Welcome to St. John Church, located on Route 372 East in Cromwell, Connecticut.  We are a Roman Catholic faith community whose focus is on being a family.  Through Baptism, our members are all daughters and sons of one Father.
 
St. John’s is in the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut, with the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. as its Bishop.
 
Since 1995, the Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Angels Province of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual have staffed the Parish.  
 
If you are new to Cromwell or are looking for a church in the area, we invite you to come and join us for a weekend liturgy.
 
If you are already a member of St. John Parish family, we encourage you to continue to live your faith and to build a Parish family in the spirit of the Gospel.   We are grateful that you generously share your faith, love, time, talent, and treasure - all for the glory of God and in service to others.

Fr. Mark L. Curesky, OFM Conv.
Pastor

The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation remains suspended.  Therefore, if you choose to come to Church for Mass, you can come on any day. Or, you can attend a streamed or televised Mass.   You can also choose to read and reflect on the Scriptures, especially the Sunday readings, or recite the rosary. 

I.  Making the decision to come to Church for Mass
 a.)  If you are ill, please do not come to Church for Mass or for adoration.
b.)  If you are in the high risk category due to current illness, age or a chronic health condition, please be aware of the risk to yourself.
 c.)  If you are uncomfortable or do not feel safe, remain at home.         
d.)  If you have traveled to a “hotspot” state, please do not come to Church until you have quarantined for 14 days.
e.)  If you wish to receive the Eucharist and are not ill, you can receive Communion in the front parking lot of the Church.

II.  Mass, Distribution of Communion in Parking Lot & Confession Schedule
 Saturdays
*4 pm Mass with limited social distance seating (overflow in the Church hall where Mass is streamed with distribution of Communion at the end of the streamed Mass by a Eucharistic Minister)
* 5:30-5:45 pm distribution of Communion in the front parking lot (or at the front portico of the Church if it is raining)

 Sundays
 *7:30 am and 9:30 am Masses with limited social distance seating (overflow in the Church hall where Mass is streamed with distribution of Communion at the end of the streamed Mass by a Eucharistic Minister)
* 11-11:30 am distribution of Communion in the front parking lot (or at the front portico of the Church if it is raining)
 
 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday  Mass
*  9 am Mass

 Thursday Mass
*   5:30pm

Confessions
 Saturday, 3 -3:30 pm

III.  Requirements
a.)  Wearing a mask and social distancing are required upon entering the Church, while in Church and departing from the Church.
b.)  On Saturday and Sunday for Confession and Mass, entrance to the Church is restricted to the doors by the elevator and the elevator (front parking lot of the Church).  All other times, you may enter the Church by any of the doors of the Church.

IV.  Reception of Communion
 a.)   Communion will be distributed at the end of Mass in order for social distancing to be observed.
 b.)   To receive Communion in the Church proper, use the center aisle and form a social  stance single file.  As you approach the priest or Eucharistic Minister, lower your mask.  The consecrated host will be placed in your hand (Communion will not be given on the tongue.)  Consume the consecrated host, replace your mask, and then return to your seat forp rayer or depart from the Church

V.  Divine Mercy Chapel
 a.)  In accord with social distancing, only 3 persons are to be in the Chapel at one time.
 b.)  Given the small space of the Chapel, in addition to social distance seating, wearing a mask is to be observed.
 c.)  From 9 pm to 6:30 am, you must be a committed adorer with a code to enter the Chapel.
 

Dear Lord, 

we ask for your divine
intervention to bring a quick
end to this pandemic.
Please heal the sick and
comfort the grieving.
May your peace replace every worried, anxious, and
fearful thought.
We as for strength,
protection and energy for
medical professionals, first responders, and
emergency workers.
We pray for wisdom,
knowledge, and guidance
for leaders in every arena.
Please reverse and minimize
the financial devastation
that is occurring.
We ask for your grace
and mercy and for you
to do what only you can do.
May people look to you to be
their source of help, strength,
and hope during
these uncertain times.
In the name of Jesus,
we ask these things.
Amen
 

Office (860) 635-5590
Fax (860) 635-5591
Faith Formation Office (860)635-5156

Monday - Thursday
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Friday
Parish Office Closed
 

* From September 23^rd through November 1^st, we are asked to participate in the international campaign, 40 Days for Life, through prayer, social outreach and support of agencies that offer support to mothers who need assistance.
   During this time, you are invited to pray the rosary or a decade of the rosary; or make an adoration visit to the Divine Mercy Chapel; or spend a few moments in private prayer; etc.   As a Parish family, a special prayer petition will be added to the intercessions of our Masses.
   For our community outreach and support of agencies, I am asking our Parish family to offer our support to the ABC Women’s Center in Middletown.   They have asked for onesi’s (0-12 months); sleepers (0-12 months), diapers, baby wipes, baby shampoo, and baby lotion.   There are bins at the doors of the Church to collect these items until November 1^st.
   Next weekend, you are asked to assist needy expectant mothers in caring for their unborn and newly born children throughout the Diocese of Norwich through a financial donation to the Cradle Fund.   For those who receive Parish envelopes, you received a special pink envelope for your donation.  All others should place their donation in an envelope and write Cradle Fund on the envelope.  All checks should be made out to St. John Church.
   Our participation in the 40 Days for Life is our way to continue the mission of Jesus: “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.”  (Gospel of John 10:10)

* Next Sunday, October 4^th, is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  He is the direct founder of the Conventual Friars to which I belong; the Capuchin Friars who staff St. Pius X Church in Middletown; and the OFM’s who staff St. Patrick & St. Anthony Church in Hartford.   Each of these communities focus on one of the characteristics of St. Francis: the Conventuals on being brothers to one another and all of God’s creation; the Capuchins on St. Francis’ prayerful spirit; and the OFM’s on St. Francis dependence on God for all things (poverty).
   St. Anthony of Padua is a Franciscan friar, as is St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
   St. Francis envisioned all life as giving praise to God.   He is credited with the writing of the Canticle of the Creatures which affirms the giving of praise to God by all life forms (the following is just two stanzas of the Canticle):

“Praised be to you, O Lord, with all your creatures especially
Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day through
whom you bring us light.
And he is lovely,
shining with great splendor,
for he heralds you,
Most High.”      

“O praise and bless my Lord,
thank him and serve him humbly
but grandly.”

God bless,
fr. Mark  
 
 

As of September 10th, the Cromwell Food Pantry is in need of:

• personal care items (toothpaste, soap, shampoo)
• toilet paper
• paper towels
• laundry detergent
• jelly
• canned beef stew
• tuna fish
• snacks (Rice Krispie Treats, Fruit Cups, etc.)

At this time, the Pantry does not need:

• pasta & pasta sauce
• peanut butter
• canned vegetables