Ninety Two Years of Service

continued to teach at the school until its closing in 1975. The "school" was sold in 1985 and has had several owners to date. Currently the building houses the American Canadian Genealogical Society.

Fr. Thomas Mason became pastor of our parish family in 1962. During his eleven years the parish experienced its fastest and finest growth. Fr. Mason had many dedicated assistants and although the turnover was rapid, the work of these priests was effective and lasting. During Fr. Mason’s pastorate the mortgage on the school was burned, the new rectory was built in 1967 and the parish center was built in 1972 on the property formerly used for the first church.

Fr. John Sullivan arrived as pastor in 1973. He was an outgoing person and spent much time and work with the young people. It was a time of many liturgical changes, but he did much to instill the concept of the parish not just as a church, but a family of Christians working together in finding Christ in their lives.

During Fr. John Moran’s shepherding, from 1976-79, the church sanctuary was renovated and he paid off more than sixty thousand dollars on the parish debt. The latter fact is a tribute to him and the cooperation he elicited from the parish family.

In the spring of 1979 Bishop Odore Gendron asked the Capuchin-Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Mary of New York and New England to staff a parish in the diocese. Since the friars live a "community" life, it was necessary for them to work in a parish requiring at least 3 priests. Blessed Sacrament was finally chosen because it needed 3 priests due to the continuing growth of its population as well as the need for caring for its large number of young people, senior citizens and shut-ins.

On September 1, 1982, Fr. Sigmund Hafemann was formally named pastor at Blessed Sacrament, although the Capuchins actually began their service in 1979. Twenty years later....we are still staffed by Capuchins - Fr. Michael E. Sevigny being the current pastor. Capuchin pastors following Fr. Sigmund continued outreach programs that were of value to the community and continued to supply parishioners with the now accepted and dearly loved "Capuchin Presence". A skeptical community had come to love their Capuchin Friars – their brown robes becoming a common sight to all in South Manchester.

During these years of Capuchin service, outreach to those in need has been a main theme – a common thread woven into the fabric of our parish community. Many outreach projects have been instituted to meet the needs of the people of South Manchester. Not just "parishioners", but all who live in our area.