About St. Tarcicius · Framingham, Massachusetts
St. Tarcisius Parish (Paróquia São Tarcísio) is a Scalabrinian Catholic community serving Framingham, Massachusetts, with a strong Brazilian/Portuguese-speaking identity. Located at 562 Waverly Street, it celebrates Mass in both English and Brazilian Portuguese every day of the week and operates the adjacent Saint Tarcisius Cemetery at 180 Winthrop Street. The parish is pastored by Scalabrinian missionaries and is closely tied to the Brazilian American Center BRACE, a 501(c)(3) immigrant-services nonprofit housed at 560 Waverly Street.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Saint Tarcisius (early Christian acolyte and martyr under Emperor Valerian in Rome)
- Rector
- Rev. Jairo Francisco Guidini, CS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Tarcisius is one of the few places in the MetroWest Boston area where a Catholic can worship comfortably in Brazilian Portuguese several times a week, while still keeping a full English-language schedule and a Catholic-school-quality faith formation program. The parish is paired with the on-site Brazilian American Center (BRACE), so parishioners are embedded in a wider Scalabrinian network that helps immigrants with education, health, legal, and family needs. Add a daily 7:00 AM Mass, Saturday reconciliation, First Friday Adoration, and a deeply Portuguese youth group, and it offers a distinct, family-friendly Catholic home in Framingham.
Mass times at St. Tarcicius
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM (English; some bulletins say 3:00 PM)
- Wednesday 6:00 PM (Portuguese)
- By appointment: call (508) 875-8623
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month, 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM (in church)
Parish Overview
Saint Tarcisius Parish (Paróquia São Tarcísio) is a Scalabrinian Catholic community in Framingham, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston. Its church stands at 562 Waverly Street and is most easily recognized for its bilingual (English and Brazilian Portuguese) Mass schedule and for its deep partnership with the adjacent Brazilian American Center (BRACE). The parish's identity is rooted in more than a century of Scalabrinian missionary service to migrants, from its 1907 founding by Fr. Pietro Maschi to today's work alongside BRACE and SIMN.
- Roman-Latin (Roman Rite) parish in the Archdiocese of Boston
- Manned by the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo (Scalabrinians, CS)
- Bilingual worship: English and Brazilian Portuguese
History of the Parish
The parish was founded in 1907 by Fr. Pietro Maschi, a Scalabrinian priest whose devotion to Saint Tarcisius from childhood gave the church its name. He celebrated the first Mass on August 4, 1907 in the Tribune Building on Irving Street, bought land in May 1908, and dedicated the first church in December 1909. A fire on January 4, 1918 forced rebuilding, and Maschi served as pastor until his death on June 3, 1948, when Giuseppe Berton succeeded him. In September 2011, Fr. Volmar Scaravelli, CS, became pastor and founded BRACE in 2012, giving the parish its current Brazilian-ministry character. The Center for Migration Studies of New York preserves a parish archive (CMS 042) covering 1914–1984.
- Founded 1907 by Fr. Pietro Maschi, CS
- First Mass: August 4, 1907, in the Tribune Building, Irving Street
- Land purchased May 1908; first Mass in new church December 1909
- Church fire January 4, 1918; rebuilt
- Fr. Maschi served as pastor until his death, June 3, 1948
- Fr. Volmar Scaravelli, CS, became pastor in September 2011 and founded BRACE in 2012
- Parish archive (1914–1984) housed at the Center for Migration Studies of NY (CMS 042)
The Patron Saint: Saint Tarcisius
Saint Tarcisius was a young acolyte (altar server) in third-century Rome, martyred under Emperor Valerian while carrying the Eucharist to Christians imprisoned awaiting execution. According to the parish's own account, Pope Sixtus II entrusted the Sacred Bread to twelve-year-old Tarcisius, who was beaten and stoned to death rather than surrender it. His body was recovered by a sympathetic soldier and buried in the catacombs; he is venerated as patron of altar servers and acolytes, and his relics rest in the Basilica of St. Sylvester in Rome. The parish closes its story of Tarcisius with a prayer asking God to bless and guide young people through his intercession.
- Martyred in Rome under Emperor Valerian
- Acolyte of Pope Sixtus II
- Declared patron of altar servers / acolytes
- Feast day traditionally August 15
- Relics at the Basilica of St. Sylvester, Rome
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team
The parish is led by Scalabrinian priests. The current pastor is Rev. Jairo Francisco Guidini, CS, former Executive Director of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) in New York, who brings wide pastoral experience from South America. He is assisted by Vicar Rev. German A. Vargas Acevedo, CS, two permanent deacons, a Pastoral Associate, liturgical and music directors, and a faith-formation team. Office staff include a business manager, secretary, and janitor.
- Pastor: Rev. Jairo Francisco Guidini, CS
- Vicar: Rev. German A. Vargas Acevedo, CS
- Deacon Cleyton F. Moreira (Boston)
- Deacon Elcio Ferreira dos Santos (Boston)
- Pastoral Associate: Ms. Glaucia DeSouza
- Liturgy & Music: Ms. Mary Jantzen, Mr. Tim Jantzen
- Faith Formation: Ms. Mary Jantzen (508-875-0429); Ms. Monica Barbosa (774-279-5817)
- Business Manager: Monica Barbosa; Secretary: Mara Quinlan; Janitor: Paulo Pinto
Sacramental Schedule
Confessions are heard Saturday afternoon (3:30–3:45 PM) and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM in Portuguese, plus by appointment. First Friday Adoration runs from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM in church. Baptism preparation is held on the 3rd Saturday (English) and 2nd Friday (Portuguese), with Baptisms on the last Sunday of the month. Weddings require meeting with the priest before any date is set, and sick or homebound parishioners are asked to notify the rectory for visits.
- Confessions: Saturday 3:30 PM; Wednesday 6:00 PM (Portuguese); by appointment
- First Friday Adoration: 7:30 AM–7:00 PM
- Baptism prep (English): 3rd Saturday
- Baptism prep (Portuguese): 2nd Friday
- Baptisms: last Sunday of the month
- Weddings: consult priest before setting date
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs an active Faith Formation program staffed by Ms. Mary Jantzen (508-875-0429) and Ms. Monica Barbosa (774-279-5817), preparing children for First Communion, Confirmation, and ongoing catechesis in both English and Portuguese. The program fits the bilingual rhythm of the parish and is coordinated with sacramental scheduling.
- Faith Formation directors: Mary Jantzen, Monica Barbosa
- Bilingual (English/Portuguese) catechesis
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music are coordinated by Ms. Mary Jantzen and Mr. Tim Jantzen, who support both English and Portuguese celebrations. Their work shapes the devotional tone of weekend Masses, weddings, and feast-day liturgies honoring Saint Tarcisius.
- Liturgy & Music directors: Mary Jantzen, Tim Jantzen
- Bilingual liturgical music ministry
Brazilian American Center (BRACE)
BRACE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 by Fr. Volmar Scaravelli, CS, headquartered next door to the parish at 560 Waverly Street, Framingham. Its mission is to welcome and empower immigrants — regardless of nationality, race, age, gender, or religion — preserving their cultural identity while helping them integrate into American society. Services include ESL, health insurance enrollment (MassHealth, Health Connector), food stamps/SNAP and WIC applications, legal and psychological counseling, immigration legal services, sports, dance, arts, job placement, and housing information. The center is part of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) and has been a frequent public voice for immigrant rights, including the July 19, 2018 joint statement with Saint Tarcisius Parish opposing U.S. family-separation policies.
- Founded 2012 by Fr. Volmar Scaravelli, CS
- Address: 560 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA 01702
- Phone: (508) 628-0360; +1 508 628-3721
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.brazilianamericancenter.org
- Facebook: Brazilian-American Center (BRACE)
- Services: ESL, health insurance, food assistance, legal/immigration aid, sports, dance, arts, job placement, housing info
- Part of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN)
Saint Tarcisius Cemetery
The parish maintains its own cemetery at 180 Winthrop Street, Framingham. In Portuguese the parish describes it as a place where 'we honor our ancestors — not only those who lived heroic lives, but all our friends, relatives and family members' — preserving memory across the generations of Framingham's Italian and Brazilian Catholic families.
- Address: 180 Winthrop Street, Framingham, MA
- Operated by Saint Tarcisius Parish
Youth & Community Life
The parish hosts a youth group called Grupo Jovem Caminhando com Cristo ('Young People Walking with Christ'), reflecting the Scalabrinian call to accompany young immigrants. Friday-evening meetings at 7:30 PM in the BRACE gymnasium are a regular gathering point for teens and young adults in the Portuguese-speaking community.
- Grupo Jovem Caminhando com Cristo (youth group)
- Meets Fridays at 7:30 PM in the BRACE gym
Advocacy & Scalabrinian Mission
As a Scalabrinian parish, Saint Tarcisius is linked to the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, whose charism is the pastoral care of migrants and refugees. Through BRACE and SIMN, the parish has spoken out on national immigration issues, published joint statements with BRACE, and serves as a local hub where immigrant families can find both liturgical and social support.
- Part of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN)
- Co-published the 2018 statement opposing U.S. family-separation policy
- Pastoral care of migrants and refugees
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the rectory at (508) 875-8623 (English) or (508) 875-6347 (Portuguese), or by fax at (508) 875-6358. The parish office is open Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Mass times and announcements are also shared through the parish's Instagram (@paroquiasaotarcisio) and Facebook page, and weekly bulletins are posted through The Boston Pilot.
- Phone: (508) 875-8623 (English) / (508) 875-6347 (Portuguese)
- Office hours: Tue–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Emails: [email protected] and [email protected]
- Social: Instagram @paroquiasaotarcisio; Facebook 'Saint Tarcisius Parish'
- Bulletins published via The Boston Pilot
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Pietro Maschi, CS1907–1948
Founding pastor; chose the parish's patron; oversaw original 1909 church and post-1918 fire rebuilding.
- Giuseppe Berton1948–
Succeeded Father Maschi upon his death on June 3, 1948.
- Fr. Volmar Scaravelli, CS2011–
Scalabrinian; founded BRACE in 2012.
- Fr. Jairo Francisco Guidini, CS
Current pastor; former Executive Director of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN), New York.