From the Pastor's Desk

Grace and peace to you in the Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin our ministry among you, we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and share a few thoughts as we embark together on this new chapter in the life of Christ the King Parish. First and foremost, we want you to know how grateful we are for the warm welcome that has already been extended to us. Every parish has its own unique history, traditions, and spirit, and we recognize that we are entering a community that has been built through the faith, sacrifices, and dedication of many people over many years. We come to you with respect for that history and with enthusiasm for the future that God has in store for us. My name is Father Jeffrey Romans, and I have been blessed to serve as a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford for twenty-three years. I am the youngest of three sons who grew up in Bristol, not too far. My mother and one of my brothers still live in our family home there, so I am pleased to be somewhat close by should she need anything from me. My oldest brother, his wife, and three children (all currently in high school) live in California. And my final personal fact, which I realize may not be well received by some in the parish, is that I am a lifelong Red Sox fan, in fact my dogs name is Fenway! Most recently, I served as the founding Pastor of Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish in Cheshire. I was in Cheshire prior to the mergers of 2017 and served in that community for the past twelve years. During those years, I witnessed firsthand the incredible things God can accomplish when parishioners work together in faith, generosity, and love. Through new ministries, expanded opportunities for faith formation, outreach to those in need, and numerous improvements to parish facilities, I learned that a parish is much more than buildings and programs. A parish is a family of faith, united by Christ and strengthened by the Eucharist. Leaving a parish after twelve years is not easy. Saint Bridget of Sweden Parish became home to me in countless ways, and I will always carry many wonderful memories of the people and experiences I shared there. At the same time, I have learned that every priest is called to trust in God's providence and to follow where the Church sends him. While goodbyes can be difficult, they also create opportunities for new beginnings. I come to Christ the King Parish excited to meet you, learn your stories, and discover together how the Holy Spirit is calling us forward. Joining me is Father Ajeesh, who will serve as Parochial Vicar. Originally from India, Father Ajeesh brings with him a deep love for the Church, a contagious enthusiasm for ministry, and a pastoral heart eager to serve God's people. When Father Ajeesh was a boy growing up in India, his family would gather before dinner to sing religious songs, read the Bible and pray the rosary. His mother's devotion to Mother Mary had a strong influence on him. He has prayed the rosary every day since he was a boy and believes his devotion to the Blessed Mother and the influence of his parents led him to the seminary. His parents, his brother, and his brother's family all still live in India and Father Ajeesh makes it home once a year for family time! Ordained on Jan. 5, 2018, in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Father Ajeesh came to the Archdiocese of Hartford in 2023 and has served in North Haven and Cheshire prior to coming to Christ the King Parish. Father Ajeesh brings many gifts to our parish family, including a deep faith, a generous heart, and a joyful commitment to priestly ministry. I have already enjoyed working with him in Cheshire and getting to know him better as a brother priest, and I know that the people of Christ the King will quickly come to appreciate his kindness, dedication, and pastoral care. We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve alongside one another as brother priests and collaborators in the mission of the Gospel. One practical matter that some parishioners may be wondering about is where Father Ajeesh and I will be residing. For the time being, we will be living at the rectory at Incarnation. As part of the transition between pastors, it became clear that both the Corpus Christi and Incarnation rectories were in need of various repairs, updates, and maintenance. By temporarily residing at Incarnation, it allowed the necessary work to be completed in that rectory without disrupting daily parish life and the life of Father Nick and Father Zach in their final days of ministry here. After we are here for a time, we will reevaluate the use of our buildings and make determinations on how best to utilize the buildings we have to best serve the people of Christ the King Parish. As we begin our time here, we do so with a spirit of listening. Every parish has strengths, challenges, hopes, and dreams. Before making plans for the future, it is important for us to learn about the parish, its people, its ministries, and its traditions. We look forward to meeting parishioners after Masses, visiting with ministry leaders, attending parish events, and hearing from those who have helped shape the life of this community through the years. The Church today faces many opportunities and challenges. We live in a world that often seems uncertain and divided, yet the mission entrusted to us by Christ remains unchanged. We are called to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, serve those in need, and help one another grow in holiness. A vibrant parish is not simply a place people attend on Sunday; it is a community where faith is lived every day and where every person recognizes that they have an important role to play in the life of the Church. In recent years, our bishops have reminded us of the importance of Eucharistic renewal, missionary discipleship, and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These are not simply programs or initiatives. They are invitations to deepen our relationship with Christ and allow His love to transform our lives. As priests, one of our greatest hopes is that every parishioner will encounter the Lord more deeply through prayer, the sacraments, and active participation in the life of the parish. As we prepare to begin our ministry at Christ the King Parish, one of the things that excites us most is the opportunity to become part of the parish school community as we were with the school in Cheshire. A strong Catholic school is one of the greatest blessings a parish can have. It is a place where young people not only receive an excellent education but also learn to know, love, and follow Jesus Christ. Our hope for the future is that Corpus Christi School will continue to be a place where faith is celebrated, academic excellence is pursued, and young people are formed into disciples who will make a difference in the Church and in the world. We want every family to know that they have a home here and that their parish stands with them in the important work of raising children in the faith. As we arrive at Christ the King, we are reminded of the words of Saint Paul: "There is a variety of gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:4-5). Each of us has been given gifts by God. Some serve as catechists, musicians, lectors, volunteers, council members, outreach workers, prayer warriors, or quiet supporters behind the scenes. Together, these gifts help build up the Body of Christ and strengthen the mission of the parish. Over the coming weeks and months, we look forward to celebrating Mass with you, praying with you, accompanying families through life's milestones, and sharing in the many moments that make parish life such a blessing. Most importantly, we look forward to growing together in faith and friendship as members of one parish family. Please be assured of our prayers for all of you. We ask that you remember us in your prayers as well, especially during these first weeks of transition. May the Lord bless our parish abundantly in the years ahead, guide us in His will, and help us always to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, our King and our Savior. We look forward to meeting you soon. In Christ,