About St. Timothy · Norwood, Massachusetts
St. Timothy Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston serving the communities of Norwood, Walpole, and Westwood in Massachusetts. Founded in 1962–63 during the rapid post-war growth of Norwood, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013 with Cardinal Seán O'Malley presiding. Today it is a Eucharistic community with weekend Masses in English, a weekly Family Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, Saturday confessions, a Faith Formation program for grades K–10, and the pastoral leadership of Fr. John Grimes. Its waterfront property on Nichols Street is described by the parish itself as a natural reminder of God's gifts.
- Established
- 1962 (parish founded Feb. 12, 1963; church dedicated March 17, 1963)
- Patron
- St. Timothy
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas C. Boudreau (per the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Directory)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (Region IV / Norwood Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Timothy offers a full schedule of English Masses — including a Saturday Vigil and three Sunday Masses, one of which is a Family Mass with children's focus and post-Mass fellowship — so most parishioners can worship together each week. The parish combines Eucharistic Adoration every Friday morning, regular Saturday confessions, a K–10 Faith Formation program, RCIA, and lay ministries such as Lector, supported by an engaged pastoral team that includes a parish nurse and parish ambassador. With its waterfront setting on Nichols Street and its mission of being a 'supportive and generous faith-filled community' serving Norwood, Walpole, and Westwood, St. Timothy is both a neighborhood parish and a regional Catholic home.
Mass times at St. Timothy
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM (followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet 11:45 AM – 12:00 PM)
Parish History
St. Timothy Parish was created in 1962–63 to serve the rapidly expanding town of Norwood and the surrounding communities of Walpole and Westwood. Bishop Jeremiah Minihan, then pastor of St. Catherine of Siena in Norwood, acquired the Nichols Street land and gave the parish the name of his late father, Timothy. Construction was completed and the first Mass was celebrated on March 17, 1963. In 2013 the parish marked its 50th anniversary with a year of events culminating in a June Vigil Mass with Cardinal Seán O'Malley that brought back many of the roughly 35 priests who have served there.
- Parish established February 12, 1963 under founding pastor Rev. John J. Lane
- Church dedicated March 17, 1963
- Named in memory of Bishop Minihan's father
- 50th anniversary celebrated 2012–2013
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish celebrates Mass in English throughout the week. Weekday Masses are offered Wednesday through Saturday at 9:00 AM. The weekend schedule includes a Saturday Vigil at 4:30 PM and three Sunday Masses at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM. The 9:30 AM Sunday Mass is a Family Mass with a special focus on families and children; parishioners are invited to share in fellowship, refreshments, and activities after Mass.
- Wednesday–Saturday 9:00 AM weekday Mass
- Saturday 4:30 PM Vigil Mass
- Sunday 8:00, 9:30 (Family Mass), and 11:00 AM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Timothy runs a parish-based Faith Formation program for children in Grades K–10, with a separate Middle School track and dedicated director. The program is administered through the Faith Formation office (781-762-4868). Adults preparing for full initiation are served through the parish's RCIA program.
- Faith Formation Grades K–10 (781-762-4868)
- Middle School Faith Formation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Youth Ministry
Sacraments
The parish prepares families for the Sacraments of Initiation and offers Reconciliation weekly. Baptism is prepared for both infants (through Infant Baptism Preparation) and adults (through RCIA). The parish notes that Baptism is a joyous occasion for the individual, the family, and the wider faith community, and that the parish 'looks forward to welcoming' new members.
- Infant Baptism Preparation
- Adult Baptism via RCIA
- Reconciliation Saturdays 3:30–4:00 PM
- Eucharist at daily and Sunday Masses
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful at St. Timothy serve as Lectors, proclaiming the First and Second Readings and the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass. The parish schedules lectors about 1–2 times per month, holds yearly training for new lectors and renewal programs for returning ones, and provides each lector with an annual Lector Workbook and pronunciation resources. Music is directed by the parish's Music Director.
- Lector ministry (training and renewal yearly)
- Music Director / parish choir
- Protecting God's Children® training required for all staff and volunteers
Pastoral & Administrative Staff
The pastoral team is led by Fr. John Grimes (Pastor on the parish website's Contact page) with Fr. Thomas C. Boudreau listed as Pastor in the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Directory. Supporting ministries include a Pastoral Associate, a Parish Nurse, a Music Director, a Parish Secretary, an Office and Faith Formation Assistant, a Faith Formation Director, a Middle School Faith Formation coordinator, a Parish Ambassador, and a Maintenance team. All staff and volunteers are required to complete the Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children® program.
- Pastor / Senior Priest in Residence — Fr. John Grimes
- Pastor (Archdiocesan directory) — Rev. Thomas C. Boudreau
- Pastoral Associate
- Music Director
- Faith Formation Director
- Parish Nurse
- Parish Secretary & Office/FF Assistant
- Maintenance
Community & Outreach
St. Timothy describes itself as 'a Eucharistic people' whose vision is 'to come to know and love Christ, to proclaim his teachings through word and deed, to worship together and to minister to one another.' The parish hosts a Parish Ambassador to welcome new members, runs a Parish Nurse ministry for health and pastoral support, and welcomes 'all who come to our door' from Norwood, Walpole, and Westwood.
- Parish Nurse program
- Parish Ambassador welcome ministry
- Hospitality after the Sunday 9:30 AM Family Mass
Visiting St. Timothy
The parish church sits on a waterfront property at 650 Nichols Street in Norwood, described by the parish as 'a natural reminder of all the gifts that God has given us.' The main office phone (781-769-2522) routes calls to any staff member, and the Faith Formation office is reachable separately at 781-762-4868.
- 650 Nichols Street, Norwood, MA 02062
- Main office: 781-769-2522
- Faith Formation: 781-762-4868
- Fax: 781-769-9362
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John J. Lane1963 (founding pastor)
First pastor; established the parish under Bishop Jeremiah Minihan.
- Fr. William Lucey1984–1996
Pastor after team ministry in 1983–84; led the parish for 12 years.
- Fr. John Culloty2000–June 2014
Arrived in 2000 from the Archdiocese; oversaw the 50th anniversary in 2013; reassigned June 2014 to St. Edward's (Medfield) and St. Jude's (Norfolk).
- Fr. Michael Bova ContiJune 2014–December 2014
Temporary administrator following Culloty's reassignment.
- Fr. John O'Brienfrom December 2014
Took over from Fr. Bova Conti after returning from sabbatical.
- Rev. Thomas C. Boudreau
Listed as Pastor in the Boston Catholic Directory.