Saint Bartholomew Church (Mancheter Catholic Community)

About Saint Bartholomew Church

Saint Bartholomew Church is one of four worship sites of the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta in Manchester, Connecticut. Located at 736 Middle Turnpike East in the Highland Park neighborhood, the church was established in 1962 and has served Catholic families in eastern Manchester for more than 60 years. It shares its Catholic mission, staff, and finances with sister churches Saint Bridget, Saint James, and the Church of the Assumption under the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Our Story & Parish History

Saint Bartholomew was founded in 1962 and grew quickly through the latter half of the 20th century. Beginning in 2015, when nearby Assumption School closed, the Archdiocese of Hartford began guiding the disparate Manchester parishes toward a more unified Catholic mission. In 2017 Saint Bartholomew was paired with Saint Bridget (founded 1869) to form the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta; in 2021 that parish in turn merged with Saint James/Assumption parish to create today's single Manchester Catholic Community under one pastor, one staff, and one pastoral vision. The parish produced a 25th anniversary commemorative booklet in October 1983, archived at the University of Notre Dame.

• 1962 — Saint Bartholomew Church founded.
• 1983 — 25th Anniversary commemorative booklet produced.
• 2015 — Assumption School closes.
• 2017 — Saint Bartholomew + Saint Bridget form the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
• 2021 — Saint Teresa of Calcutta merged with Saint James / Assumption parish under one pastoral team.

Parish 2030 Vision

Faced with a shrinking pool of priests available to staff four churches and continued growth in parish membership (4–5% annually since the pandemic), the Parish of Saint Teresa of Calcutta launched 'Parish 2030' — a long-term plan, informed by a feasibility study from New York-based Urbahn Architects, to consolidate all four worship communities into a single campus on Main Street. The plan calls for preserving the architecturally significant Saint James Church while building a new 1,000-seat church on the existing rectory site, with possible balcony expansion to seat 1,500.

• Recommended new church site: Saint James campus on Main Street.
• New 1,000-seat church (expandable to 1,500 with balcony).
• Preservation of original Saint James Church for community use.
• Supported by the Archdiocese of Hartford Communications Office.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious Education (K–8) is delivered as a family-based, small-group program that meets during Sunday Mass at the Saint Bartholomew Education Center. Children and teens are dismissed during the readings and homily to small groups led by trained catechists, then rejoin their families before the Eucharist. Once a month, families gather after Mass for 'Family Day' activities to grow in faith together.

• Religious Education classes for grades K–8 during Sunday Mass at Saint Bartholomew.
• Monthly Family Day gatherings after Mass.
• Catechist (R.E. Minister) volunteer opportunities for those 18+.
• Teen Peer Leader program for high-school students.

Sacrament Preparation

The parish prepares children and teens for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation through age-appropriate, family-involved programs rooted at Saint Bartholomew Church.

• First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion: for children in 2nd grade and up; monthly gatherings begin with the 9:30 AM Mass at Saint Bartholomew.
• Confirmation: two-year program for high-school teens (9th–12th grade) and a parent; each gathering starts with the 5 PM Mass at Saint Bartholomew.
• Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA) for adults seeking Baptism or full Communion.

Liturgy & Music Ministry

The parish worship team coordinates liturgical ministries across the four worship sites, including music leadership under Luke Scott, Leader of Music. Altar Server training and volunteer opportunities are held regularly, and youth are encouraged to serve at the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass at Saint Bartholomew.

• Music Ministry / Worship Team led by Luke Scott.
• Altar Server training held each September.
• Live-streamed Masses broadcast throughout the week (Sunday 9:15 AM from Saint Bartholomew).

Catholic Schools in Manchester

The parish operates the Consortium of Catholic Elementary Schools of Manchester, led by Head of Schools Mary Alice Nadaskay. The consortium serves approximately 600 children across Saint James School and Saint Bridget School and includes faith formation and service projects as a core part of its curriculum.

• Head of Schools: Mary Alice Nadaskay (860-643-5088).
• Saint James School — main campus.
• Saint Bridget School — partner campus.
• Future vision: consolidated K–8 and Pre-K program at the Saint Bridget campus.

Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)

Adults who wish to learn more about the Catholic Church or to become fully initiated through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are invited to participate in the parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), formerly known as RCIA. The program is a place to ask questions, receive teaching, engage in fellowship, and grow in faith.

• Adult Catholic Faith Enrichment for inquirers.
• Coordinated by the Adult Ministries team (Lorena Holland, Adult Ministries Coordinator).

Parish Staff & Leadership

The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Marcin P. Pluciennik, with Rev. Dominic Anaeto serving as Parochial Vicar and Rev. Edward Moran in Senior Status. A Leadership Team of lay staff heads the parish's various ministries (Worship, Faith Formation, Catholic Schools, Social Ministry, Communications, Operations, Music, and 'Parish 2030' planning), supported by four permanent deacons.

• Pastor: Rev. Marcin P. Pluciennik (ext. 101).
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Dominic Anaeto (ext. 102).
• Senior Status: Rev. Edward Moran (ext. 119).
• Deacons: Robert Hoey, Ramon Guzman, Lee Larocque, Rich Yirga.
• Leader of Staff: Mary Fitzpatrick.
• Head of Catholic Schools: Mary Alice Nadaskay.
• Leader of Finances, HR & Operations: Nancy Lastrina.
• Leader of Education: Rachel Bursiewicz.
• Leader of Social Ministry: John Ryan.
• Leader of Music: Luke Scott.
• Leader of Communications: Robert Muirhead.
• Adult Ministries Coordinator: Lorena Holland.