About St. Raphael · Medford, Massachusetts
St. Raphael Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in West Medford, Massachusetts, within the Archdiocese of Boston. Established in January 1905 to serve the growing Catholic community of West Medford, the parish has been led by 14 pastors over the course of its more than a century of ministry. It operates a parish school, a religious education program, a vibrant music ministry with three choirs, and a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries. The current pastor is Rev. Paul Coughlin, and the parish's stated mission is to live gospel values, celebrate the Eucharist, and serve parishioners and the wider community.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Raphael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Coughlin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Raphael is an active West Medford parish with a strong sense of community rooted in Christian ideals. Newcomers are invited to introduce themselves, and the parish highlights its liturgical hospitality, inclusion of those with special challenges, and welcoming spirit. With nine weekly Masses (four on Sunday during the school year), a faith formation program, three choirs serving adults, young adults, and children, a parish school served by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and ministries reaching out to the homebound and the wider community, St. Raphael offers both a sacramental home and many ways to participate.
Mass times at St. Raphael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM, or anytime upon request
History of St. Raphael Parish
St. Raphael Parish was established in January 1905 to serve the growing Catholic population of West Medford. Founding pastor Father Nathaniel Merritt organized a bazaar to fund a rectory and land purchase; the first church, in Spanish-mission style, was dedicated October 29, 1905. Over the next century successive pastors expanded the church, added a parish hall, opened a school (1961), and navigated both the rise of Vatican II and the devastating fire of December 7, 1990. The rebuilt fieldstone church was dedicated in 1993 and the parish continues to thrive under its 14th-line pastor.
- Parish established January 1905
- First church dedicated October 29, 1905 (Spanish-mission style)
- School opened 1961; staffed since 1960 by the Sisters of St. Joseph
- Fire destroyed the original church on December 7, 1990
- New church dedicated by Cardinal Law on December 19, 1993
Leadership and Staff
Rev. Paul Coughlin serves as the current pastor, having become pastor in 2018 after a period as Parish Administrator. He is assisted by Deacon Mark Rumley, with parish operations run from the Parish Center at 514 High Street. The parish office is staffed by a Business Manager, secretaries and administrative assistants, and the religious education team.
- Pastor: Rev. Paul Coughlin
- Deacon: Mark Rumley
- Parish Business Manager: Lisa Keen
- Parish Secretary: Anne Campbell
- Administrative Assistant: Kerryn Plant
- Director of Religious Education: Margo Malone
- Director of Religious Education Assistant: Dr. Ginny McCabe / Michael Kelly
- Music Director (Adult Choir): David Colpitts / Ryan Lynch
- Young Adult Music Director: Nicole Panico
- Principal (School): Anthony Moccia / Bill Caddigan
Liturgical Ministries
St. Raphael has an extensive roster of lay liturgical ministries that support Sunday Masses and bring the Eucharist beyond the church walls. The Music Ministry in particular is highlighted as a 'vibrant and active' program with three choirs — adult, young adult, and children's — applying St. Augustine's principle that 'one who sings, prays twice.'
- Music Ministry (Adult Choir, 'One Voice' Young Adult Choir, Children's Choir)
- Welcoming Committee
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Lectors (including high-school-age lectors)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist to the Sick (homebound / nursing homes)
- Altar Servers (open to grade 4 and up; contact Fr. Coughlin)
- Altar Society
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the three sacraments of initiation and marriage according to standard Catholic practice. Baptisms are scheduled on the third Sunday of each month; Confirmation preparation is coordinated through the Religious Education Office; and weddings require an initial meeting with a priest at least six months in advance plus a Marriage Preparation Course.
- Baptism: third Sunday of each month — call 781-488-5444
- Confirmation: contact the Religious Education Office at 781-483-1139
- Marriage: priest meeting at least six months in advance plus Marriage Preparation Course; music arranged with Music Director
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Raphael's Religious Education program (CCD) offers Catholic faith formation for the children of the parish. Classes meet on Monday mornings at 9:15 AM, and inquiries about the Confirmation track can be directed to the Religious Education Office.
- Director of Religious Education: Margo Malone
- Assistant: Dr. Ginny McCabe
- Classes meet Mondays at 9:15 AM
- Confirmation inquiries: 781-483-1139
St. Raphael Parish School
The parish has operated an elementary school since 1961, staffed since 1960 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Today St. Raphael Parish School serves students from Preschool through Grade 8 in a Catholic Liberal Arts educational tradition that aims 'to build our students' capacity to think well.' The principal is Anthony Moccia, and the school offers before- and after-school care, a daily hot-lunch program, and tuition assistance through the Catholic Schools Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul Society.
- Operating continuously since 1961
- Staffed since 1960 by the Sisters of St. Joseph
- Programs: Preschool, Pre-K, K, Grades 1–8
- Principal: Anthony Moccia
- Tuition (2025–2026): $8,100 per K–8 student; multi-sibling discounts
- Tuition assistance through Catholic Schools Foundation and St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Before- and after-school child care available
Music Ministry
Music is described as 'an integral part of the Liturgy' at St. Raphael, with three choirs supported by professional cantors. The Children's Choir sings at the 9:15 AM Mass (rehearsals Mondays 3:00–4:00 PM in the church) and is open to children in grades K–8. 'One Voice,' the young-adult choir, sings at the 5:00 PM Mass and is open to high-school-age through adult singers; both follow a 'come when you can, don't worry if you can't' policy.
- Adult Choir (Director: David Colpitts / Ryan Lynch)
- Young Adult 'One Voice' Choir (Director: Nicole Panico) — sings at 5 PM Mass
- Children's Choir — sings at 9:15 AM Mass; grades K–8; rehearsals Mon 3:00–4:00 PM
- Sign-up contact: [email protected] or [email protected] / 617-750-2043
Getting Involved and Parish Life
Newcomers are warmly invited to introduce themselves to a member of the parish staff, and parishioners are encouraged to share their talents and support. Parish life is rooted in regular social touchpoints such as the monthly Coffee Hour in the courtyard on the first Sunday after morning Masses.
- Register as a parishioner via the online form, email request, or by calling the Parish Center
- Welcoming Committee (contact: Annie McGonagle — [email protected])
- Monthly Coffee Hour — first Sunday, courtyard, after morning Masses
Contact and Visit
The Parish Center Office at 514 High Street is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and is the hub for most parish business, including sacramental registration. The church itself is at 512 High Street, and the rectory/priest residence is at 38 Boston Avenue, Medford.
- Church address: 512 High Street, West Medford, MA 02155
- Parish Center (office): 514 High Street, West Medford, MA 02155
- Rectory: 38 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Phone: 781-488-5444 Fax: 781-483-3375
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Nathaniel Merritt1905–1909
Founding pastor; organized the first bazaar and built the original church (dedicated Oct. 29, 1905); transferred to Winchester August 1909.
- Rev. Jeremiah Lyons1909–
Succeeded Father Merritt as rector.
- Rev. John J. Powers1931–1937
Enlarged the church with wings added on.
- Rev. Dennis A. O'Brien1938–1949
Erected the parish hall.
- Msgr. Joseph W. Murphy1954–1968
Laid the cornerstone for the parish school in 1960; the convent followed in 1964 and the Sisters of St. Joseph staffed the school.
- Most Rev. Daniel A. Cronin1968–1970
11th pastor; a young newly consecrated auxiliary bishop at the time; on October 30, 1970 he was named Bishop of the Fall River Diocese.
- Rev. Martin J. Dolphin1971–1981
Oversaw the implementation of Vatican II reforms and further parish improvements.
- Rev. Dennis Burns1981–1990
Set up a renovation committee before leaving for a pastorate in Marblehead.
- Rev. Dennis T. Nason1990–1998
Led the parish in rebuilding after the Dec. 7, 1990 fire; oversaw dedication of the new fieldstone church on Dec. 19, 1993.
- Rev. Kevin Toomey1998–
Began as pastor on September 29, 1998; presided over the parish's centennial in 2005.
- Rev. Paul Coughlin2018–present
Became pastor in 2018 after serving as Parish Administrator; implemented the Welcoming Committee.