St. Paul the Apostle

About St. Paul the Apostle

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church has been sharing faith in Jesus Christ since its founding in 1972. The parish's own welcome message reads: 'Grace to you and peace… All are welcome to worship with us and to join us in living out our faith by being the heart and hands of Jesus.' Tucked into a wooded stretch of the Danielson Pike in Foster, the church is a small but enduring presence in rural western Rhode Island and is part of the Diocese of Providence.

History of the Parish

Father Paul J. LaPorte founded St. Paul the Apostle in 1972 after serving at St. Joseph, North Scituate, and he remained as pastor until 1985. The parish was formally incorporated in Rhode Island on May 16, 1972, as St. Paul's Church Corporation, Foster. Father Paul Grenon succeeded him as pastor, and the current pastor, Father M.J. Bernard Doré, continues the work today alongside Deacon Fernando Botelho. The parish marked its 45th anniversary in 2017 (with a blessing of a statue of St. Teresa of Calcutta) and its 50th anniversary on October 2, 2022, with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presiding.

• 1972 — Parish founded by Father Paul J. LaPorte; corporation incorporated May 16, 1972.
• 1972–1985 — Father LaPorte serves as first pastor.
• Father Paul Grenon succeeds Father LaPorte as second pastor.
• 2017 — 45th anniversary celebrated; statue of St. Teresa of Calcutta blessed.
• 2022 — 50th anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving with Bishop Tobin, Father Doré, Father Grenon and founding pastor Father LaPorte concelebrating.
• 2022–2024 — Retired Father LaPorte briefly returns to minister at St. Paul the Apostle.
• March 20, 2025 — Father Paul J. LaPorte dies at age 85.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Father M.J. Bernard Doré, who is also secretary and treasurer of St. Paul's Church Corporation. Deacon Fernando Botelho assists at Mass and in parish life — he coordinated the anniversary cookbook that gathered family recipes, historical photos and stories from across the community.

• Pastor: Rev. M.J. Bernard Doré
• Deacon: Fernando Botelho

Mass & Service Schedule

The parish offers Mass on Saturday evening (Vigil), twice on Sunday morning, and three weekday mornings. Holy Days are observed with both a morning and an evening Mass. For those who cannot come inside, the church broadcasts its liturgy on 107.9 FM so worshippers can listen from the parking lot and receive Communion outside.

• Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
• Weekday Masses: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 AM
• Holy Days: 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM
• Confessions: Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM, or by appointment
• Adoration: Friday 9:30–10:30 AM
• Drive-in worship: 107.9 FM from the parking lot

Parish Ministries & Outreach

St. Paul the Apostle lives out its mission of being 'the heart and hands of Jesus' through several active ministries. Its food pantry serves the broader community, and in 2016 the parish launched a seniors-only Commodity Supplemental Food Program in partnership with the RI Community Food Bank, funded by a USDA grant and distributed through the RI Division of Elderly Affairs.

• Food Pantry — open to anyone in need from the area; located in the building to the right of the church, entered through the double doors in front.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program — for income-eligible seniors age 60+; second and fourth Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM–11:30 AM; no fees; document requirements include photo ID, proof of income and proof of address.
• Knights of Columbus — hosted anniversary brunches and parish festivals.
• Bible Study — regular group meeting on parish grounds.
• Parish Cookbook — anniversary project gathering family recipes, historical photos and stories.
• Online Giving — secure portal via ParishSOFT Giving.

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the Eucharist daily in its published schedule, offers the sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday afternoon, and holds Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays. Couples preparing for marriage are welcomed, and the parish has a tradition of honoring long-married couples — Bishop Tobin congratulated milestone-anniversary couples at both the 45th and 50th anniversary Masses.

• Eucharist
• Reconciliation (Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM and by appointment)
• Eucharistic Adoration (Friday 9:30–10:30 AM)
• Marriage preparation and anniversary blessings

Community & Cultural Life

Although it does not take many people to make the small church appear crowded, anniversary Masses at St. Paul's have been standing-room-only events. The community is notably diverse, weaving together Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Indian and other cultural traditions — a heritage made visible in its anniversary cookbook and in the food shared at parish festivals.