St. Pius V

About HOST Catholic Collaborative

HOST Catholic Collaborative brings together two historic Lynn parishes, St. Pius V on Maple Street and Holy Family on Bessom Street, under a single pastoral team led by Father Mark Derrane. The collaborative shares one parish office (26 Bessom Street, Lynn, MA 01902) and one phone number, (781) 595-7487. The merger took effect in June 2017 with Father Robert Poitras as the collaborative's first pastor; Father Mark Derrane has served as Pastor and Administrator since 2023. Together, the two parishes serve the spiritual and educational needs of Lynn's Catholic community on the Massachusetts North Shore.

History of St. Pius V Parish

St. Pius V Parish traces its origin to June 27, 1911, when land on Maple Street was purchased with space for a church, school, and rectory. Funds were raised by Father John Harrington and the parishioners of St. Joseph's Church to create a dedicated parish for Wards 1, 2, and part of Ward 3 of Lynn. Father John Gorham, a Lynn native, was the first pastor, and the lower church was built in 1913. Through more than a century of pastors, the parish grew to include the upper church (dedicated July 3, 1949), a parish school (opened 1945), the Maple Street Clubhouse, and the present rectory/Pastoral Center at 215 Maple Street (1966).

• Lower church built 1913
• Upper church dedicated July 3, 1949 by Cardinal Cushing
• St. Pius V School opened November 26, 1945 (blessed by Archbishop Richard Cushing)
• New school building dedicated October 31, 1959 by Cardinal Cushing
• Pastoral Center (former rectory) built 1966 at 215 Maple Street
• Merged with Holy Family Church in June 2017 to form HOST Catholic Collaborative

St. Pius V School

St. Pius V School is the parish's Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic elementary school, located at 28 Bowler Street, Lynn — just west of the church at 215 Maple Street. The school was blessed by Archbishop Richard Cushing on November 26, 1945, and began with grades 1 and 2 taught by Sisters of St. Joseph in the Maple Street Clubhouse at 182 Maple Street. The current school building, dedicated by Cardinal Cushing on October 31, 1959, bears the seals of Cardinal Cushing and Pope Saint Pius V on its facade. The school was first accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges in 1995, and has been renewed every ten years since. The Sisters of St. Joseph staffed the school from 1945 until the last sisters departed in 2008, after which the school became entirely lay-staffed. Its current principal is Mary Beth Noé.

• Grades served: Pre-K through 8
• Address: 28 Bowler Street, Lynn, MA
• Founded: November 26, 1945
• New school building dedicated: October 31, 1959
• NEASC accreditation since 1995, renewed every ten years
• Principal: Mary Beth Noé

Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation

Children's religious education and sacramental preparation are coordinated through the Director of Religious Education, Fran Taylor, who can be reached at [email protected]. In keeping with Archdiocese of Boston practice, First Communion is ordinarily celebrated in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 8th grade. Adults interested in joining the Catholic Church, returning after a time away, or completing their Sacraments of Initiation are invited to contact the parish office for information about the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.

• First Communion preparation (ordinarily Grade 2)
• Confirmation preparation (ordinarily Grade 8)
• OCIA / Becoming Catholic (adults)
• Adult Confirmation
• Adult Faith Formation series and Days of Reflection

Parish Ministries and Groups

St. Pius V's parish ministries fall into liturgical, musical, formational, and pastoral categories. Liturgical ministries include altar servers, lectors, and ushers (sign up through the parish office). Music Ministry, directed by Pat Caulfield, welcomes choir singers and cantors. Adult Faith Formation offers regular series of classes and days of reflection, advertised on the parish's Facebook page. A Bereavement Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Lower Church Hall (which is handicap accessible) for those mourning the loss of a spouse or loved one.

• Liturgical Ministries: Altar Servers, Lectors, Ushers
• Music Ministry: Choir and Cantors (Pat Caulfield, Director/Organist)
• Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation (Fran Taylor, DRE)
• Adult Faith Formation
• OCIA / Adult Confirmation
• Bereavement Support Group (last Wednesday of the month, 6:30–7:30 PM, Lower Church Hall)

Meet the Staff

The HOST Catholic Collaborative staff includes Father Mark Derrane as Pastor, two permanent deacons (Deacon Bill Jackson and Deacon James Hinkle), and lay staff who keep the parishes and school running. Mary Beth Noé serves as Principal of St. Pius V School; Fran Taylor is Director of Religious Education; Mary Ellen Lepley is Business & Operations Manager; Pat Caulfield directs Music Ministry as organist and choir director; and Sandy Hildonen serves as Secretary at the parish office.

• Fr. Mark Derrane — Pastor
• Deacon Bill Jackson — Permanent Deacon
• Deacon James Hinkle — Permanent Deacon
• Mary Beth Noé — Principal, St. Pius V School
• Fran Taylor — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
• Mary Ellen Lepley — Business & Operations Manager
• Pat Caulfield — Music Director / Organist (781-595-7487)
• Sandy Hildonen — Secretary (781-595-7487; [email protected])

Live Stream

A 24/7 live stream from St. Pius V Church is available through the parish website, allowing the homebound, traveling parishioners, and members of the wider community to remain connected with the liturgy and prayer life of the parish.