About St. Francis of Assisi · Braintree, Massachusetts
St. Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish in Braintree, Massachusetts, founded in 1903 and now part of the Archdiocese of Boston. It is clustered with its neighboring parish, St. Clare of Assisi (1244 Liberty Street), under the name "Braintree Catholic," a collaborative formed to share resources and proclaim the Gospel across the town. The parish serves approximately 1,700 families and is known for its warm, sacred interior, its PreK–8 school, and its commitment to stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Robert M. Blaney
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi offers a warm, established Catholic community in Braintree where parishioners can grow in faith, encounter Christ in the Eucharist, and serve others. The parish celebrates Mass seven days a week — including three Sunday Masses and a daily 7:00 AM Mass — and offers Saturday Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, a collaborative food pantry through St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, men's and women's prayer groups, Bible study, and a thriving PreK–8 parish school. As part of the Braintree Catholic Collaborative with St. Clare of Assisi, the parish combines the close-knit feel of a 1903-founded parish with the wider resources of a shared pastoral team.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (St. Francis) or by appointment
- Additional Reconciliation during Lenten Mondays (6:30–7:15 PM) and by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration on scheduled Mondays, 6:00–7:15 PM, followed by Scriptural Rosary at 6:45 PM and Benediction (e.g., during Lent on Feb 23, March 2, 16, 23, 30)
- Holy Week: Monday of Holy Week, 6:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration at St. Francis
History of St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi Parish was founded in 1903 to serve the Catholic faithful of Braintree, Massachusetts, and the church building was constructed more than a century ago by Italian artisans. Over the decades it grew into a stable, mid-sized parish currently serving approximately 1,700 families. In the 2010s it joined with neighboring St. Clare of Assisi to form the Braintree Catholic Collaborative, sharing a pastoral team and a single office while retaining each parish's distinct identity and patron.
- Founded 1903
- Church built by Italian artisans over 100 years ago
- Approximately 1,700 families served
- Pastored by Rev. Kevin M. Sepe from 1998 to 2012
- Now part of the Braintree Catholic Collaborative with St. Clare of Assisi
Braintree Catholic Collaborative
St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi parishes form the Braintree Catholic Collaborative, sharing one pastoral team, office staff, and sacramental schedule. The collaboration's stated purpose is to 'build' the Kingdom of God by sharing abundant resources and common geography to create opportunities to encounter Jesus Christ in worship, sacrament, and one another. The patron saints — Saint Clare and Saint Francis — are invoked as models of unity in building the Church.
- St. Francis of Assisi — 856 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184
- St. Clare of Assisi — 1244 Liberty Street, Braintree, MA 02184
- Collaborative Office: 781-843-1332 / [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with Baptism typically celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM at St. Francis. Couples preparing for Marriage are asked to give the Collaborative Office at least six months' notice before booking a venue. The Anointing of the Sick and home Communion calls can be arranged by notifying the Collaborative Office. Religious Education prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation.
- Baptism — 3rd Sunday, 1:00 PM at St. Francis
- Marriage — six months' notice required
- Anointing of the Sick and Communion Calls — by request
- Confirmation — through Religious Education
- Reconciliation — Saturday 12:30–1:30 PM
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Parish Religious Education program (PREP) provides faith formation for children who do not attend the parish school. The Director of Religious Education is Karen Lane, who can be reached at 781-848-7481 or [email protected]. Programs include ongoing catechesis, sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and family-based formation opportunities.
- Director of Religious Education: Karen Lane
- Religious Education Office: 781-848-7481
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
St. Francis of Assisi School
St. Francis of Assisi School is a Catholic elementary school serving students in PreK through Grade 8. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010 and has educated thousands of Braintree children over its history. It is supported by the parish's commitment to continually enhance Catholic education.
- Grades: PreK through 8
- Marked 50th anniversary in 2010
- Phone: 781-848-0842
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music at St. Francis is directed by Deacon Joe MacDonald, who serves as Music Director for the collaborative. The parish has an active Adult Choir that rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM at St. Francis, a roster of Cantors, and liturgical volunteers serving as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Ushers, and Greeters.
- Deacon Joe MacDonald — Music Director
- Adult Choir — Thursday at 7:00 PM at St. Francis
- Cantors, Lectors, EMHCs, Sacristans
- Ushers and Greeters
Parish Ministries and Community Groups
The parish and collaborative support a wide range of ministries for parishioners of all ages. These include the St. Vincent de Paul Collaborative Food Pantry, the Knights of Columbus council, a Men's Prayer Group (21+), a Bible Study group (currently studying the Gospel of Luke), and various community support meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon hosted on parish grounds.
- St. Vincent de Paul Collaborative Food Pantry — food collection 3rd Sunday of the month
- Knights of Columbus — 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM, St. Francis Parish Hall
- Men's Prayer Group (21+) — Saturday mornings 8:30–9:30 AM, hosted by Father Bob
- Bible Study — Gospel of Luke
- Alcoholics Anonymous — Friday 8:00 PM, School Hall
- Al-Anon — Tuesdays 10:30 AM, Lower Church (St. Clare)
Clergy, Deacons, and Staff
The Braintree Catholic Collaborative is led by Pastor Rev. Robert M. Blaney and Parochial Vicar Rev. Kevin Leaver, with Msgr. Robert W. Oliver and Rev. Wellington de Oliveira serving in residence. Three deacons support the parishes: Deacon Joe MacDonald (who also serves as Music Director), Deacon Jay Waldron, and Senior Deacon Michael Cavanaugh. The lay staff includes an Office Manager, Receptionist, Finance and Operations Manager, Director of Religious Education, Facilities & Security lead, and Custodian.
- Pastor: Rev. Robert M. Blaney — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Kevin Leaver — [email protected]
- In-Residence: Msgr. Robert W. Oliver; Rev. Wellington de Oliveira
- Deacon & Music Director: Joe MacDonald — [email protected]
- Permanent Deacon: Jay Waldron — [email protected]
- Senior Deacon: Michael Cavanaugh
- Office Manager: Patty Kinnally — [email protected]
- Finance & Operations Manager: Kevin Mercier — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Karen Lane — [email protected]
- Facilities & Security: Cecil O'Brien — [email protected]
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the Braintree Catholic Collaborative Office at 781-843-1332 or by email at [email protected]. The office is located at St. Francis of Assisi, 856 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184, with office hours Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. St. Clare of Assisi Church and Rectory is at 1244 Liberty Street, Braintree, MA 02184.
- Phone: 781-843-1332
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://braintreecatholic.org/
- Facebook: /BraintreeCatholic
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Kevin M. Sepe1998–2012
Appointed Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in 1998; during his 13-year tenure he completed enhancements to the church, school, and rectory and oversaw growth in school enrollment. Left in 2012 to become Episcopal Vicar and Secretary for Parish Life and Leadership for the Archdiocese of Boston, and later Pastor of the St. John–St. Paul Catholic Collaborative in Wellesley (effective June 2, 2015).
- Rev. Robert M. Blaneycurrent
Current Pastor of the Braintree Catholic Collaborative (St. Francis of Assisi & St. Clare of Assisi).