Rev. Joseph CroninPastor · St. Mary Church (Precious Blood Parish)

Introduction from Father Joe Cronin

My dear friends,

I'm Father Joe Cronin, the new pastor. Yes – I'm related to Father Jim Cronin – his first cousin once removed. (Since you will be referring to him as 'Father Cronin' [the REAL one], you can just call me 'Father Joe'). Some remember me as the pastor in West Haven at Our Lady of Victory and St. John Vianney. If you don't know anything about me, let me take this opportunity to introduce myself.

I'm the seventh of eight children of James and Virginia Cronin, originally from Boston. I was named after Mom's uncle, Father Joseph Robinson, who died the December before my birth. I was born in Chicago, but Connecticut has been home since I was 2. We lived in Westport until I was 11, and Avon has been our home base since then. I grew up working in nursing homes, as my mother was the Recreation Director at one and an Alzheimer Therapist in another, where I worked in the kitchen. I attended public schools in Avon, graduating in 1986.

I earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Roger William College in Rhode Island in 1991. It was only as I completed those studies that I experienced a calling to the priesthood. I attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield for two years making up philosophy and theology credits. I attended St. John Seminary in Boston for four years, earning my Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Scripture. Following seminary, I served one year as a transitional deacon in Yalesville. I was ordained a priest on May 30, 1998 by Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin (no relations to him).

My first priestly assignment was at SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Waterbury, where Jim served for 18 years. (That's where I became accustomed to being Father Joe, instead of 'the other Fr. Cronin.') After 5 years, I was reassigned to Our Lady of Victory and St. John Vianney in West Haven. I was the curate for three years, administrator for one year, and pastor for ten years. In the reassignments and mergers of June 2017, I was sent to Southington. I was the pastor of St. Thomas Parish for 5 years, I then linked three parishes for one year, and three years ago, I was given the task to merge five parishes into St. Luke Parish. On Tuesday, May 12th, I was reassigned once more to Precious Blood Parish.

In my time as a priest, I have always had a parish elementary school, and have worked hard to make sure people had the opportunity for quality Catholic education in a school or through catechism. I have been blessed to work with individuals with intellectual or developmental challenges over the years through many institutions and in religious education. (As one who has dyslexia, I like to help people see there are ways to adapt situations for better learning.) I have worked hard to advance youth ministry and give young people a connection to Church. I'm pleased to say I have worked hard to make sure the homebound and those in nursing facilities have access to the sacramental life of the church. I have taught Bible study classes at my parishes for two decades, and I hope to continue to break open the word here in Milford.

In our time together, you will get to learn more about me. I have a quirky sense of humor, I like to wear weird shoes, and I have a booming laugh. I speak loudly (partly as a younger child in a large family, and partly from years of working in nursing homes), and if you cannot hear me, you're not deaf, you are dead! While I'm loud, I also have excellent hearing, so be careful what you whisper when I am around. (People are shocked when I hear things across churches!) I have a passion for genealogy, art, travel, and gardening. The rest you will learn over time! I look forward to meeting you and being part of the thriving parish here in Milford.

Happily yours in Christ,

Fr. Joe