About Divine Mercy Parish - St. John the Evangelist · Uncasville, Connecticut
Divine Mercy Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Norwich Deanery of the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut, formed from the merger of three former parishes. Its St. John the Evangelist church, located at 22 Maple Avenue in Uncasville, serves as the parish office and one of three worship sites — together with Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill and Our Lady of the Lakes in Oakdale. The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert F. Buongirno, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Francis J. Gilbert (earlier roster also lists Rev. Brian Maxwell) and Deacon William T. Herrmann. St. John's roots go back to 1887, when Catholics in Montville separated from St. Mary's Star of the Sea in New London to form their own parish.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Robert F. Buongirno
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is one of three worship sites of Divine Mercy Parish, a merged Catholic community in the Diocese of Norwich that draws together longtime local parishes in Uncasville, Quaker Hill, and Oakdale. Worshippers can attend Mass in three churches with different Sunday schedules, send their children to the parish religious education program directed by Joyce Sinay, walk the RCIA journey toward becoming Catholic, and join a wide array of ministries — from the Knights of Columbus and Ladies Guild to the Legion of Mary, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Parish Prayer Line, Eucharistic Adoration, Food Bank, and Bingo at St. John's Community Center. It is a faithful, multi-generational community with deep roots going back to 1887.
Mass times at Divine Mercy Parish - St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 12:30 – 1:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00 – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is coordinated parish-wide by Maureen O'Hara (860-859-2065); specific St. John site hours not published on the site.
Parish Overview and History
St. John the Evangelist in Uncasville is one of three worship sites of Divine Mercy Parish, a Roman Catholic community in the Norwich Deanery of the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut. The parish itself dates to March 13, 1887, when Catholics in Montville separated from St. Mary Star of the Sea in New London. The original church building on Maple Avenue had been a horse barn built in 1866; rapid post-famine Irish immigration made a purpose-built church a necessity, and the present church was dedicated by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan on June 30, 1957. The parish has been served by nineteen pastors over its history. In 2021, St. John's merged with Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill and Our Lady of the Lakes in Oakdale to form Divine Mercy Parish; all three church sites continue in active use, with St. John's serving as the central parish office.
- Established March 13, 1887
- Originally part of the Diocese of Hartford; joined the Diocese of Norwich when it was created in the 1950s
- Present church dedicated June 30, 1957, seating about 560
- Merged in 2021 into Divine Mercy Parish with Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of the Lakes
Worship at St. John the Evangelist
The St. John the Evangelist church on Maple Avenue is the main parish-office site of Divine Mercy Parish. Weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated here, and the sacrament of Reconciliation is offered weekly.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 11:00 AM
- Monday Mass: 7:30 AM
- Wednesday Mass: 12:05 PM (parish schedule also lists 12:30 PM)
- Thursday Mass: 7:30 AM
- Reconciliation: Wednesday 12:30 – 1:00 PM; Saturday 3:00 – 3:30 PM
Divine Mercy Parish: A Three-Church Community
Following the 2021 merger, Divine Mercy Parish operates three active worship sites, each retaining its own Mass and Reconciliation schedule while sharing clergy and pastoral staff. Pastor Rev. Robert F. Buongirno and the parochial vicar rotate between the churches on weekends.
- St. John the Evangelist — 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville (parish office)
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help — 63 Old Norwich Road, Quaker Hill
- Our Lady of the Lakes — 752 Norwich Salem Turnpike, Oakdale
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Robert F. Buongirno, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Francis J. Gilbert (an earlier roster also lists Rev. Brian Maxwell as parochial vicar). Deacon William T. Herrmann serves in diaconal ministry and assists in many parish functions.
- Rev. Robert F. Buongirno — Pastor
- Rev. Francis J. Gilbert — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Brian Maxwell — Parochial Vicar / RCIA coordinator (earlier roster)
- Deacon William T. Herrmann — Deacon
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Parish faith formation is directed by Joyce Sinay, who also serves as Safe Environments Coordinator. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process welcomes those seeking to become Catholic, baptized Catholics completing their sacraments, Christians from other denominations, and anyone wanting an adult-level refresher on Catholic teaching. Those who complete initiation celebrate Baptism, First Communion, and/or Confirmation at the Easter Vigil.
- Religious Education Director: Joyce Sinay (860-859-9733)
- RCIA Coordinator: Rev. Brian Maxwell (also Rev. Francis J. Gilbert listed)
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Parish Ministries and Organizations
Divine Mercy Parish maintains an extensive list of lay-led ministries and organizations, with coordinators published on the parish website. From liturgical service to outreach and fellowship, parishioners have many ways to get involved.
- Altar Servers — Dawn Kelley; Deacon William Herrmann
- Eucharistic Ministers — Maritza O'Connell; Deacon William Herrmann
- Lectors — Maritza O'Connell; Deacon William Herrmann
- Music Director — Laura Cochran
- Parish Folk Group — Susan Hollo
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight George Horan
- Ladies Guild — Ann Marie Rios and Janet Bucko
- Legion of Mary — Carolyn Besade
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — Michelle Cavarnos
- Parish Prayer Line — Jean Farr
- Eucharistic Adoration — Maureen O'Hara
- Food Bank — Ed Farr
- Gardening Angels — Ann Daniewicz
- Cub/Boy Scout Troop 60 — Joseph DiLuzio
- Usher Society — Greg Kolashuk
- Parish Council — Eileen Baukus
- Sick/Homebound Visits — Deacon William Herrmann
- Monday-night Bingo fundraiser at St. John's Community Center
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments; contact the parish office at 860-848-1257 for preparation and scheduling. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared for through the Religious Education program. Homebound visits and Anointing of the Sick are coordinated by Deacon William Herrmann. The RCIA process, led by Rev. Brian Maxwell, prepares adults for full initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick / homebound visits
- RCIA for adults
Community Life and Fundraising
St. John's Community Center hosts a weekly Monday-night Bingo fundraiser. Doors open at 4:30 PM and Bingo begins at 6:30 PM. Volunteers are always welcome — no experience needed — and may contact Sandy at 860-984-9652 or simply stop by on Monday evenings.
- Monday Bingo at St. John's Community Center
- Doors open 4:30 PM; Bingo 6:30 PM
- Volunteer contact: 860-984-9652 (Sandy)
Contact and Visiting
The parish office is located at St. John the Evangelist Church, 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville, CT 06382, and is open 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. The shared parish phone (860-848-1257) and email ([email protected]) handle inquiries across all three worship sites.
- Address: 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville, CT 06382
- Phone: 860-848-1257
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert F. Buongirnopresent
Nineteenth pastor (per the parish's own history document); current pastor of Divine Mercy Parish.
- Rev. Joseph V. King1957 onward
Became pastor July 13, 1957; oversaw razing of old rectory and construction of the present rectory (dedicated March 1961) and groundbreaking for the school.
- Rev. Vincent D. Murphyfrom May 12, 1948
Built the present Community Center (dedicated December 2, late 1940s/early 1950s).