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

Given the weather conditions, a change has been made regarding the outdoor distribution of Communion.  Until futher notice, Communion will not be distributed in the front parking lot of the Church.  It will be distributed in the front of the Church.  You are asked to drive into the circular driveway in the front of the Church.  Fr. Mark will be inside, in the foyer of the Church.  When he sees you, he will come out to give Communion.  

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 5 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.
 

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
 

 
* There are five seasons in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church.  We have just observed the Christmas season which ended this past Sunday with our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord.   Prior to that, we observed the four-week season of Advent, a season of preparation and watchfulness.  
   In five weeks, we will initiate the season of Lent as a preparation for our observance of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus and the season of Easter.
   The fifth season is called Ordinary Time.  The use of the term “ordinary” is not meant to convey the idea of “nothing-special.”   Ordinary Time which we are observing now and until Ash Wednesday (February 17^th), and then again from Pentecost (May 23^rd) until the first Sunday of Advent (November 28^th) focuses us on the day-to-day life of Christ during his three years of public ministry.  It is a time of the dash - all that led up from his birth to his passion, death and resurrection.   The period of the dash is anything but insignificant.
   This is a time for us to contend with the challenges Jesus experienced in conveying why he came among us and the challenges people had in receiving him and what he offered.  And, through the experience of Jesus and those he encountered to deepen our own relationship with him.     
 
* On Monday, we not only observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but also we begin the annual week of prayer for Christian Unity.  This annual week of prayer is rooted in the Lord’s own prayer: “...that all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you;....(John 17:21).
   Our working through nasty historical experiences that resulted in division and our praying together now to be one are a witness our nation needs right now.  So as we pray for Christian unity during this week of prayer, let us also include our nation.         
 
God bless,
fr Mark  
 

As of October 29, the Cromwell Food Pantry is in need of:

• pasta sauce (not pasta)
• peanut butter
• canned vegetables
• canned tuna and chicken
• chili
• hash
• beef stew
• peanut butter
• any kind of non-perishable protein