Rev. Robert Rivard was born and raised in Bristol, CT, one of six children. He worked in the private sector for nine years before he was called to the priesthood. He was ordained a priest of the Sons of Mary, Health of the Sick order in 1965.
Fr. Rivard was a missionary priest for 10 years in Lima, Peru and the Philippines. Returning to Massachusetts, he worked in Prison Ministry and was chaplain to the Good Shepherd Sisters in Marlboro. In 1994, Father Rivard came to Norfolk to assist the pastor. Residing here at St. Jude Parish as Associate Pastor, Father Rivard continues his prison ministry and chaplaincy with the Sisters in Marlboro.