About St. Francis of Assisi · Fitchburg, Massachusetts
St. Francis of Assisi is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in South Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Worcester. The parish was established in 1903 by French-Canadian families, and for more than a century it has been a worshipping home for multiple generations of Catholic immigrants and their descendants. About 27 years ago, then-pastor Father Gerald Dorais welcomed the Hispanic community, and the parish has since grown into a vibrant English–Spanish community. The church is led today by Rev. Angel R. Matos as pastor, with a Hispanic ministry office at 89 Sheridan Street coordinated by Yesenia Quinones. The parish is served by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, with a special concern for the poor and the needy.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Angel R. Matos
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a warm, bilingual Catholic community that has been shaped by waves of immigrants — first French-Canadian families in 1903, and more recently a thriving Hispanic community — and today welcomes Catholics to worship in either English or Spanish. Weekday and Sunday Masses are offered in both languages, confession is available Saturday afternoons, and a daily rosary is prayed right after morning Mass. Under the patronage of St. Francis, the parish has a particular charism of care for the poor and needy, and visitors and newcomers are welcomed with open arms.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
About St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi is a Roman Catholic parish in South Fitchburg, Massachusetts, part of the Diocese of Worcester. The parish was founded in 1903 by French-Canadian families and has served multiple generations of Catholic worshippers. The parish's own About page tells the story of its patron, St. Francis of Assisi (born 1182 in Assisi, Italy; founder of the Franciscans, approved by Pope Innocent III in 1210; received the stigmata in 1224; died October 3, 1226 and canonized in 1228). St. Francis was never ordained to the priesthood, believing himself unworthy of Holy Orders — a detail the parish highlights to parishioners.
- Parish established 1903 by French-Canadian families
- Part of the Diocese of Worcester
- Bilingual (English and Spanish) Catholic parish
- Patron: St. Francis of Assisi
Parish History
The parish has been blessed with a long heritage in the South Fitchburg community. The earliest surviving published history is 'Paroisse Saint François d'Assise : historique et recensement, 1903–1915' (1915). A 75th-anniversary commemorative volume, 'Seventy-five years of service to God and the community, 1903–1978: St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Diocese of Worcester,' is held at the Assumptionist French Institute. The parish's bilingual character developed about 27 years ago when then-pastor Father Gerald Dorais welcomed the Hispanic community, transforming the parish into the welcoming, English-Spanish community it is today.
- Founded 1903 — 'Paroisse Saint François d'Assise' (1915 history) is the earliest published record
- 75th anniversary commemorated 1978
- Father Gerald Dorais welcomed the Hispanic community ~27 years ago
- Listed among the territorial parishes serving immigrant communities in Fitchburg's growth era
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Angel R. Matos, Pastor. The Hispanic Ministry is led by Lead Coordinator Yesenia Quinones. The parish gratefully remembers the ministry of former pastor Fr. Gerald Dorais, who welcomed the Hispanic community and helped shape the parish's present bilingual identity.
- Rev. Angel R. Matos — Pastor (contact: [email protected])
- Yesenia Quinones — Lead Coordinator, Hispanic Ministry ([email protected], 978-342-3521)
- Rev. Gerald Dorais — former pastor (welcomed the Hispanic community ~27 years ago)
Devotions
The parish keeps a simple daily Marian devotion in addition to weekday Mass: the Rosary is prayed each weekday morning immediately after Mass. The parish's homepage also features the Peace Prayer of St. Francis ('Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…'), reflecting the Franciscan identity of the parish.
- Daily Rosary — each weekday morning immediately after Mass
- Peace Prayer of St. Francis featured on the parish homepage
Sacraments
The parish's published 'Sacrament Times' page outlines the basic sacramental guidelines for parishioners. The sacraments of initiation, marriage, and reconciliation are offered through the parish, with the usual advance preparation required by diocesan policy.
- Baptism — call the rectory in advance for required instruction
- Marriage — arrangements to be made at least one year before the wedding
- Reconciliation — Saturday 1:00–1:45 PM
- Daily and Sunday Mass — see Mass Schedule
Hispanic Ministry
The parish runs a dedicated Hispanic Ministry rooted in the outreach begun by former pastor Fr. Gerald Dorais roughly 27 years ago. The Hispanic Ministry office is located separately from the church at 89 Sheridan Street, with its own phone line and lead coordinator. A Spanish-language Mass is offered every Sunday at 11:00 AM and on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM.
- Hispanic Ministry Office — 89 Sheridan Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Phone: 978-342-3521
- Lead Coordinator: Yesenia Quinones ([email protected])
- Spanish-language Mass: Sunday 11:00 AM and Tuesday 6:00 PM
Parish Events & Festival
The parish holds an annual St. Francis of Assisi Festival as a community-building and fundraising event. The parish website's Events section references the 2023 St. Francis of Assisi Festival. Other news, calendars, and event details are published on the parish site's Events & News page.
- St. Francis of Assisi Festival (annual parish festival)
- 2023 Festival referenced on the parish site
- Events & News page: saintfrancis-fitchburg.com/events-news
Visiting & Contact
The parish is located in South Fitchburg, Massachusetts, within the Diocese of Worcester. The main rectory/church address and the Hispanic Ministry office are on Sheridan Street. Visitors and parishioners can reach the parish by phone, fax, or email during rectory hours.
- Address: 63 Sheridan Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Phone: (978) 342-9651
- Fax: (978) 342-7936
- Email: [email protected]
- Hispanic Ministry: 89 Sheridan Street, 978-342-3521, [email protected]
- Website: saintfrancis-fitchburg.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Gerald Dorais
Former pastor; approximately 27 years ago he welcomed the Hispanic community to the parish, which grew into the parish's present bilingual identity.