About St. Martha · East Providence, Rhode Island
St. Martha Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Kent Heights neighborhood of East Providence, Rhode Island, within the Diocese of Providence. It was established September 13, 1956 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney to serve the growing Catholic population of that part of East Providence and Riverside. Today the parish shares its pastoral and sacramental life with neighboring St. Brendan Church in Riverside under a single pastor, the Rev. Scott J. Carpentier, who was installed by Bishop Richard G. Henning in October 2023. The parish of about 1,500 families gathers for weekly Sunday Mass, faith formation for children and adults, the Heritage Festival, and an active corps of ministries including the Rosary and Altar Society, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Martha
- Rector
- Rev. Scott J. Carpentier
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Martha welcomes parishioners of every nationality and ethnic background from East Providence and the surrounding neighborhoods. The parish shares a warm, family-sized sacramental life with neighboring St. Brendan Church under one pastor, offering multiple Sunday Masses, daily Mass midweek, Saturday confessions, and monthly Eucharistic Adoration. Members grow through an active Religious Education program, an RCIA/OCIA process for adults, Adult Faith Formation, and parish groups like the Rosary and Altar Society, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy — alongside an annual Heritage Festival that has long been a parish tradition.
Mass times at St. Martha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM (St. Brendan Church)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Last Thursday of the month, 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM (please check bulletin for updates or changes)
Parish History
St. Martha's Church was established September 13, 1956 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney in the Kent Heights section of East Providence. The first pastor, the Rev. Joseph F. Bracq, began with about 650 families drawn from Sacred Heart and St. Brendan parishes while the church was built on the former Ide Farm on Pawtucket Avenue. Through seven pastors the parish has grown to roughly 1,500 families and remains a faith-filled community known for its hospitality.
- Established September 13, 1956 by Bishop Russell J. McVinney
- First pastor: Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Bracq, S.T.D.
- Church blessed in 1958
- Marked its 50th anniversary on September 14, 2008 with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Family Catechesis program led by Director of Faith Formation Lori Lavigne, with formation opportunities for both children and adults. Families also have free access to FORMED.org (parish code QDFM94) for Catholic video, audio, and book resources to support faith formation at home.
- Family Catechesis / Religious Education for children
- Adult Faith Formation
- Lori Lavigne, Director of Faith Formation
- FORMED.org parish subscription (code QDFM94)
RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), now often called OCIA, is the process by which non-baptized adults enter the Catholic Church, baptized Christians are received into full communion, and baptized Catholics prepare for Confirmation. The parish catechumenate gathers each fall and moves in stages toward the Easter Vigil, meeting regularly with lay leaders and the pastor.
- For unbaptized adults seeking baptism
- For baptized Christians entering full communion
- For baptized Catholics preparing for Confirmation
- Culminates at the Easter Vigil
Parish Ministries & Prayer Groups
St. Martha's has a rich mix of lay-led ministries that have grown up over the decades. The Rosary and Altar Society dates back to the founding pastor; the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy prayer group began under Father Spina; and the parish conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was revived by Father Green to serve local families in need. The parish also maintains a Spiritual Life Committee that supports the prayer and formation life of the community.
- Rosary and Altar Society (since 1956)
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (parish conference)
- Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy (prayer group)
- Spiritual Life Committee
- Heritage Festival committee
Sacraments
Information about the seven sacraments is provided through the parish and the shared St. Brendan & St. Martha parish site. Confession is heard Saturdays at St. Brendan Church, and the RCIA/OCIA process prepares adults for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA / OCIA
Heritage Festival
The annual Heritage Festival began as the Portuguese Heritage Festival under Father John F. Doran in the late 1970s and remains one of the parish's signature community events. Under Father David Green it was reshaped from a carnival-style event into a family gathering offering excellent food, and it continues as a touchstone of parish identity.
- Founded as the Portuguese Heritage Festival by Father Doran
- Now a family-gathering festival with food for the parish and neighbors
Staff & Contact
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Scott J. Carpentier, who also serves St. Brendan Parish in Riverside. Deacon Dominic P. DiORio assists with ministry. Lori Lavigne serves as Director of Faith Formation. The parish office is shared with St. Brendan at 60 Turner Avenue, Riverside, and is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (closed Fridays through Sundays).
- Rev. Scott J. Carpentier — Pastor
- Deacon Dominic P. DiOrio
- Lori Lavigne — Director of Faith Formation
- Office: 60 Turner Avenue, Riverside
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Bracq, S.T.D.1956–1976
First pastor; established by Bishop Russell J. McVinney on September 13, 1956. Founded the Rosary and Altar Society. Retired and died May 14, 1993.
- Rev. John F. Doran1976–1992
Second pastor; established the Portuguese Heritage Festival. Died while still pastor on June 1, 1992.
- Rev. Jude P. McGeough1992–2004
Third pastor; led interior reconfiguration, new stained glass, choir loft relocation, and keyboard replacing the organ. Retired June 30, 2004 as Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Douglas J. Spina, Ph.D.2004–2011
Fourth pastor; new church/rectory roof and exterior structural work; built the bell tower; started the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy prayer group.
- Rev. David Green2011–c.2023
Fifth pastor; hired Anthony Prattico as full-time bookkeeper/secretary; Deacon Dominic P. DiOrio joined him; revived the Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference; transformed the Heritage Festival into a family gathering; introduced Adult Formation and a Spiritual Life Committee.
- Rev. Albert Marcello
Listed as pastor on the parish website prior to the 2023 assignment of Father Carpentier.
- Rev. Scott J. Carpentier2023–present
Appointed by Bishop Richard G. Henning effective July 1, 2023 while remaining pastor of St. Brendan Parish, Riverside. Installed October 29, 2023.