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Mission Statement of Sacred Heart Church
Called by God, we, Sacred Heart Parish Community gathered in Christ's universal Roman Catholic Church in this twenty-first century celebrate the gift of our faith. We pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us as we seek to live our lives to bring the presence of Jesus to all people.
By striving to live our faith we hope to inspire future generations to center their lives in the heart of Jesus.
Pastor: Reverend Mark R. Jette
mjette47@gmail.com
Administrative Assistant: Elizabeth Grigoriou
elizabethgrigoriou@necoxmail.com
Rectory: Telephone: 860-668-4246 Fax: 860-668-1337
Email: sheart.church@sbcglobal.net
Rectory Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
(Rectory Office closed on Friday and Holidays)
Religious Education:
Telephone: 860-668-7766 Fax: 860-370-5164
Donna Swols, Director
Pat Sagon, Confirmation Coordinator
Administrative Assistant: Jackie Dion
Directors of Music:
Floyd Higgins and Gretchen Collins
Email: floydandgretchen@comcast.net
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
TWO MILITARY CHAPLAINS
When the Korean War ended in 1953, a group of U.S. soldiers emerged from a POW camp bearing a 4-foot crucifix. A Jewish POW had made it in honor of the Catholic Army chaplain who men of every faith loved - Fr. Emil Kapaun.
In 1950, US forces were overwhelmed by superior numbers of enemy forces. Fr. Kapaun dragged soldiers to safety, anointed the injured, and comforted the dying. A 40-mile death march followed. Soldiers lagging behind were shot. Fr. Kapaun carried an injured soldier for the 40 miles and encouraged others about to give up to continue on. In the POW camp, he was a father to the soldiers, sneaking out to find food, holding Mass in secret, and keeping faith and hope alive.
When he became sick, he was taken to the camp death house from which men did not return. While being taken away, he blessed and forgave his captors.
Fr. Kapaun is the most highly decorated chaplain in US military history. He repeatedly risked his own life to save hundreds of GI’s. His courage and faith inspired thousands of soldiers to survive hellish conditions, to resist indoctrination, and to retain their faith in God.
Nicknamed the Grunt Padre for his ministry to the infantry “grunts,” Fr. Vincent Capodanno was loved by his Marines and was always with them on the front lines in Vietnam. He knew where the fighting was heaviest, a chaplain was needed the most. In 1967, Marines were surrounded by the enemy and outnumbered 5 to 1.
Fr. Capodanno ran around in the chaos, bringing peace to the wounded, ministering to the dying, and saving lives. While running to aide a medic who had been shot, he was hit by machine gun fire. He died on a field in Vietnam with 127 Marines. A Navy frigate was named in his honor. His name is etched on the Vietnam Memorial in
Washington, DC. The only way to see his name is to kneel.
What do these stories have in common?
Both chaplains were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Both have been named Servants of God - the first step toward sainthood.
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