About Blessed Sacrament Parish - St. Matthew · Tolland, Connecticut
Blessed Sacrament Parish is a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Norwich that serves two campuses — St. Matthew Church on Tolland Green in Tolland, Connecticut, and St. Bernard Church on St. Bernard Terrace in neighboring Vernon-Rockville. According to the pastor's welcome letter, the two congregations were yoked together on August 1, 2015, and formally merged into a single parish, Blessed Sacrament, on July 1, 2019. Centered on the Eucharist, the parish runs a faith-formation program from kindergarten through Confirmation, a Youth Ministry, sacramental preparation, and ongoing adult-faith initiatives such as OCIA (formerly RCIA), Bible Study, and a Young Adults ministry. Weekend Masses are offered at both churches, with one Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses celebrated at St. Matthew.
- Established
- 2015 (yoked) / 2019 (formally merged)
- Patron
- Blessed Sacrament (parish); St. Matthew (Tolland campus); St. Bernard (Rockville campus)
- Rector
- Rev. Rick Ricard
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament Parish welcomes Catholics and newcomers into a single community built around two worshiping campuses — St. Matthew in Tolland and St. Bernard in Rockville — that share one pastor, one faith-formation program and one set of ministries. Families can enroll children in parish faith formation from kindergarten through Confirmation, with First Reconciliation and First Eucharist celebrated at the parish and a Youth Ministry for teens. Adults are invited into ongoing faith life through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Bible Study, the Catechism in a Year program, Young Adult ministry, and a 'Catholics Returning Home' initiative, while practical needs — from St. Bernard Cemetery to funeral liturgy planning, Mass intentions and a parish thrift shop — are served in one place.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament Parish - St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at St. Bernard
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM at St. Bernard
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM at St. Matthew
Adoration times
- Third Friday Adoration (parish-wide, per parish news on homepage)
Welcome & Parish Identity
On the parish's 'Welcome' page, Pastor Fr. Rick Ricard greets visitors on behalf of the Churches of St. Bernard and St. Matthew, noting that the two communities 'were yoked on August 1, 2015 and formally merged on July 1, 2019.' Both campuses, he writes, 'are united in our desire to be witnesses of Christ's love, mercy and compassion to all we encounter and for those we serve.' The parish's stated mission, displayed on the homepage, is: 'As a Catholic family centered on the Eucharist, we are called by Christ to prayerfully create and nourish a vibrant community dedicated to service, spirituality, and evangelization.'
- Mission statement: Catholic family centered on the Eucharist
- Two campuses: St. Matthew (Tolland) and St. Bernard (Vernon-Rockville)
- Yoked Aug. 1, 2015; merged July 1, 2019
- Pastoral greeting from Fr. Rick Ricard
History of the Predecessor Parishes
The older of the two worshipping communities, St. Bernard in Rockville, dates back to 1848, when 15 Catholic residents met in a Paper Mill Company house for the first Mass. The congregation grew rapidly, used Skinner Hall on Market Street from about 1853, was canonically established as the Parish of St. Bernard in 1854 under Rev. Peter Egan, and completed its first church by 1856. After a 1904 fire destroyed the church, the new St. Bernard's was designed by architect Joseph A. Jackson and dedicated on September 20, 1908. St. Matthew Church in Tolland forms the second campus; specific founding details for St. Matthew were not located on the parish website.
- First Mass in Rockville: 1848, Paper Mill Company house
- Parish of St. Bernard established 1854; first church completed 1856
- First pastor: Rev. Peter Egan
- Fire destroyed original church: 1904
- Present St. Bernard Church dedicated September 20, 1908
- Architect: Joseph A. Jackson
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
The parish publishes a single combined Mass schedule covering both campuses. Daily Masses are offered at St. Bernard on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:00 AM and at St. Matthew on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM. Weekend Masses are celebrated at both churches — Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM at St. Bernard (livestreamed) and 5:00 PM at St. Matthew, and Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon at St. Bernard and at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM at St. Matthew (livestreamed).
- Daily Mass Mon/Wed/Fri 8:00 AM at St. Bernard
- Daily Mass Tue/Thu 9:00 AM at St. Matthew
- Sat Vigil 4:00 PM (St. Bernard, livestreamed) and 5:00 PM (St. Matthew)
- Sun 8:00, 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon at St. Bernard
- Sun 8:30 and 10:30 AM at St. Matthew (10:30 AM livestreamed)
Clergy & Parish Staff
Blessed Sacrament Parish is led by Pastor Fr. Rick Ricard and is served by two Parochial Vicars — Fr. Steve Gulino and Fr. Alex Pandolfe — along with Deacon Ron Freedman. The parish office team includes Stella Jonas (Parish Office Manager) and LeeAnn Fritsch (Faith Formation Secretary). Faith Formation is led by Phoebe Szarek (Grades K–6) and Bridget Thurston (Grades 7–Confirmation and Youth Ministry); Youth Ministry is coordinated by Erica Bushior and Hilary Brady, with Ashley Smyth serving as Faith Formation Secretary. Rebecca Urrutia is the St. Matthew Music Director.
- Pastor: Fr. Rick Ricard
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Steve Gulino, Fr. Alex Pandolfe
- Deacon: Dn. Ron Freedman
- Parish Office Manager: Stella Jonas
- Faith Formation K–6: Phoebe Szarek
- Faith Formation 7–Confirmation & Youth Ministry: Bridget Thurston
- Youth Ministers: Erica Bushior, Hilary Brady
- St. Matthew Music Director: Rebecca Urrutia
Faith Formation (K–Grade 6)
Blessed Sacrament Parish offers a family-based faith formation program for kindergarten through Grade 6 that draws lessons from the upcoming Sunday Gospel and teaches children how to connect their faith with everyday life at home, school and with friends. Catechists also prepare students for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Classes meet at three times: Sunday 8:45–9:45 AM at St. Bernard Parish Center; Monday 4:30–5:30 PM at St. Matthew Parish Center; and Monday 5:45–6:45 PM at St. Matthew Parish Center.
- Family-based program rooted in the Sunday Gospel
- Includes preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion
- Class times: Sun 8:45 AM (St. Bernard), Mon 4:30 PM and 5:45 PM (St. Matthew)
- Director: Phoebe Szarek
- Requires parish registration before enrollment
- All catechists background-checked per Diocese of Norwich Safe Environment policies
Faith Formation & Confirmation (Grades 7–10)
The Grades 7–10 program continues faith formation through the high-school years and culminates in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Classes meet Monday 7:00–8:00 PM at St. Matthew Parish Center and Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM at St. Bernard Parish Center. Home-study students may drop completed chapter assessments in the beige drop box at the lower entrance of St. Matthew or in the red bin in the vestibule of the St. Bernard Parish Office between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
- Class times: Mon 7:00 PM (St. Matthew), Tue 6:00 PM (St. Bernard)
- Director: Bridget Thurston
- Home-study drop-off at both campuses
- Sacrament of Confirmation prepared through Grade 10
Youth Ministry
The parish Youth Ministry includes a Youth Group that meets on the third Sunday of the month from 6:00–8:00 PM and a youth leadership team, Youth C.O.R.E. (Youth Catholics Organizing Real Evangelization), made up of 7–10 teens who meet every other month to plan events for the parish's young people. The Youth Ministry team also runs special events at both campuses throughout the year and maintains the Instagram account @bspteens.
- Youth Group: 3rd Sunday of the month, 6:00–8:00 PM
- Youth C.O.R.E. leadership team (7–10 teens)
- Youth Ministers: Erica Bushior (860-872-0200 x112) and Hilary Brady (860-550-0034)
- Instagram: @bspteens
- Special events hosted at both St. Bernard and St. Matthew campuses
Adult Faith Formation, OCIA & Evangelization
The parish's Evangelization Team 'leads the parish in renewing and sharing our Catholic faith, in welcoming all of God's people, and in bringing the Gospel into all aspects of life.' Programs include the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA), Adult Confirmation preparation, a parish Bible Study (registration for the 2026 study was announced with a July 20 deadline), the 'Catechism in a Year' program, Catholics Returning Home, and a Young Adults ministry. A 'Welcoming New Parishioners' initiative helps new families register and connect to parish life.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Adult Confirmation
- Parish Bible Study
- Catechism in a Year
- Catholics Returning Home
- Young Adult Ministry
- Invite a Friend to Mass
- Welcoming New Parishioners
Outreach: Mattie's Togs Thrift Shop
The parish operates Mattie's Togs Thrift Shop, a parish outreach ministry referenced on the homepage's news/announcements list. Specific hours and location details are not listed on the pages indexed by the search.
- Parish-run thrift shop
- Referenced on parish news feed
St. Bernard Cemetery & Funeral Liturgy
Blessed Sacrament Parish maintains St. Bernard Cemetery and offers funeral liturgy planning for families. Inquiries about cemetery plots, funeral arrangements, Mass intentions and Sanctuary Lamps can be directed to the parish office.
- St. Bernard Cemetery (parish-maintained)
- Funeral Liturgy Planning for Family
- Mass Intention and Sanctuary Lamp requests
Parish Governance & Buildings
The parish is governed by a Pastoral Council and a Finance Council, both linked from the 'Our Parish' menu. A Building Committee, co-chaired by Philip Bouchard and Steve Cabaniss, 'helps the pastor and business manager in planning and recommending priority for the enhancement and maintenance of our parish facilities at our Church campuses at St. Matthew in Tolland and St. Bernard in Rockville.' The committee also accepts reports of facilities concerns via a Building Committee email.
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Building Committee co-chairs: Philip Bouchard and Steve Cabaniss
- Covers both St. Matthew and St. Bernard campuses
Getting Involved & Contact
The 'I Would Like To…' menu on the parish website links visitors to common requests: ask about the cemetery, plan a funeral liturgy, request a Mass intention or sanctuary lamp, study the Bible and Catholic Catechism, register with the parish, ask about Adult Confirmation / OCIA, obtain a sponsorship certificate for Baptism or Confirmation, and enroll a child in religious education. The parish office can be reached at 860-875-0753 or by email at [email protected].
- Parish Registration
- Cemetery inquiries
- Funeral liturgy planning
- Mass intentions & sanctuary lamps
- OCIA / Adult Confirmation
- Sponsorship certificates (Baptism, Confirmation)
- Religious Education enrollment
- Main phone: 860-875-0753
- Email: [email protected]