About St. James · Danielson, Connecticut
St. James Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the borough of Danielson, Connecticut, located in the Diocese of Norwich. The parish was officially established in 1870, making it one of the older Catholic communities in the Quiet Corner of northeastern Connecticut. Since December 8, 1895, the parish has been staffed by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (La Salette Fathers and Brothers), a French religious order whose ministry of reconciliation continues to shape the parish's identity. On December 6, 2020 the parish joyfully celebrated its Sesquicentennial (150 years) and the Quasquicentennial (125 years) of the La Salette presence, marking more than a century and a half of Catholic life in Danielson.
- Established
- 1870
- Patron
- St. James the Greater (Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Roy Parayil, M.S.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Norwich (Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut)
Why belong here
St. James is a vibrant, family-friendly parish whose 150+ year history in Danielson is still being written by its current generation of parishioners. With a parish-sponsored Catholic school (preschool through grade 8), a Religious Education program, OCIA/RCIA for adults, a Knights of Columbus council, multiple liturgical ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers), and a Used Book Store & Coffee House supporting the school, there are many ways to belong and serve. The La Salette Missionaries — an order devoted to the ministry of Reconciliation — give the parish a distinctive spirit of welcome, healing, and missionary zeal.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45–4:15 p.m. in the church
- By appointment
Parish History & Heritage
Catholic life in Danielson began in 1850 when Rev. Michael McCabe became the first resident priest and offered the first Mass at a private residence. After his death in 1859, Danielson briefly became a mission of Moosup. Rev. James A. Princen re-established St. James Parish on September 1, 1869 (officially recorded in 1870) and founded St. James School in 1874. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, France arrived to staff the school in 1889, and the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, also from France, took over the parish on December 8, 1895. By 1900 a fully organized parish with its own church was in place. On December 6, 2020, the parish joyfully marked its Sesquicentennial (150 years) and the Quasquicentennial (125 years) of the La Salette presence.
- 1850 — Rev. Michael McCabe arrives; offers the first Mass in Danielson at a private residence.
- 1859 — Father McCabe dies; Danielson briefly becomes a mission of Moosup.
- 1869 (recorded 1870) — Rev. James A. Princen re-establishes St. James Parish.
- 1874 — Fr. Princen founds St. James School.
- 1889 — Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery arrive to teach in the school.
- Dec 8, 1895 — Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette assume the parish; Rev. Clovis M. Socquet, M.S. is the first La Salette pastor.
- 1900 — Newly organized parish of St. James with its own church is completed.
- Dec 6, 2020 — Sesquicentennial of parish founding and Quasquicentennial of La Salette presence celebrated together.
Our La Salette Identity
Since 1895 St. James has been served by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.), a Catholic religious congregation of priests and Brothers founded in France after the apparition of Our Lady of La Salette in 1846. The Missionaries are particularly devoted to the ministry of Reconciliation, and that charism shapes the parish's identity as a place of welcome, healing, and conversion. Vocations inquiries are welcomed through the pastor, and the parish maintains links to the broader La Salette apostolate in North America.
- Sponsored by the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette (M.S.) since Dec 8, 1895.
- Distinctive charism: ministry of Reconciliation.
- Vocations contact: Fr. Roy Parayil, M.S. — (860) 774-3900.
- Affiliated La Salette sites referenced: lasalette.org, lasaletteattleboroshrine.org, lasalettevocations.org.
Mass & Sacraments
The parish offers a generous weekly Mass schedule, confession on Saturday afternoons, and full sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Holy Day Masses are added at the standard times. Baptisms are celebrated on the third Sunday of every month at noon following a preparatory class arranged through the Rectory.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday Masses: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
- Weekday Mass (Mon–Fri): 9:00 a.m.
- Holy Day Masses: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:45–4:15 p.m. in church, or by appointment.
- Baptism: third Sunday of each month at 12:00 noon (preparation class required).
- Weddings: contact the Rectory at least six months in advance; one year if not yet a confirmed Catholic.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. James offers a full program of catechesis for children and adults. The parish Religious Education program explores the four pillars of the Catholic Church — the Creed, Prayer, the Sacraments, and Morality — through the lens of the life of Christ and the early Church. The OCIA/RCIA process welcomes adults seeking to know more about the Catholic faith, including those preparing to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Classes begin in October and meet Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Church Hall.
- Religious Education Directors: Mary Chappell — (508) 615-1621; Marcia Bardin — (860) 792-8054.
- Religious Education contact line: (860) 792-8054 (also listed under Mrs. Bev Richardson).
- OCIA/RCIA Coordinator: Bev Richardson — (860) 792-8054.
- Adult classes meet Tuesday 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the Church Hall, beginning in October.
St. James School
Founded in 1874 by Fr. James A. Princen, St. James School is the parish-sponsored Catholic school of the parish and the Diocese of Norwich. Located at 120 Water Street in Danielson, the school serves children from preschool through eighth grade, blending Catholic values with high academic standards. The school's three guiding 'Rs' are Respect, Responsibility, and Rules, creating a nurturing environment where students grow academically, spiritually, morally, and socially. The school is affiliated with St. James Parish and the Diocese of Norwich.
- Founded 1874 by Fr. James A. Princen.
- Preschool through Grade 8.
- 120 Water Street, Danielson, CT 06239.
- Phone: (860) 774-3281 (older bulletins list Principal Elyse McAteer; the Ministries page lists Principal Catherine Reed).
- School website: stjamesdanielson.org.
Parish Ministries & Service Organizations
St. James has a wide network of ministries, devotional groups, and fundraising committees that sustain parish life and support its school and outreach. Liturgical ministries (Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers) involve parishioners directly in the celebration of Mass; devotional and service groups include the St. Jean Baptiste Society, Our Lady of Nazareth Life Association (Right to Life), and Disciples of Mercy; fundraising committees include the St. James Athletic Association, Golf Committee, Car Donation Committee, Friends of St. James, Craft Group, Endowment Committee, and the 1000 Club. A parish council of the Knights of Columbus is also active. Pourings & Passages, a used book store and coffee house, and the St. James Book Store (103 Main Street) further support the school and parish community.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers.
- Devotional / Service: St. Jean Baptiste, Our Lady of Nazareth Life Association (Right to Life), Disciples of Mercy.
- Fundraising & Community: Construction Committee, Athletic Association, Golf Committee, Car Donation Committee, Friends of St. James, Craft Group, Endowment Committee, 1000 Club.
- Knights of Columbus (parish council).
- Pourings & Passages — used book store & coffee house benefiting St. James School.
- St. James Book Store — 103 Main St, Danielson; Wed–Sat, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; (860) 774-1712.
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. James is pastored by La Salette Missionaries, with a senior priest assisting and a deacon supporting parish life. Parish office and Religious Education contacts are published on the website and in the bulletin.
- Pastor: Rev. Roy Parayil, M.S. (La Salette Missionary).
- Senior Priest: Rev. John E. Welch, M.S.
- Deacon: Rene N. Barbeau, Jr.
- Parish Office (Rectory) hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (emergencies anytime).
- Baptism / Wedding / Sacramental inquiries: Rectory, (860) 774-3900.
Visit, Register & Contact
New parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. Registration and update forms are available on the parish website's Information page and can be returned in the collection basket or delivered to the Parish Office. The Rectory is the main contact point for sacramental questions, hospital and home visit notifications, and general parish business.
- Address: 12 Franklin Street, Danielson, CT 06239.
- Phone: (860) 774-3900, (860) 774-3901.
- Email: [email protected].
- Website: stjameschurchdanielson.com.
- Registration forms: on the Information page of the website.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael McCabe1850–1859
First resident priest in Danielson; offered the first Mass in town at a private residence.
- Rev. James A. Princen1869 (officially 1870) –
Re-established St. James parish; founded St. James School in 1874.
- Rev. Clovis M. Socquet, M.S.from Dec 8, 1895
First La Salette Missionary assigned as pastor of St. James.
- Rev. C.P. Bedard, M.S.from 1895
Assisted as curate alongside the first La Salette pastor.
- Rev. Pierre Roux, M.S.from 1895
Assisted as curate alongside the first La Salette pastor.
- Rev. Roy Parayil, M.S.
Current pastor (La Salette Missionary).