About St. John the Evangelist · Hopkinton, Massachusetts
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston, serving Catholics in the town since the 1850s and formally established as its own parish in 1866 under the patronage of St. John the Evangelist. The parish church stands on Church Street in the historic center of Hopkinton and is led today by Very Rev. Richard E. Cannon, V.F., together with Senior Deacon Anthony C. Sicuso and a staff of parish secretaries, religious-education coordinators, a music director, and a parish-center manager. Worship is offered in English with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, plus daily Mass Monday through Saturday and a robust schedule of Eucharistic Adoration, devotions, and faith-formation programs for children, youth, and adults.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Richard E. Cannon, V.F.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist welcomes new parishioners with an unusually rich devotional life for a parish of its size: weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and Fridays, daily Rosary, a Monday-night online Rosary with Deacon Guy, Divine Mercy Prayer Group, Holy Hours for the Conversion of Sinners, for Priests, and for Life, and a First Friday Reparation Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart. The parish also runs a thriving religious-education program for grades 1–10, a Youth Group, Young Adults group, Women's Group, Knights of Columbus Council 4822, and a St. Vincent de Paul Society for those needing a little help, all in the historic granite church on Church Street where Hopkinton Catholics have worshipped since 1889.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:30–9:15 AM (lower chapel)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:30 AM–11:15 AM (lower chapel)
- Friday 9:30 AM–12:00 PM (lower chapel)
- Thursday 6:30–7:30 PM — Holy Hour for the Conversion of Sinners (lower chapel)
- Third Thursday 7:00 PM — Holy Hour for Priests, officiated by Fr. Cannon (lower chapel)
- Holy Hour for Life (date posted in bulletin) — officiated by Fr. Cannon
Parish History
St. John the Evangelist traces its origins to 1846, when Fr. Boyce of Milford began monthly visits to Hopkinton, saying Mass in the home of John McDonough. By 1849, Hopkinton's Catholics had raised funds to erect their own church, and the wooden St. Malachi was built on Cedar Street around 1851. In July 1866 the community was constituted as its own parish and Rev. Barry became the first resident pastor. The current granite church on Church Street — to be named St. John the Evangelist — was begun under Rev. J.P. Ryan in 1876, with the basement first used for Christmas Mass in 1878. After Fr. Ryan's death in 1881, his successor Rev. M.D. Murphy carried the project to completion and dedicated the church on September 2, 1889. The original St. Malachi building was torn down the year after the basement opened.
- Pre-1846: Catholics of Hopkinton traveled to Milford for Mass.
- 1846: Fr. Boyce of Milford begins monthly visits; Mass said in John McDonough's home.
- 1851: First Catholic church in Hopkinton — St. Malachi — built on Cedar Street (60×40 ft wooden structure).
- 1866: Parish formally established; Rev. Barry appointed first resident pastor.
- 1872: Rev. J.P. Ryan appointed pastor.
- 1876 (May): Fr. Ryan turns the first sod for the new granite church on Church Street.
- 1878 (Christmas): First Mass celebrated in the completed basement.
- 1879: St. Malachi torn down.
- 1881: Rev. M.D. Murphy succeeds Fr. Ryan (who died in office).
- 1889 (Sept 2): St. John the Evangelist dedicated.
- 1979: Rev. James Degnan appointed pastor.
- 1987: Fr. Degnan begins planning the parish center.
- 1991 (Sept): Parish center dedicated by Cardinal Bernard Law.
- 2016: 150th anniversary celebrated; the 150-year-old St. Malachi bell rung at all four Masses on the weekend of Nov 28–29.
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Very Rev. Richard E. Cannon, V.F., Pastor, who holds the title Vicar Forane and personally officiates the Third Thursday Holy Hour for Priests and the Holy Hour for Life. Senior Deacon Anthony C. Sicuso assists in ministry, and 'Deacon Guy' hosts a Monday-night Rosary on Zoom that draws about 30 people from many parishes and towns. Parish operations, liturgy, and faith formation are supported by an office staff and coordinators.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Richard E. Cannon, V.F. — 508-435-3313 x21
- Senior Deacon: Rev. Mr. Anthony C. Sicuso — 508-435-3313
- Parish Secretaries: Andrea Heavey and Sarah Cormier — 508-435-3313 x20
- Operations / Business Manager: Mr. Bernard Mitchell — 508-435-3313 x24
- Director of Music: Bernadette Nadeau — 508-435-3313 x26
- Religious Education Coordinator (PreK–6): Mary Pawela — 508-435-3313 x23
- Religious Education Coordinator (Grades 7–10): Deborah Lysik — 508-435-3313 x22
- Religious Education Co-Coordinator (Grades 9 & 10): Kenneth Lysik — 508-435-3313 x22
- Parish Center Manager: Catherine Kniaz — 508-435-3313 x25
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. John the Evangelist maintains a remarkably full devotional life. The lower chapel hosts weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a daily Rosary, a Monday-night Divine Mercy Prayer Group, and several themed Holy Hours, while a Monday-night Rosary on Zoom extends the parish's prayer reach well beyond Hopkinton.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Tuesday 9:30–11:15 AM (lower chapel)
- Eucharistic Adoration — Friday 9:30 AM–12:00 PM (lower chapel)
- Rosary — Monday–Friday 8:15 AM (lower chapel)
- Rosary — Saturday 7:15 AM (lower chapel)
- Rosary at St. John's Cemetery — Sundays at 3:00 PM (Mount Auburn Street)
- Divine Mercy Prayer Group — Monday 6:30–7:30 PM (lower chapel): Chaplet of Divine Mercy and prayers for family and country
- Holy Hour for the Conversion of Sinners — Thursday 6:30–7:30 PM (lower chapel): Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayers for conversion and for the dying
- Third Thursday Holy Hour for Priests — 7:00 PM (lower chapel), officiated by Fr. Cannon: Exposition, Rosary, short meditation, silent prayer, petitions, chaplet for priests, and Benediction
- First Friday Reparation Mass in Honor of the Sacred Heart — 7:00 PM (lower chapel), in reparation for the sins of the clergy, our own sins, and the sins of the world
- Holy Hour for Life — officiated by Fr. Cannon; date posted in the bulletin: Exposition, Rosary with petitions, short meditation, silent prayer, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and Benediction
- Monday Night Rosary on Zoom with Deacon Guy — 7:00 PM (Meeting ID 916 8237 1226, Passcode 326886); ~30 attendees from many parishes and towns
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full religious-education program for children from PreK through Grade 10, with classes offered at multiple times across the week to fit family schedules. Older students prepare for and attend the 6:30 PM Sunday Mass as part of their formation. A catechism class for adults — including new converts and those exploring the faith — meets weekly with Fr. Cannon.
- Religious Education Coordinator (PreK–6): Mary Pawela
- Religious Education Coordinator (Grades 7–10): Deborah Lysik
- Religious Education Co-Coordinator (Grades 9 & 10): Kenneth Lysik
- Grades 1–6 class times: Sun 8:45–9:45 AM; Mon 2:45–3:45 PM; Mon 4:30–5:30 PM; (Tue 4:30–5:30 PM tentative); (Wed 4:30–5:30 PM tentative)
- Grade 7 — Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Grade 8 — Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM
- Grade 9 — Monday 7:00–8:00 PM
- Grade 10 — Sunday 5:15–6:15 PM (students only; all attend the 6:30 PM Mass following class; parents welcome)
- Fr. Cannon's Catechism Class — Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Parish Library; open to new converts, those considering, and those wishing to grow in knowledge of the faith
- Summer Bible Adventure — annual summer program for children
Fellowship & Community Life
St. John's offers several ongoing fellowship groups for parishioners of different ages and stages of life, alongside Knights of Columbus Council 4822 and parish-wide social events. Events are posted in the weekly bulletin, on the parish website, and on its Facebook page.
- St. John's Youth Group
- St. John's Young Adults
- St. John's Women's Group
- Knights of Columbus — Bishop Rice Council 4822
- Parish Library / Parish Hall Classroom gatherings
- Summer Bible Adventure
- Music gatherings with local musicians
Outreach & Charity
The parish supports those in need through its St. Vincent de Paul Society conference, with a dedicated assistance line for anyone in Hopkinton who needs a little help. A Parish Global Mission Apostolate extends the parish's charitable reach beyond the local community.
- St. John's St. Vincent de Paul Society — assistance line 508-435-3313 x27
- Parish Global Mission Apostolate
- Annual ministry interest sign-up form for parishioners wishing to serve
Sacraments
Baptisms are normally celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of the month at 11:30 AM, with families asked to call the parish for information. Marriages must be arranged at least six months in advance. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday morning in the lower chapel, and Holy Day Masses follow the schedule printed in the bulletin.
- Baptism — 2nd and 4th Sundays at 11:30 AM; please call for information
- Marriage — arranged at least 6 months in advance
- Reconciliation — Saturday 8:30–9:15 AM in the lower chapel
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion visits — call the parish office
- Holy Day Masses — see bulletin for schedule
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Boyce of Milford1846–?
Said monthly Mass in Hopkinton, including in the home of John McDonough, before any parish existed.
- Rev. Barry1866–?
First resident Catholic pastor of Hopkinton; served the newly constituted parish and St. Malachi church.
- Rev. J.P. Ryan1872–1881
Initiated the new granite church to be named St. John the Evangelist; turned the first sod in May 1876; died in 1881.
- Rev. M.D. Murphy1881–?
Succeeded Fr. Ryan and carried his plans to completion; dedicated St. John the Evangelist on September 2, 1889.
- Rev. James Degnan1979–?
Began planning the parish center in 1987; building dedicated by Cardinal Bernard Law in September 1991.
- Very Rev. Richard E. Cannon, V.F.present
Current pastor; holds the title V.F. (Vicar Forane); officiates the Third Thursday Holy Hour for Priests and the Holy Hour for Life.