A New Parish United from Three Wallingford Communities
St. Benedict of Nursia Parish was established on July 1, 2025 with Father Andrés Mendoza Floyd as its founding pastor, bringing the Catholic community of Wallingford into one parish family. The parish unites the rich traditions of three legacy communities that had served the town for generations: Most Holy Trinity (established 1856 and reestablished 1867), Our Lady of Fatima in Yalesville (established 1960), and the Church of the Resurrection (established 1963). All three buildings remain active worship sites today, each with its own weekend Mass schedule, while sharing clergy, staff, faith formation, and outreach across the whole parish.
The vision of the new parish follows the risen Christ's commission from Matthew 28: "Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." St. Benedict of Nursia Parish seeks to form missionary disciples who serve all in Christ's name. Its mission is rooted in the patron saint: "By God's grace and the model of our patron, Saint Benedict, we root ourselves in Christ alone and share Him with others through prayer and service." Parishioners greet newcomers with a single invitation: "Together we intend to establish a parish community for God's service."
Mass Times in English and Spanish Across Three Campuses
Worship is offered at all three campuses in English and, at Most Holy Trinity, in Spanish as well. At Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 N. Colony Street in Wallingford, weekend Mass is celebrated on Saturday at 4:00 PM in English and on Sunday at 10:30 AM in English and 12:15 PM in Spanish. Daily Mass at Most Holy Trinity includes Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM in Spanish, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 7:30 AM in English, and Friday morning at 9:00 AM in English.
At the Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Road in Wallingford, weekend Mass is Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM, all in English. Daily Mass is offered Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 7:30 AM in English.
At Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382 Hope Hill Road in Yalesville (a village within Wallingford), weekend Mass is Sunday at 9:00 AM in English. During the summer months, this Mass is held in the parish hall.
For those unable to attend in person, Mass is livestreamed on YouTube and StreamSpot, with recordings available afterwards.
Confession and Eucharistic Adoration
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during Adoration on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Most Holy Trinity, and on Saturdays from 4:30 to 5:15 PM at the Church of the Resurrection. Parishioners can also call the parish office at (203) 269-8791 to schedule a time that works for them. The welcome in the confessional is simple: "Come as you are. Leave renewed."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church frames the sacrament this way, as quoted by the parish: "Christ speaks often of God's forgiveness, but He also reminds us that God uses human beings and bestows His grace through them. Thus he desires us to confess our sins to the church and to receive sacramental absolution through the priest."
The Seven Sacraments
Baptism is celebrated monthly, with a regular rotation that helps families choose a campus and language: the first Saturday of the month in English at the Church of the Resurrection, the second Saturday of the month in English at Most Holy Trinity, and the fourth Saturday of the month in Spanish at Most Holy Trinity. All baptisms take place at 12:00 PM. Parents attend a Pre-Baptism Class before the ceremony, and godparents must meet the requirements of Canon Law, including a sponsor certificate from their home parish. Baptism registration forms and information packets are available in both English and Spanish.
The parish prepares children, teens, and adults for the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders. A recent change from the Archdiocese of Hartford, announced by Archbishop Christopher Coyne in consultation with the Presbyteral Council, has lowered the age for receiving Confirmation from 10th grade to 8th grade. The transition is being implemented gradually over two years, beginning in fall 2026.
Faith Formation for Children, Teens, and Adults
Faith Formation for students in grades 1 through 8 is built around the family. The parish describes its approach this way: "At St. Benedict, faith is a way of life. Rooted in the Eucharist and centered in the home, our program helps families grow as disciples of Jesus." Sessions meet twice a month at Our Lady of Fatima and include family meals, engaging activities, online resources, and student classes on Sunday, Monday, or Thursday (the Thursday option is bilingual). Students preparing for First Communion and Reconciliation attend an extra Thursday class each month for sacramental preparation.
Confirmation preparation uses the Archdiocesan "8's of Family Culture" framework, and the parish publishes a Confirmation calendar in both English and Spanish. A monthly Make-Up tab offers simple activities, reflections, prayers, and resources for parents to complete with their children at home, helping families stay connected when a session is missed.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) walks adults and older teens through the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. A separate Adult Confirmation process is offered for baptized Catholics who have not yet been confirmed. Suzanne Narajka coordinates OCIA and the parish's Rebuilt process.
Music That Lifts the Liturgy
Music Ministry at St. Benedict includes four ensembles. The Adult Choir, made up of adults and high school-aged young adults, rehearses every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Church of the Resurrection. Its repertoire spans classical and modern music, and the choir sings for Sunday Masses and the major seasons of the liturgical year, including Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter.
The Children's Choir welcomes students in kindergarten through 5th grade, learning songs during the Children's Liturgy of the Word.
The Handbell Choir, open to adults and young adults with a basic understanding of music notation and rhythm, rehearses weekly on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:15 PM, beginning in late September.
The Instrumental Ensemble gathers flutes, oboes, trumpets, trombones, euphoniums, French horns, and other instruments for the most joyful celebrations, including Christmas and Easter.
All four groups are led by Joseph Tatta, Director of Music and Liturgical Ministries.
A Monthly Food Pantry and Help for Moms in Need
The St. Benedict Social Action Ministry identifies needs within both the parish and the wider Wallingford community, organizing efforts to meet them while fostering a spirit of compassion among parishioners. Its most visible outreach is a food pantry at the Church of the Resurrection, open on the third Saturday of each month from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. The ministry also provides complete holiday meals to families in need and runs an annual Christmas Giving Tree program.
Donations of non-perishable food items are always appreciated, with a posted grocery list that includes breakfast bars, instant potatoes, pancake mix and syrup, oatmeal, carrots, peas, pork and beans, ramen, apple sauce, canned fruit, pop tarts, brownie mix, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, salad dressing, ketchup, mayo, crackers, cookies, jelly, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, hand soap, hand cream, toothbrushes, deodorant, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and laundry detergent. Food gift cards for emergencies are also welcomed. Donation baskets stand in the vestibules of all three church campuses.
Walking with Moms in Need supports any woman facing an unexpected pregnancy or parenting in difficult circumstances, offering friendship, ongoing support, and connections to resources such as medical care during pregnancy and after birth, temporary housing, food, clothing, diapers, adoption services, and help escaping an abusive relationship. The ministry's Christian calling is to help all women regardless of circumstance and without judgement.
Health, Wellness, and Bereavement Support
The Health and Wellness Committee cares for the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - by promoting healthy habits, sharing resources, and offering support for physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Recent parish-wide programming has included flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics held in partnership with CVS, nutrition workshops led by a ShopRite dietitian, and wellness-focused bulletin tips with healthy recipes. A recent parish survey of more than 140 responses identified anxiety and stress management, integrating faith into daily life, and management of chronic illness as the most pressing concerns.
Two related bereavement groups walk alongside those grieving the loss of a loved one. Moving Forward meets every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at the rectory of the Church of the Resurrection campus and is open to both men and women. New Day Bereavement Ministry offers a more structured nine-week support group with prayer, Scripture, reflection, and a safe space to share, meeting on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Living Room at the Church of the Resurrection.
Spanish-Language Life at the Parish
Hispanic Catholic life is woven throughout the parish. Every December, the Guadalupe Group gathers at Most Holy Trinity to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe with a celebration that blends culture, worship, and community. In the weeks leading up to the December 12 feast, the group hosts a Kermes, a Spanish food sale, to raise funds for the celebration. On the feast day itself, the church comes alive with Mass, Aztec dance, folk music, food, and social time. Anarosa Sandoval leads the group.
The Spanish Prayer Group, Renacer en el Señor, meets every Wednesday at 6:30 PM at Most Holy Trinity Parish Hall for praise, prayer, Scripture, and fellowship. The group is open to anyone looking for a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit. Ena Vintimilla coordinates the prayer group, with Rosa Rayas as sub-coordinator.
Men's Groups, the Women's Club, and Youth Ministry
Men of the parish find several ways to connect. The Men's League meets on the first Tuesday of each month, and whenever the parish needs a hand, sharing a meal, building friendships, and serving the Church through hands-on work from campus maintenance to event setup. The newer COR Men's Ministry gathers monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at the Church of the Resurrection to pray together, grow in faith and virtue, build brotherhood, and lead. The parish is also served by the Knights of Columbus.
The St. Benedict Women's Club brings women together to connect spiritually and socially while serving the parish and wider community. Membership is renewed annually at the September meeting for $10. The Club's committees include Membership Renewal, Military Support, Phone Squad, Spiritual, Sunshine, Jewelry Nook, Collections, Community Outreach, Holiday Fair, and Hospitality. Sharon Healey serves as the Club's president.
The St. Benedict Youth Ministry welcomes all teens ages 12 to 17 to grow in faith, friendship, and community. The group meets once a month, typically at Our Lady of Fatima, for evenings of prayer, fun activities, and fellowship. The parish is forming a Youth Ministry Core Team for adults 18 and older who feel called to pray for young people, plan gatherings, mentor, and serve.
Liturgical Ministries and Hospitality
At every Mass, laypeople step into service roles. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest during Mass and bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound. Lectors proclaim the Scriptures. Altar Servers, typically children who have already received First Communion, support the priest at the altar. The Welcoming Ministry staffs the doors as ushers and greeters. All four liturgical ministries offer training.
The Hospitality Ministry sets up fresh homemade donuts and coffee on Community Sundays so parishioners can gather and connect after Mass.
Holy Trinity School
Holy Trinity School is the parish's Catholic elementary school, with a mission built on Faith, Knowledge, and Success. The school communicates Gospel values, provides an academic program of excellence, and develops a faith community that encourages respect for self, others, and the global community, establishing lifelong learners who have the skills to succeed beyond the classroom.
Clergy, Staff, and Parish Office
Father Andrés Mendoza Floyd serves as Pastor, with Father Colin Lane as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Jose Robles assisting. Joseph Tatta is Director of Music and Liturgical Ministries. Tracy Sommo Blum directs Faith Formation, with Claudia Tovar serving as Bilingual Assistant Director and Communications.
The Parish Center sits at 25 N. Whittlesey Avenue in Wallingford and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The main phone line is (203) 269-8791, with email at church@wallingfordctcatholic.org. Online giving supports the parish's mission, and Mass is livestreamed on YouTube and StreamSpot for those unable to attend in person.
St. Benedict of Nursia Parish is an affiliate of the Archdiocese of Hartford, joining the wider Catholic Church of Connecticut in service to the people of Wallingford and the surrounding towns.