The Church of Our Lady of Pompeii which is located in the Foxon section of East Haven, Connecticut, USA, was dedicated on March 25, 1961. At that time a booklet was published which began, “Progress and growth – the characteristic features of our age – find their realization also in Our Lady of Pompeii Parish.” Forty- five years later that statement remains true, as progress in faith in Jesus Christ and in the following of the gospel as well as growth through evangelization remain important to this thriving community of over 2,100 families.

Incorporated on December 13, 1947, it began years earlier as Our Lady of Pompeii Mission, first as a small group of several families celebrating Mass circa 1912 with a Dominican priest, Fr. Robert Rumaggi in a private home. After World War I the Foxon area of East Haven, Connecticut attracted young couples that were looking to build homes and a future. The need for a church was soon realized and the families of the area responded generously to the drive. The Russo Family who had a special devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii of the Rosary donated land, two thousand dollars and a bell purchased in Chicago. That bell has been moved to a place of honor near the entrance of the present church. At that time, 25 girls and boys were preparing for their First Confession and First Holy Communion.

In the Fall of 1922 The Reverend T. Lawrason Riggs, who was Spiritual Director to the Catholic students at Yale University in New Haven, presided over Our Lady of Pompeii Church. 1929 was marked by the construction of a new extension on the right side of the small church building as well as the addition of an organ and choir pews. To mark his 10th anniversary in Foxon Park, the entire church was redecorated. Headlines in the New Haven Register read, “Little Known Foxon Church Treasure House of Beauty.” A few years later Fr. Riggs was forced to leave Foxon so that he might devote his full energies to the Catholic population at Yale.

In 1938, Pompeii was made a mission of St. Therese Parish in the neighboring town of Montowese. Growth took place in many areas including the religious instruction of the children coordinated by The Missionary Zelatrices of the Sacred Heart, who have since gone back to their original founding name, Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. An Apostle of the Sacred Heart is a member of the parish staff today!

The Ladies Guild was also organized during this time and continues to be marked by constant growth. The benefits emanating from the dedicated work of the Guild continue to enhance the life of the parish spiritually, socially, and financially. A major event of the Guild is the Annual Christmas Fair held in mid-November.

Soon after celebrating its Silver Jubilee, Pompeii changed its mission status and became a fully incorporated parish on December 13, 1947, and henceforth has been known as the Parish of Our Lady of Pompeii with Reverend Raymond Mulcahy as the First Pastor. He was succeeded by Fr. John O’ Neill, the Fr. Dennis Hussey, Fr. David Borino, and the current pastor, Fr. James Shanley.

In 1956, the seven acres on which the present church and rectory stand was acquired. Seven Masses were offered each Sunday, at the church in Foxon Park and at a local public school. The help of the Dominican Fathers of Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island made possible the celebration of these Masses.

In 1957 the Holy Name Society was began a movement which resulted in the Annual Parish Fair and Carnival, still a highlight of the summer, with its popularity growing far beyond the limits of the parish and East Haven, drawing people from the greater New Haven area.

In 1959 a fundraising drive was conducted to build a new church, with $200,000 dollars being pledged by parishioners. The site for the new church was blessed at groundbreaking ceremonies on March 13, 1960. An additional four acres of land fronting on Route 80 and adjacent to the church site was purchased in December 1960. On March 25, 1961, the present church was dedicated. The cost of the construction was $380,000.

The old church continued to be used for two masses every Sunday, until April 21, 1963, when it was destroyed by fire. A treasured House of Worship and memorial landmark had been destroyed by two young boys playing in a storage shed. While the community was greatly saddened, the new church has made it possible for the parish family to worship under one roof. The church accommodates 600 with an equally large lower hall.

The 1970’s and 1980’s saw Pompeii participating in movements that were nationwide phenomena, namely marriage encounters and the charismatic movement. Involvement in these groups embraced the individual lives of parishioners and led many to a deeper commitment and growth in many areas of parish life, not the least of which is still seen in the celebration of our liturgical life. The Permanent Diaconate was strong at this parish with eight Deacons serving over these past 30 years.

An important event in 1978 was the construction of the new building containing a chapel, rectory and meeting rooms. Today the chapel is used for daily mass and recitation of the rosary, an intercessory prayer group, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and is open for private prayer

The rectory building houses the Lower Office Meeting Room, which provides an ample and comfortable space for a variety of parish activities. As functional and attractive as this building is, its most important contribution has been the facilitating of the growth of community within the parish. The chapel, rectory and meeting rooms all provide space for people to gather. In coming together to pray, plan, or study, parishioners have formed friendships as well as group identify. This has helped us to better serve the parish and bear witness to the world.

Social action is the vehicle through which members of the parish reach out to our neighbors in need. Parishioners keep a food pantry stocked by bringing food to weekend Masses. This food is then distributed as needed. At Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, baskets are put together for those who might otherwise go without. Homefront Day allows our parishioners to reach out and help people in the community by partnering up with area resources to improve homes and peoples lives. In these ways the people of Pompeii give back a little of what has been given to them.

The Knights of Columbus, Council #11245 of Our Lady of Pompeii, was established in 1995 and is always seeking new members.

The parish finds itself strong and growing, hoping to expand its social justice ministries as well as meeting the sacramental needs of its parishioners. In 2007 there were 65 Baptisms, 59 First Communions, 67 Confirmations, 17 Marriages and 118 Funerals. Currently we have over 30 ministries and group which are flourishing and new ones are forming all the time. These include the Ladies Guild, Knights of Columbus, Bible Study Groups, Choirs, Divine Mercy, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena, Padre Pio Prayer Group, Rosary Societies; a “Get-Together Group” for persons with disabilities and special needs; ongoing Food Collection efforts, Annual Homefront Day which rehabs a local home; Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, Bereavement, Widows and Widowers Support Groups and a newly formed Prayer Shawl Ministry through which women get together and knit shawls which are presented to those in crisis with the promise of prayer.

Another current area of growth and progress is through intergenerational religious education and life long faith formation. Families with children of all ages gather monthly for “Faith Festivals” during which experiential learning guides all along the way of faith and the teaching of the Church. One of the first such festivals was entitled, “ Our Lady of Pompeii and the Rosary” during which families learned more about this important devotion, the Shrine in Italy, the prayer of the Rosary, and Bartolo Longo. The founder of the shrine was also featured in last November’s festival on “All Saints” during which the canonization processed was discussed and all prayed for the Blessed on his road to canonization.