About St. Sebastian · Providence, Rhode Island
The Church of Saint Sebastian is a Roman Catholic parish on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island, belonging to the Diocese of Providence. Founded in 1915 from portions of St. Joseph and the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, it has grown from a small flock of 117 families (484 souls) serving a 'limited area' into a vibrant community of roughly 400 registered families. Today the parish describes itself as a close-knit family of believers, blessed with both long-established parishioners and many new young families.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- Saint Sebastian
- Rector
- Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Saint Sebastian's welcomes new parishioners with the promise of being a 'close-knit family of believers,' a community of long-established families alongside many new young families on Providence's East Side. Registration makes a newcomer part of the parish family, enables access to sacramental sponsorships, and makes it possible for the pastor and staff to reach out in times of need. Active ministries — from a Director of Religious Education and First Holy Communion preparation to a Community Outreach Committee, a Hospitality Committee, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, an 'In-Reach' Council, a Women's Group and a Men's Evening of Prayer with Adoration and Confession — give plenty of ways to plug in.
Mass times at St. Sebastian
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 p.m. or by appointment
- Upon request — contact the parish or speak with Fr. Sousa before Mass
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon (Lower Church) — recent parish bulletin
- Thursday Evening of Prayer for Men: 6:30 p.m.–8:15 p.m. (Recollection, Adoration and Confession)
Parish History
The parish of Saint Sebastian was established March 11, 1915, carved from portions of St. Joseph and the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, with 117 families (484 souls) in its founding limits. Bishop Matthew Harkins appointed Rev. James A. Craig as first pastor; his first Mass was celebrated March 21, 1915 in St. Joseph's school hall. The provisional chapel on Lloyd Avenue opened on Sunday, June 13, 1915, and the cornerstone of the permanent church was laid by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas F. Doran on Columbus Day, October 12, 1915.
- Founded: March 11, 1915
- Founding Bishop: Most Rev. Matthew Harkins, D.D.
- First Pastor: Rev. James A. Craig
- Cornerstone: October 12, 1915 (Columbus Day), laid by Bishop Thomas F. Doran
- Centennial celebrated October 17, 2015
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr., Pastor (since July 1, 2021), who simultaneously serves as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Providence, and Director of Regina Cleri Residence. Support staff listed on the bulletin includes Mrs. Brandy O'Donnell (Parish Accountant), Ms. Karin Schrott (Director of Religious Education), Mr. Nicholas Rocha (Organist/Music Coordinator), Mrs. Marissa Maroni (Organist/Pianist/Cantor) and Mr. Pedro Quinilla (Facilities for St. Sebastian/St. Joseph).
- Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr. — Pastor
- Mrs. Brandy O'Donnell — Parish Accountant
- Ms. Karin Schrott — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Mr. Nicholas Rocha — Organist/Music Coordinator
- Mrs. Marissa Maroni — Organist/Pianist/Cantor
- Mr. Pedro Quinilla — Facilities (St. Sebastian/St. Joseph)
- Parish Trustees: Mr. Charles Rogers, Esq.; Mrs. Catherine Taylor
- Auditor: Mr. David Zizik, Esq.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Saint Sebastian assists Christian parents in their vocation of passing on the faith through a parish Religious Education program directed by Karin Schrott ([email protected]). Preparation for First Holy Communion takes place during the school year, with First Communions celebrated on a designated Sunday during the 11:00 a.m. Mass.
- Director of Religious Education: Ms. Karin Schrott
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, First Communion
- Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the Religious Education room
Sacraments
Information on the celebration of each sacrament is published in the parish bulletin. Baptisms are reserved for weekly Mass-attending, registered parishioners; couples seeking Matrimony are asked to contact the parish office for requirements, contract and fees. The Anointing of the Sick is offered in the parish or by home/hospital visit — because of HIPAA-era privacy rules, hospitals no longer automatically notify parishes of admissions, so parishioners are asked to inform the parish directly. Mass Intentions are accepted at a Diocesan-policy suggested donation of $25.
- Baptism
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick (hospital / nursing-home visits on request)
- Reconciliation (Saturday 4:15 p.m. or by appointment)
- First Holy Communion
- Mass Intentions ($25 suggested offering)
Parish Life and Ministries
Beyond the sacraments, the parish offers a wide range of groups for men, women, families and outreach volunteers — reflecting its character as a 'close-knit family of believers' that mixes long-established families with new young families. Most groups meet in the parish's Rectory Conference Room, the lower church, or virtually.
- Community Outreach Committee — first Monday, 6:00–7:00 p.m. (Catherine Denning, [email protected])
- Hospitality Committee — contact Karin Schrott
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — meetings twice monthly, 7 p.m.
- Parish Community 'In-Reach' Council — second Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Rectory Conference Room
- Women's Group (parishioners 22+) — twice monthly, virtual and in-person
- Evening of Prayer for Men — Recollection, Adoration, Confession
- Parish Choir / Music Ministry
Parish Leadership and Corporation
Lay leadership continues a tradition that goes back to the parish's founding. The very first annual report of the parish's accomplishments was signed by pastor James Craig alongside the first trustees and auditors, Hon. John W. Sweeney and Timothy F. Dwyer. Today the Parish Corporation is led by trustees Mr. Charles Rogers, Esq. and Mrs. Catherine Taylor, with Mr. David Zizik, Esq. serving as auditor.
- Parish Trustees: Mr. Charles Rogers, Esq.; Mrs. Catherine Taylor
- Parish Auditor: Mr. David Zizik, Esq.
- Parish Accountant: Mrs. Brandy O'Donnell
Becoming a Parishioner
Saint Sebastian's actively invites new members into the parish family. The bulletin lists five reasons to register: becoming part of the parish family, getting to know other parishioners, making sacramental sponsorships possible, showing commitment, and allowing the pastor and staff to reach you in need. Registration is available online at the parish website or by contacting the parish office at (401) 751-0196.
- Phone: (401) 751-0196
- Email: [email protected]
- Online registration: www.stsebastianri.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James A. Craig1915–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop Harkins, then assistant at St. Mary's Broadway; inaugurated the parish on March 21, 1915 and built the provisional and permanent churches.
- Rev. William B. Carty1917–1928
Assigned by Bishop Harkins as Father Craig's assistant in 1917; served over 11 years until his sudden death in 1928.
- Rev. John F. Tully1928–
Appointed temporarily by Bishop Hickey after Father Carty's death; recently ordained at Louvain, Belgium; a linguist transferred to another post where his language skills were needed.
- Father William Ferry
Referenced as one of the first two pastors of the parish at the 2015 centennial celebration.
- Msgr. John J. Darcy
Began preparations for the centennial anniversary the year before the 2015 celebration.
- Msgr. Carlo F. Montecalvo2015
Pastor at the 100th anniversary Mass (Oct. 17, 2015), having led the parish for only the prior four months.
- Rev. Edward A. Sousa, Jr.2021–present
Appointed by the Diocese of Providence effective July 1, 2021 as Administrator of St. Sebastian Parish while continuing as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Providence, and Director of Regina Cleri Residence.