About St. Matthias · Marlborough, Massachusetts
St. Matthias Parish is a Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 409 Hemenway Street in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The parish was established in 1963 (with the church building following thereafter) and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1988, making it a relatively young but well-established faith community within the Marlborough-Hudson cluster. Today the parish is served by Fr. Stephen Madden as pastor alongside three deacons and a lay staff, and it offers weekend and daily Mass, Faith Formation for children and adults, a Music Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a busy schedule of liturgical and pastoral ministries. Its mission statement is simple and direct: "To live out the message of Jesus Christ and become, in fact and appearance, a true Christian community."
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. Matthias (Apostle, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot)
- Rector
- Fr. Stephen Madden
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (Metropolitan Archdiocese)
Why belong here
St. Matthias is a welcoming mid-sized Archdiocese of Boston parish where Sunday Mass is offered Saturday evening and Sunday morning (with recorded/online Mass available on Facebook and the parish website). The parish invests in faith formation for every age — from grade-school religious education through a two-year Confirmation cycle and ongoing adult formation — and offers a full Music Ministry led by a dedicated director. Its St. Vincent de Paul Conference, St. Francis House Clothing Drive, and homebound Communion visitation give parishioners tangible ways to live out the Gospel and serve neighbors in need across MetroWest.
Mass times at St. Matthias
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM in the Reconciliation Room (left of the front pews when facing the altar)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration was historically held on the second Wednesday of each month, 2:00–8:00 PM (per 2008 MetroWest Daily News listings; current schedule should be confirmed with the parish office).
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Matthias Parish is a Catholic faith community of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 409 Hemenway Street in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Its published mission is concise and explicit: 'To live out the message of Jesus Christ and become, in fact and appearance, a true Christian community.' The parish traces its roots to 1963 and continues to serve the east-side Marlborough Catholic community as a territorial parish.
- Mission: 'To live out the message of Jesus Christ and become, in fact and appearance, a true Christian community.'
- Patron: St. Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (feast day May 14).
- Founded 1963; 25th anniversary celebrated in 1988.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston.
Parish History
Founded in 1963 to serve Catholics in Marlborough, St. Matthias grew steadily over its first quarter-century and marked that milestone in a 1988 commemorative volume titled 'St. Matthias Parish : 1963-1988 : 25 years a Marlboro parish.' When the Archdiocese of Boston reviewed its Marlborough-Hudson cluster in the early 2000s, the parish was retained thanks to its territorial-parish status, ~600-seat worship space, ample parking, and land available for expansion.
- 1963 — parish canonically established in the Archdiocese of Boston.
- 1988 — 25th anniversary commemorative booklet published.
- 2004 — reviewed in Archdiocese of Boston pastoral planning for the Marlborough-Hudson cluster; retained as active territorial parish.
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Stephen Madden, supported by a senior leadership team that includes three permanent deacons and a dedicated lay staff for faith formation, music, parish operations, and facilities. Contact information for each staff member is published on the parish website, including direct email addresses (using the @stmattpar.org domain).
- Fr. Stephen Madden — Pastor (x111, [email protected])
- Douglas Peltak — Senior Deacon (x103, [email protected])
- Paul G. Coletti — Deacon ([email protected])
- Russ Morey — Senior Deacon ([email protected])
- Theresa Salafia — Director of Faith Formation (x107, [email protected])
- Peter Brockmann — Director of Music Ministry ([email protected])
- Lisa Hanley — Office Manager (x101, [email protected])
- Darleen Doona — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- David Resendes — Maintenance
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Matthias is described on the parish website as 'a lifelong process,' encompassing sacramental preparation for children, ongoing religious education through Grade 10, Confirmation preparation, and adult formation opportunities. The 2025–26 program year runs with published tuition rates and a downloadable calendar.
- Grades 1–8 religious education (electronic and paper registration)
- Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist / First Reconciliation (Grade 2) and Confirmation I & II (Grades 9–10+)
- Confirmation — two-year cycle; adults completing Christian Initiation contact the Pastor
- Adult Formation — programs addressing current issues in light of the Gospel
- Tuition 2025–26: $120 per student + $55 sacramental-prep fee
Music Ministry
St. Matthias Music Ministry sees itself as 'Witnesses to God's word through song,' aiming to deepen both members' and the congregation's connection to Scripture through liturgical music. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM and welcomes new members.
- Director: Peter Brockmann ([email protected])
- Mission: '...to deepen both our own and the congregation's understanding of and connection to scripture.'
- Choir rehearsal: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is woven into parish life through three signature efforts: the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference, the annual St. Francis House Clothing Drive, and Communion/pastoral visitation to the homebound. The Bereavement Support Group is currently led by Deacon Doug Peltak on an individual-appointment basis.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — President Jackie Tolan; helpline 508-633-3852; serves those in need in the Marlborough area.
- St. Francis House Clothing Drive — annual collection in late October/early November benefiting Boston-area poor and homeless.
- Parish Outreach & Communion Visitation to the Homebound — training available for lay Ministers of Communion and pastoral visitors.
- Bereavement Support Group — facilitated by Deacon Doug Peltak (508-460-9255 x103).
Getting Involved (Parish Registration & Volunteer Corps)
St. Matthias maintains a Parish Registration form that doubles as a volunteer-interest survey, inviting parishioners and newcomers to plug into one or more of nearly twenty ministries. From liturgical roles (Altar Server, Lector, Usher/Greeter) to parish life (Coffee Social, Shawl Ministry, Christmas Bazaar) and outreach (St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis House, Prayer Line), there is a place for nearly every talent and schedule.
- Altar Server
- Art & Environment
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Choir / Music
- Coffee Social Host/Help
- Faith Formation Catechist / Hall Monitor / Aide
- Fundraising Events (Christmas Bazaar, Yard Sale)
- Funerals / Bereavement Ministry
- Lector
- Office Work
- Prayer Line Team
- Shawl Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Triduum
- Usher / Greeter
Visit, Contact & Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, email, or in person during posted office hours. The parish maintains an online presence via its official website (stmattpar.org) and Facebook page (@stmattpar), where weekly bulletins and recorded Masses are posted.
- Address: 409 Hemenway Street, Marlborough, MA 01752
- Phone: 508-460-9255 / 508-460-9256 — Fax: 508-480-8801
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon / Tue / Thu, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Weather policy: If Marlborough Public Schools are closed, the office is closed and morning Mass is cancelled.
- Official website: https://stmattpar.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmattpar/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis P. O'Brienat least 2008 (listed as Pastor in 2008 MetroWest Daily News church listings)
Listed as Pastor in published church service listings; specific tenure on either side not documented on current parish website.
- Fr. Stephen Maddencurrent
Current Pastor (per official parish staff page).