Welcome & About Us
We hope you find a home here.
Who We Are and What We Do
Hello and welcome to the St. Damien of Molokai Parish website! It’s always a real joy for us to meet and add new members to our parish family. Here you will find useful information about who we are and what we believe. Please take a moment to browse our site or reach out to us…we may have the answers you seek.
Whatever your next step is, isn’t it time to take a bold leap of faith and discover what God has in store for you? We believe that you can’t go with God and stay where you are.
Founded in 2017, Saint Damien of Molokai Parish began with the joining of the former parishes of St. Joseph and St. Gabriel – both in Windsor, each with its own eponymous church and congregation, and distinct culture. From the inception of the new parish, St. Damien parishioners and ministries blazed a trail toward one cohesive Catholic community, culminating in the addition of St. Gertrude Parish in October, 2020, effectively consolidating all of Windsor’s Catholics under one unified parish. Still in its infancy, St. Damien of Molokai Parish continues to grow and adapt to the needs of its members.
A Shared History
With the founding of (former) St. Joseph Parish in 1892, the founding of (former) St. Gabriel Parish in 1921, as well as the subsequent addition of (former) St. Gertrude Parish in 1947, there has been a continuous Catholic presence in Windsor. Since the earliest days, these faith-based communities have represented a rich and diverse heritage in Connecticut’s oldest settlement, bound together by both geography and a common Faith. On June 29, 2017, by decree of Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of the Archdiocese of Hartford, St. Joseph Parish and St. Gabriel Parish merged to become St. Damien of Molokai Parish, under Father John P. Melnick’s pastorship. In October of 2020, St. Gertrude Parish was subsumed into St. Damien parish, thereby consolidating all of Windsor’s faithful under one Catholic parish. Supporting the spiritual needs of all Catholics in the town of Windsor, the new parish’s mission is to serve Jesus Christ by loving God and each other, to spread the Good News and to make new disciples in our community. It is the vision of Saint Damien of Molokai Parish to unify, awaken and energize the faithful and make our celebration of the Eucharist an irresistible expression of welcome, faith and love.
When You Visit
Visiting a new church can be intimidating: What should I wear? Where do I park? Where do my kids go?
We understand the many thoughts that can come from visiting a new church, so we want you to feel completely comfortable when you visit. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to contact us or talk with an usher when you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Saint Damien Molokai Different than others?
St. Damien Parish is a diverse community of engaged and passionate individuals that come together with one common Faith. We are a very welcoming all-generations community. There’s a place for you here.
Who is the Pastor?
Father Shawn Daly has been the pastor of St. Damien of Molokai Parish since October 2022. Click Here to get to know a bit about him!
When are services?
You can find our complete Mass Schedule here.
What should I wear?
We want you to feel comfortable. After all, we are thrilled that you're joining us and want you to be more focused on the service than what you're wearing. In the summertime, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sandals, shorts, and a shirt. Others prefer to still put on their "Sunday best," and that's fine too! However, we do request that shorts be of a conservative length (no “short-shorts”) and that in general, clothing be respectable and conservative.
How do I get to Saint Damien Molokai?
We have two locations, St. Gabriel Church (and our Parish Office) and St. Joseph Church.
Here is a map.
I’m not Catholic, how do I know when to sit, stand and kneel?
There’s no need to be self-conscious about the postures and responses used during worship. Most visitors just follow the lead of the our parishioners. However, we do have worship aids located in each pew that provide you with the order of the mass, the postures, and the words to each prayer. If you don't see a worship aid in your pew, ask an usher, and they will be happy to bring you one.
I’m not Catholic, is it okay for me to participate in communion?
Communion, or The Eucharist, is the most intimate expression of our faith. Catholics believe that the host is literally the body of Christ, transformed from bread by the priest presiding over the service. Most evangelicals think of Communion as symbolic, so it makes sense that they are not as strict about having the right relationship to it as Catholics and Orthodox Christians who believe it is a sacrament and the true presence of Christ. So, if you are not Catholic, we ask that you not receive communion. However, those not receiving the Body of Christ and Precious blood are invited to come forward with their hands crossed over their chests for a special blessing.
Am I expected to put money in the offering?
If you are visiting with us, we don't expect you to put money in the offering, and you are welcome to just let it pass you by. If you consider our parish your church home, we'd love for you to prayerfully consider giving to our parish on a weekly basis. You can give by check or cash during the service, or you can sign up for online giving here.
How Do I get involved?
There are many ways to get involved. Here are three of them:
1) Come to a Mass on the weekend.
2) Look into joining a parish ministry, and get to know some great people.
3) Come to one of our many parish events, and meet our parish families.
Welcome! Have A Question? Please Reach Out!
Questions? Please Reach Out!
