About St. Thomas Aquinas · Bridgewater, Massachusetts
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, part of the Archdiocese of Boston, organized around the principle of 'One Parish...Two Worship Sites.' The main St. Thomas Aquinas Church sits at 103 Center Street, while St. Basil Chapel at 122 Park Avenue serves as the parish's Catholic Center for Bridgewater State University (BSU) campus ministry. The parish celebrates five Sunday Masses between its two locations, daily morning Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and a wide array of faith formation, youth, music, and outreach ministries. Faithful to a 175-year history that began in 1848, the parish continues to grow under the leadership of Fr. Bill Devine as pastor and Fr. Rodrigo Martinez as parochial vicar and BSU chaplain, welcoming new members and serving both the town of Bridgewater and the university community.
- Established
- 1848
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Rector
- Rev. Bill Devine
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Thomas Aquinas is a welcoming, Christ-centered community with an active sacramental life across two worship sites. Parishioners can worship at five Sunday Masses, attend daily Mass, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays and Saturdays, and join in faith formation for all ages. The parish runs deep outreach — including a St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, prison ministry, a homebound ministry, the Giving Tree, and service at Fr. Bill's/Mainspring House — alongside vibrant youth, music, and family programs. The unique campus ministry at St. Basil Chapel extends a warm welcome to Bridgewater State University students, making this a parish that serves both lifelong residents and the university community.
Mass times at St. Thomas Aquinas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM (Lower Church)
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (Lower Church)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: First Fridays 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Lower Church)
- Eucharistic Adoration: Saturdays 9:45 – 10:30 AM (Lower Church, after Mass)
- Divine Mercy Holy Hour: Wednesdays 7:00 PM (Lower Church)
About Our Parish
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, is a welcoming Archdiocese of Boston community that has served the town for over 175 years. The parish operates across two worship sites: the main St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 103 Center Street and St. Basil Chapel at 122 Park Avenue (which also serves as the Catholic Center for Bridgewater State University). Pastor Fr. Bill Devine and Parochial Vicar Fr. Rodrigo Martinez, together with Senior Deacon Leo Donoghue and a dedicated lay staff, lead a parish that aims to be continually growing in faith and love of Jesus Christ through worship, education, evangelization, and service.
- Pastor: Rev. Bill Devine
- Parochial Vicar & BSU Chaplain: Rev. Rodrigo Martinez
- Senior Deacon: Leo Donoghue
- Music Director: Paul Hoffman
- Faith Formation Director: Debbie Hill
- Finance & Operations Officer: Peter Vitagliano
- Administrative Assistant: Tina Larson
- Faith Formation Secretary: Maryann Ofstein
- Maintenance Manager: Andy Kovacs
Parish History & 175th Jubilee
Catholic life in Bridgewater began with Mass celebrated in private homes by visiting missionary priests, with the first Mass recorded in 1848. Fr. Aaron L. Roche, then pastor of nearby Abington, bought an acre of land for $350 and spearheaded the construction of a church, completed in 1858 despite arson attempts and opposition. The parish was named for St. Thomas Aquinas because of Fr. Roche's Dominican ties and the nearby Normal School. Bridgewater became an independent parish in mid-1863 under its first pastor, Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon. The parish recently celebrated its 175th Jubilee, with a downloadable history booklet and a 'through the decades' timeline available on the parish website.
- First Mass celebrated in Bridgewater: 1848
- Original church structure completed: 1858
- Independent parish instituted: 1863
- First pastor: Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon
- Founder: Fr. Aaron L. Roche (Dominican)
- Celebrated 175th Jubilee (history booklet available online)
Worship Schedule & Sacraments
Mass is celebrated at two sites within the parish. The Saturday Vigil is offered at 4:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church; Sunday Masses are at 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and seasonally at 5:00 PM at the Church, with an additional 10:30 AM Mass at St. Basil Chapel. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Saturday at 9:00 AM in the Lower Church. Confessions are heard Saturdays 9:45–10:30 AM and 12:00–1:00 PM in the Lower Church, or by appointment. The parish prepares parishioners for Baptism (monthly), First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and RCIA/OCIA.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 (St. Basil Chapel), 12:00, and 5:00 PM (seasonal) at the Church
- Daily Mass: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM, Lower Church
- Confession: Sat 9:45–10:30 AM and 12:00–1:00 PM, Lower Church
- Baptism: monthly
- RCIA/OCIA program offered
BSU Campus Ministry & St. Basil Chapel
St. Basil Chapel, located at 122 Park Avenue, is the parish's Catholic Center and home of Bridgewater State University (BSU) campus ministry. Fr. Rodrigo Martinez serves as BSU Chaplain, and the chapel hosts the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass (livestreamed each week) along with programs designed for college students. The Catholic Center welcomes students to pray, grow in holiness, and develop authentic friendships in a joyful community. Parishioners also support BSU students through 'Feed the Bears' — a community effort to make sauce and meatballs for students.
- BSU Chaplain: Fr. Rodrigo Martinez
- St. Basil Chapel address: 122 Park Avenue, Bridgewater
- Sunday Mass at St. Basil: 10:30 AM (livestreamed)
- 'Feed the Bears' — meal prep for BSU students
- Livestreamers team records and broadcasts the 10:30 AM Mass
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered for parishioners of all ages, with programs for children, youth, and adults preparing for the sacraments. The Faith Formation office (508-697-3652) is staffed by Director Debbie Hill and Secretary Maryann Ofstein. Children prepare for First Communion and Confirmation, with Confirmation students participating in a Night of Confession and Reflection. Adult faith formation includes the RCIA/OCIA process for those entering the Church, and Vacation Bible Camp is offered in summer for younger children.
- Faith Formation Director: Debbie Hill
- Faith Formation Secretary: Maryann Ofstein
- Faith Formation Office: 508-697-3652
- Children's Faith Formation / First Communion
- Confirmation preparation (with Night of Confession and Reflection)
- RCIA / OCIA for adults
- Vacation Bible Camp (summer)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music Director Paul Hoffman leads both an Adult Choir and a Youth Choir for students in grades 2–9. The parish recruits and trains liturgical ministers at both worship sites — lectors proclaim the Scripture readings, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Eucharist and bring it to the homebound, altar servers (grades 4–12) assist at Mass, and Greeters & Ushers welcome parishioners. The Altar Guild cleans the upper and lower church and chapel, while the Church/Chapel Decorating Committee prepares seasonal altar displays.
- Adult Choir (weekly/seasonal) — Paul Hoffman
- Youth Choir (grades 2–9)
- Lectors (2x/month)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (3x/month)
- Extraordinary Ministers to the Homebound
- Altar Servers (grades 4–12)
- Greeters & Ushers
- Altar Guild
- Church/Chapel Decorating Committee
Outreach, Charity & Social Justice
Outreach is a major pillar of parish life. The St. Vincent de Paul Society runs a Food Pantry and Financial Assistance program open to anyone in the Bridgewater community, with food distribution on scheduled Thursdays. Parishioners serve monthly meals at Fr. Bill's / Mainspring House in Brockton, sort and deliver food and furniture with My Brother's Keeper in Easton, visit the homebound, and bring Communion to those who cannot attend Mass. A biweekly Prison Ministry sends volunteers to Old Colony Correctional Center on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings for a men's group and inmate-led Bible sharing. Other annual outreach includes the Giving Tree, Troops and Veterans' Support, and Pro-Life efforts.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry & Financial Assistance — call 508-697-9528, option 5
- Fr. Bill's / Mainspring House (Brockton) — monthly meal service
- My Brother's Keeper (Easton) — food & furniture delivery
- Prison Ministry at Old Colony Correctional Center (biweekly)
- Homebound visits & Communion
- Pro-Life ministry (quarterly)
- Troops and Veterans' Support (annual, November)
- Giving Tree — families & senior citizens (December)
Youth & Family Life
The parish invests heavily in its young people. A Junior Youth Group (grades ~4–8) meets monthly for open gym nights and service opportunities, chaperoned by adult volunteers. The Senior Youth Group meets monthly with Fr. Rodrigo and Jen Rosher and coordinates service activities locally and nationally, including an annual Mission Trip (recently to La Salette). Families enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt, an annual Christmas Pageant, Vacation Bible Camp, and a parish Block Party with pony rides, a bouncy house, and a DJ. Youth are also invited to serve as altar servers and to join the Youth Choir.
- Junior Youth Group — monthly open gym & service
- Senior Youth Group & Mission Trip (e.g., La Salette)
- Vacation Bible Camp (summer)
- Christmas Pageant (December) — 48 children participated in 2025
- Parish Block Party (September)
- Easter Egg Hunt (Spring)
- Altar Servers (grades 4–12)
- Youth Choir (grades 2–9)
Parish Life, Social Events & Fundraising
Beyond the sacraments, the parish is a true community. The Social Committee and Women's Club organize social events and fundraisers, including Coffee & Donuts fellowship after Masses, a parish Rummage Sale (spring/fall), the annual Christmas Bazaar (November), a Thanksgiving Dinner for Senior Citizens, and a parish Block Party. The Evangelization Committee supports others in understanding and practicing the Catholic faith through quarterly events.
- Women's Club — monthly social & fundraising
- Social Committee — quarterly events
- Christmas Bazaar (November)
- Rummage Sale (Spring/Fall)
- Thanksgiving Dinner for Senior Citizens (November)
- Coffee & Donuts fellowship (every 5–6 weeks)
- Evangelization Committee (quarterly)
Visiting, Registering & Getting Involved
Fr. Bill Devine extends a personal welcome on the parish website, inviting newcomers to register online and introduce themselves to him and the staff. Online giving, parish registration, the weekly bulletin, and the event calendar are all accessible from the main site. The parish maintains an active ministries page with contact information for each group's leader, making it easy to plug in. The Parish Office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and can be reached at 508-697-9528 or [email protected].
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Phone: 508-697-9528
- Email: [email protected]
- Online registration and online giving available
- Weekly bulletin and event calendar online
- Full list of ministries with contacts on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon1863 (first pastor, upon institution of the parish)
First pastor when Bridgewater was made an independent parish in 1863.
- Rev. Bill Devine
Current pastor (2024–present based on parish bulletins); presided over the 175th Jubilee.