About St. Julie Billiart · North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
St. Julie Billiart Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Fall River located at 494 Slocum Road in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Established on November 17, 1969, it was the first parish in the United States placed under the patronage of St. Julie Billiart, who had been canonized that same year. The parish serves more than 2,300 families with daily and Sunday Masses, regular confession, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a religious education program for Grades 1–9, a Ladies Guild active since the parish's founding, and youth ministry for high-school-aged students preparing for Confirmation.
- Established
- 1969
- Patron
- St. Julie Billiart
- Rector
- Fr. Laurent Valliere (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fall River
Why belong here
St. Julie Billiart is the first parish in the United States placed under the patronage of St. Julie Billiart, and it shows in a living community of more than 2,300 families who gather for daily and Sunday Mass, weekly confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and active faith formation for children Grades 1–9 plus high-school youth ministry. Parishioners serve through the Ladies Guild (in continuous operation since the parish's founding), peer-led youth retreats, religious education as catechists, seasonal parish missions during Lent, bible studies and adult education, and ongoing outreach such as St. Vincent de Paul food drives and a winter apparel collection for Sister Rose and Grace House.
Mass times at St. Julie Billiart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 4:45 – 5:45 pm
- Saturday: 7:45 – 8:45 am
- Saturday: 3:15 – 4:15 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 – 10:45 am
- By appointment with Father Valliere (call the parish office or email [email protected])
Adoration times
- Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (church open for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament)
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (church open for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament)
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (church open for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament)
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (church open for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament)
Parish History
St. Julie Billiart Parish was established on November 17, 1969, by Bishop James L. Connolly of the Diocese of Fall River as a new parish to serve the rapidly growing community of Dartmouth and the adjacent West End of New Bedford. It was the first parish in the United States placed under the patronage of St. Julie Billiart, who had been canonized earlier that same year. The new parish drew about 600 families from three mother parishes: St. Mary's in South Dartmouth, St. Lawrence in New Bedford, and St. George in Westport. Bishop Connolly appointed Rev. John F. Hogan as the first pastor; he selected the DeMello Farm on Slocum Road — adjacent to Bishop Stang High School — and ground was broken in spring 1970. Bishop Daniel A. Cronin dedicated the completed church on October 11, 1971. By 1990 the parish had grown to more than 2,000 families, and a major expansion completed in 1992 enlarged the church and added a parish office wing. The parish marked its Silver Jubilee in October 1995, its 40th anniversary in November 2009, its contribution to Dartmouth's 350th anniversary in 2014, and the 50th anniversary of the parish in 2019.
- Established November 17, 1969, by Bishop James L. Connolly
- First U.S. parish under the patronage of St. Julie Billiart
- Formed from St. Mary's (South Dartmouth), St. Lawrence (New Bedford), and St. George (Westport)
- DeMello Farm on Slocum Road chosen as the site; church dedicated October 11, 1971, by Bishop Daniel A. Cronin
- 1992 expansion enlarged the church and added a parish office wing
- 40th anniversary celebrated November 2009; 50th anniversary celebrated 2019
Our Staff and Pastoral Council
Father Laurent Valliere serves as the current Parochial Administrator of the parish, having been assigned in June 2023 following the transfer of Fr. David Pignato. Deacon Joe Martino serves as Youth Minister (Religious Education Gr. 6–9) and Facilities Manager. Mr. Steven Guillotte is the parish's Business Manager and Pastoral Assistant. Religious Education for Grades 1–5 is directed by Mrs. Kathy Kosinski, with Mr. Joe Martino directing Grades 6–9, and Mrs. Rhonda Senra serves as Parish Office Assistant. The Parish Pastoral Council includes the pastor, Deacon Joe Martino, the business manager, and the directors of children's faith formation; additional members are added for council meetings.
- Fr. Laurent Valliere, Parochial Administrator ([email protected])
- Deacon Joe Martino, Youth Minister (Gr. 6–9) / Facilities Manager ([email protected])
- Steven Guillotte, Business Manager and Pastoral Assistant ([email protected])
- Mrs. Kathy (and Mr. Gene) Kosinski, Religious Education (Gr. 1–5) ([email protected])
- Mrs. Rhonda Senra, Parish Office Assistant ([email protected])
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish divides its religious education program into two phases: Grades 1–5 and Grades 6–9. The 1st and 2nd-grade years are preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, and students advance through the 9th grade to receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Directors and volunteer catechists rely on the active participation of parents, with weekly Mass attendance identified as the most important parental investment. The parish also recruits and supports catechists — teachers who know and live the Catholic faith and model it for their students.
- Grades 1–5 directed by Mrs. Kathy Kosinski ([email protected])
- Grades 6–9 directed by Mr. Joe Martino ([email protected])
- Catechist recruitment — contact Father Valliere
- Religious Education office: 508-990-0287
Youth Ministry and Confirmation
Confirmed high-school youth in Grades 10–12 who practice the faith and regularly attend Mass can serve as Peer Ministers to younger students preparing for the sacraments. Catholic adults (college-age and beyond) can serve as Core Ministers at youth retreats by sharing their faith experience and understanding of Church teaching. By diocesan policy, all adults working in Youth Ministry must submit to a criminal background check.
- Peer Ministers (Grades 10–12 confirmed)
- Core Ministers (adults) for youth retreats
- Diocesan background-check requirement for adult youth ministers
Adult Education
The parish holds seasonal parish missions during holy seasons such as Lent and prints a weekly bulletin with regular catechesis. The priests and staff offer a one-on-one or group adult preparation for the reception of the sacraments, an Adult Education Series and Bible Study on specific themes relevant to Church teaching, and a parish library of good Catholic books. Adult Education at St. Julie's is presented as a lifelong call to conversion through prayer, study, and reception of the sacraments — particularly important for baptized adults completing their initiation through Holy Communion and Confirmation.
- Seasonal parish missions during Lent
- Weekly bulletin catechesis
- Adult Education Series and Bible Study
- Parish library of Catholic books
- One-on-one/group preparation for adult sacraments
Ladies Guild
The St. Julie Billiart Ladies Guild has been organized for 51 years — since the foundation of the parish in 1969 — and follows a set of by-laws, electing officers annually. Its mission is to promote spiritual growth, provide social activity, participate in charitable endeavors, assist in parish activities, and encourage community spirit. The Guild meets on the first Wednesday of each month from September through December and February through May, with guest speakers, social/spiritual activities, and committee opportunities. Each Guild year begins and concludes with a Mass celebrated by the Pastor, and the March meeting includes a Lenten reflection.
- Monthly meetings (first Wednesday, Sept–Dec & Feb–May)
- Open to Catholic women 18+ and wives of parishioners
- Membership Chair: Sharon McDonald, 774-271-1483, [email protected]
- Annual scholarships for graduating high school seniors who are parishioners
- Annual winter apparel drive for Sister Rose and Grace House
- St. Vincent de Paul food drive
- Christmas gifts for a needy family and residents of a local nursing home
- Birthday and holiday celebrations with nursing-home residents
Ladies Guild Scholarship
The Ladies Guild annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are registered members of St. Julie's Parish, have been accepted into a school of higher learning with a minimum of a two-year program, and have served in a ministry or completed hours of service. Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2026.
- Open to registered St. Julie's graduating high school seniors
- Two-year (or longer) post-secondary program required
- Must have served in a parish ministry or completed service hours
Catholic Women's Conference
The Ladies Guild of St. Julie Billiart Parish hosts a Catholic Women's Conference to which women of the parish, the surrounding area, and the Diocese of Fall River are invited. The 2025 conference (held September 6, 2025) carried the theme 'I Thirst for You,' with St. Teresa of Calcutta as inspiration, and featured EWTN host Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, author and podcaster Allison Gingras, and composer/musician Gael Berberick. The day included Holy Mass, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the Most Holy Rosary, Confession, vendors, a light breakfast, and a boxed lunch.
- Hosted by the Ladies Guild of St. Julie Billiart
- Open to women of the parish, surrounding area, and Diocese of Fall River
- Features Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary, and Confession
Sacraments
Parents seeking Baptism for a child should speak with one of the priests after Mass, contact Fr. Valliere, or call the parish office. Confession is heard at the times listed on the parish home page, with appointments available by request. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are prepared in the 1st and 2nd grades of the parish Religious Education program, and Confirmation is prepared through Grade 9. For after-hours spiritual emergencies (including emergency anointing), parishioners can call 508-993-2351 and select prompt #4 to leave a message for the parish priest.
- Baptism — contact Fr. Valliere at [email protected] or after Mass
- Confession — Wed 4:45–5:45 pm; Sat 7:45–8:45 am and 3:15–4:15 pm; Sun 10:00–10:45 am; or by appointment
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (Grades 1–2)
- Confirmation (preparation through Grade 9)
- Anointing of the Sick — after-hours line: 508-993-2351, prompt #4
Contact and Visit
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:45 am to 4:00 pm. Parishioners and visitors are invited to call 508-993-2351 (fax 508-993-2437), to email staff at the addresses listed on the parish's Our Staff page, or to mail correspondence to the parish office address. Weekly bulletins are published on the parish website.
- Address: 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747
- Phone: 508-993-2351 (Mon–Fri, 9:45 am – 4:00 pm)
- Fax: 508-993-2437
- Website: http://www.saintjulies.org/
- Religious Education office: 508-990-0287
- After-hours spiritual emergencies: 508-993-2351, prompt #4
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John F. Hogan1969–1986
Founding pastor; selected Slocum Road site; oversaw construction and 1971 dedication; died August 7, 1986.
- Monsignor Patrick J. O'Neill1986–1992
Oversaw major 1992 expansion of the church and parish office wing; retired May 1992 following a long illness; died July 8, 1995.
- Father Brian J. Harrington1993–
Appointed by Bishop Sean P. O'Malley on June 28, 1993, shepherding the parish of over 2,300 families; later returned for a second stint as pastor.
- Fr. Gregory A. Mathias2006–2012
Installed new steeple and roof in winter/spring 2008; celebrated 40th anniversary in November 2009.
- Fr. Richard Roy2012–2020
Modernized the parish hall and kitchen; planned 50th anniversary (2019); represented parish at Dartmouth's 350th anniversary (2014).
- Fr. David Pignato2020–2023
Appointed pastor on August 1, 2020; subsequently transferred.
- Fr. Laurent Valliere2023–
Assigned as Parochial Administrator of St. Julie Billiart in June 2023.