About Sacred Heart · Groton, Connecticut
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Groton, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Norwich. It is currently yoked with two neighboring parishes — St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer (in Groton) and Our Lady of Lourdes (in Gales Ferry) — forming a tri-parish community served by the same pastor and shared staff. The parish's mission is 'to nurture a vibrant Catholic family rooted in worship, prayer, and sacramental life — guiding all people toward a deeper union with Christ and one another,' and it commits itself to welcoming differences and supporting families through education, formation, outreach, and hospitality. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:00 a.m. and live-streamed on the parish Facebook page, with additional weekend Masses at St. Mary (Saturday 7:00 p.m.) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Sunday 9:00 a.m.).
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Very Rev. Brian J. Converse
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a complete rhythm of Catholic life in a small-town setting: daily and Sunday Mass, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, regular confession, and a Holy Rosary before each daily Mass. Families can hand off sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation to a diocesan-approved Faith and Life curriculum, while adults seeking initiation can journey through OCIA (formerly RCIA) under Deacon Christopher Hammond. The tri-parish model means parishioners also have access to the wider liturgies and programs at St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer and Our Lady of Lourdes, with shared clergy, religious education, music, and outreach — including the parish food drive for the local food pantry and a winter toiletries collection for St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 8:00 to 8:45 a.m.
- Friday: 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.
- Friday: after the 9:00 a.m. Mass
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Groton, Connecticut, within the Diocese of Norwich. Its mission statement reads: 'Sacred Heart Parish exists to nurture a vibrant Catholic family rooted in worship, prayer, and sacramental life – guiding all people toward a deeper union with Christ and one another.' The parish further commits itself 'to serving with love and compassion – welcoming differences, promoting spiritual growth, and supporting families, young and old, through education, formation, outreach, and hospitality.' Sacred Heart is currently yoked with two neighboring Catholic parishes — St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer (also in Groton) and Our Lady of Lourdes (in Gales Ferry) — and together they share a pastor, parochial vicar, deacons, director of religious education, director of music, and parish office staff.
- Parish established 1915
- Diocese of Norwich
- Tri-parish with St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer and Our Lady of Lourdes
History
Sacred Heart Parish was founded in 1915 and marked its 75th anniversary in 1990. A commemorative anniversary booklet, 'Sacred Heart Parish, Groton, CT: 75th anniversary, 1915–1990,' was published by Island Design of New London, Connecticut, and is held by the University of Notre Dame Library (call number BX 4603 .G768 S23 1990). In June 2021, Bishop Michael R. Cote of the Diocese of Norwich appointed Very Rev. Brian J. Converse as pastor of the newly configured tri-parish community of Sacred Heart, Groton; St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, Groton; and Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry, effective June 21, 2021.
- Founded 1915
- 75th anniversary commemorated in 1990
- Tri-parish configuration formed June 21, 2021 under Bishop Michael R. Cote
Clergy and Staff
Sacred Heart is led by Very Rev. Brian J. Converse as Pastor (860-445-1446), with Rev. James Sucholet serving as Parochial Vicar (860-464-7251). Two permanent deacons assist the tri-parish community: Deacon Douglas Hoffman (860-572-8690) and Deacon Christopher Hammond (860-389-6623), who also serves as OCIA Coordinator. The tri-parish is supported by a Tri-Parish Director of Religious Education, a Tri-Parish Director of Music, an Office Manager for Sacred Heart and St. Mary's, and an Administrative Assistant for Sacred Heart and St. Mary's.
- Very Rev. Brian J. Converse — Pastor
- Rev. James Sucholet — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Douglas Hoffman — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Christopher Hammond — Permanent Deacon, OCIA Coordinator
- Tri-Parish Director of Religious Education
- Tri-Parish Director of Music
- Office Manager for Sacred Heart and St. Mary's
- Administrative Assistant for Sacred Heart and St. Mary's
Parish Council
The Parish Council is an advisory and consultative body, in accordance with Canon Law, that assists the pastor in pastoral planning. Its mission is to share and impart Christ's vision of love, cultivating all parishioners to respond to God's universal call to holiness through sacramental and non-sacramental life. The Council is composed of nine to twelve parishioners — ex-officio, selected by parishioners, or appointed by the pastor — and works through committees to engage the tri-parish family liturgically, educationally, socially, and in community outreach.
- Very Rev. Brian J. Converse, Pastor
- Rev. James Sucholet, Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Doug Hoffmann
- Deacon Christopher Hammond
- Jan Ledwidge, Secretary
- Mary Lue Chapman
- Karen Costello
- Robert Fountaine
- Thomas Harvey
- Connie Langer, secretary alt.
- Sheila O'Donnell
- Craig Schantz
- Louis Tedeschi
- Karen Walters
- Paula Zeppieri
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Sacred Heart offers Religious Education for children preschool through grade eight. Parents and families are recognized as the most effective catechists and the primary religious educators of their children; the parish forms a cooperative partnership with families on the faith journey. The classroom model uses a Catechist and Assistant in an informal setting with texts, quizzes, tests, and take-home Activity Books. The parish currently uses the Faith and Life Series from Ignatius Press, a diocesan-approved curriculum that integrates Catholic doctrine, tradition, and scripture, along with liturgy and a variety of prayer styles.
- Programs for Faith Formation
- Sacramental Preparation
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Children
- Youth Ministry Opportunities
- Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press) — current curriculum
Sacramental Preparation
Preparation for the sacraments involves the family, community, and parish or school catechetical effort. Children must be enrolled in Faith Formation sessions as part of the ongoing catechetical process, and need to be enrolled and attending a diocesan-approved program one year prior to beginning preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Parent orientations for all sacramental programs are announced in early Fall.
- Reconciliation: January day of reflection/retreat on forgiveness; child/parent preparation meeting in fall
- Eucharist: late-winter parent preparation session; day of reflection/retreat typically held at the beginning of May
- Confirmation preparation through the parish Faith Formation program
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly known as RCIA) is a process of instruction in what Catholics believe, how Catholics pray, and how Catholics live, with time for personal study and conversion. OCIA is open to anyone interested in the Catholic Church — those needing baptism, confirmation, or first Holy Communion, and those wishing to renew their faith. Inquiries are directed to Deacon Christopher Hammond or the parish office at 860-445-1446.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) coordinated by Deacon Christopher Hammond
- Open to unbaptized, those needing Confirmation or First Communion, and those renewing their faith
Liturgical Ministries
Sacred Heart parishioners serve the liturgical life of the parish as Ministers of the Word (Lectors) and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Lectors assist the community in receiving and absorbing the living Word of God with the highest level of reverence and dignity. Extraordinary Ministers assist with the distribution of the Body of Christ during Mass, showing the greatest reverence for the Holy Eucharist in demeanor, attire, and manner of handling. Those interested are invited to contact the parish office.
- Ministers of the Word (Lectors)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Service to Others
Sacred Heart's community is 'fundamentally oriented toward service.' Each year the student council hosts a fall food drive for the local food pantry; in winter parishioners collect toiletries for St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich; and in spring the parish usually sponsors a baby drive. Students also initiate their own service projects, including collecting children's books for the NICU, toys for Yale-New Haven Hospital, and socks for veterans.
- Fall food drive for the local food pantry
- Winter toiletries collection for St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich
- Spring baby drive
- Children's books for the NICU
- Toys for Yale-New Haven Hospital
- Socks for veterans
Sacred Heart School and Volunteering
Sacred Heart School, affiliated with the parish, depends on parent volunteers who serve as lunch assistants and recess monitors. By diocesan policy, all school volunteers must submit the official volunteer application forms to the school office and complete specialized training, including the State of Connecticut's mandated reporter training.
- Lunch assistants
- Recess monitors
- Diocesan volunteer application required
- CT mandated-reporter training required
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Brian J. Converse2021–present
Appointed pastor of the tri-parish (Sacred Heart, St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer, and Our Lady of Lourdes) by Bishop Michael R. Cote, effective June 21, 2021.