About St. John Vianney · Cumberland, Rhode Island
St. John Vianney Parish (formally Saint John the Baptist Mary Vianney) is a Roman Catholic parish in Cumberland, Rhode Island, in the Diocese of Providence, serving the Diamond Hill area since 1953. The parish describes itself as a welcoming, vibrant, family-friendly community of faith with over 20 active ministries, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in its Mercy Chapel, weekday and weekend Masses, and a Faith Formation program for youth and adults. The parish's 2016 hour-long documentary about the building of the church and its community was selected for the 2017 Rhode Island International Film Festival.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. John Vianney (St. John the Baptist Mary Vianney)
- Rector
- Rev. John P. Soares
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. John Vianney offers a complete Catholic life in the Diamond Hill section of Cumberland: daily and weekend Masses (including a livestreamed Sunday 10:00 AM Mass), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in Mercy Chapel (open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM with committed hourly adorers), an extensive Faith Formation program for grades 1 through 9 plus adult RCIA, and more than 20 active ministries ranging from the Knights of Columbus and Men of St. Joseph to a Youth Ministry, Music Ministry, Elizabeth Ministry, Gardening Committee, St. John Vianney Help for the Needy, and a charismatic prayer group. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin, livestreams liturgies for the homebound, and partners with the Diocese of Providence on safe-environment programs.
Mass times at St. John Vianney
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in Mercy Chapel, open daily 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (committed hourly adorers sign up for a weekly hour)
About St. John Vianney Parish
St. John Vianney (formally Saint John the Baptist Mary Vianney) is a Roman Catholic parish on Diamond Hill Road in Cumberland, Rhode Island, in the Diocese of Providence. The parish website describes itself as 'a welcoming and vibrant environment that offers spiritual, social and youthful opportunities to her parishioners' and a family-friendly community of faith that has served the Diamond Hill area for more than sixty years. The parish sees itself as a 'beautiful masterpiece' built by generations of parishioners finding the Lord especially through the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, and it invites visitors to 'join us for our weekend Masses and stay for a lifetime.'
- Parish exists for over 60 years (founded 1953)
- More than 20 active ministries
- Diocese of Providence
History of the Parish
St. John Vianney was founded October 19, 1953, in the Diamond Hill section of Cumberland. The territory was carved out of what had been St. Joan of Arc Parish's northern Cumberland holdings (Diamond Hill, Arnold's Mills, and Grant's Mills), which had been served from Mendon Road. In 2016 the parish commissioned a one-hour documentary preserving the stories of the church's construction, its community, and the renovation of its current worship space; the film was selected for the 2017 Rhode Island International Film Festival out of over 6,000 entries. That same year the parish completed its first perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel, Mercy Chapel, a project the parish says was met with 'overwhelming enthusiasm and generosity.'
- Founded October 19, 1953
- 2016 parish history documentary → 2017 RI International Film Festival
- 2016 opening of perpetual Adoration chapel (Mercy Chapel)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by its pastor and supported by retired-priest-in-residence, a Music/Tech Director, a Religious Education Director, coordinators for grades 6–7 and 8–9/Confirmation, an accountant, and an office secretary coordinator. Pastoral care of the sick and elderly is provided by Father Joe Pescatello and a team of lay ministers.
- Rev. John P. Soares — Pastor
- Rev. Joseph Paquette — Retired Priest in Residence
- Father Joe Pescatello — Pastoral Care
- Matthew Amaral — Music/Tech Director
- Mrs. Regina Bamford — Religious Education Director
- Mrs. Kimberly Passanante — Secretary Coordinator, Grades 6–7
- Mrs. Erin Blais — Coordinator, Grades 8–9/Confirmation
- Brandy O'Donnell — Accountant
Mass & Service Schedule
The parish celebrates weekday Mass Monday through Thursday at 7:00 AM and a Communion Service on Friday at 7:00 AM. Weekend Masses are Saturday at 5:00 PM, Sunday at 8:30 AM, Sunday at 10:00 AM (in-person and livestreamed), and a seasonal Sunday evening Mass at 5:00 PM that runs from the weekend after Labor Day through the weekend before Palm Sunday.
- Weekday Mass: Mon–Thu 7:00 AM
- Friday 7:00 AM Communion Service
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM (livestreamed), 5:00 PM (seasonal)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation is offered for parishioners of all ages. Children in Grade 1 participate in a home program with their parents; Grades 2–9 meet in small groups on parish grounds. Sacramental preparation is split: First Penance in Grade 2, First Eucharist in Grade 3 (a full-year program culminating in May), and Confirmation as a two-year process in Grades 8 and 9. The parish also welcomes adults seeking full membership through RCIA, and uses the Circle of Grace safe-environment program in cooperation with the Diocese of Providence.
- Grade 1 — home program with parents
- Grade 2 — Sunday mornings 8:30–9:35 AM; First Penance
- Grade 3 — Sunday mornings 9:45–10:50 AM; First Eucharist
- Grade 4 — Monday afternoons 5:00–6:05 PM
- Grade 5 — Monday afternoons 6:15–7:20 PM
- Grades 6 & 7 — Tuesday evenings 6:30–7:45 PM (alternating weeks)
- Grades 8 & 9 — Sunday evenings 6:00–7:30 PM (alternating weeks); Confirmation
- RCIA for adults
- Circle of Grace safe-environment curriculum
- Religious Education phone: (401) 333-2347
Parish Ministries
The parish hosts more than 20 active ministries, covering liturgical service, faith formation, charity, prayer, and fellowship. Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers, Adult Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Music Ministry, and Hospitality Ministry. Pastoral care is delivered to Autumn Villa, Chapel Hill, and homebound parishioners. Charitable and community ministries include St. John Vianney Help for the Needy, the Knights of Columbus (Council 12312), Men of St. Joseph, Elizabeth Ministry for women in childbearing years, and a Gardening Committee that maintains the church grounds.
- Altar Servers (youth) & Adult Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Music Ministry
- Hospitality Ministry
- Pastoral Care
- Youth Ministry
- Knights of Columbus, Council 12312 (2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7:00 PM)
- Men of St. Joseph
- Elizabeth Ministry
- St. John Vianney Help for the Needy
- Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle (1st Wed., 6:30 PM, Chapel)
- Children of the Light Charismatic Prayer Group
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
- Gardening Committee
- Technology / Live Stream team
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic Sacraments, with preparation programs for children and adults. First Penance and First Eucharist follow Diocesan guidelines with age-appropriate, distinct catechesis; Confirmation is a two-year process in grades 8 and 9. Adults seeking full initiation prepare through RCIA. Weddings and funerals are celebrated with the parish community, and Baptism is offered to registered parishioners.
- Baptism
- First Penance (Grade 2)
- First Eucharist (Grade 3)
- Confirmation (Grades 8 & 9, two-year)
- RCIA for adults
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:40 PM
- Marriage / Wedding
- Funeral Liturgies
Bulletins, Schedules & Livestream
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin which can be subscribed to by email and is archived on the website. Schedules are available for Altar Servers, Lay Ministers, and parish clubs. The 10:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed and archived, allowing parishioners who cannot attend in person — and their loved ones — to watch live and previously recorded liturgies, as well as parish missions.
- Weekly bulletin (emailable subscription)
- Online archive of past bulletins
- Liturgical schedules for Altar Servers and Lay Ministers
- Livestream of Sunday 10:00 AM Mass via sjvparish.org/live
Contact & Visiting
Parish office staff can be reached by phone or by the contact form on the parish website. Office hours are handled by a small team who request patience as they process requests.
- Main office: (401) 333-6060
- Religious Education: (401) 333-2347
- Address: 3587 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI 02864
- Website contact form at sjvparish.org/contact