About St. John of God · Somerset, Massachusetts
St. John of God Parish is a Portuguese-American Catholic community in Somerset, Massachusetts, part of the Diocese of Fall River. Founded in the late 1920s to serve the Azorean immigrants and their descendants of Somerset, the parish was dedicated in 1930 and built its present church and parish complex in the late 1970s under pastor Rev. Daniel L. Freitas. Today it celebrates Mass in English and Portuguese each Sunday, runs a Faith Formation program from grade 1 through Confirmation, and gathers for traditions such as the Holy Ghost Feast, the October Procession in Honor of Mary, the annual Malassada supper, and a St. Jude novena. The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Jason Brilhante, with retired priest Rev. Joseph Viveiros assisting and Deacon Robert A. Faria in ministry.
- Established
- Late 1920s; church dedicated 1930
- Patron
- St. John of God (João Duarte Cidade, 1495–1550)
- Rector
- Rev. Jason Brilhante
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
St. John of God has welcomed generations of Portuguese-American Catholics in Somerset for nearly a century, and that Azorean heritage still shapes its calendar — the Holy Ghost Feast, Malassada suppers, the October Procession in Honor of Mary, the St. Jude novena, the Lawn Party and parish suppers bring the community together throughout the year. Masses are celebrated in both English and Portuguese every Sunday, with weekday Masses, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, weekly Confession on Saturday afternoons, and Bible study for adults. A parish school of religion serves children from grade 1 through Confirmation, and the parish welcomes adults into the OCIA for First Communion and Confirmation.
Mass times at St. John of God
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm (in the church)
- First Friday of the Month 8:30 am to 9:00 am
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Fridays 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, followed by Benediction at 12:00 pm
History of St. John of God Parish
St. John of God Parish was founded in the late 1920s to serve Portuguese immigrants — many of them from the Azores — settling in Somerset, Massachusetts. Fr. Augusto Leal Furtado offered the first Masses at Mello's garage on Second Street and at the Old Town Hall; the original church was built in 1928 and dedicated by Bishop James E. Cassidy in 1930. Twenty-two children received First Holy Communion in 1927, and 147 young adults were confirmed by Bishop Cassidy in 1929. Over the decades that followed, the parish grew into one of the most visible Portuguese-American Catholic communities in the Fall River Diocese.
- Parish founded: late 1920s
- Original church dedicated 1930 by Bishop James E. Cassidy
- 22 First Communions recorded 1927
- 147 confirmations by Bishop Cassidy in 1929
- Six pastors, 14 curates and 3 deacons have served over the years
- First curate (1946): Humberto Medeiros, later Cardinal of the Boston Archdiocese
The 1974 Rectory Move and the 1978 Church
Two pieces of parish lore are central to the identity of St. John of God. The first is the Christmas Eve 1974 hydraulic move of the entire 1956 brick rectory — lifted on four giant hydraulic jacks, placed on rollers, and rolled across Brayton Avenue to occupy the original site of the very first parish rectory. The second is the design and construction of the present church and parish center, with groundbreaking by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin in March 1977 and the complex in use by April 1978. The worship space — square-plan church joined to a rectangular parish center by an angular connector, with sail panels in the bell tower and a 'prow'-shaped sanctuary — was deliberately designed to celebrate the Portuguese seafaring heritage of the parish founders.
- Rectory hydraulic move completed Christmas Eve 1974
- New church groundbreaking March 27, 1977 (Bishop Daniel A. Cronin)
- Parish hall adapted for daily and Sunday Masses from April 15, 1978 until May 29, 1978
- Sail panels in bell tower and 'prow'-shaped sanctuary honor Portuguese seafaring heritage
- Roof framed as two triangles rising toward the sanctuary
Our Patron, St. John of God
The parish is named for St. John of God (João Duarte Cidade), the Portuguese-born founder of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God. Born in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, on March 8, 1495, St. John of God endured a difficult early life before undergoing a profound religious conversion in Granada, Spain, in 1537. He became one of history's most important Catholic reformers of healthcare for the poor, the sick, and the dying — eventually founding the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God, the religious order still entrusted today with the medical care of the Pope.
- Born João Duarte Cidade, March 8, 1495, Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal
- Died March 8, 1550, in Granada, Spain — his 55th birthday
- Canonized by Pope Alexander VIII on October 16, 1690
- Declared patron saint of hospitals, the sick, and the dying by Pope Leo XIII in 1886
- Also patron of nurses, booksellers, printers, firefighters, heart patients, and people struggling with alcohol use
- Feast day: March 8
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates every sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church. Baptisms are scheduled through the Parish Office, with a required class (typically the last Sunday of the month at noon). Couples are asked to contact a priest at least 8 to 9 months before their wedding. Children are prepared for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation through the Faith Formation program. Adults needing First Communion or Confirmation are welcomed into the OCIA. The sick and homebound are visited for Communion and Anointing by appointment.
- Baptism (class required — last Sunday of the month @ noon)
- Marriage (8–9 months' notice)
- Confirmation (youth, celebrated by the Bishop)
- First Holy Communion (parish children)
- Reconciliation (Confession — Saturday 3:00–3:45 pm, First Friday 8:30–9:00 am)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
- Funerals
- Communion to the Homebound
- OCIA for adults (Easter reception of sacraments)
Faith Formation and Adult Formation
The parish school of religion serves children in grades 1 through 7 on Sunday mornings and offers Confirmation preparation for grades 8 and 9 on Sunday evenings (6:00–7:30 pm). Volunteers are welcomed as catechists and catechist aides. Adult formation includes Daily Gospel Reflections, Bible Study of Sunday Readings, and an OCIA track for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. A new Bible study on the Gospel of Saint Matthew met in January 2026.
- Grades 1–7 Coordinator: Eileen Frangieh ([email protected], 508-678-5139)
- Confirmation Coordinator: Carlos Tavares ([email protected])
- Registration fee: $60 each child grades 1–7; $80 per child grades 8–9
- Catechist and catechist aide volunteers needed each year
- Adult Formation: Daily Gospel Reflections; Bible Study of Sunday Readings
- OCIA for adults seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by Pastor Rev. Jason Brilhante, Retired Assisting Priest Rev. Joseph Viveiros, and Permanent Deacon Robert A. Faria. Lucy Simao is the parish Administrative Assistant. Eileen Frangieh coordinates Faith Formation for grades 1–7, and Carlos Tavares coordinates Confirmation. Maintenance and sacristans include Raymond Cabral and Paul Freitas. Music ministry is led by organists and cantors John Travers, John Lema, Scott Lariviere, and Sonja Morin.
- Pastor: Rev. Jason Brilhante
- Retired Assisting Priest: Rev. Joseph Viveiros
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Robert A. Faria
- Administrative Assistant: Lucy Simao ([email protected])
- Faith Formation Grades 1–7 Coordinator: Eileen Frangieh
- Confirmation Coordinator: Carlos Tavares
- Maintenance / Sacristans: Raymond Cabral, Paul Freitas (with John Sequeira listed in some bulletins)
- Organists / Cantors: John Travers, John Lema, Scott Lariviere, Sonja Morin
Portuguese Heritage and Parish Traditions
St. John of God is one of the most visible Portuguese-American Catholic parishes in the Fall River Diocese, and many of its traditions trace directly to the Azorean Islands and Portugal. The Holy Ghost Feast — an important celebration from the earliest years of the parish — has continued with modifications to the present day. The annual Malassada supper, a tradition since the 1930s, the 3-day Lawn Party with Portuguese food and music, the October Procession in Honor of Mary, the Feet Washing Service, the Feast of the Holy Spirit, the St. Jude Dinner, and parish suppers make up the rhythm of the year.
- Holy Ghost Feast / Feast of the Holy Spirit
- Malassada Supper (annual, since the 1930s)
- Lawn Party — 3-day annual event with Portuguese food and music
- October Procession in Honor of Mary
- Feet Washing Service
- St. Jude Dinner
- Parish Feast and Parish Suppers
- Sunday Mass in Portuguese (9:00 am)
Visit, Contact, and Giving
The parish office is open Monday and Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Wednesday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visitors and parishioners can register at the main entrance of the church or online. On-line giving is available through the parish website. Annual contribution statements are issued for income-tax preparation on request.
- Parish office hours: Mon & Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm; Wed 9:00 am–2:00 pm; Tue & Thu 9:00 am–5:00 pm
- Address: 996 Brayton Avenue, P.O. Box 113, Somerset, MA 02726
- Phone: 508-678-5513
- Fax: 508-678-6458
- Email: [email protected]
- On-line giving: http://www.sjogsomerset.org/on-line-giving.html
- Parish registration forms at the main entrance and on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Augusto Leal FurtadoLate 1920s – August 1969
Founder of the parish; celebrated first Masses at Mello's garage on Second Street and the Old Town Hall; oversaw construction and 1930 dedication of the original church; retired August 1969 (also served briefly as Msgr.).
- Rev. John RezendesNovember 1944 – January 1945
Filled in for Fr. Furtado during a short transfer to St. Michael's, Fall River.
- Rev. Luiz G. Mendonça1969 – February 1974
Succeeded Msgr. Furtado after his retirement; later transferred to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford.
- Rev. Daniel L. FreitasFebruary 1974 – 1996
Fifth pastor; oversaw the 1974 hydraulic move of the rectory across Brayton Avenue and the design and construction of the new church and parish complex (groundbreaking 1977, complex in use by April 1978); died in Florida on May 22, 2012.
- Rev. Raul M. Lagoa1996 – January 30, 2012
Sixth pastor; served nearly 16 years; died suddenly on January 30, 2012; standing-room-only funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop George Coleman, homily by Deacon Robert Faria.
- Rev. Jeffrey Cabral, JCLAdministrator (after 2012)
Served as Administrator of the parish in the transition after Fr. Lagoa's death.
- Rev. Jason BrilhantePresent
Current Pastor (per 2024–2026 bulletins).