St. Mary's Church, Newport, RI

09/15/2026

Jesus Saviour Church celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026.
For generations, the church has served as the center of community life for Portuguese immigrants to Aquidneck Island—many of them from the Azores—and their descendants, much as St. Mary’s served Newport’s Irish immigrants.

In the comments, please find a link to a 6-minute "Portuguese Connection" video featuring Keith Tavares, filmed at Jesus Saviour Church, discussing this history.
👉You are invited to Keith's talk about his book, "An Azorean Family's History" at Newport Public Library, on Sept. 23 at 6:00 p.m. DETAILS/RESERVATIONS: https://newportlibraryri.libcal.com/event/16781509

09/13/2026

Here are some photos from St. Mary's/St. Augustin's sister parish volunteer appreciation reception the other night. We are so grateful for the amazing members of our faith community who so generously share their time, talents, and hearts to lift up our sister parishes, serve others, and live out the Word. Your kindness, dedication, and faithful service make such a difference in the lives of others throughout our parish and within our Newport community. Thank you for all that you do! We are blessed to have you. 🙏
These photos are also posted on the St. Mary's Instagram account. Please follow us there, too: https://www.instagram.com/stmarychurchnewportri/

09/13/2026

Many thanks to all those who attended yesterday's "Return to Camelot" annual commemoration of the Sept. 12, 1953 Kennedy Wedding at St. Mary's, and for your generous free-will offerings to support our Community Meal Program, serving our neighbors in need. Please enjoy this news segment on the event, aired on NBC 10 WJAR last night. Sincerest thanks to journalist/videographer Erin Lawlor WJAR, Coastal ABC for covering this special event at St. Mary's.
NOTE: Scroll to the middle of the page to see the link to the recording of the newscast.

St. Mary’s Church in Newport marked 73 years since then Sen. John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier there in 1953.

09/10/2026

🙏This is an announcement from our parish bulletin. Join Bishop Bruce and the faithful from our community at Salve Regina University the evening of Wed. Sept. 16. Click the graphic for details. Here is the link to RESERVE and for details: https://evangelizeri.org/adoration-events

09/01/2026

Calling all GIRLS, 5-18 👱‍♀️👧🏽
As we've shared in our parish bulletin, American Heritage Girls, an interdenominational Christian scouting group that meets at Evangelical Friends Church (EFC), is welcoming new members. Below is the bulletin announcement (click to expand). To reach Troop 0169 Coordinator, Adeline Jasinki write [email protected] or phone her at (401) 699-9824.

08/28/2026

LEARN ABOUT OUR PARISH'S HISTORIC CEMETERIES THIS FALL🍂
👉 A tour of the circa 1828 St. Joseph Cemetery, also known as the Barney Street Cemetery, Rhode Island's oldest Catholic cemetery, will be given SAT. SEPT 26 at 1 pm by The Museum of Newport Irish History. LOCATION: Corner of Barney and Mt. Vernon Streets, Newport.
Led by Steve Marino, this tour of the final resting place of many of Newport's earliest Irish immigrants and the site of R.I.'s first Catholic church, the "birthplace" of St. Mary's Parish, is approximately 30 minutes long. Learn the fascinating story and the mysteries surrounding this site, the center of Newport's Irish-Catholic community life for several decades.
👉The story of Newport's growing Catholic community, as told through its burying grounds, continues SAT. OCT. 24 at 1 pm with a tour of the circa 1852 St. Mary's Cemetery. This cemetery was established to serve R.I.'s first Catholic parish, which constructed a new church to house its growing congregation, fueled by immigration from Ireland. That church, dedicated in 1852 to "The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle," stands today at Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard West. The St. Mary's Cemetery was in operation soon after the church was completed.
No fee, but reservations are required.
DETAILS/RESERVATIONS: https://newportirishhistory.org/historic-cemetery-tours/
On this page you will find links to reserve, interesting historical information about the Barney Street Cemetery site, and videos.

08/27/2026

St. Barnabas Church's Respect Life Ministry is hosting a special gathering on Sat. Sept. 12 at 9am at St. Columbus Cemetery to remember all children and babies who have been lost.🙏
Upon arrival, you will be directed to the outdoor location where the gathering will be held. For more info, please contact Caroline at [email protected] or(401) 682-1961.
Please click the graphic to expand.

08/26/2026

JOIN US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!
Tickets are still available to our sister parish's Summer Social.
Please contact the Parish Office at (401) 847-0475 or write to Alexa Waluk at [email protected]

Tickets are on sale for the Feast of St. Augustin Summer Social after weekend Masses, in the Parish Office, or by emailing [email protected]. Admission is $25 and includes beer and wine, soft drinks, and hors d'oeuvres. Join fellow parishioners and friends from the neighborhood for this special annual tradition.

Thank you to O'Brien's Pub, Newport Protective Club, and Mortadella Head for supporting this event!

Event Details:
🗓 Friday, August 28
🕠 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
📍St. Augustin's Church Lawn (Church Hall in the event of rain)
🎟 $25 (cash or check)

08/23/2026

📣 ONE MONTH TO GO - don't miss out!
Our sister-parish Summer Raffle for a chance to win $10,000💰is 3/4 sold out. Tickets are just $20 each and are on sale after all Sat. and Sun. Masses at St. Mary's Church and St. Augustin’s Church. Also available at the Parish Office, M-Thurs, 9am-4pm. Click graphic to expand, read details. Drawing the evening of Tues. Sept. 22.
QUESTIONS: write [email protected]

08/20/2026

SEPT 12 - RETURN TO CAMELOT: The Kennedy Wedding Remembered
In honor of the Kennedys’ 73rd wedding anniversary, one can re-live that special day, September 12, 1953, when Jacqueline Bouvier married then-Senator John F. Kennedy at St. Mary's Church.
The 12 NOON "Return to Camelot" presentation on Sept. 12, 2026 will feature vintage film clips, a live performance of organ music and hymns from the wedding ceremony, and the "first dance" played at the reception at Hammersmith Farm, Jackie’s childhood summer home in Newport.
👉 Following the 30-minute presentation, visitors may tour the church, view pew #10, where Jack and Jackie prayed while attending Mass in Newport, and see the kneelers used at their nuptial Mass.
• Reservations are not required.
• Doors open at 11:45 am
• The free-will offering will benefit the St. Mary’s Hot Lunch Program, which serves community members in need three times a month
• Free parking is available in the church lots accessed via William St. which runs 1-way down the hill from Bellevue Ave.
• Accessible parking is located in the lot on the right side of William St., adjacent to the former school building.
• The accessible entrance to the church and restrooms is via the breezeway between the rectory and the garage.

More info: [email protected] or phone the Parish Office at (401) 847-0475 (Mon-Thurs, 9am-4pm)

Photo source: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum (JFK Library)