Our Lady of Victory Parish and St. Francis Xavier Parish -- Cape Cod, Mass.

Destination: With summer vacation time underway, some may choose to wend their way to “Old Cape Cod.” Some may not realize there are many small towns along the hook-shaped land. But if you happen to visit this part of the Diocese of Fall River on a weekend, here are two of several options for Mass.

Mass times: Our Lady of Victory — Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.; Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7, 9 and 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m.; St. Francis Xavier —  Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.; Saturday 4 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Portuguese; 9 and 11 a.m., English; 1 p.m., Spanish. 

Photos: First — Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, Mass., is in a park-like setting with ample parking for visitors (Observer photos/Sharon Boehlefeld).

Second — On the grounds near Our Lady of Victory Parish is a memorial to babies who died before birth (right).

Third — St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, Mass., abuts the street, but has plenty of room inside the cross-shaped church.

Fourth — An inconspicuous sign near a fence post in front of St. Francis Xavier, explains its connection to the Kennedy family.

Why to go: Both parishes offer a flavor of life on Cape Cod and serve both year-round parishioners and seasonal visitors. 

Our Lady of Victory was founded in 1957 and held its first Masses in the newly completed church basement.

St. Francis Xavier was founded as St. Patrick Parish in 1874 and became St. Francis Xavier in 1903. It has served a variety of immigrant groups over the years. 

The church in Hyannis was close to the home of Rose and Joseph Kennedy Sr., and has been the summer parish of their family members since then. 

Accessibility: Each parish has ample parking and handicapped access. 

(Grand) Kid friendly: Like any parish, visitors of all ages are welcome.

Info: Address — Our Lady of Victory Parish, 230 S. Main St., Centerville, MA 02632 
Phone — 773-925-6600 (ext. 6626)
Website — https://olvparish.org/

St. Francis Xavier Parish, 347 South St., Hyannis, MA 02601 
Phone — 508-775-0818
Website — https://www.sfxhyannis.org/

—By Sharon Boehlefeld, staff contributor. Send Destination ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org