About St. Patrick · Northfield, Massachusetts
St. Patrick Parish is a small Roman Catholic (Roman Rite) parish in the rural town of Northfield, Massachusetts, situated in the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. The parish sits on Main Street in a quiet Franklin County community on the Vermont border, drawing parishioners from Massachusetts as well as neighboring Vermont and New Hampshire. Its present Gothic Revival–style church was dedicated in 1886 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as part of the Northfield Main Street Historic District. Today the parish is served by a pastor together with two deacons, offering daily and weekend Mass plus Saturday confessions in a close-knit 'little country parish' setting.
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Bombardier
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a small, welcoming country parish that draws Catholics from across Franklin County and from neighboring towns in Vermont and New Hampshire. Worshippers can attend a Saturday Vigil, a Sunday morning, and four weekday Masses in English, plus monthly First Saturday Mass and Saturday confessions — all in an intimate setting. The parish is known for its healing Masses and anointing of the sick, its pastoral visitations, and active lay involvement through a parish council that helps shape parish life; newcomers consistently describe being embraced 'with open arms and warm hearts.'
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 3:50 PM, or by appointment
Parish History
St. Patrick Parish was originally established as a mission of the Catholic church in Millers Falls, with early Masses celebrated in the Northfield town hall. As the local Catholic population grew, parishioners built the present wood-frame Gothic Revival church on Main Street, which was dedicated on December 5, 1886. The building included an organ donated by Dwight L. Moody, the nationally famous evangelist and Northfield native. The historic church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and stands within the Northfield Main Street Historic District.
- Founded as a mission of Millers Falls Catholic parish
- Current church dedicated December 5, 1886
- Gothic Revival style, wood frame with clapboard exterior and pointed-arch windows
- Organ donated by evangelist Dwight L. Moody (Northfield native)
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982
- Part of the Northfield Main Street Historic District
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by a resident pastor assisted by two deacons. The present pastor, the Rev. Paul Bombardier, was reassigned to St. Patrick's by Bishop William Byrne; he started at 80 Main Street on December 7 and is described by parishioners as 'a great fit for this little country parish.' Fr. Bombardier was ordained August 7, 1982, grew up bilingual in English and French in western Massachusetts, and previously served at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec. Two permanent deacons — David Culliton and Arthur Ratte — assist in liturgical and pastoral ministry alongside the pastor.
- Rev. Paul Bombardier — Pastor (arrived December 7)
- Rev. Thomas Lisowski — former pastor (on administrative leave since 2019)
- Deacon David Culliton
- Deacon Arthur Ratte
Healing Mass & Anointing of the Sick
St. Patrick's is particularly known for its periodic healing Masses celebrated with the anointing of the sick. On January 21, 2017, the parish held its third healing Mass in six months; more than 70 people attended the Saturday Vigil, and 55 received the sacrament of anointing from Fr. Lisowski using the oil of the sick blessed by the bishop at the chrism Mass. Father Lisowski explained the anointing is available not only to those near death but to anyone who is sick, elderly, or facing surgery, and that it brings spiritual healing and unites the sufferer to the suffering of Christ.
- Healing Mass celebrated several times a year
- Anointing of the Sick available within Mass for the sick, elderly, and those facing surgery
- Uses the Oil of the Sick blessed by the bishop at the annual Chrism Mass
Parish Ministries
This small country parish depends on lay involvement for much of its pastoral care. The Parish Council, whose members help guide parish life, has been active in welcoming new programs and fresh initiatives brought by the current pastor. Pastoral visitations to the sick and homebound and a funeral ministry are ongoing concerns, alongside the parish's signature healing Masses.
- Parish Council (elected lay leadership)
- Pastoral Visitations to the sick and homebound
- Funeral Ministry
- Healing Mass / Anointing ministry
Sacraments
The two sacraments regularly scheduled at St. Patrick's are Confession (Saturday afternoons or by appointment) and the Anointing of the Sick (offered both within scheduled healing Masses and, traditionally, on request). Other sacraments — baptism, marriage, first Communion, confirmation — are typically arranged through the parish office.
- Confession: Saturdays 3:15–3:50 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick: at healing Masses and by request
Visiting St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's is a small rural parish of about 110 members that draws worshippers from throughout western Massachusetts and from just across the border in Vermont and New Hampshire. The historic 1886 Gothic Revival church sits on Main Street in the heart of Northfield, and the attached rectory/parish office is located at 80 Main Street. Visitors are welcomed at any of the parish's six weekly Masses or at the Saturday afternoon confession.
- Parish of approximately 110 members
- Draws visitors from Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire
- Worshipping community described as 'a great fit for this little country parish'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas Lisowskithrough 2019
Placed on medical/administrative leave in late 2019; celebrated the parish's healing Masses including one in January 2017 with 55 anointings of the sick.
- Rev. Paul Bombardier2020–present
Arrived December 7; ordained a priest on August 7, 1982; grew up bilingual in English and French in western Massachusetts; previously served in Springfield and at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Quebec.