About St. Joseph Parish · Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts
St. Joseph Parish in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, is a rural Catholic community rooted in the faith of families who settled in Franklin County for work and brought strong Catholic traditions with them. The parish, along with its two mission churches — St. John the Baptist in Colrain and St. Christopher in Charlemont — serves as the largest geographic parish in the Diocese of Springfield. It strives to be a welcoming, healing community focused on reconciliation, peace, social justice, and safe, loving environments for all. The parish continues to grow in faith despite economic challenges and the lingering effects of the sexual abuse scandal.
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. William Lunney
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield
Why belong here
Join a community that welcomes all, offers healing and reconciliation, and actively serves the needs of God’s creation through social justice and faith-based ministries. Experience the warmth of a rural parish that values tradition, perseverance, and joyful obedience to Christ’s call to love one another. Participate in vibrant ministries, sacramental life, and events like First Communion and May Crowning that celebrate faith and family.
Mass times at St. Joseph Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
About Our Church
We are a rural community of sojourners whose families historically came to the northwestern corner of Franklin County in the Diocese of Springfield, MA for farm and factory and brought with them a strong Catholic faith. The parish of Saint Joseph with its two mission churches of Saint John the Baptist in Colrain and Saint Christopher in Charlemont make up the largest geographic parish in the diocese. Continuing in the faith tradition of our ancestors, with hope and perseverance, we face the challenges of being situated in an area which has been in economic decline. We also face the challenge of our recent history with the sexual abuse scandal which has wounded our parish and left many of our parishioners isolated and in need of healing. Nourished by the Eucharist and the other sacraments, guided by the words and actions of Jesus Christ, responding to the Spirit of Truth which lives and works within each of us and through the prayerful intercession of the Virgin Mary and our Patron Saints we strive to identify and serve the deepest needs of God’s creation in joyful obedience to Christ’s command that we love one another as He loves us. We strive to be a welcoming and healing community as we work towards reconciliation, peace and social justice while maintaining a safe and loving environment for all God’s children.
Parish Staff
- Pastor: Fr. William Lunney
- Director of R.E.: Chris Gray
- Deacon (Retired): Tom Rabbitt
- Child Advocate: Juanita Bousquet
- Office Manager and Bookkeeper: Gina Wells
- Music Coordinator: Anne Mislak
Where to Find Us
St Joseph Parish in Shelburne Falls is located at 34 Monroe Avenue. St. John the Baptist in Colrain is located on Church Street. St. Christopher in Charlemont is located on Main Street. See the map below for directions!