Located in the heart of Mattapoisett Village, St. Anthony of Padua was established as a mission of St. Joseph’s Parish in Fairhaven in 1906. The congregation converted the former advent chapel into a place of worship in 1908 and a new church was built in 1911 and later enlarged. In 1954 the mission became a parish with a resident pastor. The present church was dedicated in 1974 and in 1988 the care of the parish passed from the Sacred Hearts Community to the diocesan clergy.
Recent exterior renovations of St. Anthony’s are in keeping with the Cape Cod feel, while renovations of the Parish Hall have created a comfortable environment for Faith Formation classes and Parish Community activities range from Fish Dinners to Movie Nights to a Christmas Fair.
The community of St. Anthony’s invites you to come celebrate with us. Mass is celebrated on Saturdays at 4:30pm and Sunday mornings at 8:00am & 9:30am with a special Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 9:30am. There is music at all masses with the adult choir at the 9:30am on Sunday. Daily Mass is held at 8am Monday to Friday.
Welcome to St. Rita’s, a church of the Diocese of Fall River in Marion, Massachusetts, USA. Located in the heart of Marion, St. Rita of Cascia Parish was established in 1972. The church was dedicated in 1916. St. Rita is a welcoming faith community, building the Kingdom of God through worshipping the Lord, sharing the Word and generously using our talents and treasures to serve others. Presently, St Rita operates as one Parish with St Anthony, Mattapoisett. St. Rita’s Church offers a quiet respite for reflection with its beautiful woodwork and stained-glass windows befitting a quaint New England village. In 1999, Martino Stained Glass Studio was commissioned to design, create, and install 14 large windows depicting the life of Jesus. Many of the windows include aquatic elements fitting the coastal environment of Marion, Massachusetts. The community of St. Rita’s invites you to come celebrate with us Sunday morning at 11:30am. Faith Formation is held at St. Anthony’s.
About our Saints
St. Anthony of Padua is one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints. Patron Saint of lost and stolen articles, he was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus – or a lily – or a book – or all three- in his arms. Many people give alms to St. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through prayers of St. Anthony.
St. Anthony of Padua’s life is what every Christian’s life is meant to be; a steady courage to face the ups and downs of life, the call to love and forgive, to be concerned for the needs of others, to deal with crisis great and small, and to have our feet solidly on the ground of total trusting love and dependence on God.
St. Anthony is beloved throughout the world and is responsive to all people and all needs. His intercessory powers before our God are awesome!
Anthony was born in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Order and died at the age of 36 in Padua, Italy. His Feast Day is June 13th.
For centuries, St. Rita of Cascia has been one of the most popular saints in the Catholic Church. She is known as the “Saint of the Impossible” because of her amazing answers to prayers, as well as the remarkable events of her own life. St. Rita wanted to become a nun, but in obedience to her aged parents, she married. Her husband caused her much suffering, but she repaid his cruelty with prayer and kindness. In time he was converted to be considerate and God-fearing. But she was to undergo another great sorrow when her husband was murdered and found that her two sons were entertaining avenging their father’s murder. With heroic love for their souls, she begged God to take them from this life rather than allow them to commit this great sin. Not long afterward they both died after preparing themselves to meet God.
Bereft of spouse and children, St. Rita devoted herself to prayer, penance and works of charity. After praying to her three patron saints, she miraculously entered the convent where her life was marked by great charity, until her death at the age of 76. Her Feast Day is celebrated on September 29th.
Born: 1381, Roccaporena, Italy
Died: May 22, 1457, Cascia, Italy
