About Our Lady of La Salette · Brooklyn, Connecticut
Our Lady of La Salette is a Roman Catholic parish in the rural village of Brooklyn, Connecticut, within the Diocese of Norwich. Originally a mission served by the La Salette Fathers from St. James Parish in Danielson, it became its own parish in the mid-1930s and today shares ministry with the mission church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Hampton. The parish is known for its striking native-stone church, a warm and welcoming congregation, and a robust schedule of weekday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and faith formation for both children and adults.
- Established
- 1935
- Patron
- Our Lady of La Salette (the Weeping Virgin of La Salette, apparition of September 19, 1846)
- Rector
- Rev. Ben Vinjoe (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich
Why belong here
Our Lady of La Salette offers a rare combination in eastern Connecticut: a small, close-knit rural Catholic community with a full sacramental schedule — daily weekday Mass with morning Rosary, a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses, weekly Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration followed by Benediction, and Saturday confessions. The parish runs faith formation from first grade through Confirmation plus an adult faith-formation class on Wednesday evenings, and welcomes every visitor 'no matter what your present status, family or marital situation, religious affiliation, or personal history.' It is a place where members know one another by name and where the historic native-stone church itself — with its Lyon statue of the Weeping Virgin of La Salette — invites quiet devotion.
Mass times at Our Lady of La Salette
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm (Adoration, followed by Benediction)
About Our Parish
Our Lady of La Salette and its mission church, Our Lady of Lourdes in Hampton, together form a single Catholic parish in the Diocese of Norwich serving the Quiet Corner of northeastern Connecticut. The parish describes itself as 'a strong Catholic community committed to living life as God has taught us,' welcoming members of all faiths, all backgrounds, and every family or marital situation. The parish's welcome statement is explicit: 'no matter what your present status in the Catholic Church… you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here.'
- Combined parish of Our Lady of La Salette (Brooklyn) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Hampton)
- Welcomes all visitors regardless of faith, background, or family situation
- Within the Diocese of Norwich
History of Our Lady of La Salette
The community began as a mission of the La Salette Fathers from St. James Parish in Danielson, with Mass first offered in private homes. As Catholic families grew, the mission leased a room in the Brooklyn Town Hall, then outgrew it. Under Father Martel, a former golf-course lot was purchased on September 9, 1933 by J. Carlton Witter, sold to Father Millard, and built into a native-stone church by the men of the parish. Father Martel celebrated the first Mass in the new church on Christmas Day, 1935.
- Mission origins with the La Salette Fathers of St. James, Danielson
- Early Masses in private homes, then in Brooklyn Town Hall
- Land purchased Sept. 9, 1933 by J. Carlton Witter
- First Mass in new church: Christmas Day, 1935
History of Our Lady of Lourdes (Hampton)
Catholic life in Hampton traces to 1850, when Father Michael McCabe of Dublin became the first resident pastor of St. James, Danielson, with jurisdiction over Baltic, Putnam, Hampton and Willimantic. Under his successor, Father Tomas Preston, land on Cedar Swamp Road was donated by Governor Chancey Cleveland, and the church was completed in the early spring of 1877. Today it is a small, close-knit mission church that sponsors many fundraising events at its parish hall.
- Land donated by Connecticut Governor Chancey Cleveland
- Church completed spring 1877
- Today a small mission of Our Lady of La Salette parish
The Church Building
The parish church is a native-stone edifice whose 'sanctified simplicity' defines its interior. A white and gold altar stands beneath a statue of the crowned Virgin of La Salette brought from Lyon, France, placed in a niche lit from a concealed window above. The altar, statues, golden candlesticks and crucifix, Stations of the Cross, and stained-glass memorial windows are all gifts of parishioners and friends. The building is air-conditioned in summer and warmed in winter, with new pews expected in 2024.
- Native-stone construction
- White and gold altar; statue of Our Lady of La Salette from Lyon, France
- Stations of the Cross and stained-glass memorial windows
- Air-conditioned; new pews expected 2024
Rosary and Weekday Devotions
A morning Rosary is recited Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 am, just before the 8:00 am weekday Mass — a quiet, traditional rhythm that frames the parish's weekday devotional life.
- Rosary Tuesday–Friday at 7:30 am
- Weekday Mass follows at 8:00 am
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation classes are offered for children from first grade through Confirmation, and a separate Adult Faith Formation class meets on Wednesday evenings in the rectory basement. Enrollment and information are handled by Manon Meunier at the rectory.
- Children's Faith Formation: Grade 1 through Confirmation
- Adult Faith Formation: Wednesday evenings, rectory basement
- Contact: Manon Meunier, (860) 774-6275
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by an Administrator with the support of a parish secretary, a faith-formation coordinator, and a lay coordinator for the Adoration ministry. The parish publishes a historical list of priests who have served the parish and its mission church dating back to 1968.
- Administrator: Rev. Ben Vinjoe — cell (860) 481-2880; [email protected]
- Secretary: Joan M. Trifone — cell (860) 680-2882; [email protected]
- Faith Formation: Manon Meunier — (860) 774-6275
- Adoration coordinator: Maryann Duncan — (860) 774-6275
Contact and Visiting
The parish can be reached by phone at (860) 774-6275 or by email at [email protected]. The church is located at 25 Providence Road in the village of Brooklyn, Connecticut — accessible from Route 395 via Exit 91W (Route 6) westbound toward Hartford, about two miles on the left.
- Rectory phone: (860) 774-6275
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 25 Providence Rd, Brooklyn, CT 06234
- From Route 395, Exit 91W (Rte. 6) west, ~2 miles on the left
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Francis Crane1968-1971
Listed for both Our Lady of La Salette and Our Lady of Lourdes
- Reverend William Crane1971-1976
- Reverend Edward F. Barry1976-1989
- Reverend Gerard Boulanger1989-1997
Served alongside Rev. Normand Mailloux at Our Lady of La Salette
- Reverend Thomas G. Sickler1997-2000
- Reverend Brian D. Schloth2000-2002
Our Lady of La Salette only
- Reverend John J. O'Neill and Brother Robert Russell2002-2004
- Reverend Raymond Vaillancourt2004-2009
- Reverend Daniel J. Scott2009-2017
- Reverend John J. O'Neill2017-Present (per website at time of capture)
Listed as current on parish history page
- Reverend Ben Vinjoe2017-Present (per Contact page)
Current Administrator per the parish Contact page