About St. Joseph · Leicester, Massachusetts
St. Joseph – St. Pius X Parish is a Catholic parish serving the town of Leicester, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Worcester. Formed on November 23, 2014, the parish united the former St. Joseph Parish and St. Pius X Parish of Leicester into one faith community after years of operating as a cluster. Its mission, displayed on the parish website, is to 'Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.' The parish gathers for weekend Masses at St. Pius X Church (1161 Main St.) and celebrates daily Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel at Mother St. John House on the St. Joseph campus (761 Main St.).
- Established
- 2014
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Robert (Rob) Loftus
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester
Why belong here
St. Joseph – St. Pius X is a parish where the priest knows his flock by name — Fr. Rob Loftus has served as pastor for over fourteen years and is described by the parish as the 'cornerstone' of the community, frequently visiting classrooms and caring for each parishioner. The community pairs active liturgy (weekend Mass at St. Pius X Church, daily Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel) with hands-on outreach, including the Leicester Food Pantry and the 'New to You' Thrift Shop, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, and a Caregiver Support Group. For families, the K-6 and Grades 7-High School religious education programs meet on Sundays, and a Director of Religious Education coordinates faith formation for all ages.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard by appointment only — contact the parish office at 508-859-8083 to schedule.
History of the Parish
Catholic worship in Leicester began in 1855 with a relocated Grafton church dedicated to St. Polycarp. Within fifteen years the parish outgrew that building and sold it to the new Catholic community of Rochdale (it became St. Aloysius). In 1867 the cornerstone of the present-day St. Joseph's Church was laid, and the church was dedicated in 1870; an expansion was rededicated in 1901. Bishop Wright divided St. Joseph Parish in 1956 into St. Pius X and Our Lady of the Valley; the latter reverted its name to St. Joseph in 1960. In 1989 the parishes of St. Joseph and St. Pius X (along with St. Aloysius and St. Jude, which declined) were clustered due to a shortage of priests, and on November 23, 2014 they were formally merged into the unified Parish of St. Joseph – St. Pius X.
- 1855 – First Leicester Catholic church (St. Polycarp) arrives from Grafton
- 1867 – Cornerstone of St. Joseph Church laid
- 1870 – St. Joseph Church dedicated
- 1901 – Expanded St. Joseph Church rededicated
- 1956 – Bishop divides parish into St. Pius X and Our Lady of the Valley
- 1960 – Our Lady of the Valley re-adopts the St. Joseph name
- 1989 – St. Joseph and St. Pius X placed in a cluster
- November 23, 2014 – Merger into unified St. Joseph – St. Pius X Parish
Parish Mission & Identity
St. Joseph – St. Pius X Parish embraces a simple, three-part mission prominently displayed on its website: 'Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.' The parish serves the entire town of Leicester through worship, formation, and direct outreach to residents in need, regardless of parish registration.
- Mission: Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples
- One parish, two campuses: St. Joseph Campus (761/759 Main St.) and St. Pius X Church (1161 Main St.)
Clergy & Staff
The pastoral team is led by Fr. Robert 'Rob' Loftus, who has been pastor for over fourteen years and is described by the parish as the 'cornerstone' of the community, with a special attention to the children. Deacon Michael 'Mike' Corby serves as permanent deacon — he has been at the parish for twelve years, assists at Mass, and performs most of the parish baptisms. Michelle Herbert is the Director of Religious Education, and Lue Willis serves as Parish Secretary, with additional responsibilities as bulletin editor, bookkeeper, scheduler and fundraising coordinator.
- Fr. Robert Loftus — Pastor (774-262-6562)
- Deacon Michael Corby — Permanent Deacon (508-873-7488, [email protected])
- Lue Willis — Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor (508-859-8083 ext. 102)
- Michelle Herbert — Director of Religious Education (508-304-2685)
Mass & Sacraments
Weekend Masses are celebrated at St. Pius X Church (1161 Main St.) on Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Thursday at 8:30 AM in the Divine Mercy Chapel at Mother St. John House, on the St. Joseph Campus at 761 Main Street. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered by appointment only — call the rectory. Baptisms are celebrated the second Sunday of each month (and other times during Mass), with parent instruction required. The Diocese of Worcester requires a one-year preparation period for couples seeking the Sacrament of Marriage, so couples are asked to contact the rectory at least a year before the planned wedding. The parish also brings Communion to the homebound and visits the sick in hospital on request.
- Saturday Vigil — 4:00 PM at St. Pius X Church
- Sunday — 9:00 AM at St. Pius X Church
- Daily Mass Mon–Thu 8:30 AM in Divine Mercy Chapel
- Reconciliation by appointment only (508-859-8083)
- Baptism — second Sunday of the month
- Marriage — one year diocesan preparation
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation for the parish's children is led by Director of Religious Education Michelle Herbert. Programs meet on Sundays at the parish campus, with separate sessions for younger and older students.
- Grades K–6: Sundays, 10:15–11:15 AM
- Grades 7–High School: Sundays, 5:00–6:15 PM
- Director: Michelle Herbert — [email protected], 508-304-2685
Mother St. John Retreat Center
Located at 761 Main Street, Mother St. John House serves as the parish's 'Center for Adult Spirituality and Ministry Formation.' It houses the rectory and parish office, and is the site of daily Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel Monday through Thursday at 8:30 AM.
- Address: 761 Main St., Leicester, MA 01524
- Phone: 508-859-8083
- Hosts daily Mass in the Divine Mercy Chapel
Parish Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a central expression of the parish's 'Love Others' mission. The Leicester Food Pantry is a parish ministry open to all Leicester residents in need (proof of residence required), and the 'New to You' Thrift Shop with its Furniture Annex is a long-running fundraiser and community resource operated by volunteers. A Prayer Shawl Ministry creates shawls for those in need of comfort, and a Caregiver Support Group gathers those caring for loved ones.
- Leicester Food Pantry — Tuesdays 5–7 PM, 759 Main St. (Bldg. C); [email protected]
- New to You Thrift Shop — Tues 5–7 PM, Wed 9 AM–12 PM, Thu 2–5 PM, Sat 9 AM–12 PM
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — meets once a month
- Caregiver Support Group
- Care of the Sick — home and hospital visits
St. Joseph Cemetery
St. Joseph's Cemetery is located on Waite Street in Leicester. Administrative and burial inquiries are handled through the parish rectory office (508-859-8083).
- Address: Waite St., Leicester, MA 01524
- Office: Parish Rectory, 761 Main St.
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. Office hours are posted as Monday and Tuesday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and Wednesday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. The parish maintains a Facebook page and YouTube channel under the name 'St. Joseph-St. Pius X Parish,' and the Food Pantry has its own Facebook presence.
- Phone: 508-859-8083 (Fax 508-892-4753)
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Tue 9–6, Wed 9–4
- Rectory: 761 Main St., Leicester, MA 01524
- Weekend Mass at St. Pius X Church, 1161 Main St.