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

Catholic Boston - Boston, Mass.

(Observer photos/Sharon Boehlefeld)

 Destination: Boston, Mass., has a rich Catholic history that has recently been overshadowed by negative news. But it still is a worthwhile place to visit to see ways the Church and its faithful have left a mark on and helped preserve U.S. history.
Masses are offered at various places in the city, including in the North End parishes we’ve listed. Visit Masstimes.org and search for Boston, MA.
Photos: (top left) St. Stephen's Church interior; St. Stephen's Church sign (below right); Sacred Heart Church exterior (below left); Pieta replica presented to President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy by Pope Paul VI.
 Why to go: One of the oldest church buildings in Boston is St. Stephen’s in the North End. On the historic Freedom Trail through old Boston, the church building was designed by Charles Bulfinch, one of the first Americans to work as an architect.
Across the street from Paul Revere’s house, is Sacred Heart, an Italian parish. It was closed as of late October for repairs, and Mass-goers were directed to St. Leonard, a short walk away, for 9 a.m. Sunday Mass. The three churches, all in the North End, share a website with more information about Mass times and parish activities.
One more stop, though a little distant from these three parishes, is the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Among its collection is a replica of the Pieta, presented to President and Mrs. Kennedy by Pope Paul VI when they met him in Rome. A photo of the three together is to the left of the see-through case that houses the statue.
Accessibility: Handicapped accessibility varies widely in each of these places.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.
 Info: — St. Stephen, 401 Hanover St/ Boston, MA 02113
617-523-1230
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Stephens-Church-Boston-Massachusetts/198298816870815
— St. Leonard of Port Maurice, 320 Hanover St. Boston, MA 02113
617-523-2110
https://saintleonardchurchboston.org/ 
— Sacred Heart Italian Church, 12 North Sq., Boston, MA 02113
617-523-5638
— John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston MA 02125
(617) 514-1600 
https://www.jfklibrary.org

— Sharon Boehlefeld 
Send ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org