About St. Joseph · North Scituate, Rhode Island
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic community of roughly 1,300 families in the village of North Scituate, Rhode Island. It sits on Danielson Pike at the corner of Route 116 within the Diocese of Providence and serves the surrounding villages of Chopmist Hill, Clayville, Hope, Potterville, and North Scituate, as well as parts of western Johnston. The parish was formally established in 1939 (incorporated January 9, 1940), the outgrowth of a mission station that traced Catholic life in the Town of Scituate back to about 1902. Today it is known for a strong Religious Education program, a Sunday-evening Youth Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and parish outreach such as the Amos House Ministry and Knights of Columbus involvement.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Paul R. Grenon
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a multi-generational country parish where about 1,300 families are actively involved in Religious Education (K-8), a dedicated Sunday-evening Youth Mass, a vibrant youth ministry team, and an Adult Bible Study. A Tuesday-morning hour of Eucharistic Adoration and weekly confession before Saturday Mass give parishioners steady access to the sacraments, while outreach groups like Amos House Ministry and Inspirations connect the parish to those in need beyond Scituate. With a Pastor Emeritus in residence, a permanent deacon, an active Knights of Columbus, and a long tradition of volunteer lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and altar servers, it is the kind of parish where new families can plug in quickly and find community.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (some sources list 4:30–4:45 PM; please call the rectory to confirm)
- By appointment — call the rectory
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish Identity and Welcome
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic community of about 1,300 families in North Scituate, Rhode Island, in the Diocese of Providence. It serves the villages of Chopmist Hill, Clayville, Hope, Potterville, and North Scituate, together with parts of western Johnston. Founded in 1939 and incorporated as a parish on January 9, 1940, it grew from a small handful of believers into a vibrant community centered on the Sacraments and the religious education of its young people.
History of the Parish
The parish grew out of an 1902 Catholic census in the Town of Scituate. From a mission station in Hope and the St. Alphonsus Mission in Rockland (1905), Catholic life in the area was served successively by Frs. Lebel, Ethier, Fournier, Champagne, and Cassidy. Fr. Cassidy secured the present Danielson Pike site for $700 and a new church was dedicated on March 19, 1939 with Fr. Delaney as chaplain of the mission. Fr. Tally became first administrator in October 1939 and first pastor after the January 9, 1940 incorporation. The current church building was completed in 1973 under Fr. Raymond Dyer. The parish has historically included Foster (removed 1972 to form St. Paul the Apostle) and western parts of Johnston (trimmed in 1963 when St. Robert Bellarmine was created).
- 1902 — Fr. Lebel's census finds 35 Catholic families of French-Canadian descent in Scituate villages.
- 1905 — Fr. Ethier appointed administrator of St. Alphonsus Mission by Bishop Harkins.
- 1915 — Fr. Champagne begins celebrating Mass in North Scituate; about 30 attend.
- March 19, 1939 — New church dedicated on St. Joseph's Day with Fr. Delaney as chaplain.
- Oct. 12, 1939 — Fr. Tally arrives as first administrator; first public Mass Oct. 15, 1939.
- Jan. 9, 1940 — Parish formally incorporated; Fr. Tally named first pastor.
- 1963 — St. Robert Bellarmine Parish carved out of St. Joseph's.
- 1973 — Present church completed under Fr. Dyer.
- 1972 — Foster spun off as St. Paul the Apostle Parish.
Mass and Worship Schedule
The parish's published Worship Schedule lists Saturday Mass at 5:00 PM; Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM, with a 5:00 PM Youth Mass on Sunday evenings from the Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day; and daily Mass Monday–Friday at 8:30 AM. Friday daily Mass is suspended during summer except on First Fridays.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM
- Sunday Youth Mass: 5:00 PM (Sept–April)
- Weekday Mass: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM (Fri suspended in summer except First Fridays)
Sacraments
Beyond Mass, Confession, and Adoration, the parish prepares the faithful for Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick / Pastoral Care. Couples are asked to make marriage arrangements at least nine months in advance, complete an approved Marriage Preparation Course, and the parish does not schedule Sunday weddings.
- Confession — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 PM and by appointment
- Baptism — contact the rectory
- Marriage — at least 9 months' notice; approved Marriage Preparation Course required; no Sunday weddings
- Anointing of the Sick / Pastoral Care — contact the rectory
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education (K-8) is directed by Ms Ana DeCristofaro, with the Rel-Ed office reachable at 401-647-2650 (fax 401-764-0877) and [email protected]. The program emphasizes that each child is a unique being created in the image and likeness of God, with goals to grow in wisdom and grace, know and love God more each day, become a faithful disciple, and recognize the gifts and talents God has given. Registration forms for 2025-26 are available, and the parish welcomes volunteer teachers, co-teachers, and classroom aides.
Youth Ministry
St. Joseph's active youth ministry includes a Sunday-evening Youth Mass at 5:00 PM (September through April) and a team of volunteer Youth Ministers — Heidi Blais, Jay Green, Lesley Green, Mark LaPorte, and Susana Talbot — coordinated at [email protected].
Parish Ministries and Organizations
The parish lists ministries and organizations developed to support parish family needs and grow in faith: Music, Lectors, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Music Ministry, Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Adult Bible Study, Women of Grace, Amos House Ministry, Inspirations (Outreach Ministry), Women's Guild, Buildings & Grounds Committee, Finance Committee, and the Knights of Columbus (aligned and supportive).
Staff and Leadership
The parish is served by Rev. Paul R. Grenon (Pastor); Rev. Eugene Lessard (Pastor Emeritus, In Residence); and Deacon Paul A. Ullucci (Permanent Deacon, 2002-2025, In Memoriam). Parish staff includes Donna Costa (Parish Secretary, 401-647-2255); Trustees Dennis Charland and Charles Strniste; Carolyn Dias (Finance Committee Chairman); Stephen DeCesare (Music Director); and Ana DeCristofaro (Director of Religious Education).
Contact, Address, and Directions
The Office and Rectory is at 151 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI 02857-0236, and the church itself is at 144 Danielson Pike. The parish phone line is (401) 647-2255, with office hours Monday–Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The parish is located at the corner of Danielson Pike and Route 116.
Catholic Resources
The parish website includes a Catholic Resources page linking to catechetical and devotional material to help parishioners grow in faith beyond Sunday Mass.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Lebelcirca 1902
Administrator of the Hope mission station; conducted the original Catholic census of Scituate.
- Fr. Ethier1905
First administrator of St. Alphonsus Mission (Rockland), appointed by Bishop Harkins.
- Fr. Fournier1905–1910
Succeeded Fr. Ethier at St. Alphonsus Mission.
- Fr. Champagne1910
Replaced Fr. Fournier; in 1915 received permission to offer Mass in North Scituate.
- Fr. Cassidy
First to visualize a parish instead of a mission; secured the present site for $700.
- Fr. Delaney1939
Chaplain of the mission at the dedication of the new church on March 19, 1939 (St. Joseph's Day).
- Fr. Tally1939–
First administrator (Oct. 12, 1939) and first pastor after formal incorporation on Jan. 9, 1940.
- Fr. Feeneyretired 1971
Saved funds that financed the eventual new church.
- Fr. Raymond Dyer1971 – Feb 1, 1976
Led vigorous 1972 building campaign; oversaw completion of the present church in 1973.
- Fr. Edward D. JohnsonMarch 5, 1976 – June 1985
Resigned active Navy commission as Commander to return to Providence; later moved to St. Anthony, Portsmouth.
- Fr. Francis Keefe1985 – 2001
Established Christmas Angels, Mother's/Father's Day Novenas, Christmas-Eve puppet Mass, strong Finance Council; welcomed weekend-helper priests from India.
- Msgr. Jacques Plante2001
Temporary administrator between Keefe and Houle.
- Fr. Roger A. Houle2001 onward (later Pastor Emeritus)
Mentored Polish diocesan seminarians; oversaw ordination of Deacon Paul Ullucci.
- Rev. Paul R. Grenonpresent
Current pastor.