About St. Louis de France · Somerset, Massachusetts
St. Louis de France is a historic Catholic worship site that grew from a mission chapel of St. Dominic Church in Swansea into a national (French-Canadian) parish established on March 13, 1928. After nearly a century of independent parish life — including its own school staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, eight pastors, a stained-glass-window sanctuary, and at its peak more than 1,300 families — St. Louis de France was suppressed by the Diocese of Fall River on October 1, 2022 and merged with neighboring St. Patrick and St. Thomas More parishes (both in Somerset) to form the new Our Lady of Peace Parish. The church at 56 Buffington Street in Swansea remains an active worship site, hosting the Saturday Vigil Mass, a Sunday morning Mass, daily Mass Monday through Thursday, and the parish's regular Saturday confessions.
- Established
- 1928
- Patron
- St. Louis IX, King of France (Confessor, 1214–1270)
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy P. Reis (Pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, which includes the St. Louis de France worship site)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River (Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.)
Why belong here
St. Louis de France offers the warmth of a historic faith community rooted in nearly a century of worship in Swansea, with the simple rhythms that mark Catholic life: a Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday morning Mass at 10:30 a.m., daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 8:00 a.m., and confession every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. As one of the three worship sites of Our Lady of Peace Parish, it shares in a vibrant wider community that includes a family-focused Faith Formation program (Grades 1–9 and Confirmation, directed by Mrs. Anne Cabral), the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) led by Deacon Bob Craig, a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, music ministry, a parish breakfast, and praise-and-worship evenings with Eucharistic adoration. It's a place where newcomers of every background are welcomed and invited to encounter Christ in Word, Sacrament, and service.
Mass times at St. Louis de France
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday afternoons, 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (at St. Louis de France Church)
Adoration times
- Corpus Christi Adoration (Praise and Worship Night with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — special event held at St. Louis de France Church, e.g. June 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM)
History of St. Louis de France Parish
St. Louis de France traces its roots to a mission chapel of St. Dominic Church in Swansea and was officially born on March 13, 1928 as a national parish. Father Prevost, the founding pastor, oversaw the building of a temporary church in 1929, a rectory, and a convent-school. The original church (now a parish hall) was replaced by the present, more spacious structure in 1951. The community grew to more than 1,300 families and was enriched by eight pastors, the Sisters of St. Joseph, stained-glass windows, air-conditioning, and faithful lay leadership — culminating in the parish's suppression on October 1, 2022 and its merger into the new Our Lady of Peace Parish.
- Founded March 13, 1928 as a national parish
- Temporary church built in 1929; replaced by present church in 1951
- School opened in 1911 in a wooden building; new school with Sisters of St. Joseph opened January 1931; closed June 1971
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2003
- Suppressed by the Diocese of Fall River and merged into Our Lady of Peace Parish effective October 1, 2022
Our Lady of Peace Parish — The Three Worship Sites
Since October 1, 2022, St. Louis de France has been one of three worship sites of the newly erected Our Lady of Peace Parish, created by Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., to provide pastoral and spiritual care to the people of the three former parishes.
- St. Patrick Church — 306 South Street, Somerset, MA — Sunday Mass 8:00 a.m.
- St. Thomas More — 386 Luther Avenue, Somerset, MA — Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m.; parish office here
- St. Louis de France — 56 Buffington Street, Swansea, MA — Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m., Daily Mass Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.
- Penance (Confession) at St. Louis de France on Saturday afternoons 3:00–3:30 p.m.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Our Lady of Peace's Faith Formation program is a family-focused, parish-based catechetical program serving Grades 1 through 9, including the Confirmation program. It is built on the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, and seeks to engage individuals in 'an ongoing conversation and conversion to God.' Attendance at Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation is treated as an essential part of formation.
- Director: Mrs. Anne Cabral
- Grades 1–9 and Confirmation Program
- Phone: (508) 679-1236
- Email: [email protected]
- Online registration for 2026–2027 open via olopsomerset.org/registration-form
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
OCIA is the parish's process for adults who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith and prepare to enter the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). It welcomes the unbaptized, baptized Christians interested in Catholicism, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Reconciliation, First Communion, and/or Confirmation.
- Contact: Deacon Bob Craig, [email protected]
- Parish office: 508-673-7831
- Preparation classes begin in Fall 2025
Music & Liturgical Ministry
The parish Music Ministry supports Masses across all three worship sites, including St. Louis de France. The parish also hosts Praise and Worship evenings that include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Music Directors: Heidi Dion and Frank Wilhelm
- Praise and Worship Night with Eucharistic Adoration (held at St. Louis de France Church)
- Sanctuary Lamp sponsorships available at St. Patrick and St. Louis de France
Outreach & Charity
The parish carries out the corporal works of mercy through its St. Vincent de Paul conference, which operates a food pantry and meets monthly; through its support of the annual Catholic Appeal (Diocese of Fall River); and through prayer, including the regular Rosary after daily Mass.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry — meeting at St. Patrick Church hall; collections of cold cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruit, cookies and snacks
- Catholic Appeal — annual diocesan appeal; last year the parish contributed $85,738
- Rosary after daily Mass at St. Louis de France (Mon–Thu); Rosary on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Church
Parish Life & Fellowship
Beyond the liturgy, Our Lady of Peace cultivates community through a Men's Club, a monthly Parish Breakfast, the Parish Pastoral Council, and parish-wide events. Whoever you are — whatever age or stage of life, whether Catholic or not, practicing or not — the parish invites you to 'find a new family of faith and a community of love and support.'
- Men's Club (monthly meetings)
- Parish Breakfast (monthly)
- Parish Pastoral Council — [email protected]
- E-Giving support available
Pastoral Team & Staff
Our Lady of Peace Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Timothy P. Reis and supported by a team of Dominican and diocesan priests, a permanent deacon, a sister, and lay staff in faith formation, music, administration, and facilities.
- Rev. Timothy P. Reis — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Deacon Robert Craig — Parish Deacon ([email protected])
- Fr. James Buttler
- Fr. David Costa
- Fr. Gabriel Pivarnik, O.P.
- Fr. James Quigley, O.P.
- Fr. Kenneth Sicard, O.P.
- Sr. Kathee Corrigan, SUSC
- Deacon Palanza
- Wendy Thibault — Administrative Assistant
- Mrs. Anne Cabral — Director of Faith Formation
- Heidi Dion & Frank Wilhelm — Music Directors
- Bill Mathieu & Eduardo Vieira / David Silva — Parish Facilities
Contact & Practical Information
The combined parish office is located at St. Thomas More Church in Somerset and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Faith Formation has its own phone line and email address.
- Parish Office: 386 Luther Avenue, Somerset, MA 02726
- Parish Office Phone: (508) 673-7831
- Parish Office Fax: (508) 567-5177
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Faith Formation Phone: (508) 679-1236
- Office email: [email protected]
- Website: https://olopsomerset.org
- Facebook: Our Lady of Peace Parish
Visit & Worship
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Louis de France Church, 56 Buffington Street, Swansea. The Saturday Vigil at 4:00 p.m., the Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m., and the weekday Masses Monday through Thursday at 8:00 a.m. are the easiest entry points. Confession is available every Saturday 3:00–3:30 p.m. before the Vigil Mass.
- St. Louis de France Church — 56 Buffington Street, Swansea, MA 02777
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m.
- Daily: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.
- Confession: Saturday 3:00–3:30 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Prevost1928–c.1954 (founding pastor)
Established the national parish in 1928; built temporary church in 1929, rectory, and convent-school building; oversaw move into the new school (1931) with the Sisters of St. Joseph; by 1931 had laid the foundation for a parish that grew to over 1,300 families.
- Rev. Stanislaus Goyette1954–1959
Experienced administrator who wiped out the parish debt and rendered the parish solvent.
- Rt. Rev. Msgr. Arthur G. DupuisMay 20, 1959 – November 19, 1970
A man of great intelligence and wisdom; the only pastor at St. Louis de France to be elevated as domestic prelate during his tenure.
- Father Louis Boivinc.1970–c.1988
Enthusiastic pastor who formed the parish council (first meeting January 13, 1971), adapted the sanctuary to the post-Vatican II liturgy, created the parish Bingo game in 1971, and installed the church's beautiful stained-glass windows.
- Fr. André Jussaume1988–c.1994
5th pastor; completed the work begun by his predecessor on the church windows, refreshed the interior of the rectory, and encouraged parish leaders.
- Fr. John Folster1994–c.1996
6th pastor; returned to take on the pastoring of the community after earlier service as pastoral vicar; his pastorate was cut short by cancer.
- Fr. Gérard Hébertinterim, c.1996
Provided interim administration between Fr. Folster and Fr. LeDuc.
- Fr. Roger LeDucJune 1996 – 2006
7th pastor; launched a five-year program of renewal in 1998 leading to the 75th anniversary celebration in 2003; oversaw creation of a parish picture directory in 1999.
- Rev. Richard GendreauJune 25, 2006 – present
8th pastor; had previously served as assistant pastor; ushered in a new spirit of parish ownership, many new programs, and air-conditioning of the church.