About Guardian Angels Parish - St. Francis of Assisi · Lebanon, Connecticut
Guardian Angels Parish – St. Francis of Assisi is the Catholic worship site located in the historic Lebanon Green in Lebanon, Connecticut. Since July 1, 2021 it has been united with St. Andrew Church in Colchester under the canonical name Guardian Angels Parish (Diocese of Norwich, Willimantic Deanery). The Lebanon church serves roughly four hundred families with weekend and weekday Masses, and it remains — as it has been since 1943 — a small but rooted Catholic presence on the Green. Today the parish is pastored by Fr. Mark Masnicki, with Fr. George Busto serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Ronald Krystofik as Director of Faith Formation.
- Established
- 1943
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Marek (Mark) Masnicki
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich (Willimantic Deanery)
Why belong here
Guardian Angels Parish at St. Francis of Assisi offers a warm, small-town Catholic community on the historic Lebanon Green, with three weekend Masses that include a Saturday Vigil and two Sunday morning options. Faith formation for children in Grades 1–7 is run by Deacon Ron Krystofik, RCIA is available for adults entering the Church, and the parish is supported by long-standing groups such as the Knights of Columbus (Spellman Council #6107) and Boy Scout Troop #13. Rooted in a Catholic presence on the Green that goes back to 1780 and 1943, the parish welcomes all families who want to worship, be formed, and serve together.
Mass times at Guardian Angels Parish - St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM at St. Francis of Assisi
- Anytime by appointment by calling the rectory
Adoration times
- Adoration and Benediction at St. Andrew Church: Thursday, 8:30 AM Adoration with Benediction at 7:00 PM
About Guardian Angels Parish — St. Francis of Assisi
Guardian Angels Parish is the merged Catholic community formed on July 1, 2021 from the parishes of St. Andrew in Colchester (est. 1860) and St. Francis of Assisi in Lebanon (est. 1945 per diocesan records). It belongs to the Willimantic Deanery of the Diocese of Norwich, under Bishop Michael R. Cote. The parish maintains two worship sites: St. Andrew Church at 128 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, and St. Francis of Assisi Church at 67 West Town Street, Lebanon. The parish office is in Colchester and is staffed Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Canonical parish formed: July 1, 2021
- Diocese: Norwich (Willimantic Deanery)
- Bishop of Norwich: Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, D.D.
- St. Francis worship site serves ~400 families
History of Saint Francis of Assisi, Lebanon
The Catholic presence on the Lebanon Green actually predates any parish: in the winter of 1780 Mass was said for the encampment of the French troops of the Duc de Lauzun during the Revolutionary War. Lebanon's first Catholic church, Saint Mary's Mission, was organized in the 1860s for Irish mill workers but closed in the early 1920s when the mills shut down. The current Saint Francis of Assisi community traces its origin to August 22, 1943, when Saint Francis of Assisi Mission Church celebrated its first Mass under the pastoral care of St. Andrew in Colchester. In 1962, pastoral care passed to St. Columba Parish in Columbia. The present church on West Town Street was dedicated on May 18, 1980.
- 1780: Mass on the Lebanon Green for French troops of the Duc de Lauzun
- 1860s: Saint Mary's Mission founded for Irish mill workers
- Early 1920s: Saint Mary's Mission closes after mills shut down
- August 22, 1943: First Mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Mission Church
- 1962: Pastoral care transferred to St. Columba Parish, Columbia
- May 18, 1980: Dedication and blessing of the present Saint Francis of Assisi Church on West Town Street
- July 1, 2021: Merged with St. Andrew to form Guardian Angels Parish
Parish Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Mark (Marek) Masnicki, with Fr. George Busto serving as Parochial Vicar (assigned in 2024, succeeding Fr. Richard Breton, who was reassigned that year). Deacon Ronald Krystofik assists at Mass and directs Faith Formation. The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, at the Colchester parish office (860-537-2355).
- Pastor: Rev. Marek (Mark) Masnicki
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. George Busto (since 2024)
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Ronald (Ron) Krystofik
- Director of Faith Formation: Deacon Ron Krystofik (860-537-5415; [email protected])
- Past Parochial Vicar: Rev. Richard Breton (reassigned 2024)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Guardian Angel Office of Faith Formation, based in Colchester, serves children of the merged parish in Grades 1 through 7. The program is directed by Deacon Ron Krystofik, who can be reached at 860-537-5415 or [email protected] (cell: 860-608-2919 for service-hour opportunities). The office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00–11:00 AM, or by appointment. The parish also runs RCIA for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church.
- Director of Faith Formation: Deacon Ron Krystofik
- Faith Formation offered for Grades 1–5 and Grades 6–7
- 2025–26 Code of Conduct Handbook available on the parish website
- RCIA coordinator: John Peck (860-537-6981)
Parish Ministries and Community Groups
Guardian Angels Parish supports a number of lay-led ministries and community groups that bring parishioners together for service, fellowship, and youth formation. The most established is the Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Spellman Council #6107, which has served the parish communities of St. Andrew and St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Colchester since 1966.
- Knights of Columbus — Francis Cardinal Spellman Council #6107 (est. 1966), Grand Knight William Pilotte (860-918-1225), meets 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM in the St. Andrew Parish Hall
- Boy Scout Troop #13
- Youth Group 'TIA' — Kirk & Margaret Whiteman
- Pastoral Care of the Sick — Anointing of the Sick on request
Knights of Columbus Council #6107
Francis Cardinal Spellman Council #6107, based at St. Andrew Parish Hall, is a long-standing Catholic men's service fraternity that serves both Guardian Angels Parish and St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Colchester. Annual dues are $30 and may be reduced or waived in cases of hardship. The council has earned the Columbian Award (2012–13, 2013–14) and the Star Council Award (2008–09, 2009–10). It sponsors parish breakfasts with Santa and for Valentine's Day, the Connecticut Special Olympics, the Forty Days for Life Prayer Vigil, the Memorial Day Parade, a Pasta Dinner Fundraiser, the Catholic Essay and Christmas Poster Contests, the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest, and more.
- Council #6107 serving Colchester area since 1966
- Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism
- Meets 3rd Thursday, 7:00 PM, St. Andrew Parish Hall
- Contact: PO Box 46, Colchester, CT 06415; [email protected]
Sacraments
Guardian Angels Parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments at both worship sites. Parents are asked to contact the Parish Office to begin the Baptism process; couples must arrange marriage preparation at least one year in advance; and families are urged to notify the office of any hospitalization so that Anointing of the Sick and pastoral visits can be arranged.
- Baptism — call the Parish Office
- Matrimony — arrangements begin at least 1 year prior; marriage preparation program required
- Anointing of the Sick — on request via the Parish Office
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 PM (St. Francis) or by appointment
- R.C.I.A. — for adult initiation (contact John Peck)
Visiting and Contacting the Parish
Saint Francis of Assisi Church is located at 67 West Town Street on the historic Lebanon Green. The rectory and parish office line is (860) 642-6711. The wider parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, at 128 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415 (860-537-2355). Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
- St. Francis of Assisi: 67 West Town Street, Lebanon, CT 06249 — (860) 642-6711
- Parish Office (St. Andrew): 128 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415 — (860) 537-2355
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu, 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.guardianangelsct.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standrewcolchester/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick Creightonfrom 1860
First independent pastor of St. Andrew in Colchester; under his care the out-missions including Lebanon (Bozrahville) were served.
- Rev. Edmund Barrettearly 1960s
Pastor of St. Andrew; oversaw construction of the parish center dedicated August 26, 1962.
- Rev. Walter Kloczkofrom 1963
Succeeded Rev. Barrett as pastor of St. Andrew; launched a Building Fund Appeal in 1965 and saw the new church and rectory dedicated May 21, 1967.
- Rev. Marek (Mark) Masnicki2021–present
First pastor of the merged Guardian Angels Parish, formed July 1, 2021 from St. Andrew and St. Francis of Assisi.