About St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish - St. Andrew · Billerica, Massachusetts
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish is a Roman Catholic parish serving the town of Billerica, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston. Formed in August 2020 through the merger of three historic Billerica parishes — St. Andrew (North Billerica, est. 1868), St. Mary (Pinehurst, est. 1937), and St. Theresa of Lisieux (Billerica Center, est. 1945) — it now worships across two active church campuses: St. Andrew Church at 45 Talbot Avenue and St. Theresa of Lisieux Church at 466 Boston Road. The parish is led by Very Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF (Pastor) and Rev. Jean Sassou (Parochial Vicar), with a lay staff supporting faith formation, music, operations, and outreach.
- Established
- 2020
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Evangelist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Matthew the Evangelist welcomes all Catholics in Billerica and visitors to worship at two beautiful historic church campuses, with daily and weekend Masses in English. The parish offers a full sacramental life — Baptism, First Eucharist and Reconciliation, Confirmation (including Adult Confirmation), Marriage, RCIA/OCIA, and funeral ministry — alongside a robust Faith Formation program for children and teens, a music ministry under Director of Music Laura Rosa, an active St. Vincent de Paul conference for those in need, a brand-new Social Justice Ministry, a women's Legion of Mary, and ongoing adult faith studies such as Fr. Chris Casey's recent series on the Nicene Creed. With a full pastoral staff and a clear 'all are welcome' tone, this is a parish that combines small-town familiarity with the breadth of a large, merged Catholic community.
Mass times at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish - St. Andrew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00–2:45 PM at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church (466 Boston Road)
Our Story: Three Parishes Become One
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish was created in August 2020 when Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley and the Archdiocese of Boston united the three Catholic parishes of Billerica into a single faith community. The parish's roots, however, stretch back to 1868, when Oblate missionary Fr. André Marie Garin organized Catholics in North Billerica and named the new mission in honor of St. Andrew. Fr. Louis Lebret became its first pastor in November 1868. As Billerica grew, new parishes were carved out: St. Mary in Pinehurst (1937) and St. Theresa of Lisieux in Billerica Center (1945, current church dedicated 1959). In 2020 these distinct communities were joined under the patronage of St. Matthew the Evangelist — the tax collector turned apostle and author of the first Gospel — a name the parish describes as a fitting symbol of missionary renewal.
- 1868: St. Andrew Parish founded in North Billerica (first pastor Fr. Louis Lebret, OMI)
- 1921: Current St. Andrew Church dedicated
- 1937: St. Mary Parish established in Pinehurst
- 1945: St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish founded in Billerica Center
- 1959: Current St. Theresa of Lisieux Church dedicated
- August 2020: Three parishes merged into St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish
Parish Leadership & Staff
The pastoral team is led by Very Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF, Pastor, with Rev. Jean Sassou as Parochial Vicar. Two priests in residence — Rev. Theophilus T. Okpara and Rev. Romain Rurangirwa — also minister at the parish. Deacon Allan Shanahan assists in diaconal ministry. The lay staff coordinates the day-to-day operations and formation programs.
- Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF — Pastor (ext. 221 / 224)
- Rev. Jean Sassou — Parochial Vicar (ext. 223)
- Rev. Theophilus T. Okpara — In Residence
- Rev. Romain Rurangirwa — In Residence
- Deacon Allan Shanahan — Parish Deacon
- Christine Kilburn — Director of Finance and Operations (ext. 243)
- Heather Murphy — Pastoral Ministry & Projects Coordinator (ext. 200)
- Karen Dubbs — Office Manager (ext. 300)
- Dino Bastianelli — Facilities Manager (ext. 332)
- Tom Mandile — Maintenance Coordinator
Worship Sites
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish worships at two historic church buildings that together cover the entire town of Billerica. Together they host a complete weekly schedule of weekend and weekday Masses in English.
- St. Andrew Church — 45 Talbot Avenue, North Billerica, MA 01862 (Sunday 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM; Tuesday & Friday 12:05 PM)
- St. Theresa of Lisieux Church — 466 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821 (Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM; Sunday 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 AM)
- Saturday Reconciliation: 2:00–2:45 PM at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full Faith Formation program for children and teens, coordinated by Director of Faith Formation Ann Carroll. Children in Grades 1–4 prepare for and receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist with Coordinator of Children's Ministries Karyn Moody. Confirmation preparation and Teen Ministries are led by Alanna Fava, with Dustin Batista assisting as Pastoral Minister for teens and for Adult Confirmation. Faith Formation sessions for grades 3–7 typically meet on Mondays and/or Tuesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with Confirmation Prep gathering on Sundays from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
- Director of Faith Formation: Ann Carroll (ext. 226, [email protected])
- Coordinator of Children's Ministries (Grades 1–4, First Sacraments): Karyn Moody (ext. 444)
- Confirmation & Teen Ministries Coordinator: Alanna Fava (ext. 445)
- Pastoral Minister for Teen Ministries & Adult Confirmation: Dustin Batista (ext. 448)
- Grades 3–7 sessions: Mon/Tue 4:00–7:00 PM
- Confirmation Prep: Sundays 5:00–7:30 PM
- 2025–2026 registration: $160 for 1 child; $260 for 2; $310 for 3+; $50 Confirmation retreat fee
RCIA, Adult Confirmation & OCIA
Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church — or Catholics who have received Baptism and now wish to complete their sacraments — are welcomed through the parish's RCIA / OCIA process, directed by Fr. Chris Casey. Adult Confirmation is also available to already-baptized Catholics who have received First Communion and wish to receive the sacrament as an adult.
- RCIA / OCIA: For unbaptized adults, Christians baptized in another tradition, and Catholics seeking First Communion
- Adult Confirmation: For already-baptized Catholics (contact Dustin Batista)
- Contact Fr. Chris Casey via the parish office to begin inquiry
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry at St. Matthew the Evangelist enhances the liturgy at both church campuses. Director of Music and Organist Mrs. Laura Rosa leads a team of cantors who serve at weekend and holy day Masses.
- Director of Music and Organist: Mrs. Laura Rosa
- Cantors: Maria Coughlan, Rebecca Murphy, Michelle Roy
Outreach & Social Justice
The parish is launching a Social Justice Ministry to put Catholic social teaching into action through service projects, and the parish's long-standing St. Vincent de Paul conference continues to provide direct, confidential assistance to neighbors in Billerica facing financial or material hardship.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society: 978-408-8278 — emergency assistance for those in need
- Social Justice Ministry: newly launched service-focused initiative
- Homebound Ministry: outreach to parishioners unable to attend Mass
- Funeral Ministry: support and planning for families who have lost a loved one
Devotions & Adult Faith Formation
Beyond Sunday Mass, St. Matthew the Evangelist offers ongoing formation for adults. Fr. Chris Casey has led recent study series such as 'We Believe: A Study of the Nicene Creed,' an 8-session course marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.), held in Father Wilson Hall at St. Andrew Church. The parish also hosts the Legion of Mary and other prayer groups.
- We Believe — A Study of the Nicene Creed (8 sessions, Mondays 6:00–7:30 PM, Father Wilson Hall)
- Legion of Mary (active praesidium at the parish)
- Eucharistic devotion opportunities announced in the parish bulletin
Sacraments (Baptism, Marriage, Funerals)
Parishioners and visitors can prepare for and celebrate the major sacraments of Catholic life through the parish office. Baptisms are scheduled after preparation; weddings should be arranged at least 6 months to a year in advance; and the funeral ministry walks with families through the difficult days after the loss of a loved one. Pastoral Minister Heather Murphy coordinates much of this pastoral care.
- Baptism: scheduled through the parish office
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist: through Children's Faith Formation
- Confirmation: through Teen Ministries or Adult Confirmation process
- Marriage: schedule 6–12 months in advance — call 978-663-8816
- Funerals / Bereavement: contact Heather Murphy (ext. 200)
- Mass Intentions: scheduled through the parish office
Parish Office, Address & Hours
The unified parish office is located at 1 Grace Avenue in Billerica, just behind St. Theresa of Lisieux Church. Office hours run four days a week, and staff can be reached by phone, fax, or email. A CORI (background check) process is required for all adult volunteers working with children and youth.
- Parish Office: 1 Grace Avenue, Billerica, MA 01821
- Phone: 978-663-8816
- Fax: 978-663-0577
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- CORI (background check) inquiries: contact Christine Kilburn
Parish Life & Fundraisers
St. Matthew the Evangelist is an active, multigenerational community. Beyond the sacraments and formation, the parish comes together for social and fundraising events that build fellowship and support parish operations. The annual Christmas Fair is one of the parish's signature events, supported by a 'Big Ticket Raffle' limited to 1,000 tickets with a top prize of up to $500.
- Annual Christmas Fair & Big Ticket Raffle
- Lenten parish activities and devotions
- Youth and family fellowship events advertised in the bulletin
- New parishioner registration — call the office or register online