August 13, 2021 update: At this time we will not be planning an August picnic/getting to know you event due to the Covid-19 Virus status in the area.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions flyer click here updated 6/1/21
FAQ: Frequently asked questions flyer click here updated 5/1/21
FAQ: Frequently asked questions flyer click here updated 4/24/21
We invite your input in to the merger process. Take this brief anonymous survey: click here
Directions to St. John of the Cross, 1263 West Street, Middlebury CT
From 910 Main St S, Southbury, CT 06488 to 1263 West St via I-84 E and CT-188 N.
14 min (9.3 mi)
14 min in current traffic
1. Head east toward Main St S
2. Slight right
3. Turn right toward Main St S
4. Turn right toward Main St S
5. Turn right onto Main St S
6. Turn left onto CT-172 S
7. Turn right onto the I-84 E ramp to Waterbury
8. Merge onto I-84 E
9. Take exit 16 for CT-188 toward Middlebury
10. Turn right onto CT-188 N
11. Turn right to stay on CT-188 N
12. Arrive at location: 1263 West St
For the best route in current traffic visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/VSvgNcVEzF7icXdh8
Sacred Heart Parish in Southbury and St. John of the Cross Parish in Middlebury merger process updates:
- A significant cultural shift is happening in our nation that those who study such things have been noticing for a while. The number of people actively joining and participating in organized religious communities is decreasing. Pew and Gallup have tracked it over the years. If you have not read about it in the polls, you have probably noticed it in your own household, within your circle of friends or within our own parish.
- As a result, fewer people regularly worship together. In our Catholic community that means fewer people participate regularly in the celebration of Mass and in the important support of their parish by sharing their time, talent and treasure.
- And, of course, another result of this cultural shift is that fewer men are entering seminary or considering the priesthood as a way of life. Our Catholic tradition, for good or for ill, depends a great deal, some would say “too much”, on the ministry of priests.
- Both Sacred Heart campus and St. John of the Cross campus buildings, our worship spaces, will remain open and in use. The schedule of Masses, which will take effect, beginning Monday June 7, 2021, will be as follows:
- The Faith Formation program of our new parish will be an intergenerational program that will include parents who participate along with their children. It will also be open to all parishioners with or without children. This program will be modeled on the GIFT program which Sacred Heart has used for the past 16 years and which St. John of the Cross has incorporated as a part of their program these past years. Due to space restrictions this approach to Faith Formation was not available in its full format. St. John of the Cross members can now experience the full program due to added facility space available to the parish community.
- We have begun the complex process of merging the financial accounts and functions of our individual parishes into one to better serve our new parish.
- In May we hope to announce the name of our newly merged parish and its office hours and office staff.
- In June, we hope to talk about how the many ministries of our individual parishes will now serve our new parish and to facilitate ministry meetings with similar and shared purposes
- Sometime in late summer or early fall, we will have a parish celebration and getting-to-know-you opportunity of some sort depending on the status of Covid at that time.
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Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, of the Archdiocese of Hartford, has granted permission to implement a planning process for the eventual merger of Sacred Heart Parish in Southbury and St. John of the Cross Parish in Middlebury. The anticipated retirement of Monsignor Joseph Donnelly from Sacred Heart in June 2021 and the ongoing pastoral plan to restructure and consolidate the two parishes presented the opportunity to begin a process to create a new faith community to best serve parish members and the local community.
This merger is the result of ongoing restructuring that will ultimately strengthen parish communities throughout the Archdiocese positioning them for future growth and sustainability. It is hoped that the result will be revitalized parishes throughout the Archdiocese that are better equipped to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of future generations. The recommendations and resulting mergers are an outcome of the Archdiocesan-wide Pastoral Planning initiative, which began in 2017.
Reverend Lawrence Symolon Pastor of St. John of the Cross will become the pastor of the new faith community. A transition team with members from both parishes has been established to begin this process and over several months will work with parish staff and parishioners from strategic committees to work thoughtfully and responsibly in building the new parish community with campus locations in both towns. The process is designed to be as collaborative and consultative as possible. The Archdiocese will provide ongoing guidance and support during the transition process.
Transition Team Members: Monsignor Joseph Donnelly, Reverend Lawrence Symolon, Deacon Michael Walsh, Sr. Pat Torre, DW, Ami Conlan, Karen Capodanno, Joseph Connolly, Elizabeth DePalma, Robert Loiseau, and Annette Williams are available for conversations and questions as the process unfolds. Updates will be available through parish websites, bulletins and other media outlets.
I don’t see how the two parishes will be strengthened with one priest.
I don’t get it and don’t understand why , as I have said I think more should have been done in planning before it was announced on the people that have supported this church for many many years . You don’t treat good people like that . This plan is crazy to think that one Priest is going to handle two churches , there is something that I am not understanding here .
Art,
I hear and understand your frustration and concern. This is a difficult decision but one that was made out of necessity. Three main factors have brought us to this point. Culturally we are seeing a decline in participation and joining in religious communities. There are fewer men entering the priesthood and this has created a shortage of priests. In our area fewer Catholic people are participating in parish life and worship. Fortunately Fr. Symolon will be supported by a retired priest, two veteran Pastoral Associates, two Deacons and a dedicated and experienced parish staff. We have lay ministry leaders who run significant ministries and a welcoming and engaged community of faithful members that work and support all that has been developed in the two parishes. All need to work together to face this significant change and challenge to build a new parish community. I would be happy to discuss this in person, by phone or please reach out to anyone on the transition team and pastoral staff if you prefer. Blessings, Ami Conlan
Why is this being called a merger? Just the impending mass schedule suggests the eventual shut down of St John’s. Sacred Heart keeps all three of their Sunday masses, St John’s keeps one, losing two, and the one it keeps is one they did away with a few years ago. It’s not a merger. It’s a takeover.
Dear friends,
I hear the frustration being expressed but we have to think and be positive about the changes. As we have heard many times, the church is the people— we can and will make this work if we put our minds and hearts to it. There may be a feeling of lose but we don’t know yet what we may gain by this process. So keep the faith and try to look for the positives with these changes, please.