About St. William of York · Tewksbury, Massachusetts
St. William of York Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, located in the Merrimack Valley north of Lowell. It is one of the historic Oblate of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.) parishes served by the religious community that has ministered in Tewksbury since 1868. The parish's vision statement commits it to being 'a truly evangelizing parish, one in which all parishioners enter into a closer relationship with Christ, that they share the Good News of His kingdom with others, that they participate actively as members of the parish family, and that they reach out to those in need.' It belongs to the Archdiocese of Boston and offers a full sacramental life — daily and Sunday Mass, Reconciliation, adoration, religious education for K–8, Confirmation preparation, youth ministry, RCIA, a parish school of religion, music ministry, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, a prayer shawl ministry, a men's club and weekly bingo, Habitat for Humanity involvement, a sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a parish-wide pastoral and finance council.
- Established
- 1934
- Patron
- St. William of York
- Rector
- Rev. Elvis Mwamba, OMI
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. William of York offers a robust sacramental and community life for Catholics in the Tewksbury area: six weekend Masses, daily Mass Monday through Saturday, two weekly Reconciliation opportunities, perpetual-style adoration in the Saint Eugene de Mazenod Chapel, First Friday Devotion, Divine Mercy Devotion, family Masses, and a Children's Liturgy of the Word. It runs a full Parish School of Religion from kindergarten through Confirmation, a Confirmation program, youth ministry, RCIA, a music ministry, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, a St. Vincent de Paul Conference serving neighbors in need, a Habitat for Humanity build, a Men's Club and weekly Bingo, and a Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality — all supported by an active Pastoral Council and Finance Council. It is a parish with deep roots: more than 140 years of continuous Oblate of Mary Immaculate presence in Tewksbury, a parish centenarian in its own right since 1934, and a commitment to being 'a truly evangelizing parish.'
Mass times at St. William of York
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- or by appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual adoration is available in the Saint Eugene de Mazenod Adoration Chapel at 1351 Main Street (sign up for an hour via adoration247.com); sign-ups coordinated by Eileen Wood (978-500-1771) and Diane Trayah
History of St. William of York Parish
St. William of York was established in December 1934 when the Archbishop of Boston gave permission to create a parish in Tewksbury and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate accepted responsibility for it. The parish's roots, however, go back to 1868, when the Oblates first began ministering at the State Almshouse (now Tewksbury Hospital). The Oblate Novitiate on Chandler Street — established in 1883 on the Kittredge Estate — was the spiritual home for Catholic Tewksbury residents for decades, with Father Emery celebrating the first recorded Mass for the town's Catholics on October 28, 1888. Two fires shaped the community: the 1895 fire that destroyed the first Novitiate (the pond was frozen and could not save it) and the 1959 fire that led directly to construction of the present rectory, completed and dedicated December 13, 1959. The third Novitiate was dedicated January 17, 1962. Two jubilee celebrations stand out: the 1983 'Oblate Fathers Festival' marking 100 years of Oblate presence in Tewksbury, and the September 28, 1985 50th Anniversary Mass celebrated by Cardinal Bernard Law. The Oblate Novitiate today serves as a retirement residence and infirmary, with a tree-lined walkway and stations of the cross leading to the Oblate Cemetery.
- Parish founded: December 1934
- Oblates arrive in Tewksbury: 1868
- Novitiate established on Chandler Street: October 12, 1883
- First Mass for Catholic residents of Tewksbury: October 28, 1888
- First Novitiate destroyed by fire: February 7, 1895
- Second Novitiate dedicated: November 12, 1896
- Hospital chapel built: 1898
- Parish formally established: December 1934
- Second Novitiate fire: January 25, 1959
- Present rectory dedicated: December 13, 1959
- Third Novitiate dedicated (Feast of Our Lady of Hope): January 17, 1962
- 100th Anniversary of the Oblates in Tewksbury: 1983
- 50th Anniversary of St. William's Parish: September 28, 1985
Our Patron — St. William of York
St. William of York (d. 8 June 1154) was an English priest and twice Archbishop of York, before and after the Cistercian rival Henry Murdac. He is venerated in both the Roman Catholic Church and Anglicanism, and was canonized by Pope Honorius III in Rome in 1226 after miracles were reported at his tomb in York Minster. His feast day is June 8. Traditional iconography depicts his crossing of the River Ouse; his coat of arms is blazoned 'Or, seven mascles Gules, 3, 3 and 1.'
- Feast day: June 8
- Canonized: 18 March 1226 by Pope Honorius III
- Buried: York Minster
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Rev. Elvis Mwamba, OMI, Pastor, supported by Rev. John J. Hogan, OMI (Senior Priest in residence), Rev. Bill Mason, OMI (Parochial Vicar), and Deacon Thomas M. Walsh Jr. (Permanent Deacon). The staff also includes a Business Manager, administrative assistants, Director of Music Ministry Nancy Benetti, two Religious Education coordinators, Confirmation coordinator Andrew Genovese, and a maintenance department.
- Pastor: Rev. Elvis Mwamba, OMI
- Senior Priest (in residence): Rev. John J. Hogan, OMI
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Bill Mason, OMI
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Thomas M. Walsh Jr.
- Director of Music Ministry: Nancy Benetti
- Religious Ed Coordinator K–2: Dianne Bartalamia
- Religious Ed Coordinator 3–8: Molly Aviles
- Confirmation Coordinator: Andrew Genovese
- Business Manager: Dave Long
- Administrative Assistants: Donna Bell and Mary Ellen Day
- Maintenance: Peter Cote
Religious Education & Youth
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves children from kindergarten through Grade 8, with separate coordinators for K–2 and Grades 3–8. Children prepare for First Penance and First Communion in Grade 2, with a Confirmation program beginning in Grade 7 and coordinated by Andrew Genovese. The parish also publishes a full annual student calendar (September–May) that includes Children's Liturgy of the Word, Grade Masses, a Grade 7 Penance, Stations of the Cross, a First Communion Retreat, and two First Communion ceremonies each May.
- Religious Education Office: 978-851-3471
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Grades K–2 Coordinator: Dianne Bartalamia
- Grades 3–8 Coordinator: Molly Aviles
- Confirmation Coordinator: Andrew Genovese — 978-851-7330
- RCIA / OCIA for adults
- First Communion ceremonies each May (two ceremonies)
- Volunteer Appreciation Mass in April
Music Ministry
Music Ministry at St. William's is led by Mrs. Nancy Benetti, Director of Music Ministry. The office number is 978-490-4579 and the email is [email protected]. Music supports the parish's full liturgical schedule, including the Family Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month (Labor Day through Memorial Day).
- Director: Nancy Benetti
- Phone: 978-490-4579
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. William's sponsors a wide range of parish ministries and outreach efforts — from corporal works of mercy through the St. Vincent de Paul Conference and Habitat for Humanity, to fellowship through the Men's Club and Bingo, to prayer and support through the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, and Grief Support. The RCIA process welcomes adults into full communion with the Catholic Church, usually at the Easter Vigil.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (helpline: 978-851-0181; Conference President: Carolyn Hopkins, 978-851-4594)
- Tewksbury Habitat for Humanity Build
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — every other Wednesday, 2:30–4:00 PM, Blessed Joseph Gerard Room
- Men's Club and Bingo — Friday evenings, 978-640-0859
- Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality
- RCIA / OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Grief Support — Parish Nurse Elaine Walsh, 978-866-0995
- Natural Family Planning — Instructor Eileen Wood, 978-500-1771
Parish Pastoral Council & Finance Council
The parish is governed in part by two lay-staffed councils. The Parish Pastoral Council meets on the second Thursday of the month, September through June, at 7:00 PM in the Blessed Joseph Gerard Room. The Finance Council meets on the third Thursday of the month, September through June, at 7:00 PM in the Rectory Conference Room. Both councils are chaired by the Pastor.
- Pastoral Council — meets 2nd Thursday @ 7:00 PM, Sept.–June
- Finance Council — meets 3rd Thursday @ 7:00 PM, Sept.–June
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are celebrated twice a month on Sunday at 1:00 PM (arrangements at least one month in advance). First Penance and First Communion are prepared through the Religious Education program in Grade 2. Confirmation is a multi-year process beginning in Grade 7. Marriages require at least six months of preparation. Anointing and Communion Calls to the sick and homebound are made on First Fridays by priests and on weekends by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
- Baptism: twice a month, Sunday at 1:00 PM
- First Penance & First Communion: Grade 2
- Confirmation: Grades 7+
- Marriage: at least six months' preparation
- Anointing of the Sick & Communion Calls
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM and by appointment
Visiting & Contact
The parish's main office is the Rectory at 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 (phone 978-851-7331, fax 978-858-0544). Rectory hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, closed Sunday. The Business Office (978-851-7331 x102) is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Religious Education Office (978-851-3471) is in the Parish Center building. The Music Ministry office number is 978-490-4579, and the Men's Club & Bingo can be reached at 978-640-0859.
- Address: 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876
- Parish Phone: 978-851-7331
- Fax: 978-858-0544
- Religious Education: 978-851-3471
- Music Ministry: 978-490-4579
- Men's Club & Bingo: 978-640-0859
- St. Vincent de Paul Helpline: 978-851-0181
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Blaney, OMIPastor at time of 1983 Oblate Centennial
Commissioned a keepsake medal from Italy to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Oblates in Tewksbury.
- Rev. John W. (John H.) Hanley, OMI, V.F.Pastor until July 15, 2011
Served almost eight years as Pastor; also served as Vicar for Vicariate II of the Archdiocese and Chaplain of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 19; reassigned in July 2011 to be Director of Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic, CT.
- Rev. Andrew Knop, OMIAppointed July 15, 2011
Succeeded Father Hanley as Pastor.
- Rev. Quilin Bouzi, OMIPastor as of 2020 bulletin
Listed as Pastor and Chair of Parish Pastoral Council in April 2020 parish bulletin; preceded current pastor.
- Rev. Elvis Mwamba, OMICurrent pastor (as of parish staff page and Boston Pilot directory)