About St. Joseph · Wakefield, Massachusetts
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Wakefield, Massachusetts, part of the Archdiocese of Boston, with deep roots going back to 1854 when Catholics in then South Reading first gathered for Mass. Today it is a vibrant, Eucharistically-centered community serving parishioners through a robust schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, a parish school, religious education, two choirs, RCIA (OCIA), Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of social and faith-based ministries. The parish church and rectory sit at 173 Albion Street, and it also operates St. Joseph School at 15 Gould Street. Under the leadership of its current pastor, Fr. Ronald Barker, the parish identifies itself as 'A Catholic Community Centered on the Eucharist.'
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Fr. Ronald (Ron) Barker
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Joseph's offers a remarkably full Catholic life: weekday and Sunday Masses (up to four Masses on a Sunday and two daily Masses Monday through Saturday), nearly all-day Eucharistic adoration on weekdays, a Saturday 3:00-3:45 p.m. confession schedule, and both a parish school and a K-9 religious education program with Sacramental preparation. Parishioners can join RCIA/OCIA, Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, an adult and youth choir, Holy Hour, Praise & Worship, the Bereavement ministry, ARISE, and a range of social and charitable outreach ministries — making it easy to find a place to belong regardless of age or background.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
- Or in the rectory by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament Exposition)
- Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament Exposition)
- Wednesday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament Exposition)
- Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament Exposition)
- Friday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Blessed Sacrament Exposition)
- Sunday 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Holy Hour in the main church)
- Monday 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Praise and Worship with Adoration in the main church)
About St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Wakefield, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston. The parish identifies itself as 'A Catholic Community Centered on the Eucharist' and gathers for worship at the church and rectory at 173 Albion Street. It also operates St. Joseph School at 15 Gould Street and a parish religious education program for grades 1 through 9. The parish traces its origins to 1854 and today is led by Fr. Ronald Barker as pastor.
- Tagline: 'A Catholic Community Centered on the Eucharist'
- Parish offices and rectory: 173 Albion Street, Wakefield, MA 01880
- Phone: 781-245-5770
- Email: [email protected]
History
Catholic worship in Wakefield (then South Reading) dates to a first Mass said by Rev. Thomas Shahan in July 1851 at the home of Malachy Kenney. A chapel on Albion Street was dedicated in 1854 as the Church of St. Mary; in 1873, Wakefield became a parish in its own right and the church was renamed St. Joseph's under its first resident pastor, Rev. Michael F. Flatley. Through enlargements, a new rectory (1885), and a rededication by Archbishop Williams in 1890, the 19th-century parish grew with the influx of Irish and Italian Catholic immigrants into Wakefield's industries. The parish school opened in 1925 under Rev. Florence J. Halloran, who also built the South Lynnfield Chapel in 1937 (which became St. Florence Parish in 1943) and was later made a Monsignor by Pope Pius XII in 1946. The current church, hall and rectory date from 1980, and the parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2004.
- 1851 — First Mass in South Reading at the home of Malachy Kenney, said by Rev. Thomas Shahan
- 1854 — Original Church of St. Mary dedicated on Albion Street (Aug. 19)
- 1868 — Town of South Reading renamed Wakefield after Cyrus Wakefield
- 1873 — Wakefield becomes a parish; church renamed St. Joseph's under first resident pastor Rev. Michael F. Flatley
- 1885 — New rectory built at corner of Albion and Murray Streets
- 1890 — Remodeled church rededicated by Archbishop Williams of Boston
- 1905 — Wakefield Catholic Club organized by Father Colbert
- 1925 — Parochial school opens with grades 1-2 under Rev. Florence J. Halloran
- 1937 — South Lynnfield Chapel built
- 1943 — South Lynnfield becomes independent parish of St. Florence (named for Father Halloran)
- 1946 — Pope Pius XII elevates Halloran to Monsignor
- 1980 — Current church, hall and rectory built
- 2004 — 150th anniversary celebrated
Music Ministry & Choirs
Under the direction of Music Director Diane Anderson (with Anne Grant also referenced in choir pages), the music ministry enhances the parish liturgies through instrumentalists and three choral ensembles: a Children's Choir that sings at the 9:00 a.m. Family Liturgy, an Adult Choir that sings at the 11:00 a.m. Mass and major holy day liturgies, and a Youth Choir for grade 8 and high school students. The goal of the music ministry is to add beauty and solemnity to the Liturgies, support the song of the congregation, and help people pray.
- Children's Choir — sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Family Liturgy
- Adult Choir (director: Anne Grant) — sings alternating Sundays at 11:00 a.m., Christmas Eve 9:00 p.m., Holy Thursday 7:30 p.m., Easter Sunday 11:00 a.m.; rehearsals Thursday 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Room
- Youth Choir — open to grade 8 and high school students; sings one 5:30 p.m. Mass per month, the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Vigil, and the 7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil; rehearses 3:00-5:30 p.m. in the church before the Sunday Mass
- Contact: [email protected]
Religious Education & St. Joseph School
St. Joseph Parish offers faith formation for grades 1 through 9. Elementary grades 1 and 3 to 6 are primarily home-schooled, with parents as the first teachers of the faith — the parish emphasizes flexibility, daily prayer, Bible reading, and weekly Mass attendance. Grade 2 meets in person weekly for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Sacramental preparation. Grades 7 to 9 return to the classroom for in-person classes, with grade 9 culminating in Confirmation preparation under Fr. Ron.
- Grades 1, 3-6: Home-schooled model with parish resources and parent support
- Grade 2: Weekly in-person Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
- Grades 7-8: In-person classroom; grade 8 led by Coordinators Mark Brunini and Deacon Artie Rogers
- Grade 9: Confirmation preparation under Fr. Ron
- Special Needs Religious Education program offered
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) held in summer
St. Joseph School
St. Joseph School is the parish's Catholic elementary school, located at 15 Gould Street, Wakefield, MA. The school serves as an extension of the parish's faith formation mission in the classical Catholic school tradition.
- Address: 15 Gould Street, Wakefield, MA 01880
- Phone: 781-245-2081
- Fax: 781-245-0517
- Principal: Mrs. Beth Coppinger
- Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Alayne Flynn
- School Accountant: Mrs. Michelle Toppi
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA) & Adult Faith Formation
Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church are welcomed through the OCIA process (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA), which moves through the Period of Evangelization, the Catechumenate, the Rite of Election during Lent, the Easter Vigil Sacraments of Initiation, and a Mystagogy period through Pentecost. The parish also offers Adult Enrichment — guest speakers, Advent and Lenten Days of Prayer, Bible Studies, Evenings of Prayer and Benediction, and Penance Services — for Catholics who want to keep growing in their faith.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact the rectory to begin
- Bible Study — applying sacred Scripture to daily life
- Adult Enrichment — guest speakers, Days of Prayer, Penance Services
- Returning Catholics — welcome program for those returning to the faith
Faith-Based & Prayer Ministries
The parish's faith-based ministries span prayer, healing, study, and spiritual support for every stage of life. They are organized to benefit both the parish and the individual parishioner.
- ARISE
- Bereavement Ministry
- Bible Study
- Healing Mass
- Holy Hour
- Inner Healing Ministry (Lisa Palmere)
- Praise & Worship
- RCIA / OCIA
- Religious Education
- Rosary
- Vacation Bible School
- Spiritual Direction
Social & Charitable Outreach
Following in the tradition of the 1905 Wakefield Catholic Club founded by Father Colbert, St. Joseph's continues to extend its mission beyond the church walls through social ministry and charitable outreach to the wider Wakefield community.
- Social Ministry / Charitable Ministry
- Bereavement Ministry
- St. Joseph Table Dinner
- Donations and outreach to local charities (per parish bulletin)
Liturgical Ministries (Lay Volunteers)
Lay men and women of the parish support the celebration of the Liturgy in a variety of roles, all essential to the smooth running of weekend and daily Masses.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Ushers & Greeters
- Music Ministry
Sacraments & Rites
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church: the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), the two Sacraments of Healing (Penance/Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and the two Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Matrimony, Holy Orders). The parish also ministers at the Mass of Christian Burial.
- Baptism for Children and Adults
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion prepared in grade 2)
- Penance and Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
- Mass of Christian Burial
Parish Staff
St. Joseph Parish is led by Fr. Ronald Barker, Pastor, supported by an administrative team, music and faith formation staff, and the school faculty.
- Fr. Ronald Barker — Pastor
- Merry Nordeen — Administrative Assistant
- Karen Morgan — Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor
- Maureen Miller — Parish Accountant
- Lisa Palmere — Inner Healing
- Diane Anderson — Music Director
- Diane Murphy — Administrative Assistant (Religious Education)
- Erin Keith — Coordinator for grades 1-7
- Mark Brunini & Deacon Artie Rogers — Coordinators for grade 8
- Fr. Ron Barker — Grade 9 / Confirmation
- Mrs. Beth Coppinger — Principal, St. Joseph School
- Mrs. Alayne Flynn — Administrative Assistant, St. Joseph School
- Mrs. Michelle Toppi — School Accountant
Registration & Becoming a Parishioner
St. Joseph's encourages registration as a declaration of commitment to the Catholic community. Registration makes sacramental sponsorship, infant baptism, religious education enrollment, weddings, and funerals easier, and ensures parishioners receive parish mailings. Registration is done through the parish's My Own Church online portal, with the parish accepting anyone who wishes to share in parish life regardless of where they live.
- Online registration via My Own Church
- Update family and member information
- View giving history and tax statements
- Register for Religious Education Classes
Viewing the Mass (TV & Online)
For those unable to attend in person, the parish broadcasts the weekly Mass on Wakefield Cable Access Television (WCAT) and posts recordings online via Vimeo for home viewing.
- WCAT broadcast times: Saturday 7:00 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 5:30 p.m., Thursday 12 noon
- WCAT channels: Comcast/Xfinity Public Channel 9, Verizon Public Channel 40, RCN Public Channel 3
- Online: Saturday 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. Masses available on the parish website and Vimeo
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person. Driving directions are provided on the website for those coming from major routes.
- Parish Office: 173 Albion Street, Wakefield, MA 01880
- Phone: 781-245-5770
- Fax: 781-246-2423
- Email: [email protected]
- School Office: 15 Gould Street, Wakefield, MA 01880 — Phone 781-245-2081
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas Shahan1851
Pastor of St. James, Salem; said the first Mass in South Reading (Wakefield) in July 1851 at the home of Malachy Kenney and bought the Albion Street land for the first chapel.
- Father Fitzpatrick1870s
Drew plans for the new 800-seat church that replaced the original 1854 chapel.
- Rev. Michael F. Flatley1873
First resident pastor after Wakefield became a parish; organized a Sunday School and oversaw 16 years of enlargements including the spire.
- Rev. P.J. Hally1884
Built the new rectory behind the church at the corner of Albion and Murray Streets in 1885.
- Rev. Jeremiah E. Millerick1887
Irish-born and Holy Cross educated; oversaw the extensive physical plant; church rededicated by Archbishop Williams in 1890.
- Rev. Father Colbert1902-1913
Organized the Wakefield Catholic Club in 1905 for spiritual and social works in the parish.
- Rev. Florence J. Halloran1925-
Opened St. Joseph's Parochial School with grades 1-2; built the South Lynnfield Chapel (1937); elevated to Monsignor by Pope Pius XII in 1946; gave his name to St. Florence parish in 1943.
- Rev. Michael L. Steele1995-
Former Director of Religious Education for the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Boston, appointed pastor after 12 years with the Catholic Schools Office; Cardinal Law made a personal call in 1995 regarding his appointment.