About St. John Chrysostom (West Roxbury) · Boston, Massachusetts
Saint John Chrysostom Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, belonging to the Archdiocese of Boston and in formal collaborative with neighboring Saint Theresa of Avila Parish since September 1, 2020. Founded in 1952 as an off-shoot of Saint Theresa of Avila, it serves its parishioners at 4750 Washington Street with Sunday Masses, weekday liturgies, faith formation for children, youth ministry, a Saint Vincent de Paul outreach, a parish health ministry offering monthly blood-pressure screenings, and live-streamed Sunday worship. The parish describes itself as 'a welcoming, inclusive community of believers in Jesus Christ' whose vibrant liturgies and open-handed service aim to follow the Gospel message of love.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- Saint John Chrysostom
- Rector
- Rev. John J. Connolly, Jr.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Saint John Chrysostom offers a warm, multigenerational Catholic home in West Roxbury with weekend Masses, a daily 4:30pm liturgy on Tuesdays and Thursdays, an 8:30am Saturday Mass, and a Saturday vigil — plus a live-streamed Sunday Mass for the homebound and those who worship from afar. The parish is small enough to be personal (a weekly bulletin names a Blood Pressure Health Ministry, Holy Name Sodality, Parkway Seniors, Al Anon, Scouts, and a thriving Saint Vincent de Paul clothing drive) but richly resourced through its 2020 collaborative with Saint Theresa of Avila, which brings shared faith formation for grades 1–10, Confirmation preparation, a Youth Ministry directed by Rudy Flores, a music ministry under Alan Long, and a Saint Theresa School serving parish families. Visitors are explicitly welcomed to introduce themselves to the celebrant after Mass and to register at the parish center.
Mass times at St. John Chrysostom (West Roxbury)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:15–9:45 AM (Saint John Chrysostom)
- Thursday 6:30–7:00 PM (Saint Theresa of Avila chapel, collaborative)
- Wednesdays 6:30–7:00 PM at Saint Theresa during Lent
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Saturday morning following the 8:30 AM Mass (Benediction)
- Adoration available at both parishes of the collaborative (resumes after Labor Day; suspended in July and August)
Parish History
Saint John Chrysostom Parish was officially established on Wednesday, February 20, 1952, carved out from Saint Theresa of Avila Parish in West Roxbury with additional territory from Sacred Heart, Roslindale and Saint Mary's, Dedham. The first pastor was Msgr. Joseph P. Mantle, a Roxbury native ordained in Rome by Cardinal Pompilli on December 21, 1929; the parish's unusual patron — Saint John Chrysostom — was chosen by visiting Armenian Patriarch Gregory Cardinal Agagianian at Archbishop Cushing's request. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on December 14, 1952. Subsequent decades brought team ministries (Frs. Berube & LaVoie 1975–79; Frs. Fagan, Crowley and Barry 1979–85), seventeen years under Fr. Paul A. Phinn (1985–2005), Father David Michael's interfaith-ministry pastorate (2005–2010), the brief tenure and death of Father William S. Dunn (2011–2013), and the administratorships of Fathers John J. Connolly, Jr. (2013–15) and John R. Carroll (2015–20). Since September 1, 2020 the parish has been in collaborative with Saint Theresa of Avila under the returning Father Connolly.
- Founded February 20, 1952
- First Mass December 14, 1952 with Archbishop Cushing
- Golden Jubilee celebrated in 2002
- Entered collaborative with Saint Theresa of Avila, September 1, 2020
Mass & Worship Schedule
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:00 PM (Vigil), Sunday at 7:30 AM, and Sunday at 9:30 AM — with the 9:30 AM liturgy also live-streamed on the parish Facebook page and YouTube channel and available afterwards on demand. Weekday Masses are celebrated at Saint John Chrysostom on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30 PM and on Saturday at 8:30 AM; weekday Masses on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 AM are celebrated at the collaborative partner Saint Theresa of Avila. Holy Day schedules (4:30 PM on the Holy Day, 7:00 PM on the Eve) are posted in the bulletin.
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM
- Sunday 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM (livestreamed)
- Tue/Thu 4:30 PM, Sat 8:30 AM at St. John's
- Mon/Wed/Fri 8:30 AM at St. Theresa's
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for the collaborative of Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Theresa of Avila is coordinated by Marie Sullivan (St. John's) and Ellen Murphy (St. Theresa's). Programs open each October with a 9:30 AM Family Mass followed by classes: Grades 1–6 meet at 10:30 AM and Confirmation groups (Grades 7–10) meet at 5:30 PM. Confirmation preparation begins earlier in middle school under the archdiocesan renewal. Catechists and staff are committed to walking with the families of both parishes.
- Grades 1–6 — Marie Sullivan, Coordinator ([email protected])
- Confirmation Grades 7–10 — Marie Sullivan (St. John's) and Ellen Murphy (St. Theresa's)
- Registration forms available online and at the parish office
Youth Ministry
Parish youth ministry is led by Rudy Flores and serves the collaborative as 'Parkway Catholic Youth Ministry,' with an Instagram presence for events and updates. Activities include service and prayer opportunities throughout the year for Confirmation candidates, faith formation families, and middle- and high-school students.
- Coordinator: Rudy Flores ([email protected])
- Follow Parkway Catholic Youth Ministry on Instagram for events and updates
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry is directed by Alan Long. Three cantors — John Papirio, Osmani Rodriguez, and Rena Rodriguez — serve the parish liturgies, including the live-streamed Sunday Mass.
- Music Director: Alan Long
- Cantors: John Papirio, Osmani Rodriguez, Rena Rodriguez
Outreach & Charity
Saint Vincent de Paul has an active conference at the parish (617-469-0459; [email protected]), with a clothing bin in the parking lot supporting the local migrant crisis as well as ongoing needs of neighbors. The parish supports Father Sam Fuller's Capuchin Mobile Ministries through the Boston Winter Walk on Boston Common, and the parish's Health Ministry hosts monthly blood-pressure screenings to encourage parishioners to 'Know Your Numbers!' Project Rachel referrals are available for those seeking peace after abortion.
- Saint Vincent de Paul clothing bin in the parking lot
- Capuchin Mobile Ministries (Winter Walk on Boston Common)
- Parish Health Ministry (monthly blood-pressure screenings)
- Project Rachel referral: 508.651.3100 / [email protected]
Parish Life & Fellowship
The parish is home to a number of vibrant community groups. The Holy Name Sodality meets monthly for Mass and the Rosary. Parkway Seniors meets on the second Tuesday of the month for conversation, presentations of interest, and Bingo. Al Anon meets on Wednesday evenings. The parish also supports a Cub Scout Pack (K–5) and Scout Troop 1 (grades 6–12), whose members have served as color guard at collaborative events.
- Holy Name Sodality
- Parkway Seniors (second Tuesday monthly)
- Al Anon (Wednesday evenings)
- Scouting: Cub Pack (K–5) and Troop 1 (6–12)
Volunteering & Getting Involved
The parish explicitly invites parishioners to volunteer and notes that 'Saint John's is blessed with all those who volunteer their time to enrich our parish community.' Current opportunities mentioned on the parish website include becoming a Lector or Eucharistic Minister (contact the parish office), assisting with Faith Formation, the Music Ministry, the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference, and the Parish Health Ministry.
- Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers — call the parish office
- Faith Formation catechists and Confirmation mentors
- Music Ministry volunteers
- Saint Vincent de Paul Conference volunteers
- Parish Health Ministry volunteers
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. John J. Connolly, Jr., with Parochial Vicar Rev. Charles J. Higgins and Deacon Brian K. Kean. Carol O'Brien serves as Administrative Assistant for the collaborative (x110). Music Ministry is led by Director Alan Long; Faith Formation by Marie Sullivan; Youth Ministry by Rudy Flores; Bulletin/Media by A. Kent Harnois; and the Saint Vincent de Paul Conference by volunteer leadership.
- Pastor: Rev. John J. Connolly, Jr. ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Charles J. Higgins
- Deacon Brian K. Kean
- Administrative Assistant: Carol O'Brien (x110, sƩ[email protected])
- Music Director: Alan Long
- Faith Formation: Marie Sullivan
- Youth Ministry: Rudy Flores
- Bulletin/Media: A. Kent Harnois
Facilities, School & Practical Information
Saint John Chrysostom is located at 4750 Washington Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132, GPS coordinates N42° 16.3984', W071° 8.5764'. The church is set on a parking-lot side lot that is also home to the Saint Vincent de Paul clothing bin. The parish office, in the parish center, is open Monday–Thursday 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Through the 2020 collaborative, parish families may send children to Saint Theresa School, whose principal is Mary Kate Stephatos (www.sttheresaschoolboston.com, 617-323-1050). The parish provides low-gluten hosts for parishioners with celiac disease.
- Address: 4750 Washington Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132
- Phone: 617-323-4410 (office ext. 10)
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Saint Theresa School (collaborative): principal Mary Kate Stephatos, 617-323-1050
- Low-gluten hosts available for those with celiac disease
Live-Streaming, Social Media & Online
Saint John Chrysostom live-streams its Sunday 9:30 AM Mass on Facebook and YouTube, with the video available afterwards on demand. The parish maintains an active presence on Facebook, YouTube, Bluesky (@StJohnChry02132), and Flickr. A 'Virtual Christmas Concert' from 2020 remains available on the parish website. The parish bulletin — the main channel for week-to-week news — is edited by A. Kent Harnois and items may be submitted to [email protected].
- Live-streamed Sunday 9:30 AM Mass on Facebook and YouTube
- Facebook: facebook.com/StJohnChrysostom02132
- YouTube: youtube.com/SaintJohnChrysostom02132
- Bluesky: @StJohnChry02132
- Flickr: flickr.com/groups/stjohnchrysostom
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph P. Mantle1952–1975
First pastor; named monsignor Nov 22, 1968; retired (officially March 4, 1975); died Sept 12, 1979.
- Rev. Paul W. Berube and Rev. Victor C. LaVoie (team ministry)March 1975 – June 1979
First team ministry in the parish; oversaw building of the parish center (dedicated June 18, 1978).
- Rev. Joseph K. Fagan and Rev. John J. Crowley (team ministry)October 1, 1979 – September 10, 1985
Fr. Crowley fell ill with viral encephalitis and was succeeded in 1981 by Fr. Garrett J. Barry; Fr. Crowley died Jan 31, 1985.
- Rev. Paul A. PhinnSeptember 12, 1985 – December 15, 2005
Second solo pastor; West Roxbury native, grew up in St. Theresa's Parish; granted senior priest status in 2005 after 17 years.
- Rev. David C. MichaelDecember 15, 2005 – 2010/2011
Former Catholic chaplain at Brandeis University; active in Catholic–Jewish and Christian–Muslim dialogue; reassigned to St. Joseph Parish, Needham in late 2010.
- Rev. William S. DunnDecember 12, 2011 – May 20, 2013
Former physician and medical teacher; ordained 2006 by Cardinal O'Malley; died in office on May 20, 2013.
- Rev. John J. Connolly, Jr. (Administrator)2013 – 2015
Grew up in Jamaica Plain; ordained May 21, 1994 by Cardinal Law; returned as pastor of the collaborative in 2020.
- Rev. John R. Carroll (Administrator)June 2, 2015 – September 1, 2020
Previously Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart and Saint Brigid, Lexington; ordained 1981; retired when the collaborative was formed.
- Rev. John J. Connolly, Jr. (Pastor, Collaborative)September 1, 2020 – present
Returned as pastor of the newly formed Saint Theresa of Avila / Saint John Chrysostom collaborative.