PASTORAL CARE

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The Parish of St John’s is delighted to announce its new pastoral leadership with the arrival of the 

Rev. Jean Baptiste Kenol Rock. He began his role as priest-in-charge on November 2nd 2020.

Rev Jean Baptiste, who parishioners call “Fr Rock” joined St John’s Bridgeport in a time of uncertainty, and he has helped keep the congregation together while providing continued pastoral leadership.     Jean Baptiste Rock came to St John’s bringing his rich pastoral experiences from leading services in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Creole. Over the past three decades, he has served as rector in the Episcopal diocese of Haiti and priest-in-charge in the Episcopal diocese of New York. He has earned two master’s degrees at Boston College and at the University of South Sewanee, Tennessee, and a PhD at the University of Montreal, Canada.        

Fr Rock is going to be an inspiring leader at St John’s Bridgeport both from the pulpit and in the service to the community. 

Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body,the Church. It is a public statement of one’s intentional decision to follow the way of Jesus. In the case of infant baptism, it is the parents’ declaration of their intent to raise a child in the way of Jesus. 

The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble, so baptism is only administered once. When you choose to be baptized yourself or to have your child baptized in the Episcopal Church, it means you are choosing to live out the Baptismal Covenant in the context of an Episcopal church community, taking your part in the worship, mission and ministries of the local parish. Baptism is open to all people, regardless of age or background.

If you are new to the Episcopal Church and have already been baptized in another denomination, you may wish to renew your faith life. If this is the case, you may be Received or Confirmed in the Episcopal Church, rites which your local parish can help you learn about and discern whether they are appropriate for you. 

Wherever you come from and whatever your faith background, the Episcopal Church welcomes you

The Marriage Preparation Class is required for all those who desire to be married at St. John’s. Led by our Rector, the class focuses on the theological and practical aspects of Holy Matrimony. It is a chance for the Church to help equip and encourage couples as they prepare for their life together. We believe pre-marriage preparation is an essential component that assists the couple in laying a Christ-centered foundation. Couples do not need to be members of St. John’s to attend this class. However, it is tailored to those who have never been married. If you are planning to have your ceremony at St. John’s and have been previously married, please contact our Rector for special counseling requirements.

The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage is an expression of Christian community in which a couple makes their vows before God and the Church, and the priest blesses the marriage on behalf of the Church.

Normally, the clergy of the parish preside at the celebration of marriages in that parish. If you want another cleric to preside at your marriage, you must obtain the consent of the rector.

“… life is changed not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.”( “Commemoration of the Dead” page 382, The Book of Common Prayer.)

Our burial services find their meaning in the Resurrection; because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too shall be raised. The services are characterized by joy in the eternal love of God in Jesus Christ, and by our human grief at the death of a loved one. A death should be reported as soon as possible to the clergy. All arrangements for burial services are made in consultation with the clergy. Burial services follow the rites authorized by the Episcopal Church. 

 A Memorial service will often take place weeks, months or a year after death has occurred. All arrangements for the services are made in consultation with the clergy .