St. William of York ACTS

03/23/2026

Come join us for a faith-filled night!

Join us Friday, April 10th 7-9pm for Praise Out Loud! 

03/09/2026

WOMEN’S ACTS TESTIMONIAL: Patti DeFrancesco

Hi! My name is Patti DeFrancesco. I am married to my husband Steve for 37 years and have 4 adult children and 3 adorable grandchildren. We have been parishioners at St. William’s since 1990. I work as a physical therapist at Tewksbury State Hospital on a specialized psychiatric medical unit.

I was raised in the Catholic Church and always felt that I was an “ok” Catholic. I attended Mass regularly but often felt disconnected, and really only was there for the music and homily. I had a basic knowledge of my faith, but there was definitely something missing. As my children were growing up, I often felt overwhelmed. There is an 11 year age span between the oldest and the youngest, so I spent a lot of years running from place to place. Then in 2010, after a scary car accident, I realized that I needed to pay a bit more attention to my own needs. In addition to working on my physical health, I decided it was time to take the leap and attend an ACTS retreat. I had been asked by several friends from church over the years to attend, but I always had an excuse. When I finally said “yes,” I was amazed at what I learned about myself and my relationship with God. The weekend opened my eyes to so many things, and more importantly, opened my heart to feel God’s love.

Since that time, ACTS has played a major role in my life. I’ve served on team about 10 times and as a director in 2024. The growth I have experienced, both personally and spiritually, through ACTS has been tremendous. I have developed a deep sense of community with all of my ACTS sisters and brothers and have formed lifelong bonds with women who were mere acquaintances before ACTS. I have developed a deeper understanding and love for our beautiful faith. Most importantly, I feel ACTS has helped me be a better spouse, mother, and PT.

My advice to women considering attending a retreat is to TRUST!! If you are feeling the nudge to attend, you should! And for women who have already attended ACTS, say “yes” to serving on team, or if you can’t, help with outside services. ACTS changed my life, and I pray that it will continue to change other people’s lives. God bless!

03/01/2026

Reminder to get your raffle tickets this weekend!

Go support our Women’s ACTS Retreat!!

The St William’s women’s ACTS retreat team is holding a fundraiser to raise money for scholarships for their upcoming retreat. $400 worth of lottery scratch tickets will be raffled off. Cost for the tickets is $10 for one or $20 for three. Tickets will be sold after all masses on February 28 and March 1. They can also be purchased by contacting Patti at 978–604–5759. Thank you so much for your support.

02/25/2026

Go support our Women’s ACTS Retreat!!

The St William’s women’s ACTS retreat team is holding a fundraiser to raise money for scholarships for their upcoming retreat. $400 worth of lottery scratch tickets will be raffled off. Cost for the tickets is $10 for one or $20 for three. Tickets will be sold after all masses on February 28 and March 1. They can also be purchased by contacting Patti at 978–604–5759. Thank you so much for your support.

02/12/2026

As ACTS Retreats begin today, let us unite in prayer as one community, lifting up every retreatant, team member, and all who are serving.

May each heart be deeply touched by the love, mercy, and transforming grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Come, Holy Spirit.

Church of the Holy Cross - Wichita, KS - Men
Holy Trinity - San Antonio, TX - Men
OLPH - Saspamco Coalition, St. Anthony - Elmendorf, TX - Women
Sacred Heart - Richmond, TX - Women
Santo Niño de Atocha - Aguascalientes, Mexico - Men
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - San Juan, TX - Men
St. Rose of Lima - San Antonio, TX - Women
St. Thomas Acquinas Parish - Derry, NH - Women

We'd love to have your parish's retreat in our system. Submit the information to us so we can lift you up in prayer on the weekend of your retreat.

https://actsmissions.org/submit-retreat/

01/23/2026

Join us for a fun night of trivia! Here is the link to sign up!

https://forms.gle/SQrAxJRyZY6nUVRi6

01/14/2026

Hope to see you there!

Join us for a fun night of trivia! Here is the link to sign up!

https://forms.gle/SQrAxJRyZY6nUVRi6

01/11/2026

MEN’S ACTS TESTIMONIAL: Tom Mulloy

Hello, my name is Tom Mulloy, and I have been a parishioner of St. William’s for 31 years. I am currently a Physical Education Teacher in Everett for the past 29 years. I also have been a coach for Special Olympics as well as a middle and high school coach. I have seven other siblings, and we were brought up in a strict Irish Catholic family.

My wife, Sheri, and I raised one daughter, Alyson, and we are blessed to have three grandchildren. Alyson and her husband, Dylan, met as teenagers at the St. William’s Teen ACTS Retreat. They spent many hours learning about God. I remember Alyson coming home from retreats with so much energy, happiness, and contentment. She was filling her soul and I didn’t even realize it.

It wasn’t until 10+ years later I finally went on my own retreat. Although my personal accounts are too many to list, I will tell you I experienced and received the Holy Spirit. My retreat opened my eyes to the true meaning of religion. It softened my heart and has helped me to heal not only as a Christian, but also a man. It took a sledgehammer to get through to me, but God, and the men who worked the retreat, showed me the true meaning of faith.

I am an ordinary guy who went to church every Sunday, but was a sinner and I am called doubting Thomas for a reason. But, I took a leap of faith and said yes to a weekend away with a bunch of guys and I am forever grateful that I did. You will find your own reason to say yes to a retreat, and I am living proof that not only there is a God, but life is so much better after I made my Men’s ACTS Retreat.