Religious Services at New Horizons

All the Comforts of Home, and Then Some

New Horizons is home to nearly 500 seniors of diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Although the community has no religious affiliation, we are committed to providing ample opportunities for residents to practice their varied faiths, all within the comfort of home.

Protestant and Jewish Religious Services at New Horizons

New Horizons hosts weekly Protestant religious services as well as Friday evening Shabbat services for its many Jewish residents. In addition to observing the Sabbath, community members gather for high holidays to worship alongside the visiting pastor, rabbi, or other spiritual leader of their faith.

Catholic Religious Services at New Horizons

Home to a robust Catholic resident population, New Horizons holds daily Catholic Mass in its stately on-campus chapel. Residents participate actively in these services, with many opting to serve as celebrants, lectors, ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, and Sacristans. Volunteers receive training in the various ministries from one of multiple orders of Sisters residing at New Horizons at Marlborough.

Together, these Sisters help to lead the community’s Catholic spiritual activities, arranging regular prayer and communion services to provide residents with multiple occasions each week to practice their faith as part of a community.

New Horizons is located at the site of the former Madonna Hall School for Girls, a boarding school run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. After Cummings Foundation purchased the property to create New Horizons, the Sisters accepted its invitation to remain on campus. They continued their oversight of the chapel, residing in a newly constructed 12,000-square-foot convent, built adjacent to the chapel exclusively for their use.

Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, leader of the Archdiocese of Boston, visited New Horizons in 2015 to celebrate Mass, meet with residents, and help the Sisters of the Good Shepherd commemorate their 50th anniversary in Marlborough.

The Cardinal returned in 2024. Following a stirring Mass, his Eminence again took time to meet with lay residents before visiting with Sisters from the orders of the Good Shepherd, St. Anne, the Assumption, and Carmelite in their community space.

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Both New Horizons are strictly not-for-profit communities owned by Cummings Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in New England. Cummings Foundation awards more than $30 million annually, and has awarded more than $500 million to date to support greater Boston nonprofits.