Monsignor James Paul Carini

Rev. Msgr. James Paul Carini passed peacefully from this life at his home in Chester. He was born on July 26,1939 in Middletown, CT son of the late John F. Carini and Katherine (Scallia) Carini of Chester. He attended Chester Grammar School and Valley Regional High School, Deep River, CT graduating in 1957.

During his early teenage years young Jimmy was a member of the Chester Fife and Drum Corps as a fifer along with his father, John, a bass drummer and his uncle, Vic, a fifer. In 1956 he attended Boys State at UCONN sponsored by the American Legion. He received a BA degree from St Francis University, Loretto, PA, an MA in Counselor Education from the University of Rhode Island and an MDiv from Christ the King Seminary, St Bonaventure, NY. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Norwich on May 27, 1965 by Bishop Vincent J. Hines.

Father Carini was temporarily assigned to St Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, St Peter Church, Higganum, and then St Patrick Church in Mystic for five years. During his time in Mystic Father Carini was chaplain to the Catholic deaf students at the Mystic Oral School and catechetical director of their religious education program. Some years later he developed the first Ministry to the Deaf in the Norwich Diocese celebrating Masses in sign language throughout the Diocese. He continued his education at the Deafness and Research Center at New York University.

In 1970 Bishop Hines assigned Father Carini chaplain to the students at St Bernard High School, Uncasville, and resident chaplain to the Christian Brothers. He also became a part time staff member of the Emmaus Spiritual Life Center in Uncasville, having received a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Diocese of Bridgeport.

In February 1982 Father Carini accompanied Bishop Daniel P Reilly on the first diocesan missionary trip to the island of Haiti. He was instrumental in setting up two follow-up trips in 1983 and 1984 and in 1985 resided in Haiti for three months researching possibilities of a permanent presence in Haiti for the Diocese of Norwich. Returning to the Diocese Father Carini used his fluency in Haitian Creole to minister to the growing local Haitian community in Norwich with occasional Masses in their native language.

In 1986 he became pastor of St Catherine of Siena Parish, Preston. After his 25th anniversary in 1990 he participated in a sabbatical program at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Christian Formation in Ministry in the spring of 1991.

Subsequently, in 1996 Father Carini was assigned pastor of St Matthew Church, Tolland, by Bishop Daniel A Hart. During his pastorate there he led the construction of the parish center and a new rectory. He retired in July 2015 after 50 years of active ministry and returned to live in his hometown of Chester in the house where he grew up. In January 2014, prior to his retirement, His Holiness Pope Francis, appointed him Chaplain to the Papal Household with the title of Reverend Monsignor.

During his 50 years of priesthood Msgr Carini was a member of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, the Liturgical Commission and the Lay Ministry and Deacon Advisory Boards. He was also active as a member of the Presbyteral Council and on the Corporate Board of Outreach to Haiti. Nationally he was a member of the National Federation of Priests Councils representing the Hartford Province. In the Norwich Diocese, beginning in 1981, Father Carini was director of the Emmaus Spirituality Program for Priests and participated as a national team member of the program preaching retreats and leading presbyteral assemblies and convocations throughout the United States.

Msgr Carini was predeceased by his sister Frances Ann Carini. Msgr Carini is survived by his sister Geradine Carini Garcia and numerous cousins, particularly the six Doak cousins and their families who were so supportive, caring and loving to him and his sisters. Donations may be made to Outreach to Haiti, 815 Boswell Ave., Norwich, CT 06360, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, 61 Main St, Suite 5, Centerbrook, CT 06409, or to a charity of one’s choice.

The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home is in the care of the arrangements. A Public Visitation will be celebrated on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at St. Matthew Church, 111 Tolland Green in Tolland, CT. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place following Mass at St Joseph’s Cemetery, 48 Middlesex Ave, Chester, CT, in the Carini family plot, at 1:15 PM.