About St. Mary · Carolina, Rhode Island
St. Mary's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Providence serving the South County villages of Carolina and Charlestown in rural Washington County, Rhode Island. The parish is a merged community of two worship sites: St. Mary's Church at 437 Carolina Back Road in Carolina (the historic home base containing the parish offices and rectory) and St. James Chapel at 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road in Charlestown, set near the ocean. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Paul E. Desmarais, the parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, a Healing Mass for Addictions, a yearly Summer Tent Revival, Faith Formation for children, and a robust St. Vincent de Paul Conference that serves neighbors in need.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Paul E. Desmarais
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Mary's Parish offers a rare combination of small-parish warmth and a full sacramental life: weekday Mass, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses at both worship sites, regular Confession, daily Adoration, a monthly Healing Mass for Addictions, and the popular annual Summer Tent Revival on the St. James grounds. Parishioners grow in faith through the Parish Enrichment Program (PEP), the First Communion and Confirmation journeys, and a strong culture of stewardship. Neighbors in need are served by an active St. Vincent de Paul Conference that assists with housing, utilities, and even a twice-monthly breakfast/lunch program, while volunteers visit the sick and homebound. Visitors are warmly welcomed to either St. Mary's in Carolina or St. James near the shore.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (St. Mary's, Carolina)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation offered prior to the Confirmation ceremony
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel at St. James Chapel is open all day (per 2015 parish visitor account)
- See the parish website for current schedule
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Mary's Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Providence that serves the historic villages of Carolina and Charlestown in South County, Rhode Island. The parish is a two-site merged community centered on St. Mary's Church in Carolina and St. James Chapel near Charlestown Beach. The parish office and rectory are at St. Mary's, while most weekday liturgical activity takes place at St. James. Visitors are welcomed warmly at either worship site and are invited to participate in Mass, Confession, Adoration, Faith Formation, and the parish's signature outreach ministries.
- Two worship sites: St. Mary's Church (Carolina) and St. James Chapel (Charlestown)
- Pastor: Rev. Paul E. Desmarais
- Deacon Costa serves with the pastor in faith formation and parish life
- Part of the Diocese of Providence
History
Catholic life in Carolina began around 1902, when the original St. Mary's Catholic Church was built just south of the village to serve the Irish mill hands and servant girls working in the Charlestown and Richmond textile mills (per National Park Service documentation of the Carolina Village Historic District). The current St. Mary's Church building, at 437 Carolina Back Road, is recorded with a 1946 foundation date (GCatholic). As the surrounding coastal communities grew, the parish expanded by affiliating with St. James Chapel on Matunuck Schoolhouse Road near Charlestown Beach, creating today's merged St. Mary's Parish.
- Original St. Mary's Catholic Church built 1902 to serve Irish mill workers
- Current church building dated 1946.09.29 (GCatholic)
- Parish merged with St. James Chapel in Charlestown to serve both inland and coastal communities
- Annual Summer Tent Revival is a long-standing parish tradition on the St. James grounds
Healing Mass for Addictions
St. Mary's Parish hosts a monthly Healing Mass for Addictions at 1:00 PM on the First Sunday of the month, October through June, at St. James Chapel. It is a devoted outreach to those struggling with addiction and to their families, and is one of the parish's most distinctive devotional offerings.
- When: First Sunday of the month, October–June
- Where: St. James Chapel
- Time: 1:00 PM
Summer Tent Revival
Each summer the parish hosts a multi-day Tent Revival under a large tent on the grounds of St. James Chapel. The 2024 revival, themed 'God's Radical Love,' was held July 29–31. The revival brings parishioners and visitors together for preaching, music, and fellowship in a unique outdoor setting that has become a signature parish tradition.
- Held annually on the grounds of St. James Chapel
- Three nights of preaching, music, and fellowship
- 2024 theme: 'God's Radical Love' (July 29–31)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's family-centered religious education program is the Parish Enrichment Program (PEP), directed by Sally Lambert (DRE/Pastoral Associate). PEP meets once a month for each grade September through May — twice a month during First Communion and Confirmation years — and begins each session with the 10:00 AM Mass at St. James, followed by grade-level classes for students and a parents' gathering with Father Paul and Deacon Costa. The year opens with a Blessing of the Backpacks at the 9:15 AM Mass.
- Director of Religious Education / Pastoral Associate: Sally Lambert — 401-213-6276, [email protected]
- Annual family fee: $50.00
- All adult volunteers must complete Safe Environment Training and a BCI background check every three years
- Circle of Grace child-safety program in use
First Holy Communion
First Communion candidates and their families commit to regular Sunday Mass attendance, full class participation, family prayer and follow-up at home, Reconciliation before First Communion, Christmas and Easter parish activities, and mandatory attendance at the rehearsal and ceremony. The program runs alongside PEP and includes additional meetings during the sacrament year.
- Requires commitment letter signed by candidate and parents
- Sacrament of Reconciliation expected before First Communion
- Rehearsal and ceremony attendance mandatory
Confirmation
Confirmation preparation uses the Dynamic Catholic Confirmation Program and is family-centered and interactive. Candidates must attend Mass regularly, write a letter to Father Paul explaining why they are beginning the process, complete service hours, attend a retreat, and participate in class. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated prior to Confirmation. The parish expects about eight candidates each year and typically celebrates at the Cathedral in April or May.
- Curriculum: Dynamic Catholic Confirmation Program
- Mass attendance is a prerequisite for continuing in the program
- Letter to Father Paul (due September 20) and retreat required
- Service requirements integrated throughout the year
- Confirmation usually celebrated at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff under the leadership of the pastor.
- Pastor: Rev. Paul E. Desmarais — [email protected]; 401-364-7214
- Deacon: Deacon Costa (assists with PEP and parish life)
- Director of Religious Education / Pastoral Associate: Sally Lambert — 401-213-6276, [email protected]
- Parish Manager: Janice Beaudreau — 401-364-7214, [email protected]
- Accountant / Bookkeeper: Brenda Demerchant — 401-364-7214, [email protected]
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Conference
The St. Mary's / St. James St. Vincent de Paul Conference serves families and individuals in the community with financial assistance for housing, utilities, car expenses, and referrals, and offers person-to-person ministry to the lonely and alienated. Members visit people in their homes, and the Conference renews its commitment annually at the Feast of the Sacred Heart Mass. In fiscal year 2022, the Conference assisted 20 families with housing/rent, 4 homeless families with temporary lodging, 19 families with heating/electric bills, and 13 families with car payments/repairs/insurance — plus a Christmas gathering with gift cards, clothing, and toys.
- Meets 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
- Volunteer line: 401-364-9413
- SVdP clothing donation bins in both St. Mary's and St. James parking lots
- Breakfast/Lunch Program: 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 8:00–11:00 AM, in the room over the garage at St. Mary's
- President (2022): Donna Walsh
- Funded by parishioner donations and fundraisers; training provided for new members
Parish Center & Facilities
The Parish Center, located on the grounds of St. James Chapel at 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown, RI, hosts parish events and is available for parishioners and the general public to rent for private events. Reservations are handled by Parish Manager Janice Beaudreau and require a completed Application for Facility Use and Facility Use/Indemnify Form, payment of a rental fee, and typically a Certificate of Insurance.
- Address: 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown, RI 02813
- Contact for reservations: Janice Beaudreau — 401-364-7214, [email protected]
- Used for PEP classes, parish events, and private rentals
- Room over the garage at St. Mary's hosts the SVdP breakfast/lunch program
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or postal mail. The parish uses Flocknote for email/text communication and maintains a presence on Facebook for Faith Formation announcements.
- Parish phone: 401-364-7214
- Office email: [email protected]
- Mail: P.O. Box 475, Carolina, RI 02812
- Faith Formation Facebook: @St.Mary'sParishEnrichmentProgram
- Communications platform: Flocknote