About St. Veronica Parish - St. Margaret of Antioch · Burlington, Massachusetts
St. Veronica Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Burlington, Massachusetts, formed on October 1, 2020 by the merger of Saint Margaret of Antioch Parish and Saint Malachy Parish under the pastoral leadership of Fr. James M. Mahoney. The parish continues to worship in its two historic church buildings — Saint Margaret Church at 111 Winn Street and Saint Malachy Church at 99 Bedford Street — and is part of the Archdiocese of Boston. The parish offers weekend and weekday Masses at both churches, the Sacrament of Penance, Eucharistic Adoration, a full Religious Education program from Grade 1 through Grade 12, RCIA, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a livestream of Mass on YouTube and BCAT cable television. Its patron, Saint Veronica, is the woman traditionally remembered for wiping the face of Christ on the way to Calvary.
- Established
- 1945 (as St. Margaret of Antioch Parish); 1964 (as St. Malachy Parish); merged as St. Veronica Parish on October 1, 2020
- Patron
- Saint Veronica (the parish's namesake); the two worship sites retain the older patrons Saint Margaret of Antioch and Saint Malachy
- Rector
- Rev. James M. Mahoney
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. Veronica Parish welcomes Catholics of Burlington into a single community that preserves two historic worship sites, giving parishioners the choice of four Sunday Masses (two at Saint Margaret, one at Saint Malachy, plus a Saturday Vigil at each) and weekday Masses every day of the week. The parish supports the full sacramental life — Baptism (celebrated monthly at both churches), Reconciliation twice weekly, Eucharistic Adoration on the second Thursday of each month with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction, and a robust RCIA process — and runs religious education from Grade 1 through Grade 12 under Director Camille Mainardi. Outreach, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Bible Study, a Women's Faith Sharing Group, altar service, lectors, choir, and a men's fellowship offer ways for every age and temperament to belong.
Mass times at St. Veronica Parish - St. Margaret of Antioch
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 6:00 – 7:00 PM — St. Malachy chapel
- Saturday 2:30 – 3:30 PM — chapel on the lower level of St. Margaret's Church (Boston Pilot directory also lists Saturdays 2:30 – 4:00 PM)
Adoration times
- Second Thursday of every month, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM in St. Malachy chapel
- 3:00 PM — Chaplet of Divine Mercy (sung)
- 8:00 PM — Formal Benediction closing the evening
History of the Parish
Burlington's Catholic community traces its origins to a single Mass celebrated in a barn on October 31, 1937. What began as a small mission of Saint Mary Parish in Billerica grew through a volunteer-built chapel into the Parish of Saint Margaret of Antioch in 1945, then doubled with the 1964 founding of Saint Malachy Parish. After more than 75 years as sister parishes serving a booming Route-128 suburb, the two were merged on October 1, 2020 into today's Saint Veronica Parish under Fr. James Mahoney, retaining both historic worship sites.
- Oct 31, 1937 — First Catholic Mass in Burlington, in 'The Barn' on Beacon Street (~100 attended)
- Dec 1938 — Worship moves to the 'Sousa Barn' on Peach Orchard Road
- Aug 1939 — Ground broken on the Saint Mary Mission chapel at Winn & Center Streets
- Mother's Day, 1940 — Volunteer-built mission chapel opens
- Nov 1945 — Designated the separate Parish of Saint Margaret of Antioch
- Feb 1958 — Archbishop Cushing dedicates the present Saint Margaret Church (4,000 parishioners)
- Jun 30, 1964 — Parish splits; Saint Malachy Parish is born with Msgr. Edward B. Flaherty as first pastor
- Oct 31, 1964 — Cardinal Cushing performs the formal dedication of Saint Malachy Church
- Oct 1, 2020 — Merger: Saint Veronica Parish is formed under Fr. James Mahoney
Saint Margaret Church (111 Winn Street)
The Winn Street church was built in the mid-1950s to replace the over-crowded 1940 mission chapel. Archbishop Cushing dedicated it in February 1958 before a congregation of 4,000. Today it hosts the Saturday Vigil at 4:30 PM, Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, and weekday Masses at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The rectory and parish offices are also located at 111 Winn Street, and Baptisms are celebrated here on the second Sunday of each month at 2:00 PM.
- Address: 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803
- Weekend Masses: Sat 4:30 PM Vigil; Sun 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM
- Weekday Masses: Tue / Thu / Sat at 9:00 AM
- Confessions: Sat 2:30–3:30 PM (lower-level chapel)
- Parish Office / Rectory located here
Saint Malachy Church (99 Bedford Street)
Founded in 1964 as Burlington's second Catholic parish, Saint Malachy was built on a six-acre parcel in the Havenville section. Tulley and Sons designed a modern 700–800-seat church whose mathematical curves drew a 'spectrum of opinions' — but its air-conditioning was an instant hit. Cardinal Cushing formally dedicated it on October 31, 1964, the anniversary of Burlington's first Catholic Mass. Today it hosts the Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM, Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM, and weekday Masses at 9:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monthly Eucharistic Adoration is held here, and Baptisms are celebrated on the fourth Sunday of each month.
- Address: 99 Bedford Street, Burlington, MA 01803
- Weekend Masses: Sat 4:00 PM Vigil; Sun 10:00 AM
- Weekday Masses: Mon / Wed / Fri at 9:00 AM
- Confessions: Fri 6:00–7:00 PM (chapel)
- Monthly Eucharistic Adoration — 2nd Thursday, 2:00–8:00 PM
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. James M. Mahoney as pastor, with Fr. Thomas J. Stanton serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacons John J. Minch and Dick Bilotta assisting with parish life and sacramental preparation. A team of lay staff administers the parish offices, finances, operations, communications, music, and faith formation. The Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic Directory lists the staff as Michelle Campbell, Carly Reidy, and Chris McCollem in administration; Kathy Keady in finance; Gary Dew and Kathleen Keady in operations; Ann Pye and Michelle Campbell in media communications; William Donahue and Daniel Mainardi in liturgy and music; and Camille Mainardi in faith formation.
- Pastor — Rev. James M. Mahoney (781-272-3111)
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Thomas J. Stanton
- Deacon — John J. Minch
- Deacon — Dick Bilotta (RCIA, Bible Study, Adoration)
- Director of Religious Education — Camille Mainardi ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a complete Religious Education program for children and youth in Grades 1 through 12, overseen by Director Camille Mainardi. Separate tracks exist for Grade 2 (First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation) and Grades 8–9 (typically Confirmation preparation); Grades 10–12 form a monthly high-school fellowship that emphasizes continued faith growth after Confirmation, Sunday Mass attendance, and group discussion of questions of meaning and truth. Registration and scholarship applications are available online for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Grades 1, 3–5 — general religious education
- Grade 2 — preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion (Lauren Lambert)
- Grades 6–7 — middle-school program
- Grades 8–9 — Confirmation preparation
- Grades 9–12 — monthly high-school program (post-Confirmation), 5:00–6:00 PM
- Director of Religious Education — Camille Mainardi, [email protected], 781-272-5111 ext. 112
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
St. Veronica Parish welcomes new members into the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a communal process of education, faith sharing, prayer, study, and ritual described by the USCCB as a restoration of 'the ancient practice of the Church.' RCIA runs from November to March each year; participants progress at their own pace through the ceremonial steps toward Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Deacon Dick Bilotta coordinates the parish program.
- Runs November through March annually
- Contact: Deacon Dick Bilotta — [email protected]
- Open to anyone exploring Catholic faith; timing flexible per individual
Parish Life & Ministries
The heart of the parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body. Beyond the sacraments, St. Veronica offers an extensive set of ministries organized around liturgy, education, and service. Liturgical roles include choir, cantor, lector, altar server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, sacristan, usher, Arts & Environment, and liturgical linen care. Service ministries include Outreach to the Homebound and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Faith-sharing communities include a Bible Study / Prayer Group and a Women's Faith Sharing Group, alongside men's groups, youth ministry, and the annual parish bazaar. Two consultative bodies — the Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Council — assist the pastor in planning, governance, and stewardship.
- Liturgical: Choir (Danny Mainardi), Cantor, Lectors, Altar Servers (Gr. 4+), Funeral Altar Servers, EMHC, Sacristans, Ushers, Arts & Environment, Linen Service
- Service: Outreach to the Homebound, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Collection Counters
- Faith Sharing: Bible Study / Prayer Group, Women's Faith Sharing Group (Laurie Glasser), Men's groups
- Council life: Parish Pastoral Council (meets 6–7 times/yr, 3-yr terms), Finance Council (4×/yr, up to 5-yr terms)
- Annual Parish Bazaar
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Veronica Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is part of a worldwide Catholic lay organization founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam and his fellow students, who chose St. Vincent de Paul as patron because of his life of service to the poor. The local conference serves neighbors in need through food-pantry donations, bundle drives of clothing and household items, and direct monetary assistance for basic human needs. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to grow in faith through service.
- Part of the international Society of St. Vincent de Paul (founded 1833 in Paris by Blessed Frederic Ozanam)
- Activities: food pantry donations, bundle drives, direct assistance
- Open membership — contact the parish office to get involved
Sacraments
Information on the celebration of each sacrament is available through the parish office. Baptisms are scheduled by contacting the rectory at 781-272-3111 and are normally celebrated at 2:00 PM on the second Sunday of the month at Saint Margaret Church and on the fourth Sunday at Saint Malachy Church. Confessions are heard twice weekly (Friday evening at Saint Malachy and Saturday afternoon at Saint Margaret). The Sacrament of the Sick and weddings are arranged by contacting the rectory.
- Baptism — 2nd Sun at St. Margaret, 4th Sun at St. Malachy, 2:00 PM
- Penance — Fri 6:00–7:00 PM (St. Malachy); Sat 2:30–3:30 PM (St. Margaret)
- Eucharist — see Mass schedule
- Anointing of the Sick — by request via the rectory
- Marriage — arranged through the rectory, 781-272-3111
- RCIA — for adults seeking initiation
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music at Saint Veronica is led by William Donahue and Daniel (Danny) Mainardi. The parish choir welcomes new singers; rehearsal schedules and singing requirements are coordinated through Danny Mainardi. The Arts & Environment team decorates the churches for the seasons of the liturgical year — Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, First Communion, and Confirmation — and helps create a prayerful worship environment at both sites.
- Director of Music — William Donahue
- Choir / Cantor contact — Danny Mainardi
- Arts & Environment committee — seasonal decorating for both churches
Broadcast & Livestream Mass
The parish livestreams Mass on its YouTube channel and also broadcasts on BCAT, Burlington's local cable station, on Sundays at 10:00 AM and Mondays at 3:30 PM. BCAT is available on RCN channel 3, Comcast channel 9, and Verizon channel 39. Older Mass recordings are linked via the parish Facebook page ('St. Veronica Mass').
- YouTube — livestream Mass (linked from homepage)
- Facebook — 'St. Veronica Mass' (older Mass recordings)
- BCAT cable — Sun 10:00 AM & Mon 3:30 PM on RCN 3, Comcast 9, Verizon 39
Contact & Visit
The Parish Office / Rectory is located at Saint Margaret Church, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803. Telephone the office at 781-272-3111 or the alternate parish line at 781-272-5111. Staff members' email addresses — including [email protected] (Religious Education), [email protected] (RCIA / Bible Study / Adoration), and [email protected] (Women's Faith Sharing) — are published on the parish website. Newcomers are warmly invited to introduce themselves at Mass, explore the parish through its ministries, or contact the office with questions about Baptism, weddings, becoming Catholic, or getting involved.
- Address: 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA 01803
- Phone: 781-272-3111 / 781-272-5111
- Website: http://www.stveronicama.org/
- Livestream: YouTube channel linked from the parish website
- Newcomers welcome — introduce yourself at any Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis J. ShieldsNovember 21, 1945 – January 2, 1947
First pastor of St. Margaret of Antioch Parish
- Fr. Denis J. FitzpatrickJanuary 2, 1947 – August 1, 1967
Stewarded St. Margaret through its post-war boom and the planning of its new church
- Fr. John B. KinneenAugust 16, 1967 – December 25, 1979
- Fr. John R. CrispoJanuary 25, 1980 – October 20, 2006
Longest-tenured St. Margaret pastor on record (≈26 years)
- Fr. Joseph P. RobinsonDecember 11, 2006 – January 31, 2012
- Fr. John M. SullivanFebruary 1, 2012 – March 1, 2012
- Fr. Frank J. SilvaSeptember 24, 2012 – May 31, 2019
- Fr. James MahoneyJune 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020
Continued as founding pastor of St. Veronica Parish upon merger
- Msgr. Edward B. FlahertyJune 30, 1964 – May 20, 1969
First pastor of St. Malachy; WWII chaplain at Guadalcanal
- Rev. Daniel R. FoleyMay 20, 1969 – August 1, 1973
- Rev. James F. Raff
Listed as a pastor of St. Malachy (exact dates jumbled on source)
- Rev. Joseph P. Robinson2008 – June 2018
- Rev. Frank J. Silva
Served St. Malachy before later assignment to St. Margaret
- Rev. James MahoneyJune 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020
Last pastor of St. Malachy prior to merger