liturgy of the Word readings
- Links to recorded Eucharistic celebrations (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter)
- Online giving (Donate Now)
History of St. Denis Parish
The Catholic mission in Ashburnham long predates the parish. The building at 85 Main Street was constructed in 1832 as a Methodist meetinghouse; Ashburnham Catholics purchased it in 1871 and Bishop Patrick T. O'Reilly dedicated it to St. Denis on October 26, 1873. The mission was formally erected as St. Denis Parish on September 5, 1951 by Bishop (later Cardinal) John J. Wright, with Rev. Joseph A. Lacey as founding pastor. Since then, ten pastors (plus several temporary administrators) have served the parish, and the building has been renovated several times — most recently in the mid-1980s under Fr. Donald Baker and again after Vatican II under Fr. Pitroff.
- 1832 — Methodist meetinghouse built
- 1871 — purchased by Ashburnham Catholics
- October 26, 1873 — dedicated to St. Denis by Bishop Patrick T. O'Reilly
- September 5, 1951 — parish erected by Bishop (later Cardinal) John J. Wright
- 1951–1955 — first pastor Rev. Joseph A. Lacey builds up the new parish
- 1955–1968 — Rev. Francis Pitroff renovates church to restored-liturgy norms
- 1976 — first permanent deacon assigned (Deacon Richard Ritacco)
- 1990 — pastoral merger with St. Anne, South Ashburnham
- 2015 — St. Anne's condemned and demolished; parishioners merge into St. Denis
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish's current priest for day-to-day contact is Father David Cotter ([email protected]), listed on the Adoration page as the contact for parish questions. Past and recent administrators include Father Guillermo J. Ochoa (placed on administrative leave January 30, 2020 pending a financial-management investigation not involving parish funds), Father John F. Hamm (administrator from July 1, 2015 after the closure of St. Anne's), and Father John E. Horgan (pastor from July 1, 2006 to retirement on July 1, 2015). Deacons Michael P. Connor and Richard C. DesJardins have assisted in the combined parish ministry since 1990 and 1995 respectively. The Religious Education Coordinator is Regina Steigelman (351-213-1699; [email protected]). First Communion sacramental-preparation registration is handled by Kim Brown (978-827-4892).
- Father David Cotter — parish priest contact
- Father Guillermo J. Ochoa — former administrator (on leave since Jan. 30, 2020)
- Father John F. Hamm — administrator from July 1, 2015
- Father John E. Horgan — pastor July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2015
- Deacon Michael P. Connor (since 1990)
- Deacon Richard C. DesJardins (since 1995)
- Regina Steigelman — Religious Education Coordinator
- Kim Brown — First Communion Sacramental Preparation contact
- Wes Snow — Parish Council contact ([email protected])
- Peter Tamas — Sick/Elderly/Homebound Ministry contact ([email protected])
Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation
The Religious Education Program's mission is to help parents and guardians nurture faith in their children, supported by parish catechists. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) welcomes students in grades 1 through 10 who attend public school, meeting on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday evenings in the Parish Hall. Sacramental Preparation covers First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation, with parental participation encouraged. A child-focused Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA for Children) is offered for children age 7 or older who have not been baptized, were baptized in another Christian tradition, or missed sacramental preparation at the traditional grade levels.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR), grades 1–10
- Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation
- RCIA adapted for Children (ages 7+)
- Enrichment experiences (retreat days, seasonal celebrations)
- Coordinator: Regina Steigelman (351-213-1699; [email protected])
- First Communion registration: Kim Brown (978-827-4892)
First Communion
The parish dedicates a page to First Holy Communion, calling it a 'big deal' for the whole family. Drawing on Pope Francis's description of the Eucharist as the 'Sacrament of Love,' the page explains that a child's first Communion is a profound union with Jesus and the source of the Church's life. Registration is handled through the Religious Education Coordinator.
- First Communion sacramental-preparation registration: Kim Brown, 978-827-4892
- Quoted from Pope Francis: the Eucharist is the 'Sacrament of Love'
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful take an active role in the celebration of the Mass: lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, ministers of the Cup, altar servers, and ushers all share in the work of the liturgy. The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion page describes their role, formation, and norms, including bringing Communion to the sick and homebound, assisting with the purification of vessels, exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration when a priest, deacon or acolyte is unavailable, and distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (formal training provided)
- Ministers of the Cup
- Altar servers
- Ushers
- Bringing Communion to the sick, elderly or homebound
Pastoral Care of the Sick, Elderly and Homebound
The Sick/Elderly/Homebound Ministry provides a spiritual and social connection to parishioners who would benefit from a visit from a priest, deacon or fellow parishioner. The ministry reaches out to residences, nursing facilities and other homebound situations; Holy Communion is available on request. Volunteers receive formal training, an interview with the pastor, and the diocesan background screening required of all parish volunteers who have contact with parishioners.
- Visitation to homes, residences and nursing facilities
- Holy Communion brought to the ill and homebound
- Prayer support for those needing healing, strength and peace
- Contact: Peter Tamas ([email protected] / 978-668-5521)
- Formal training and diocesan background screening required of volunteers
Parish Organizations and Fellowship
Social organizations have always been at the heart of parish life at St. Denis. The St. Denis Guild of Catholic Women, formed in October 1951 with 55 members, was the first organization of the new parish. The Men's Club and the Ladies Spiritual Enrichment Group continue to support adult spiritual growth, and the St. Nicholas Society — formed in the early 1990s with a two-fold mission of practical help to neighbors in hardship (patching a roof, replacing a door) and a reliable prayer line — embodies the parish's sense of charity and intercession. The Parish Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor on parish functions, in keeping with the Second Vatican Council's recommendation of such councils.
- St. Denis Guild of Catholic Women (founded October 1951)
- Men's Club
- Ladies Spiritual Enrichment Group
- St. Nicholas Society (service + prayer line)
- Parish Council — consultative body under the pastor
- Parish Council contact: Wes Snow ([email protected])
Partners in Charity
St. Denis participates in the Diocese of Worcester's annual Partners in Charity appeal, which supports diocesan ministries and charitable works. The parish publishes a dedicated Partners in Charity page linking to the diocesan campaign.
- Partners in Charity — diocesan annual appeal
Cemetery
The parish maintains a cemetery that is referenced on its website (cemetery-history page). Details on the cemetery's founding and its records are published on the parish's Cemetery History page.
- Parish cemetery — see Cemetery History page on the parish website
Joining the Parish and Pastoral Collaboration with St. Anne's
Since 2015, following the condemnation and demolition of St. Anne Church in South Ashburnham, St. Denis has been the spiritual home for the town's Catholics from both sides of town. The community has blended elements from both parishes into one family — bringing across, for example, the bells of St. Anne for use at the Consecration (a sound St. Denis parishioners had never heard at that point in the Mass) and the statue of St. Anne, refurbished by local Boy Scouts as an Eagle-style service project. The parish invites new parishioners to register and join the life of the parish through its ministries, organizations and sacramental preparation programs.
- Former St. Anne (South Ashburnham) parishioners welcomed into St. Denis since 2015
- St. Anne's bells and statue brought into St. Denis
- St. Anne statue refurbished by local Boy Scouts
- Parish registration via the Rectory (978-827-5806; [email protected])
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph A. Lacey1951–1955
First pastor; built the parish from a 'dormant mission.' Oversaw side doors, blue-tile floor, altar light, outdoor Christmas Manger, the Cape Cod rectory (1952), and the purchase of the Smith house as a parish hall. Organized the St. Denis Guild of Catholic Women (1951). Died in office 1955.
- Rev. Francis Pitroff1955–1968
Built the eight-room parish C.C.D. center and renovated the church to conform to the restored Vatican II liturgy — paneling, new oak altar table, removal of altar rail and side altars.
- Rev. Alcide Brousseau1968–1971
Purchased the Boutwell property for a future parking lot; new oak pews installed in the interior.
- Rev. Charles Lenk1971–1973/74
Paved the Boutwell lot in 1973 (solving Main Street parking/safety issues); instituted St. Patrick's Day 'Irish Nights' and Summer Bazaars.
- Rev. Theodore R. Laperle1973/74–1979
Fifth pastor; welcomed Deacon Richard Ritacco in 1976 (the parish's first permanent deacon); established the Religious Education Coordinator position with Irene Parent as first catechist.
- Rev. Thomas M. Barry and Rev. John E. Doran1979 (temporary administrators)
Served as temporary administrators after Fr. Laperle's departure.
- Rev. Edward F. MahanDecember 1979–~mid-1981
Appointed pastor in December 1979; reassigned after about a year and a half.
- Rev. Robert L. Gauthieruntil April 1983
Succeeded Fr. Mahan as pastor.
- Rev. Joseph A. Adamo and Rev. George J. Ridick1983 (temporary administrators)
Administrators between Fr. Gauthier's departure and Fr. Baker's appointment.
- Rev. Donald BakerJuly 1983–1990
Led a complete interior renovation of the church in the mid-1980s, enlarging the sacristy and improving the religious-education area of the parish hall.
- Rev. Joseph J. Jurgelonis1990–?
Accepted the difficult challenge of pastoring both St. Denis and St. Anne (South Ashburnham) parishes jointly when the diocese combined the two in 1990 due to lack of priests.
- Rev. John E. HorganJuly 1, 2006 – July 1, 2015
Pastor of both St. Denis and St. Anne; retired July 1, 2015. Previously pastor of St. Mark, Sutton (oversaw expansion doubling seating to 500 with a 30-foot steeple) and St. Brigid, Millbury.
- Rev. John F. Hammfrom July 1, 2015
Appointed administrator of St. Denis and St. Anne; oversaw the merger after St. Anne's was condemned and torn down.
- Rev. Guillermo J. Ochoauntil January 30, 2020
Administrator; placed on administrative leave January 30, 2020 pending an independent investigation of financial management issues (the diocese stated the issues did not involve parish funds).