About St. Francis of Assisi · Belchertown, Massachusetts
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Springfield in Belchertown, Massachusetts, currently led by its 14th pastor, Fr. David Darcy. Worshiping at 24 Jabish Street since the mid-2000s, the parish community welcomes all as a place to "Encounter Christ" through the Holy Mass, the sacraments, parish life, and outreach. With more than 3,000 adult parishioners, it remains a vibrant mission-centered community that grew out of its small, 200-seat original church on Park Street. The parish marked its centennial on October 15, 2023, and celebrated the final payment of its building mortgage in 2022 — three years ahead of schedule.
- Established
- 1923
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. David Darcy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is an active, growing Catholic community of more than 3,000 adults in Belchertown that worships together at weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses), daily Mass Monday–Thursday, and weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beyond the liturgy, parishioners are invited into RCIA/OCIA, family-based Faith Formation for grades 1–9, a teen "Be Not Afraid — Follow Me" group, the Micah 6:8 high-school Pro-Life/Service group, the parish food pantry, and the long-running "Take and Eat" weekend meal program — making the parish a true mission hub for the Pioneer Valley.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday afternoon from 3:00–3:45 PM (except First Sunday weekend)
- First Sunday of the Month from 7:15–7:45 AM and 9:45–10:15 AM (in place of Saturday confessions that weekend)
- By appointment (call the Parish Office at 413-323-6272 x1)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM in the Chapel, ending with Benediction
- Thursday 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM in the Chapel, ending with Benediction
- All-day Visitation of the Blessed Sacrament every day
- Contact [email protected] to become a regular adorer; call 413-323-6272 x6 for schedule changes
About St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi Parish serves Belchertown, Massachusetts as a community of believers in the risen Christ, described on its website as "mission central." Its mission is to live as the Hands, the Feet, and the Heart of Christ — sharing what they have, offering sacrifice, and giving back to God — through Mass and the sacraments, community life, and a variety of ministries and outreach programs. The parish is led by Fr. David Darcy, the 14th pastor, with a staff that includes a parish secretary and Religious Education coordinators.
Parish History
The parish's story begins on October 15, 1923, and was celebrated for its centennial in 2023 with a reflection from Fr. David Darcy. As the parish grew past 2,000 adult parishioners, the 200-seat Park Street church could no longer fit the community; major feasts overflowed into the Congregational Church and Belchertown High School. A $1 million mortgage in 2004 funded the new Jabish Street church, which the congregation paid off three years early in June 2022 by burning the papers after Mass. Today, with more than 3,000 adult parishioners, the parish is turning its eyes toward building a new social center within the next three to five years.
- Founded October 15, 1923 — Centennial celebrated October 15, 2023
- Original 200-seat church on Park Street
- Mortgage on the new Jabish Street church paid off June 1, 2022 (three years early)
- Plans for a new social center to replace the old Park Street basement
Sacrament of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is offered on the First Sunday of the Month at 11:40 AM in the Church. Parishioners or family members in need are encouraged to call the Parish Office to schedule.
- First Sunday of the month at 11:40 AM in the Church
- By appointment through the parish office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation follows a family-based, small-group model designed to help families grow and learn together, prepare for sacraments, and feel known at every step. Students encounter videos, projects, games, activities, and take part in First Communion and Confirmation retreats; older students break into small groups for deeper discussion, with former students helping lead retreats. Parents are invited to "Coffee time with Father and Deacon" to refresh their own faith alongside their children.
- First Communion: 2-year prep in Grades 1 and 2; First Reconciliation celebrated in Advent of 2nd grade
- Confirmation: 3-year prep in Grades 7–9; sacrament celebrated in 9th grade (Diocese of Springfield)
- Older teens (Grades 10–12) continue in the Micah 6:8 group
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Formerly RCIA, OCIA is the parish's process for preparing adults and older children — including those from other faith traditions and uninitiated Catholics — for the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The team meets year-round at the parish office with each inquirer, walking alongside catechists and parishioners who love to share the Catholic faith. Recent Rites of Election have been celebrated at the Cathedral with Bishop William Byrne, with candidates received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.
- Contact: [email protected]
- Year-round process tailored to each inquirer
- 2024 Easter Vigil: Tianning Huang received into the Church
- 2026 Easter Vigil: teens Courtney Schweyer and Eli Hunter received into the Church
Youth & Teen Ministry
St. Francis offers a range of programs for middle-school and high-school teens. A teen group titled "Be Not Afraid — Follow Me" meets once a month after the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass for faith-based discussion grounded in books, current events, and daily life. The Micah 6:8 group continues faith formation for Grades 10–12 after Confirmation, focusing on being Pro-Life, "Act Justly" (discipleship), "Love Mercy" (serving the community), and "Walk Humbly" (faith-filled relationships). The parish also takes teens to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).
- "Be Not Afraid — Follow Me": monthly after 10:30 AM Sunday Mass; lunch provided; contact [email protected]
- Micah 6:8 group for Grades 10–12: Pro-Life, Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
- NCYC participation
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. David Darcy, the 14th pastor and a Belchertown native, along with a small team of lay staff and coordinators. Fr. David was ordained June 4, 1994 in the Diocese of Springfield, has pastored several diocesan parishes, and serves as Director of Seminarians for the diocesan vocations office while teaching homiletics in the diaconate program.
- Fr. David Darcy — Pastor (started November 1, 2019)
- Judy Trickey — RCIA / OCIA Coordinator (x1)
- Melissa Hurst — Religious Education (First Penance/Communion prep) (x2)
- Linda Racicot — High School/Confirmation/NCYC; assists with baptism; marriage prep with couples
- Parish Office: (413) 323-6272 · Fax: (413) 323-3053
Outreach & Community Life
Outreach is central to parish identity, with programs touching both the local Belchertown community and beyond. The Parish Food Pantry and the long-running Take and Eat weekend-meal program (which may need a full commercial kitchen in the new social center) are flagship ministries. Parish fundraisers — including the annual "Giant Tag Sale" and a three-year drive-in pledge drive — have been central to retiring the church mortgage and now to funding the social center build. The website also lists a Hispanic ministry and a St. Vincent de Paul-style conference among parish outreach efforts.
- Parish Food Pantry
- Take and Eat weekend meals program
- Annual Giant Tag Sale fundraiser
- Hispanic ministry and St. Vincent de Paul conference (Parish Outreach)
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The church is located at 24 Jabish Street, Belchertown, with the parish office at the same address and mailing address P.O. Box 612, Belchertown, MA 01007. The office is open Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; phone (413) 323-6272, fax (413) 323-3053. Mass and Adoration times are listed above; appointment confessions and Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by calling the parish office.
- Church & Office: 24 Jabish Street, Belchertown, MA 01007
- Mailing: P.O. Box 612, Belchertown, MA 01007
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Phone: (413) 323-6272 · Fax: (413) 323-3053
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David DarcyNovember 1, 2019 – present
14th pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish; born and raised as a parishioner here; ordained June 4, 1994 in the Diocese of Springfield; previously pastored several diocesan parishes; serves as Director of Seminarians in the diocesan vocations office and teaches homiletics in the diaconate program.