About St. Denis · Westwood, Massachusetts
St. Denis is a Roman Catholic parish located at 157 Washington Street in Westwood, Massachusetts, in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston. For decades it served as one of two parish churches in Westwood (alongside St. Margaret Mary Church on High Street), and effective July 1, 2024 it was merged with St. Margaret Mary into the new St. Joan of Arc Parish. Mass continues to be celebrated at the historic St. Denis church building on Washington Street, with a Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, daily 9:00 AM weekday Masses, regular Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for Pre-K through 12th grade, bereavement and homebound ministry, a weekly Bible study called 'Bible and Bagels,' and an annual Vacation Bible School. The parish is served by a pastoral team led by a pastor, vicar, priest in residence, pastoral associate, and liturgy/music staff, all sharing ministry across both Westwood churches.
- Patron
- Saint Denis (St. Denis of Paris)
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew J. Norwood
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Denis, now worshipping as part of St. Joan of Arc Parish, is a welcoming Catholic community offering Mass every day of the week — Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses (8:00 AM and 10:30 AM), and a 9:00 AM weekday Mass — with weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday mornings and regular Reconciliation. A robust Faith Formation program serves children Pre-K through 12th grade (with First Communion and Confirmation preparation), supplemented by Monday-morning 'Bible and Bagels' Bible study, Friday-morning Bible Study, and an annual Vacation Bible School. The parish also runs bereavement ministry, brings the Eucharist to the homebound, and is rooted in Westwood's interfaith civic life — making it a good fit for families who want daily Mass access, solid sacramental preparation for their children, and an active, collaborative parish community.
Mass times at St. Denis
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM (St. Denis)
- Saturday 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM (St. Denis)
- By appointment — call the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM (St. Denis)
St. Denis Parish in Westwood, Massachusetts
St. Denis Church sits at 157 Washington Street in the heart of Westwood, a south-suburban Boston town. The parish is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston and since July 1, 2024 has worshiped together with St. Margaret Mary Church under the name St. Joan of Arc Parish. Both church buildings remain open: St. Denis is the venue for the Saturday Vigil Mass, the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Masses, and the 9:00 AM weekday Mass Monday through Friday.
Our Pastoral Team
Following the July 2024 merger, the two Westwood churches are served by one pastoral team. The Pastor leads the collaborative, supported by a Vicar, two priests in residence, a Pastoral Associate, and directors of Liturgy and Music.
- Pastor — Rev. Matthew J. Norwood
- Vicar — Rev. Modestus Chukwuemeka Onwumelu
- In Residence — Rev. Eric F. Cadin
- In Residence — Rev. Christopher J. Boyle
- Pastoral Associate — Ms. Mary Lemire Campion
- Liturgy and Music — Mr. William Gryzbowski
- Liturgy and Music — Ms. Teresa Fung
A Brief History
St. Denis has served Westwood Catholics for many decades under the Archdiocese of Boston. Father Frederick Murray, a former U.S. Navy chaplain, was pastor until his death; he was succeeded February 28, 2000 by Father Edwin D. Condon, another former Navy chaplain, who resigned effective July 1, 2005 and became Interim Regional Vicar of the South Region. By 2012, Rev. James G. Burke was pastor and was instrumental in collaboration talks with neighboring parishes. Effective July 1, 2024, St. Denis and St. Margaret Mary were merged into St. Joan of Arc Parish; the joint church office mailing address is now 845 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090.
Why We Joined Forces: The 2024 Collaborative
For years, St. Denis and St. Margaret Mary were already coordinating major programs such as an annual four-day mission and joint youth events. In June 2024 the Archdiocese formally merged the two parishes into St. Joan of Arc Parish, retaining both church buildings and unifying finances, staff, and pastoral planning.
- All contributions are now made to St. Joan of Arc Parish (effective 6/24/24)
- Parish Office: 845 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090 (781-326-1071)
- Sister church St. Margaret Mary hosts Wednesday 6:30 PM Mass, weekly Adoration Wed 3:00–8:00 PM (paused during Mass), Friday 12:00–3:45 PM and Monday 8:00–9:00 PM Adoration, and Saturday 3:45–4:15 PM and Wednesday 7:00–8:00 PM and Monday 8:00–9:00 PM Confessions
Faith Formation
St. Denis / St. Joan of Arc Parish runs a Faith Formation program for children Pre-K through 12th grade. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is built into the program.
- Faith Formation Pre-K through Grade 12
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Confirmation & 1st Communion family formation
- Faith Formation 2025–2026 registration accepted via the parish website
Bible Study and Adult Faith Formation
Adult formation happens around the daily Mass — a tradition that makes weekday Mass not just a quick obligation but a chance to grow in the Word.
- Bible and Bagels — every Monday morning after the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Denis
- Bible Study — every Friday morning after the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Denis
Ministries & Outreach
Outreach is a strong pillar of parish life, particularly care for those who are grieving, ill, or unable to leave home.
- Bereavement ministry
- Eucharist for the homebound
- Vacation Bible School (annual 'Come To The Table' program in August)
- Liturgy and Music ministry (choir, cantors, instrumentalists)
- Annual Catholic Appeal participation
Sacraments
Information about all seven sacraments is available on the parish website, and the Parish Office helps families arrange each one.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (see confession schedule above)
- Marriage / Matrimony (contact Parish Office)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders / Vocations discernment (via Archdiocese)
Visiting and Contacting the Parish
St. Denis Church is at 157 Washington Street, Westwood, MA 02090. The combined parish office is located at the sister church, St. Margaret Mary, 845 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090 (phone 781-326-1071). Email the office at [email protected].
- St. Denis Church: 157 Washington Street, Westwood, MA 02090
- Parish Office / Rectory: 845 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090
- Phone: 781-326-1071
- Email: [email protected]
- Websites: westwoodcatholicparishes.org, sjawestwood.org, saintmmparish.org
- Today's Readings posted in English and Spanish
Interfaith and Community Life in Westwood
St. Denis is part of Westwood's broader interfaith civic fabric, joining Thanksgiving services, community prayer gatherings, and charitable drives with neighboring congregations including Temple Beth David and St. John's Episcopal Church.
- Interfaith Thanksgiving gatherings
- Annual joint four-parish mission (historic, with St. Margaret Mary, St. Timothy, St. Catherine of Siena)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Frederick Murraythrough ~2000
Late pastor; former U.S. Navy chaplain; preceded Father Condon.
- Rev. Edwin D. Condon2000–2005
Appointed pastor by Cardinal Law effective Feb. 28, 2000; resigned effective July 1, 2005; became senior priest and Interim Regional Vicar of the South Region.
- Rev. James G. Burkeby 2012
Pastor during the 2012 pastoral-planning discussions; led the parish during collaboration talks with St. Margaret Mary.
- Rev. Matthew J. Norwood2024–present
Pastor of the newly formed St. Joan of Arc Parish (St. Denis & St. Margaret Mary), effective July 1, 2024.