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

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

Diocese of Norwich Office of the Bishop 201 Broadway Norwich , Connecticut 06360 (860) 887-9294

        
July 15, 2021

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It is with a heavy heart, and out of deep concern for the Diocese and you the faithful, that I regrettably share with you the following information, which is probably the most important news that I have had to deliver in my 18 years as the shepherd of the Diocese of Norwich.
On July 15^th, the Diocese of Norwich filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy and reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The decision to file for bankruptcy relief was difficult and only taken after two years of careful deliberation and prayer.  
With nearly 60 lawsuits filed against the Diocese relating to abuse alleged to have occurred at the Mount Saint John School – a former ministry of the Diocese and residential school in Deep River to which students were sent, tuitions paid, and annual audits performed by the State of Connecticut – it became clear that the Diocese could not continue to carry out its spiritual, charitable, and educational missions while also bearing the potential costs of litigation associated with these cases.
By filing for bankruptcy relief, the Diocese is seeking to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for everyone involved. That is because the bankruptcy court will centralize all litigation and oversee a settlement that ensures that all survivors are included and treated fairly.  Individual private litigation could deplete the Diocese’s funds with the first case, leaving other survivors without any possibility of compensation.
Ours is not the first Diocese to experience a reorganization.  Our advisors tell me that more than 30 diocesan, archdiocesan, and religious institutions, both large and small have had to take this action in order to fairly compensate victims of abuse while also continuing to carry out the spiritual, charitable, and educational mission of the Church.
While seeking to restructure, Diocesan operations and ministries will continue without interruption. We have worked closely with legal and financial advisors to plan for payment of all  post-bankruptcy financial obligations, and to fund normal operations and services during this restructuring process. All employees will continue to be paid their normal wages. Benefit programs will also continue, uninterrupted. Our vendors will be paid for all goods and services and ordinary operations will continue.
We know that most people experience the life of the Church through their parish, so it is important to note that the good work of our parishes and Catholic schools will continue. Because the parishes, schools, and cemeteries within the geographic area of the Diocese are separate legal entities, they are not included in the Diocese’s Chapter 11 filing, although because of its bankruptcy filing, the Diocese will presently have fewer financial resources to help schools and parishes.

The practice of our Catholic faith and administration of the Sacraments will not be affected by this legal filing. However, the Diocese will certainly need to prioritize the charitable missions that are essential to our Diocese and parishioners – the work of the Church must continue.
If we can reach a settlement with those persons suing the Diocese, any settlement will be determined based on the assets of the Diocese. Your weekly and monthly offertory gift to your parish will continue to be used to fund your individual parish. Our financial and legal advisors are maximizing the availability of insurance coverage, real estate assets and investment proceeds. It is important to note that in bankruptcy, all assets of the Diocese are part of the court record and therefore publicly available and the process is completely transparent. All public information relating to the filing can be found on a dedicated Chapter 11 website, which can be found by clicking on the Chapter 11 icon found on the diocesan website at www.NorwichDiocese.org. 
For the Diocese, fair and equitable treatment for survivors of sexual abuse has always been a  priority. That is why we created the Office for Safe Environments, instituted mandatory Abuse Prevention Training programs, published the identities of clergy against whom there are allegations of substance, and continue to provide victim assistance. The Diocese has also settled other abuse claims over the years which has greatly depleted our financial assets leaving us with fewer resources and coverage to be able to defend or settle abuse cases.
Over the past two years, our financial and legal advisors have studied our situation and concluded that a Chapter 11 filing was the only way to ensure an equitable settlement for abuse survivors, help us manage litigation expenses, and carry out our essential mission and ministries.
We will work diligently with all survivors, creditors, and ministries to maintain open communication while we work toward a settlement and a restructuring plan that includes a comprehensive resolution for survivors.
As we pursue our restructuring efforts, and work to resolve the claims of victims of abuse, I ask every Catholic in our Diocese to embrace the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ and His Divine Mercy, to help others carry their crosses, especially survivors of sexual abuse. All of us, as members of the faithful, are called to find strength in the Word of God and the Sacraments as well as to live Christ's spirit of humility, charity, compassion, sensitivity, and courage.
I am praying for all of you and your families and particularly for the survivors of sexual abuse. I also pray that the Diocese can emerge from this bankruptcy proceeding stronger, having resolved these issues with dignity, fairness, and compassion for all those who have suffered, and that this process can be a significant step towards

  Sincerely yours in Christ, 

On Wednesday, May 26, the following update concerning the requirement to wear a mask inside church was received from the Diocese of Norwich:
“In view of the updated guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Executive Order #12 issued by Governor Lamont, the use of facemasks indoors...is no longer required for those who have been fully vaccinated.  Those who have not been fully vaccinated must still wear a mask covering their nose and mouth...[and] there is no requirement for individuals to prove that they have been vaccinated.  Instead, decisions in this regard are left to the individual conscience of each person.” 

Updated Protocols

Effective May 23, 2021, the general dispensation from attendance at Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is ended by Bishop Michael R. Cote and the other Bishops of Connecticut.
“However, given the reality that the pandemic has not completely subsided, some persons may be prevented from attending Mass for legitimate reasons, including:
1.  those suffering from serious pre-existing conditions that may make them more susceptible to falling ill from Covid-19;
2.   those who are ill and homebound;
3.   a care giver in close contact with someone who:
      a.  has tested positive for any contagious disease, including Covid-19;
   b. is in quarantine due to exposure to any contagious or residing with someone who is in quarantine.” 

Protocols
 

1.  Masses will continue to be streamed.            

2.  Entrance to the Church is no longer limited to the doors by the elevator.  Any of the doors of the Church may be used to enter and leave the Church.

3.   All pews are available for seating.  You may use the middle of a pew for seating.  However, please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable and feels safe at this point to have someone sit next to them.  Please practice respectful charity in finding a seat when someone indicates that they would prefer no one to sit next to them.

4.   For those who are fully vaccinated, the wearing of a face mask is optional. It is not required. Those who are NOT fully vaccinated are required to wear a face mask which covers their nose and mouth.
    
5.   Those who wish to receive Communion are to come down the main/center aisle two by two and to use the side aisles after receiving Communion.

6.   A collection basket is available at all the doors of the Church.

       Office of the Bishop
201 Broadway
Norwich, Connecticut 06360
(860) 887-9294

                                                                                                                    June 2021

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
                                                                                                                          
     As you are already aware, our diocese and many dioceses around the country are facing declining numbers of both priests and parishioners.  Consequently, we must continue to plan for the future as best we can, based on the projected number of priests available to minister, as well as the number of people in our parishes.

       The Diocese of Norwich began the process several years ago with the clustering of parishes, and then the yoking of parishes, as well as some mergers in which one parish closed. Most recently, we have adopted the more moderate approach of merging parishes, but without closing church buildings.  The result of such mergers is that one parish has two or more worship sites.

      By merging two or more parishes into one parish with multiple worship sites, we simplify the many administrative tasks involved in parish life, allow the parish to maximize its resources, and minimize, we hope, the disruption of parishioners’ regular schedule of religious practice.

       This year in the Diocese of Norwich, the following parishes will be merged in accord with this process. 

1. St. John the Evangelist, Uncasville with Our Lady of the Lakes, Oakdale and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Quaker Hill.
          The newly merged parish will be Divine Mercy Parish, Uncasville.

2. St. Joseph, New London with St. Mary, New London and St. Paul, Waterford.
         The newly merged parish will be St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, New London and will            remain yoked with Our Lady of Grace, Fishers Island, NY.

3.  St. Bridget, Moodus with St. Patrick, East Hampton.
            The newly merged parish will be St. John Paul II Parish, East Hampton.

4.  St. Columba, Columbia with Holy Family, Hebron
            The newly merged parish will be The Good Shepherd Parish, Columbia.

5.  St. Andrew, Colchester and St. Francis of Assisi, Lebanon
            The newly merged parish will be Guardian Angels Parish, Colchester.

            These mergers will become effective on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

       Through this measured approach to the restructuring in our diocese, we hope to be sensitive to the deep feelings of attachment our people have to their parishes. As our diocese continues to move forward in pastoral planning, let us join together in prayer and in action, working toward our goal of vital, vibrant parishes. May we always remember to pray for each other as we journey together into a future bright with promise and filled with an abundance of God’s grace.

Sincerely yours in Christ,                                                                                                                                                       Bishop of Norwich
 

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

Pastor’s Musings,
 
* Thank you for your generous support of last weekend’s Mission-Co-op collection - $3,500.00 which will be used by the Diocese of Machakos in Kenya to address the needs of the people in the Diocese of Machakos.
 
* In the U.S., Grandparents Day is celebrated the first Sunday in September after Labor Day.  It is not a holiday. However, on May 31, 2021, Pope Francis initiated World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated on the 4^th Sunday in July near the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, believed to be the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus.  
    He chose to do this because he wanted grandparents and the elderly to know that the Church cares about them and values their participation in the life of the Church.  “I am well aware that this message comes to you at a difficult time; the pandemic swept down on us like an unexpected and furious storm; it has been a time of trial for everyone, but especially for us elderly persons.  Many of us fell ill; others died or experienced the death of a spouse or loved ones, while others found themselves isolated and alone for long periods.”
    Pope Francis seeks to encourage grandparents and the elderly: “Never forget this - the value of your life and experience to preserve our roots, to pass on the faith to the young and to care for the little ones.”   
    So, today, we celebrate how blest we are to have grandparents and the elderly in the our lives.  
 
* Please see the request by Cromwell Youth Services and Adelbrook Behavioral and Developmental Services of Cromwell for school supplies in today’s bulletin.
 
God bless,
fr. Mark

As of April 1, the Cromwell Food Pantry is in need of:

• peanut butter
• jelly
• juice boxes
• goldfish
• rice krispie treats
• cereal bars
• granola bars
• fruit cups
• fruit snacks
• raisins
• toiletries
• any kind of non-perishable protein