About St. Michael [Ukrainian] · Woonsocket, Rhode Island
St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Byzantine-rite Catholic parish at 394 Blackstone Street in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, serving the faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford. Worship is bilingual in Ukrainian and English, following the Byzantine liturgical tradition of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in communion with Rome. The parish, founded by Ukrainian immigrants in the early 1900s, continues to be a spiritual home for Ukrainian-American families and for anyone drawn to Eastern Catholic worship, especially as it has become a hub of prayer and humanitarian aid for Ukraine since 2022.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- Saint Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Mykhaylo Dosyak
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford (geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence)
Why belong here
St. Michael's is a living Ukrainian Catholic community where the Byzantine liturgical tradition of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is celebrated in both Ukrainian and English, with the Eucharist received under both kinds from a silver 'myrnyk' and ancient Church Slavonic prayers still echoing in the Divine Liturgy. The parish has been a center of prayer, fasting, and humanitarian fundraising for Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, drawing Catholics of every rite as well as Orthodox and Protestant friends to stand in solidarity. Its cemetery, its decorated Byzantine shrine and Millennium Monument, and its bilingual choir make it both a spiritual home for Ukrainian-Americans and a warm place to encounter the Eastern Catholic tradition in New England.
Mass times at St. Michael [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before and after weekend Divine Liturgies
- Before and after Holy Day liturgies
- At other times by arrangement with the priest
Welcome to St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church
St. Michael the Archangel is a Ukrainian Catholic parish in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in communion with Rome and belonging to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford. The parish identifies itself with the words 'a Ukrainian Catholic parish in Woonsocket, Rhode Island' on its homepage, with the parish's phone (401) 762-2733 and its address on Blackstone Street listed for visitors. The site also offers directions and maps for finding the church, its cemetery, and the sister parish of St. John the Baptist in Fall River.
- Address: 394 Blackstone Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Phone: (401) 762-2733
- Mailing address listed on official site
- Facebook page linked from the homepage
- Directions & Maps provided via the official website
What is Ukrainian Catholic?
The parish maintains a page answering the common question: everyone knows Roman Catholic, but what about Ukrainian Catholic? In short, same Pope, but a different rite and different traditions. St. Michael's belongs to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest of the Eastern Catholic Churches in communion with Rome, with more than five million members worldwide. Like other Eastern Catholic faithful, Ukrainian Catholics follow the Byzantine liturgical tradition, with the liturgies of Saints John Chrysostom and Basil, an iconostasis separating the nave from the sanctuary, and the Eucharist received under both species from a silver spoon called a 'myrnyk.'
- Byzantine Rite
- Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil
- Iconostasis separates sanctuary from nave
- Holy Communion received from a silver spoon (myrnyk)
- Liturgical languages: Old Church Slavonic and Ukrainian
- Greater and Nativity Fasts (similar to Eastern Orthodox practice)
- Christmas celebrated from December 25 through the full 12-day cycle
Parish History
The parish was born in 1903, when Ukrainian immigrants in Woonsocket gathered for their first Catholic liturgy, celebrated by Rev. Teofan Obushkevych just before Easter in Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church. After years of schism and a 12-year court battle over church property, the parish was reconsecrated to Catholic use in 1938. Today it stands as one of the most historically significant Ukrainian Catholic parishes in New England.
- 1903 — first Ukrainian Catholic liturgy celebrated in Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church by Rev. Teofan Obushkevych
- 1908 — Rev. Michael Struminsky becomes first permanent pastor
- 1909 — parish incorporated, state charter received January 5, 1909
- 1914 — cemetery purchased, debt paid, 1,290 Ukrainian baptisms recorded
- 1914 — parish choir organized under composer Michaylo Hayworonski
- 1923 — construction begins on Blackstone Street church
- 1924 — Bishop Bohachevskyj blesses the new church on September 24, 1924
- 1926 — parish schism; majority seizes property and forms Ukrainian Autocephalic Orthodox Church
- 1932 — Rev. Basil Tremba arrives to lead the loyal Catholics
- 1938 — church reconsecrated on January 25, 1938
- 1986 — blessing of St. Michael the Archangel parish shrine by Patriarch Maximos V
- 1987 — Bishop Basil Losten crowns the icon of Our Lady of Pochayiv
- 1988 — Millennium Monument dedicated; fourteen-foot Byzantine crucifix of Barre granite
Bulletin & Weekly Schedule
The parish maintains an online parish bulletin with the current Divine Liturgy schedule, intentions for the living and deceased, and parish news. The bulletin is regularly updated, includes bilingual announcements, and notes the prayer 'Pray for Ukraine! Молімось за Україну!' on the front page. Weekday Divine Liturgies are available by arrangement with Father Mykhaylo for special intentions and commemorations.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM (bilingual)
- Saturday Vigil Liturgy: 4:00 PM
- Weekday Liturgy: 9:00 AM (call to confirm)
- Sorokousty for Sundays of Great Lent
- Donations for requested Liturgies go to the priest
- Online bulletins available on the official site
Mass / Divine Liturgy Times
Worship is centered on the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, celebrated bilingually. Confessions are heard before and after weekend Divine Liturgies and on Holy Days.
- Sunday 8:00 AM — Ukrainian/English
- Sunday 11:00 AM — Ukrainian/English
- Saturday 4:00 PM Vigil — English
- Weekdays 9:00 AM — English or Ukrainian
- Holy Days — schedule listed in bulletin
Sacraments
The bulletin summarizes the parish's pastoral practice for the sacraments, which follow Byzantine-rite Catholic norms. Father Mykhaylo is happy to be contacted through the rectory for any sacramental needs, and parishioners are asked to plan ahead for marriage and baptism.
- Baptism and Chrismation — call the rectory before setting a date
- Marriage — at least six months' notice, mandatory pre-marital counseling
- Sacrament of the Sick — notify the rectory for hospitalized, homebound, or nursing-home parishioners
- Confession — before and after weekend Divine Liturgies and Holy Days
- Divine Liturgy intentions — request via Father Mykhaylo
Parish Life, Ministries & Outreach
Parish life at St. Michael's is rooted in the Byzantine tradition and the Ukrainian-American community. The historic parish choir, founded under composer Michaylo Hayworonski in 1914, is a notable thread of continuity, while Ukrainian National Association Branch No. 206 'Zaporozska Sich' — founded in 1910 — connects the parish to Ukrainian civic and cultural life. Since 2022 the parish has been a leading local hub for prayer and humanitarian relief for Ukraine, partnering with the Knights of Columbus and the Diocese of Providence's Office of Ecumenical Relations.
- Parish Choir (founded 1914)
- UNA Branch No. 206 'Zaporozska Sich' (founded 1910)
- Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine — donations sent via the Eparchy of Stamford
- Ecumenical prayer service for Ukraine with the Knights of Columbus
- Annual Statement of Contributions for tax purposes (on request)
- Cemetery plot sales reserved for parishioners
Parish Cemetery
St. Michael's parish cemetery was acquired in 1914 for $1,500, during the pastorate of Father Basil Turula. It remains an active ministry of the parish, with the purchase of plots reserved for parishioners and major improvements coordinated through the rectory.
- Cemetery acquired 1914 for $1,500
- Plots available to parishioners through the rectory
- Contact the rectory before any major improvements
Music, Liturgy & Iconography
Music and icons are central to the Byzantine worship of St. Michael's. The parish choir, organized under composer Michaylo Hayworonski in 1914, has accompanied the faithful through wars, schisms, and a century of growth. The interior features a prominent iconostasis, the Millennium Monument with its fourteen-foot Byzantine crucifix, and the shrine to St. Michael the Archangel. Above the church door, a mosaic icon of Our Lady of Kazan, donated by Rt. Rev. Mitrate John Mowatt, welcomes worshipers.
- Parish Choir organized 1914 under Michaylo Hayworonski
- Iconostasis separates sanctuary from nave
- Shrine to St. Michael the Archangel blessed 1986 by Patriarch Maximos V
- Icon of Our Lady of Pochayiv crowned 1987 by Bishop Basil Losten
- Millennium Monument dedicated 1988 — fourteen-foot Byzantine crucifix of Barre granite
- Bronze plaque of St. Volodymyr baptizing his people
- Mosaic icon of Our Lady of Kazan above the entrance, donated by Mitrate John Mowatt
Ukraine, the War, and Ecumenical Witness
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, St. Michael's has become a focal point of solidarity in Rhode Island. Father Mykhaylo Dosyak — a native of the Carpathian Mountains of Western Ukraine — has hosted ecumenical prayer services with the Knights of Columbus, celebrated Panakhyda for the victims of the war, and coordinated the forwarding of humanitarian donations to the Eparchy of Stamford for distribution. Visitors from every rite, including Orthodox and Protestant Christians, have come to pray and stand in solidarity.
- Father Mykhaylo Dosyak — native of the Carpathian Mountains of Western Ukraine
- Panakhyda service for Ukraine held at the parish
- Joint prayer service with Knights of Columbus for an end to the war
- Father Roman Golemba hearing confessions at ecumenical services
- Father John Kiley (Diocese of Providence Office of Ecumenical Relations) participating
- Humanitarian Aid donations sent via the Byzantine Rite Diocese of Stamford
Visiting & Getting Involved
St. Michael's warmly welcomes visitors, whether they are lifelong Ukrainian Catholics, Byzantine Christians from other traditions, Roman Catholics, or anyone drawn to Eastern worship. The bulletin asks the faithful to remember the church and cemetery in their wills and to pray for deceased, sick, and homebound parishioners. Newcomers are encouraged to introduce themselves to Father Mykhaylo after Divine Liturgy.
- Remember the church and cemetery in your will
- Pray for the souls of deceased, sick, and homebound parishioners
- Stand in solidarity with Ukraine — 'Pray for Ukraine! Молімось за Україну!'
- Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Her Heroes.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Teofan Obushkevych1903
Celebrated the first Ukrainian Catholic liturgy in Woonsocket just before Easter 1903 in Precious Blood Roman Catholic Church.
- Rev. Michael Struminsky1908-
First permanent pastor; organized the parish and received its state charter on January 5, 1909.
- Rev. Vladimir Dowhovych1910-
Organized UNA Branch No. 206 'Zaporozska Sich'.
- Rev. Basil Turula1911-
Bought cemetery, paid off church debt in 1914; acquired Blackstone Street property for a new church; also served the new St. Stephen's parish in Manville from 1917.
- Rev. Michael Kuzmak, Volodymyr Kozoriz, Antin Lotovych, Volodymyr Obushkevych, Myron Zalitach, Yuri Krupa, Roman Volynec1920-1922
Series of priests who served Woonsocket between pastorates.
- Rev. Onufri Kovalska1924-
Served the congregation at the blessing of the new Blackstone Street church by Bishop Bohachevskyj on September 24, 1924.
- Rev. Hlib Verchoswky1925-
Arrived as pastor in 1925; led the Ukrainian Catholic faithful during the schism when the property was seized.
- Rev. Basil Tremba1932-
Sent by Bishop Bohachevskyj in February 1932; reinstated the parish corporation; church was reconsecrated on January 25, 1938.
- Rt. Rev. Mitrate John Mowatt
Blessed the St. Volodymyr bronze plaque; donated the mosaic icon of Our Lady of Kazan above the church door.
- Rev. Msgr. Roman Golemba1997-
Succeeded Monsignor John Squiller on November 4, 1997; retired priest of the Eparchy of Stamford who continues to assist at the parish.
- Rev. Mykhaylo Dosyakcurrent
Native of a village in the Carpathian Mountains of Western Ukraine; came to the U.S. in 2001; serves both St. Michael's Woonsocket and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Fall River, MA.