Welcome

Saint Eugene Church is a Roman Catholic community of faith.  As such, we believe in Jesus Christ, strive to follow Him under the authority and guidance of His Church’s (the Catholic Church’s) Magisterium, and gather together as a community first and foremost to engage in the sacred worship of God through the liturgy, most especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass-the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our faith.

Our parish community welcomes God’s people from every walk of life and is committed to doing its part to fulfill Christ’s great commission to “Go and preach the Gospel to all nations and to every people”.  Recognizing Christ’s presence and suffering in the poor and less fortunate, we are also committed to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.  Insofar as we are able, we seek to assist the spiritual, physical, and earthly needs of those around us.  Relying on God’s grace and mercy, we grow spiritually-that is, in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ-and we strive to bear authentic witness to the truth of the Gospel to our society and our world.

If you are new to or visiting our parish community, please review this website to learn more about our vibrant community of faith in Chepachet, R.I.

New Parishioners

Welcome to our parish!  We are so happy you are here with us!  We look forward to growing in our faith and journeying closer to our ultimate home in Heaven with you!  We are excited to see how the Lord has chosen you to help build up His Kingdom here on earth, how we can grow together, and how we can help you fulfill the plan God has for your life. 

New Catholics

Welcome to the Catholic faith!  All those who are new to the Catholic Faith or interested in learning more are encouraged to join us for Mass each week.  We are so blessed to call you our new brother or sister in the Lord!  We eagerly anticipate worshipping, growing, and serving others together with you! 

Returning Catholics

Welcome back!  You have been greatly missed!  Thank you for responding to our Lord’s call to return to Him!  If the St. Eugene Church parish community can be of any assistance to you, please let us know!  Also, please check out what is going on at St. Eugene Church…we would love to have you get involved in the life of our parish!   

Visitors/Guests

Please know that visitors/guests are always welcome and are encouraged to join our community of faith for worship, prayer, service, fundraising, and, or fellowship!  Come any time for any and all functions or to our website!

Travelers

If you plan to travel and are concerned about fulfilling your Mass obligation, please visit CatholicMassTime.org for Mass times at parishes throughout the country.

Parishioners

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for Saint Eugene Church!  Please take a look at our parish website for information about our parish and other various needs.  

Importance of Sunday & Holy Day Mass Attendance

We attend Mass…

To fulfill the obligation we have from the 3rd Commandment

To strengthen us to love and serve the Lord and one another,

To be filled with Jesus Christ,

To offer our praise and thanksgiving for our redemption,

To hear Christ’s voice in the scripture readings and to receive His message in us,

To pray and worship God together in a faith filled community,

To receive the Holy Eucharist, (If you are in a State of Grace)

To celebrate with music and singing,

To receive God’s help and healing,

To develop our faith and glorify God,

To follow the Commandments of God-Keep holy the Sabbath Day.

GOD MUST COME FIRST IN OUR LIVES!!!

MISSING MASS IS A MORTAL SIN!!!

Catholic Mass Attendance Proper Etiquette

• Dress modestly and appropriately before the Lord.
• Arrive to Mass on time.
• Make the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering the Church.
• Men and boys, kindly remove hats or caps before the Lord.
• Genuflect facing the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle before entering your pew or altar. If unable to genuflect, a heartfelt bow is acceptable.
• Please turn off (or to vibrate) all cell phones prior to entering the Church.
• Please be “prayerfully silent”. Refrain from unnecessary talking as it distracts others who are intently praying and reflecting.
• Join in the singing, and sing your praises to the Lord. Give Him thanks.
• Listen to the readings as God speaks to you directly through His words.
• Remove gum, candy, food etc. before entering the church.
• Catholics, receive Holy Communion with reverence. You may receive on the tongue or in your hand. If you choose to receive the Body of Christ in your hand, please be sure your hands are clean and your right hand is under your left hand. Consume immediately. Please do a reverent head bow before receiving Holy Communion.
• If you are aware of having committed a mortal sin (according to the Church’s definition of a mortal sin) please refrain from receiving Holy Communion until you have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka, Confession).
• Please exit the church after the final song and after the celebrant has completed the recessional procession.
• Please be sure to take all your belongings and leave the pew and missal ready for the next Mass participant.

Thank you and God bless you!

History of Saint Eugene Church

Saint Eugene Parish in Chepachet, R.I., was established on September 11th, 1956, by Most Reverend Bishop Russell J. McVinney. Bishop McVinney had served the early residents 0f St. Eugene Parish while he was an Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick Church in Harrisville, R.I.  At the time, St. Eugene Parish was a mission parish of St. Patrick Church and Mass was celebrated in a hall on Route 102 across from the Chepachet Pharmacy (the hall has since been demolished) and later in the basement meeting room of the Glocester Town Hall building on Main Street in the village.

When it was established as an independent parish, the first and founding Pastor of St. Eugene Church was Father Joseph F. McCabe (1956-1964) who previously served as the Assistant Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Pawtucket, R.I. and as the Director of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of Providence.  After Fr. McCabe, the Pastors of St. Eugene Church have been Reverend Ronald G. Dailey (1964-1967), Reverend William F.X. Harrington (1967-1971), Reverend Francis V. De Lellis (1971-1994), Reverend Russell Page (1994-1996), Reverend Charles Quinn (1997-2007), Reverend T.J. Varghese (2007-2018), and Reverend Stephen J. Dandeneau (2018-present).

As a result of the connection between St. Eugene Church and St. Patrick Church, the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement assisted with the Religious Education Program at St. Eugene Church during the school year for a number of years until they moved out of the area.

The St. Eugene Church building is of modern “Georgian-Colonial” design built of red brick and wood and designed to accommodate about 450 people at one time.  It is well designed to take care of the growing numbers of year-round residents as well as the increasing numbers of summer residents who are attracted by the numerous lakes and ponds in Glocester, which boasts of the highest elevations in Rhode Island.

The rectory is one of several historical buildings in town with ties to public service since it was built in the 1840’s by one of the members of the Brown family.  The Brown’s were among the first families to settle in the Town of Glocester.  At one time, the rectory was the private home of Walter Reed, who was a Rhode Island United States Senator.  Later, it served as a boarding house and, more recently, as a convalescent home until it was purchased by the Diocese of Providence to serve as the St. Eugene Church Rectory.

Throughout its history, St. Eugene Church has grown and has become the vibrant community of faith it is today.  It is built on a solid foundation of good and faithful people who make the northwest corner of our state the welcoming and pleasant area that it is.

Saint Eugene Church News