About St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish - St. Theresa · Billerica, Massachusetts
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish is a Roman Catholic community serving the entire town of Billerica, Massachusetts, within the Archdiocese of Boston. Formed in August 2020 from the consolidation 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) — the combined parish continues to worship in its three original church buildings under one pastoral team. Its pastor is Very Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF, assisted by a parochial vicar, resident priests, a deacon, and a staff of lay ministry and faith formation leaders. The parish welcomes all to participate in its sacramental life, faith formation programs for children and teens, music ministry, outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Legion of Mary prayer groups.
- Established
- 2020
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Evangelist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish welcomes every Catholic and seeker in Billerica into a single faith community that has more than 150 years of local history behind it. Parishioners can attend Mass at either St. Andrew Church (45 Talbot Ave., North Billerica) or St. Theresa Church (466 Boston Rd., Billerica Center), bring children and teens through a comprehensive Faith Formation program (grades 1–8, Confirmation, and a separate teen-ministries track), and serve in Legion of Mary prayer groups, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, music ministry, lectors, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. With a pastor and parochial vicar, a deacon, resident priests, and a staff that includes a Director of Faith Formation and a Pastoral Ministry Coordinator, the parish offers RCIA, Baptism prep, Adult Confirmation, Marriage preparation, and Funeral ministry as concrete ways to walk with people through every stage of Catholic life.
Mass times at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish - St. Theresa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00–2:45 PM at St. Theresa Church (additional communal/Lenten opportunities are scheduled seasonally — e.g., 'Soup and Stations' during Lent)
Adoration times
- Seasonal Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction following the Novena of the Sacred Heart (held periodically at St. Andrew Church); check the parish bulletin for current dates.
Parish History
Catholic life in Billerica dates to 1868, when a mission was established to minister to Irish immigrant families in North Billerica; the mission became the Parish of St. Andrew, with Fr. Louis Lebret as its first pastor in November 1868. As the Catholic population grew, St. Mary Parish was founded in 1937 in Pinehurst and St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish was established in 1945 in Billerica Center (current church dedicated 1959). Beginning in 2013, the three parishes were part of the Archdiocese of Boston's 'Disciples in Mission' collaborative initiative, gradually merging their pastoral, financial, faith formation, and outreach ministries. In January 2020 the joint Pastoral and Finance Councils recommended formal consolidation; Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley decreed the merger on May 29, 2020, and effective July 31, 2020, the three parishes were joined as St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish under Fr. Paul J. Aveni. The new parish received a first-class relic of St. Matthew from the closing St. Matthew Church in Dorchester in November 2020. St. Mary's Church was subsequently closed in late 2021.
- 1868 — St. Andrew mission established in North Billerica; Fr. Louis Lebret first pastor (Nov. 1868).
- 1937 — St. Mary Parish founded in Pinehurst.
- 1945 — St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish founded in Billerica Center; current church dedicated 1959.
- 2013 — Billerica parishes enter Cardinal O'Malley's 'Disciples in Mission' collaborative (first phase).
- Jan. 2020 — Joint Pastoral/Finance Councils propose becoming a single parish.
- May 29, 2020 — Cardinal O'Malley decrees the merger.
- July 31, 2020 — Effective date of St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish; Fr. Paul J. Aveni first pastor.
- Nov. 17, 2020 — Relic of St. Matthew received from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Dorchester).
- Late 2021 — St. Mary's Church closes; worship continues at St. Andrew and St. Theresa.
Our Three Former Communities
The consolidated parish honors and continues the legacy of its three predecessor parishes. Each is described in the parish directory and bulletins under its original name.
- St. Andrew Church — 45 Talbot Avenue, North Billerica, MA 01862. Sunday Masses 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM; weekday Mass Tuesday and Friday at 12:05 PM; Legion of Mary rosary Friday 11:30 AM.
- St. Theresa of Lisieux Church — 466 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821. Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM; Sunday Masses 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM; weekday Mass Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:00 AM; Confession Saturday 2:00–2:45 PM; Rosary Sunday 9:00 AM.
- St. Mary Church (Pinehurst) — closed 2021.
Pastoral Team & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Very Rev. Christopher J. Casey, VF, assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Jean (Tounoussia) Sassou, with resident priests Fr. Romain Rurangirwa and Fr. Theophilus T. Okpara, and Deacon Allan (Al) Shanahan. A full lay team supports parish operations, faith formation, music, and facilities.
- Rev. Christopher J. Casey — Pastor (ext. 221 / 224)
- Rev. Jean Sassou — Parochial Vicar (ext. 223)
- Rev. Romain Rurangirwa — Resident Clergy
- Rev. Theophilus (Theophilius T.) Okpara — Resident Clergy
- Deacon Allan (Al) Shanahan — Parish Deacon
- Christine Kilburn — Director of Finance & Operations (ext. 243)
- Heather Murphy — Pastoral Ministry & Projects Coordinator (ext. 200)
- Karen Dubbs — Office Manager (ext. 300)
- Dino Bastianelli — Facilities Manager (ext. 332)
- Ann Carroll — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 226)
- Karyn Moody — Coordinator of Children's Ministries (Grades 1–4, First Reconciliation & First Eucharist) (ext. 444)
- Deb Fergus — Senior Coordinator for Faith Formation, Coordinator Grades 5–8 (ext. 442)
- Alanna Fava — Confirmation & Teen Ministries (ext. 445)
- Dustin Batista — Pastoral Minister for Baptism Preparation, Adult Confirmation, & Teen Ministries (ext. 448)
- Laura Rosa — Music Director and Organist
- Cantors: Maria Coughlan, Rebecca Murphy, Michelle Roy
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's faith formation team acknowledges that families today 'need flexibility and adaptability,' and offers programming for children, teens, and adults seeking initiation or completion of the sacraments.
- Children's Ministries (Grades 1–4) — Karyn Moody (ext. 444)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation
- Senior Coordinator, Grades 5–8 — Deb Fergus (ext. 442)
- Confirmation & Teen Ministries — Alanna Fava (ext. 445)
- Baptism Preparation and Adult Confirmation — Dustin Batista (ext. 448)
- RCIA — for the unbaptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition, or Catholics needing First Communion; contact Fr. Chris
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with clear staff contacts and pre-requirements published in the directory and bulletins.
- Baptism — call 978.663.8816 or contact the Baptism Preparation minister
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (children) — Children's Ministries
- Confirmation (teen & adult) — Teen Ministries / Dustin Batista
- Adult Confirmation — for baptized Catholics who have received First Communion (contact Dustin Batista)
- RCIA — Fr. Chris Casey
- Marriage — call 978.663.8816 or email [email protected] 6+ months ahead
- Anointing of the Sick & Funerals — Heather Murphy or parish office
- Mass Intentions — schedule via parish office
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music Ministry is led by Director and Organist Laura Rosa, supported by cantors Maria Coughlan, Rebecca Murphy, and Michelle Roy. The parish invites parishioners to serve as Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or Homebound Minister; training is provided and a current CORI (background check) must be on file.
- Music Director & Organist — Laura Rosa
- Cantors — Maria Coughlan, Rebecca Murphy, Michelle Roy
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Homebound Ministry
- Servers and other liturgical volunteers
Devotions & Prayer Groups
Beyond Mass, the parish hosts regular devotions centered on the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary, organized largely by the Legion of Mary.
- Novena of the Sacred Heart — seasonal evening at St. Andrew Church with rosary, Novena, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction
- Legion of Mary Rosary — Friday 11:30 AM at St. Andrew Church
- Legion of Mary Rosary — Sunday 9:00 AM at St. Theresa Church
- Legion of Mary meeting — Tuesday 2:30 PM in the Parish Offices at St. Theresa
- Communal Confession events (e.g. Lenten 'Soup and Stations')
- Prayer Chain (St. Matthew Prayer Chain Group — contact Pat or Charline via the parish office)
Outreach & Charity — St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish operates a local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to serve neighbors in need throughout the Billerica community. Parishioners seeking assistance or wishing to volunteer are invited to contact the conference directly.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — phone 978-408-8278
- Assistance requests can also be made through the parish office at 978.663.8816
Parish Office & Visiting
The consolidated Parish Office is located at 1 Grace Avenue, Billerica, MA 01821, behind St. Theresa Church, and is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Phone 978.663.8816; fax 978-663-0577. The parish's two active worship sites remain St. Andrew Church (45 Talbot Ave., North Billerica) and St. Theresa Church (466 Boston Rd., Billerica).
- Parish Office: 1 Grace Avenue, Billerica, MA 01821
- Phone: 978.663.8816 — Fax: 978-663-0577
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
- St. Theresa Church: 466 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821
- St. Andrew Church: 45 Talbot Avenue, North Billerica, MA 01862
- Email: [email protected]
- Online Giving supplies approximately 40% of parish contributions
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Paul J. Aveni2020 (formation)–pastor at merger
First pastor of the consolidated St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish; led the collaborative parishes of Billerica and chose the parish name from M(ary), A(ndrew), T(heresa); received the relic of St. Matthew from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in 2020.