I became a resident and a member of the Billerica Catholic Community in 2002. My husband John is a lifelong member of Billerica and we have two daughters, Kristina & Kathryn. Both girls sang in the Children’s choir, participated in Religious Education and Kristina is an altar server.
I attended Bunker Hill Community College and am currently enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University. I am a real estate executive with over 30 years of expertise in all aspects of commercial real estate and construction. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, vacationing in warm climates and boating.
I am honored and blessed to serve as a member of the Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish Finance Council and happy to assist members of the parish and the community any way that I can.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Finance Council.
I have lived in Billerica for almost 30 years and have been a parishioner at Saint Theresa since 2000. Both our sons were baptized here, joined the Children’s Choir, completed Religious Education and served as Altar Servers through high school.
My wife and I were members of the Marriage Prep (Pre-Cana) team at St Theresa from 2003-2010.
We have all helped decorate St. Theresa church for many years and I have also served on the Parish Council for the Catholic Collaborative of Billerica.
I am currently a member of Father Wren Council #3968, Billerica Knights of Columbus as well as the Billerica conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
After graduating from Bentley College, I have worked in finance most of my life, including over twenty years in several capacities within the commercial real estate industry.
I am honored to currently serve on St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish Finance Council and Parish Building Committee.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Finance Council.
My name is Sharon Crescio and I am humbled to serve on the Finance Council for St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish here in Billerica. I grew up in Billerica and was a member of St. Theresa and St. Mary Churches. As an adult, I attended Middlesex Community College and Mt. Ida College, became a Dental Assistant for 10 years, met my husband David and six years later married. After Marrying my husband, I left the dental field to work with my husband's company. Soon after, I became a stay at home Mom as we were blessed with three boys. Now that our boys are older, I am now working again for my husband.
Within the Catholic Community of Billerica, I have volunteered as a CCD teacher, Table Leader for the 9th and 10th grade Confirmation classes, Greeter, a snack coordinator for The Summer Adventure Week (Catholic Summer Camp) at St.Theresa's Church, Finance Council and now a member of the Building Maintenance Committee as well.
I'm very happy to serve St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish any way I can because I believe together we can always build on what we already have here. So excited for a new beginning to come together as a Catholic Community and build stronger and greater bonds in faith with all Catholics and beyond in Billerica. I look forward to communicating with parishioners about their passions, ideas and concerns of our Catholic Community.
In my spare time, I love to read, craft cards, scrapbook, watch romantic movies, bake, enjoy the ocean and mountains, take long drives to see our beautiful Now England and also, I love learning more about my faith.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Finance Council.
I have been a member of the Catholic Community in Billerica since 1979, and have been on the Parish council for Saint Mary Parish, the Billerica Collaborative team, and worked behind the scenes with Jim Spinale for the Saint Mary’s Youth Faith Formation program by volunteering and assisting with the bi-yearly youth trips to Washington DC.
My wife and I have had 4 children go through the CCD program and are now proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren. I have worked on many past church fundraisers and annual picnics that took place at St Mary Parish.
My professional background is an Operational Consultant for Meineke Care Centers throughout New England. I graduated with a BA in Psychology from U Mass Boston.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Finance Council.
Chad Laliberte is Senior Corporate Counsel in Oracle America’s Commercial Legal Dept. and handles a wide variety of technology, professional service, and data privacy issues. Chad received his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and his M.B.A. from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.
Chad and his wife, Allison, moved to Billerica and joined the Catholic Community of Billerica after their wedding in 2012. He has had the honor of serving on the Finance Council since 2018 as well as being a member of St. Andrew Church’s 150th Anniversary Committee. He is extremely appreciative of the warm welcome and hospitality from the many parishioners of St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish and looks forward to assisting in any capacity he can to support the new parish!
Chad’s hobbies include watching movies, good conversation, get-togethers, long recreational walks, and, above all, tackling his “Honey-Do” list. You may find Chad strolling around North Billerica, particularly on the weekends. He welcomes any input or insight on parish activities as well as any movie suggestions!
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Finance Council.
PPC Member
Allison Laliberte is a Spanish teacher and Academic Dean of the World Language Department at Pelham High School in Pelham, NH. Allison moved to North Billerica and became a member of Saint Andrew Church in 2012. She was a member of the St. Andrew 150th Celebration Committee and has served on the Pastoral Parish Council since 2018. Allison has thoroughly enjoyed participating in the various activities within the Catholic Community of Billerica as well as interacting with parishioners, which has led to incredible friendships and fellowship.
On the weekends, Allison and her husband (Chad) enjoy taking long walks around North Billerica to get some fresh air and exercise. If you see them walking near the Faulkner Mills or Saint Andrew Church, then you are welcome to say hello and share your ideas for enriching the new parish. Allison is honored to serve on the Saint Matthew the Evangelist Pastoral Parish Council and is looking forward to sharing ideas and collaborating as we begin this new journey together!
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
PPC Member
Asa Pedi is a Vocalist, a Screen and Stage Actor, and a Performer, and has been a cantor since he was 12 years old. He has extended his cantoring to all three churches at St. Matthew parish, and he has loved every second of it! He has earned his entry into the SAG-AFTRA union, and is pursuing a career in performance arts. He loves nothing more than to express the written gospel, and to reach people's hearts through the medium of music.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
PPC Member
My Name Is Beth D'Orsi. I have been a member of the Catholic Community of Billerica for 18 years. I am married and have three sons. My oldest just made his conformation this past spring. My twin sons are currently in the 8th grade religious education program here. I look forward to being a part of the PPC.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
PPC Member
Hi everyone my name is Frank Ruggeri and I'm currently retired. I'm a forward thinking parishioner of Saint Matthew the Evangelist. In the past I've been a long time member of former Saint Theresa Parish, and although they're adults now, I raised my daughter and son here until their college years. I've been a CCD teacher at all levels including Confirmation preparation and performing other odd jobs at Saint Theresa as needed. I'm proud to continue to advise our pastor to serve ALL parishioners of Billerica
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
My lifelong Catholic faith is the foundation of who I am, especially in my role as a wife and mother. A resident of Billerica since 1999, I look forward in hope to what is next for the Catholic faithful of Billerica. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council. Please reach out to me if you see me around town with any questions or concerns you’d like brought to the council’s attention. Together, let's follow where the Holy Spirit leads us, the newly established parish of St. Matthew the Evangelist!
Peace!
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
PPC Member
My name is Joanne Karanja, and I am blessed with two sons. St. Mary has been our family church since moving to Billerica in 2004. I am humbled to serve as a parish council member for St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish. I seek to grow in my faith through serving our Billerica community.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
PPC Member
My name is Shane de Lima. My wife and I have been a part of Billerica Catholic since 2013 and we have been participating in Holy Mass at St. Mary's Church. We serve as lectors and Extraordinary Ministers. We have two amazing daughters. I am excited to be part of the Pastoral Council of our newly formed St. Matthew The Evangelist Parish and I look forward to serving God and his Church.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
PPC Member
Stephen lived in the state of West Virginia from birth through a computer engineering degree and a commission in the Army. For the next 10+ years, he and his wife Nicole (also an Army veteran) lived all over the country and the world while having four wonderful children. Following a tour in Afghanistan as cybersecurity officer for the 82nd Airborne's Combat Aviation Brigade, Stephen took an honorable discharge and the family ended up settling in a 19th century New England farmhouse and at St. Andrew's Parish with the kids attending Lowell Catholic elementary school. The whole family (now also including one energetic dog) stays active with hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, and trips to the beach.
CLICK HERE to contact our Parish Pastoral Council.
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x221
CLICK HERE to contact Father Aveni.
Enough About Me, Let’s Talk About Me
Knowing that this article should have been in the bulletin sometime over the past month…better late than never. Here is a short bio condensing 54 years into a bulletin column.
I am the youngest son of the late Annmarie (2022) and the late (2002) Paul Aveni, Sr. I was brought up in Manomet, MA (Plymouth) in Saint Bonaventure Parish. My father was a pharmacist and owned a pharmacy in Manomet, and my mother worked as the CEO, CFO and COO of our family.
I graduated in 1982 from the then Plymouth-Carver Regional High School. With my fascination and interest in emerging technology in the 70s and 80s I enrolled at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH majoring in Computer Science, and graduated in 1986 in the second class of that major. I eventually ended up at SunLife of Canada in Wellesley as a network administrator and PC support specialist during the time that SunLife was transitioning from mainframe terminals to PCs. It was an exciting time in the industry.
In my time at Saint Anselm, my faith came alive in ways that it hadn’t in my younger years. The campus ministry at Saint Anselm and presence of the Benedictine Monks allowed for a dedicated ministry to the college community age group in a way I had never experienced before. Upon graduation I got involved in my parish (Immaculate Conception in Malden) and ‘slowly’ began to discern a vocation to priesthood. I entered Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton and began my studies toward a master’s degree in divinity and was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston May 16, 1998.
In my 20+ years as a priest I have ministered at Immaculate Conception in Revere, Saint John the Evangelist in North Chelmsford, Saint Joseph Holbrook, Saint Mary Revere, Holy Trinity Parish Quincy, Saints. Martha and Mary Lakeville and Sacred Heart in Middleboro (which included the former St. Rose of Lima Parish in Rochester as a worship site) as pastor of both parishes, and Our Lady of the Assumption in Marshfield.
Between my assignments in Middleboro and Lakeville and Marshfield, I was given privilege and opportunity to participate in the sabbatical program at the Institute for Continued Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College in Rome in the fall of 2013 as Billerica was coming together as a collaborative. My time on sabbatical was renewing to my ministry and priesthood.
Now we come to the present moment, where I tend to prefer to live. I am excited about and look forward to my time here among St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish as your pastor. I am grateful to Fr. Shawn Allen and his leadership as the founding pastor of the Collaborative of Billerica, as we build on foundation that he laid.
Parochial Vicar, PPC Member (ex officio)
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x223
CLICK HERE to contact Jean.
I am Fr. Tounoussia Sassou, a priest of the archdiocese of Garoua in Cameroon. I am the second of five children. I was born on September 14, 1980. My father passed on in 2007. My Mother is alive. I was ordained to the sacred priesthood on June 14, 2008. After my ordination I was sent to Immaculate heart Parish in Boula-Ibib as associate pastor for three years. Then I was sent for studies to the Catholic University of Central Africa for three years after which I got a Masters degree. After my studies the bishop sent me to Immaculate Heart Parish in Bidzar for two years, and at the same time I was lecturing at Saint Augustin Major Seminary. In August 2016 my Bishop sent me for further studies in the USA. From August 2016 to May 2018, I studied at Boston College and graduated on May 22 with an STL (Sacred Theology Licentiate).
I am very grateful and thankful to the Archdiocese of Boston and to Fr. Paul Aveni for giving me this wonderful opportunity to work in this Parish, Saint Matthew the Evangelist. I am excited to work with the community. I love soccer, basketball and Ping pong.
Peace and Blessings!
Fr. Jean Sassou Tounoussia
Deacon, PPC Member (ex officio)
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816
CLICK HERE to contact Deacon Allan.
Deacon Allan Shanahan is one of the two Permanent Deacons at St. Matthew Parish.
Deacon Al has technical degrees from Boston College and the Catholic University of America, as well as spiritual and academic formation as deacon. Deacon Al was ordained in 1986 and assigned for the first 28 years to St. Mary Parish in Pinehurst and now to all three parishes in Billerica. In addition to his ministerial duties, he has taught the faith at all levels at St. Mary, and this has continued for the Collaborative, participating now in Baptismal catechesis, Adult Faith Formation, Marriage preparation, Bible Study, and the St. Theresa Confirmation program, as well as adult Confirmation preparation and RCIA, when needed.
Deacon Al writes,
"Let me tell you about how convinced I became over my lifetime that God was moving me in directions he wanted to move me in, for his purposes, directions I did not will or even understand.
I was born and brought up in an Irish Catholic family, living first in Watertown, then Roxbury, then Charlestown. I went to public schools through the eighth grade until I was blessed with an offer to go to B.C. High, a Jesuit high school, where I learned to say the Morning Offering prayer, to make a morning offering of myself to God, at the beginning of each school day. I did this for years and then went to Boston College--and promptly forgot about making my morning offering, although I continued to go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, which I did my whole life. I married my Charlestown sweetheart, Judy, graduated from college, and took my first job in Washington, D.C. We had our two daughters there, Debbie and Eileen, and moved back to this area, eventually moving into Billerica 44 years ago.
I must admit that when I moved into Billerica those many years ago, I was not an “intentional” disciple of Christ, someone who made it a policy to continue to get to know God better, love him more, and show that love by serving Him in one way or another. I went to Mass every week, yes, but that was it. I still remember the realization after a half dozen years attending St. Mary’s every week that the only time I prayed during the week was when I entered the church for Mass. When I left, I wouldn’t think about God again until I went to church again the following week. I recognized that something was seriously wrong with my week. There was an emptiness. I had no relationship with God, except in church; I had no appreciation or even awareness of the presence of God around me during the week. And so, I worked hard at trying to restore the daily prayer life I had in high school; I recovered the Morning Offering the Jesuits had taught me there. The last part of the Morning Offering was to pray for what I needed, so I started to pray for the dead, my parents, relatives, and friends who had died. I prayed for my wife and children and all my relatives, friends, and acquaintances. I even prayed for my enemies and all those I had never met. I did all that in the shower or getting dressed for work. I added the rosary, turning off the radio in the car on the way to work and counting the Hail Mary’s on my fingers. I started to go to Mass on Saturday mornings as something extra for God. “Coincidentally” at a Daughters of St. Paul book fair in the Billerica Mall, Judy thought I might be interested in a book she bought: the Liturgy of the Hours, the public prayer of the Church. I started to pray Morning and Evening prayer every day. And over time something wonderful happened. I realized that I was conscious of God 24/7. I could feel his involvement in my life and I felt I was tuned in to His life. When I went to Mass, the readings were finally really speaking to me; in the famous parable of the man who gave various amounts of money to invest while he was away, I was the “worthless, lazy lout” who was giving God no return on his investment in me. I needed to do something for God, not just go to Mass, even though that is of course necessary, but I had no idea what that might be. The parish seemed to be running like a top under Father John T. Lawler.
Miraculously Fr. Lawler called me one night, out of the blue, and asked me to become a lector—I said yes. Then, after a while, since I was only a lector every other week, he asked me to become a choir member during the off-weeks. Judy and I both said yes. Then, after some more time, he asked me to be a Eucharistic Minister. I said yes. Then, even later, he asked me to be a religious education teacher. I said yes. Eventually he asked me to consider applying to the deacon formation program. I said yes. I didn’t think I was the best candidate in the parish by a long shot. He said just apply and see what happens. I said “If God wants me, he can have me!”
All I had to be was open to the invitations to serve that God was placing in front of me--and to say yes when they came along!
God is inviting all of us to be open to his calls as we go through life. Please God, may we always say yes."
Deacon, Evangelization and Discipleship, PPC Member (ex officio)
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x246
CLICK HERE to contact Deacon Phil.
Background. Deacon Phil DiBello is one of the two Permanent Deacons at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish.
Deacon Phil is an ordained Permanent Deacon of the Archdiocese of Boston, and a long time parishioner. He was ordained with faculties to Baptize, receive Marriage Vows, and preach. He is passionate in his efforts to tell all of Billerica, Massachusetts, and the World about Jesus Christ!
My Conversion Story. I grew up in a small Italian family on Staten Island, during the 1960's. I attended 12 years of Catholic School, including 4 years at Msgr. Farrell, an all-boys High School on Staten Island. I attended college in New Hampshire, but was not very active in my faith (after all, there were women in college :)). In fact I did not begin to come back to the Church until Deb (my wife of 35 years) and I started to plan for our marriage. By then I had been a Software Engineer at several small companies on 128.
Deb's and my road back wound through Marriage Preparation, Baptism Preparation, Lectoring, RCIA, and leading small Bible Sharing groups. During this time, we were blessed with 4 children, and continued to grow in faith. In the late 1990's, I started hearing a call to serve the people of God in a sacramental way, and started investigating becoming a Deacon. Thanks to Deacon Tom Mullins and Father Jack McCormick for guiding me through the discernment process and being a constant source of support.
I was ordained in 2004, and was assigned to Saint Theresa Parish, Billerica. Since then, I have performed more than 500 Baptisms and 35 Marriages, as well as preached regularly and counseled parishioners. In 2015, with the advent of Disciples in Mission, I am now assigned to Saint Andrew, Saint Mary and Saint Theresa Parishes.
My life changed with the birth of our 5th child in 2000, with my ordination in 2004, and most recently with a 2011 diagnosis of Colon Cancer. After surgery and months of Chemotherapy, I returned to good health, thanks to the prayers of many parishioners and family and the skilled hands of many doctors and nurses.
As I was returning to full strength at my High Tech engineering job, though, I felt a second call. I started wondering whether God had more in store for me than managing the development of software projects. After about a year of discernment of God's will, Deb and I decided that we would heed God's call to enter full-time Ministry in the newly formed Catholic Community of Billerica.
So, in March 2014, I said goodbye to high tech, and hello to a full-time role as Director of Ministry, Evangelization, and Faith Formation. I have not looked back. Sure, I sometimes miss the people I worked with in high tech, but there is an almost indescribable sense of peace working in Ministry. And, this is God's call, not mine.
Remember, it is everyone's job to share the Good News of Jesus.
What's your story?
What has God been doing in your life?
What is God doing in your life right now?
Finance and Operations Manager
Chris Kilburn is the Director of Finance and Operations for St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish.
CLICK HERE to contact Chris electronically, or call at 978.663.8816 x243.
Office Manager
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x300
CLICK HERE to contact Karen.
Karen Dubbs served as Office Manager for St. Mary Parish since 2015. Formerly she was Director of Religious Education for several years, and before then assisted the Director of Religious Education.
St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish office hours are 10am-1pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Facilities Manager
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x332
CLICK HERE to contact Dino.
Dino Bastianelli joined us in the fall of 2019 as facilities manager for all properties, and had no idea what challenges awaited him. Dino has been instrumental in preparing and keeping our facilities sanitized since we reopened.
Coordinator of Youth Faith Formation (Gr. 5-8)
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x444
CLICK HERE to contact Deb.
Deb Fergus is our Coordinator of Youth Faith Formation, specifically serving young teens in grades 5-8 and their families. Deb is also the Coordinator for our annual Summer Adventure Week.
Coordinator of Children's Ministries
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x444
CLICK HERE to contact Karyn.
Karyn Moody is our Coordinator of Children's Ministries, specifically serving children in grades 1-4 and their families, and First Sacraments (Reconciliation and Eucharist) for most children.
Pastoral Minister
Contact Phone: 978.663.8816 x448
CLICK HERE to contact Dustin.
My name is Dustin Batista, and I am happy to serve St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish here in Billerica as Pastoral Minister and Assistant Coordinator of Teen Ministries.
I graduated Merrimack College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious and Theological Studies. I went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.
I have been involved in Youth Ministry within Parish settings, and Campus Ministry within High School settings.
My full time work is at Malden Catholic High School, where I teach Theology and serve as the Department Chair.
After getting married, my wife and I moved to Billerica, where she grew up. We are happy to be raising our family here, and I look forward to ministering to the faith community of Billerica.