Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich

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Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
FOUR COUNTY

           CATHOLIC
Volume 33 • Number 6 • JUNE/JULY 2021 • SERVING THE COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX • NEW LONDON • TOLLAND • WINDHAM, CT & FISHERS ISLAND, NY

                   Preserving America’s
                                          First Freedom

             RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WEEK JUNE 22-29
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
Diocese of Norwich
                                                                                                                                                               Office of the Bishop
                                                                                                                                                               201 Broadway
                                                                                                                                                               Norwich, Connecticut 06360
                                                                                                                                                               (860) 887-9294

                                                                 My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,                                                              June 2021
                                                                            As you are already aware, our diocese and many dioceses around the country are facing declining numbers of both priests and parishioners. Consequently, we must
                                                                 continue to plan for the future as best we can, based on the projected number of priests available to minister, as well as the number of people in our parishes.
                                                                  The Diocese of Norwich began the process several years ago with the clustering of parishes, and then the yoking of parishes, as well as some mergers in which one parish closed.
                                                                 Most recently, we have adopted the more moderate approach of merging parishes, but without closing church buildings. The result of such mergers is that one parish has two or
                                                                 more worship sites.
                                                                   By merging two or more parishes into one parish with multiple worship sites, we simplify the many administrative tasks involved in parish life, allow the parish to maximize its
                                                                 resources, and minimize, we hope, the disruption of parishioners’ regular schedule of religious practice.

                                                                  This year in the Diocese of Norwich, the following parishes will be merged in accord with this process.

                                                                 1. St. John the Evangelist, Uncasville with Our Lady of the Lakes, Oakdale and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Quaker Hill.
                                                                           The newly merged parish will be Divine Mercy Parish, Uncasville.
                                                                 2. St. Joseph, New London with St. Mary, New London and St. Paul, Waterford.
                                                                           The newly merged parish will be St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, New London and will remain yoked with Our Lady of Grace, Fishers Island, NY.
                                                                 3. St. Bridget, Moodus with St. Patrick, East Hampton.
                                                                           The newly merged parish will be St. John Paul II Parish, East Hampton.
                                                                 4. St. Columba, Columbia with Holy Family, Hebron
                                                                          The newly merged parish will be The Good Shepherd Parish, Columbia.
                                                                 5. St. Andrew, Colchester and St. Francis of Assisi, Lebanon
                                                                          The newly merged parish will be Guardian Angels Parish, Colchester.

                                                                 These mergers will become effective on Thursday, July 1, 2021.
    JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                                  Through this measured approach to the restructuring in our diocese, we hope to be sensitive to the deep feelings of attachment our people have to their parishes. As our diocese
                                                                 continues to move forward in pastoral planning, let us join together in prayer and in action, working toward our goal of vital, vibrant parishes. May we always remember to pray
                                                                 for each other as we journey together into a future bright with promise and filled with an abundance of God’s grace.

                                                                                                                                                              Sincerely yours in Christ,

                                                                                                                                                                  Bishop of Norwich

y
                                                                    We Can Help                                                                                            Podemos ayudar
                                                                    To report inappropriate conduct of any kind by a Diocesan Bishop                                       Para reportar una conducta inapropiada de cualquier tipo por parte de un obispo
                                                                    please contact ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562                                            diocesano, por favor contacte ReportBishopAbuse.org o llame al 1-800-276-1562
                                                                    To report inappropriate contact of any kind by a representative of the                                 Para reportar contacto inapropiado de cualquier tipo por medio de un representante
                                                                    Diocese of Norwich or for assistance for victims, please call: The Diocesan                            de la Diócesis de Norwich o para asistencia a víctimas, por favor llame a La Línea de
                                                                    Reporting Line @ 1-800-624-7407                                                                        Reportaje de la Diócesis de Norwich 1-800-624-7407
                                                                    If the incident involves a minor   Incidents involving abuse of       Incidents involving abuse of     Si el incidente involucra a un   Incidentes relacionados con el   Incidentes relacionados con el
                                                                    (persons under the age of 18),     vulnerable adults aged 18-59       vulnerable adults aged 60 and    menor (personas menores de       abuso de adultos vulnerables     abuso de adultos vulnerables
                                                                    you must also call:                should be reported to:             over should be reported to:      18 años), también debe llamar    de 18-59 años de edad deben      de 60 años de edad o más deben
                                                                    State of CT Department of          Connecticut Department of          Connecticut Department           a Departamento de Niños y        ser reportados a Departamento    ser reportados a Departamento
                                                                    Children and Families Care         Developmental Services - AID        of Social Services for the      Familias de CT                   de Servicios al Desarrollo del   de Servicios Sociales Para
                                                                    Line 1-800-842-2288 -OR            Division for Persons with Intel-   Elderly                          1-800-842-2288 -O-Servicios      Estado de Connecticut-División   Ancianos de Connecticut
                                                                    –State of NY Child Protective      lectual Disabilities               1-888-385-4225                   de Protección de Niños del       de Ayuda para Personas con       1-888-385-4225.
                                                                    Services 1-800-635-1522            1-844-878-8923                                                      Estado de NY                     Incapacidad Intelectual
                                                                                                                                                                           1-800-635-1522.                   1-844-878-8923.
                          2
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
THE MOST REVEREND
                                    MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.                                           BISHOP OF NORWICH

                                          LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

                                     United in Hope
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,               June is such an exhilarating time of hope and         are encouraged to pray and act in support of
Recently I was thinking of my dear friend,            promise as we embrace the continuing joy              religious liberty. The very appropriate theme for
Monsignor Brown, who only a few short years           of the Easter Season and the gifts of the Holy        this week of intense focus on religious liberty is
ago was suddenly called from us to eternal rest.      Spirit at Pentecost. This is a season bursting with   “Solidarity in Freedom.”
He believed that through the strength of faith        enthusiasm as seen in the faces of those young        Each day of Religious Freedom Week we are
“we live in hope.” His words were never more          men and women who, in the final Sacrament of          being asked to reflect, pray, and act on specific
appropriate than now as we face this next chapter     Initiation, will be sealed with the Holy Spirit in    areas of religious freedom. A brief one-page
in our lives, as we, like the disciples filled with   Confirmation.                                         guide will be posted daily on the diocesan
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, boldly venture out      We are blessed to live in a Country offering us       website and Facebook page.
into the world.                                       the freedom and opportunity to practice our faith     It is a special and timely opportunity to learn of

                                                                                                                                                                 JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
Now is the time to celebrate! We once again are       and thrive as a nation under God.                     the infringements we must recognize and defend
called together in community for Sunday Mass.         By natural right from God and by protection           against. Every instance of endangerment to our
We live in hope that the worst of the health crisis   of the U. S. Constitution, we are endowed with        first freedom is critical.
is behind us. Many pastors have informed me           religious freedom for all. The First Amendment        Be sure to let your elected representatives know
that the attendance on Pentecost was the largest      to the Constitution, providing the freedom to         how important this cause is to each of you.
they have seen in a year.                             believe and practice one’s religion or no religion
                                                      as per one’s conscience, is considered our            Almighty God, Father of all nations, we praise
We have another reason to celebrate. On                                                                     and bless you for the gift of religious liberty,
May 27th I had the pleasure of ordaining an           country’s first freedom. We cannot afford to be
                                                      complacent about preserving and defending this        the foundation of human rights, justice, and the
exceptional young man, Jacob Ramos, to the                                                                  common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom
transitional diaconate. Jacob was guided in his       first right.
                                                                                                            to protect and promote our liberties. By your
journey of discernment by many individuals,           This last year has shown us that we must remain       grace may we have the courage to defend them,
not the least of which was Fr. Gregory Galvin,        vigilant.                                             for ourselves and for all those who live in this
outgoing Director of Priestly vocations.              Keeping our churches and schools open was an          blessed land.
Fr. Greg has served me and the diocese well           important exercise of the freedom of thought and      United in hope.
in this role for 14 years. I am grateful for his      conscience.
service to the many young men whose vocations         With your support we were able to keep our
as priests began with a simple question - “What       ministries open to assist the poor, the hungry,        Sincerely yours in Christ,
is God asking of you?”                                those seeking education and the truth, the
The first young man that Fr. Galvin spoke             orphaned, the infirmed, the immigrant, the
with after becoming vocation director in 2007         defenseless unborn and our most vulnerable
was Jonathan Ficara. Better known now to his          brothers and sisters. The First Amendment             Michael R. Cote
parishioners and the many college students that       assures us of the freedom to serve others in          Bishop of Norwich
he ministers to as Fr. Jonathan Ficara, I have        God’s love.
recently appointed him as the new Director of         As the world remains troubled and unsettled,
Priestley Vocations. I look forward to working        we bishops of the United States have once again
with Fr. Jonathan as he goes about gathering          organized Religious Freedom Week from June
workers for our corner of the vineyard.               22 - June 29. Catholics across the United States
                                                                                                                                                                                   3
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
THE MOST REVEREND
                                                                                                 MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.                                               BISHOP OF NORWICH

                                                                                                 LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

                                                                        Unidos en la Esperanza
                                                             Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en                    Director de Vocaciones Sacerdotales. Espero             organizado una vez más la Semana de la Libertad
                                                             Cristo,                                                trabajar con Padre Jonathan mientras va reclutando      Religiosa del 22 al 29 de junio, Se anima a los
                                                                                                                    trabajadores para la viña.                              católicos de los Estados Unidos a orar y actuar
                                                             Recientemente, estuve pensando en mi querido                                                                   en apoyo a la libertad religiosa. El tema muy
                                                             amigo, Monseñor Brown, quien hace solo unos            Junio es un momento tan estimulante de esperanza        apropiado para esta semana de enfoque intenso de
                                                             pocos años atrás fue repentinamente llamado al         y promesa al adoptar el gozo continuo de la             libertad religiosa es “Solaridad en Libertad.”
                                                             descanso eterno, Él creía que a través de la fuerza    temporada de Pascua y los dones del Espíritu Santo
                                                             de la fe “vivimos con esperanza.” Sus palabras         en Pentecostés. Esta es una temporada llena de          Cada dia de la Semana de la Libertad Religiosa
                                                             nunca fueron más apropiadas que ahora que              entusiasmo como se ve en los rostros de aquellos        se nos pide reflexionar, orar y actuar en áreas
                                                             enfrentamos este próximo capítulo en nuestras          hombres y mujeres jóvenes que, en el Sacramento         específicas. Diariamente se publicará una breve
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                             vidas, que al igual que los discípulos llenos del      final de Iniciación, serán sellados con el Espíritu     guía de una página en el sitio web diocesano y en
                                                             Espíritu Santo en Pentecostés, nos aventuramos en      Santo en la Confirmación.                               la página de Facebook.
                                                             el mundo con valentía.
                                                                                                                    Tenemos la bendición de vivir en un país que nos        Es una oportunidad especial y oportuna para
                                                             ¡Ahora es el momento de celebrar! Una vez más          ofrece libertad y la oportunidad de practicar nuestra   conocer las infracciones que debemos reconocer
                                                             somos convocados juntos en comunidad para la           fe y prosperar como nación bajo Dios.                   y contra las que debemos defendernos. Cada
                                                             misa dominical. Vivimos con la esperanza de que                                                                instancia de peligro a nuestra primera libertad es
                                                             lo peor de la crisis de salud quedύ atrás. Muchos      Estamos dotados de libertad religiosa para todos,       crítica.
                                                             párrocos me han informado que la asistencia a          por derecho natural de Dios y por la protección de
                                                             Pentecostés fue la más grande que han visto en un      la Constitución de los Estados Unidos. La Primera       Asegúrense, de informar a sus representantes
                                                             año.                                                   Enmienda de la Constitución, nos otorga la libertad     electos lo importante que es esta causa para cada
                                                                                                                    de creer y practicar la religión propia o ninguna       uno de ustedes.
                                                             Tenemos otro motivo para celebrar, el 27 de mayo       religión según la conciencia de uno, es considerada
                                                             tuve el placer de ordenar al diaconado de transición   la primera libertad de nuestro país. No podemos         Dios Todopoderoso, Padre de todas las naciones,
                                                             a un joven excepcional, Jacob Ramos. Jacob fue         permitirnos el lujo de ser complacientes en la          te alabamos y bendecimos por el don de la libertad
                                                             guiado en su camino de discernimiento por muchas       preservación y defensa de este primer derecho.          religiosa, fundamento de los derechos humanos,
                                                             personas, especialmente por el anterior Director de                                                            justicia y el bien común. Otorga a nuestros líderes
                                                             Vocaciones Sacerdotales, Padre Gregory Galvin.         Este ύltimo año nos ha demostrado que debemos           la sabiduría para proteger y promover nuestras
                                                                                                                    permanecer alerta.                                      libertades. Que por tu gracia tengamos el valor de
                                                             Padre Greg me ha servido a mí y a la diócesis bien                                                             defenderlos, para nosotros mismos y para todos los
                                                             en este oficio durante 14 años. Estoy agradecido       Mantener abiertas nuestras iglesias y escuelas          que viven en esta tierra bendita.
                                                             por su servicio a los muchos jóvenes cuyas             fue un ejercicio importante de la libertad de
                                                             vocaciones como sacerdotes comenzaron con una          pensamiento y conciencia. Con su apoyo pudimos
                                                             simple pregunta: “¿Qué te pide Dios?”                  mantener abiertos nuestros ministerios para             Unidos en la Esperanza,
                                                                                                                    ayudar a los pobres, a los que pasan hambre, a los
                                                             El primer joven con quien Padre Galvin habló           enfermos, a los inmigrantes, a los indefensos no        Sinceramente en el amor de Cristo,
                                                             después de convertirse en Director de Vocaciones       nacidos y a nuestros hermanos y hermanas más
                                                             en 2007 fue Jonathan Ficara. Mejor conocido            vulnerables. La Primera Enmienda nos asegura la
                                                             como Padre Jonathan Ficara por sus feligreses y        libertad de servir a los demás en el amor de Dios.
                                                             por los muchos estudiantes universitarios a los                                                                Michael R. Cote
                                                             que sirve. Recientemente lo he nombrado nuevo          Mientras el mundo sigue atribulado e inestable,         Obispo de Norwich
                                                                                                                    nosotros los obispos de los Estados Unidos hemos

                  4
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
Vocations Corner
                              Back in July of 2007, Bishop Cote met with me in the        secretaries to multiple priests, for making our lives
                              Chancery and said he had given much thought to who          easier. They rarely get the full recognition for their
 Deacon Larry Barile
                              he wanted to become the next Director of Vocations          selfless service that always comes with kindness and
        4th Theology          for the Diocese of Norwich. He looked me in the eye         patience.                                                       Alexander Pandolfe
                                                                                                                                                                 1st Theology
  Pope John XXIII Seminary
        Weston, MA
                              and said that throughout the process, he continued to       It has been a true honor to serve our diocese in this
                                                                                                                                                           Mount Saint Mary Seminary
                              come back to me. He offered me a chance to consider         role and extremely humbling to have a small part in
                                                                                                                                                              Emmitsburg, MD

                              it, think about it, and get back to him with my decision,   assisting a man called by God to be one of His priests.
                              which was more than very kind of the Bishop.                There truly continues to be a great need for men willing
                              I told the Bishop that I would be very willing to accept    to lay down their lives for the Church by responding
                              that this was the next way of serving the diocese and       to this call to priesthood. Is it easy? No. Is it fulfilling?
                              did not want to give it any more thought. When I took       Absolutely.
                              my vow of obedience, I knew at that time that I would       To all those I have served in parish work during the
                              always need to continue to say ‘yes’ throughout my          time I have also been director of vocations, thank you
                              life as a priest.                                           for your understanding and patience. You have all had
                              Now, almost 14 years later, humbled by the opportunity,     a part in helping bring wonderful priestly men to our             Julian Cuervo
Deacon Jacob Ramos            I say thank you Bishop Cote for your trust in me,           diocese.                                                              1st Theology

                              your many years of support, encouragement and the
      3rd Theology                                                                                                                                        Mount Saint Mary Seminary
Mount Saint Mary Seminary                                                                 Now with a grateful heart I thank Bishop Cote again for            Emmitsburg, MD
    Emmitsburg, MD            confidence that you instilled in me.                        appointing Fr. Jonathan Ficara to take on the vocation
                              Thank you also to my brother priests for your trust         office. I ask all of you to pray for Father, encourage
                              and your support in so many different ways - from           him and keep him in your prayers. Father Jonathan
                              encouragement to always being willing to assist with        was the first young man I spoke with as a new vocation
                              hosting a seminarian at your parish during a summer         director. He was the first in my 14 years who I assisted
                              assignment; and encouraging men considering the             through the complete journey of formation to the
                              priesthood to speak with me.                                priesthood. He is a fine priest and will only continue to
                              Thanks to so many around the diocese who over the           get better. He will be a great Vocations Director.
                              years have prayed personally for our seminarians and        Please support him, as you did me, as he continues to
                              priests, as well as for religious vocations. Thanks to      bring to the Norwich Diocese the men God is calling

                                                                                                                                                                                       JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
  Dharen Brochero                                                                                                                                            Eric Hosmer
        2nd Theology          you who have attended our traveling monthly Holy            to serve in this part of His vast vineyard.                           1st Theology
  Mount Saint Mary Seminary
     Emmitsburg, MD
                              Hour and our ordination Masses.                             Father Jonathan, thank you for your second ‘yes’ to
                                                                                                                                                          Mount Saint Mary Seminary
                                                                                                                                                             Emmitsburg, MD
                              Thank you to those from many parishes around the            God and your ‘yes’ to Bishop Cote. You have my
                              diocese who have supported our annual Seminarian            prayers and support and those of everyone in this
                              Education Fund Collection each May. It assists in           wonderful part of God’s immense family. God bless
                              paying for at least one or two seminarians’ years of        all your efforts.
                              formation in the seminary. And thanks to all the priests
                              who allowed and supported our annual Advent Gift
                              Card for seminarians at Christmas. The cards help           Christ be with you all.
                              cover some of the personal costs that seminarians
                              worry about because they are not working a job and do
                              not have a regular income while in formation.               Sincerely in Christ,
Ruben Garcia Sanchez                                                                                                                                        Mark Johnson
       2nd Theology
                              Thank you to the staff at the Chancery who serve as         Fr. Greg Galvin                                                    2nd Pre-Theology
 Mount Saint Mary Seminary                                                                                                                                Mount Saint Mary Seminary
    Emmitsburg, MD                                                                                                                                           Emmitsburg, MD

                                                                                                         MONTHLY
                                                            Holy Hour                                             for Vocations
                                                                    JUNE 17th 6-7pm –Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich
                                                                          JULY 15TH – 6pm - St. Mary, Norwich
                                                                        AUGUST 19TH – 6pm St. Peter, Higganum

                                                                             The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D.,
                                                                              Bishop of Norwich, leads the Holy Hour
                                                                                              God-Calls.com                                                                                              5
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
June is Legacy Month

                                                             E
                                                             By Mary Ellen Mahoney
                                                                    ach year, the Diocese of      of hard work. It can be as simple her name and the second one is          both their spouses, Audrey and
                                                                    Norwich proclaims June        as changing a beneficiary of a life
                                                                                                                                    named after her parents, titled the     Edward met, married, and spent
                                                                    as “Leave a Legacy”           insurance policy or retirement    Joseph J. and Frances A. Hvizdo         35 wonderful years together
                                                             month. Through this initiative       account, or adding your church,   Endowment. Barbara’s fondest            with their blended family of
                                                             parishioners are reminded of         the Annual Catholic Appeal, or    memories are of her childhood           12 children. Since Audrey and
                                                             the importance and benefits of       your school to your Will. If you  in Bridgeport and spending time         her family had been longtime
                                                             giving through estate planning       have already written your Will,   with her mother at the kitchen          members of Sacred Heart
                                                             and planned gifts. During this       adding a simple codicil amending  table working on her homework           Church and had a strong love for
                                                             past year, so many of us have        your Will is another easy option. and catechism with her mom’s            education, the family felt that the
                                                             been concerned with helping       While there are many examples oversight and encouragement.                   Sacred Heart Church Education
                                                             our friends and neighbors with    of planned gifts being made A second legacy gift recently                    Endowment within the Catholic
                                                             their current needs. By donating  throughout our diocese, I will came to the Catholic Foundation               Foundation would be the perfect
                                                             to the Annual Catholic Appeal,    share a few recent ones that come by way of the Will of Sheila               recipient of this gift. Michael
                                                             parishioners have supported       to mind. Barbara Ann Hvizdo, Moran, a lifelong parishioner                   Planeta, speaking on behalf of
                                                             our St. Vincent de Paul Place,    a parishioner of Our Lady of of The Cathedral of St. Patrick.                his dad and siblings shared,
                                                             Norwich, and St. Vincent de       Lourdes, Gales Ferry, spent her Through her Will, Sheila                     “My father and Audrey were
                                                             Paul, Middletown, as well as our  life caring for others as a nurse in established the Edward G. Moran         married at Sacred Heart Church.
                                                             many other diocesan ministries    the Navy Nurse Corps. Growing Family Fund Endowment with a                   Education and the Catholic faith
                                                             that provide immediate physical,  up, her family motto was “God, bequest that amounted to nearly               have always been important
                                                             spiritual and educational support Family, Country”. In thinking $133,000 to be used to benefit                 to our blended families. Our
                                                             to those in need. Legacy giving                                                                                families have been blessed with
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                                                               about her desire to help her both the Cathedral as well as St.
                                                             takes a longer-term perspective   church, Barbara remarked she Patrick School. Upon learning                   the opportunities that a quality
                                                             and includes gifts that you may   felt that “creating a permanent of Sheila’s bequest, Monsignor               education provides. It was only
                                                             set up today to take effect many  endowment within the Catholic Anthony Rosaforte, Rector of                   fitting therefore to honor Audrey
                                                             years in the future.              Foundation of the Diocese of The Cathedral of St. Patrick,                   with a donation in her memory to
                                                             Taking steps now, can have Norwich, would be the best way commented that “Sheila was the                       the Sacred Heart endowment to
                                                             profound impact on your future for me to sustain my church, Our kindest lady you could ever meet,              support the school.”
                                                             giving. There are so many ways Lady of Lourdes into the future.” whatever the church needed, she             While not all of us are in a position
                                                             that you can act today to ensure In fact, Barbara established two would be happy to provide. She             to make such large gifts now or in
                                                             that at a later date, your chosen endowments within the Catholic was extremely generous and                  the future, we all have the ability
                                                             Diocesan entity will receive Foundation, both supporting loved the Cathedral as well as                      to make planned gifts and perhaps
                                                             some of the benefit of your years her church. The first one bears St. Pat’s School very much.” It is         adjust our Wills or beneficiary
                                                                                                                                    not surprising then that Sheila’s     designations accordingly. If you
                                                                                                                                    love of her church and school         would like more information on
                                                                                                                                    carried through in her Will with      helping to support your favorite
                                                                                                                                    the creation of an endowment          diocesan organization well into
                                                                                                                                    in her family name. She cared         the future, please contact Mary
                                                                     Independently Owned and Operated Since 1881                    about continuing to support the       Ellen Mahoney at the Office of
                                                                                                                                    Cathedral and St. Patrick School      Development at 860-886-1928
                                                                                                                                    forever.                              or by email at memahoney@
                                                                                 Steve Bennardo                                         A final, very touching example of norwichdiocese.net. As always,
                                                                                Owner/Funeral Director                                  legacy giving was a gift of over it is best to fully discuss your
                                                                                                                                        $107,000 to honor the memory wishes with your family and
                                                                                                                                        of Audrey Dougherty Planeta, financial/tax advisor before
                                                               433 Main Street, Danielson, CT    25 Main Street, Central Village, CT    through a charitable gift annuity making any decisions. Thank you
                                                                      860-774-3284                       860-564-2147                   created by her husband, Edward so much and God Bless!
                  6                                                                                                                     Planeta, Sr. After the deaths of
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
Building Hope In Haiti
   “For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for
     welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
By Susan Wallace                                                                                                                Jeremiah 29:11

H
        aiti is a small country that                                                                                        Hope is shared with women who
        occupies one-third of the                                                                                           need to support their families. We
        island of Hispaniola. Its                                                                                           help them to develop their self-
neighbor, the Dominican Republic,                                                                                           confidence, identify their inner
occupies the rest of the island. Haiti                                                                                      strengths, learn business basics
is the poorest and most densely-                                                                                            and establish their own micro-
populated country in the Western                                                                                            entrepreneurial businesses.
Hemisphere.                                                                                                                 Hope is multiplied through our
If you have been fortunate enough                                                                                           Twinning Program established by
to visit Haiti, you know the Haitian                                                                                        parishes in our diocese that foster
people have great faith in God and                                                                                          relationships with parishes in Haiti.
a wondrous gift of Hope. Many                                                                                               These relationships are built on a
people visit Haiti thinking this                                                                                            foundation of faith and hope and
will be a one-time trip and, to their                                                                                       expanded to include parishes in
amazement, discover that their first                                                                                        other dioceses in the United States
visit becomes a lifetime journey.                                                                                           and Haiti.

                                                                                                                                                                     JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
Our ministry, Outreach to Haiti, has                                                                                        Hope is evident in our new three-
steadfastly walked with our brothers                                                                                        story building that is near completion
and sisters in Haiti for four decades                                                                                       and replaces the one destroyed in the
and has witnessed the tribulations                                                                                          2010 earthquake. This new building
endured and the hope that shines                                                                                            signals our intent, God willing, to
during trying times. We have                                                                                                serve another 40 years.
discovered that we receive more                                                                                             There are lessons here for all of us.
than we give. While our programs                                                                                            Haitians know God loves them by
and services allow us to share our                                                                                          sending people to help them. We
faith and let God’s great love shine                                                                                        are learning to “Love our neighbors
through us, Haitians have taught us                                                                                         as ourselves.” While all of us have
the importance of and need for hope.                                                                                        been affected by the pandemic, we
Hope is given through the gift                                                                                              are learning through our Haitian
of education. Each year friends                                                                                             friends to move forward and always
and donors help us to provide            “Students are continuing with their        Hope is given through much-             keep hope.
scholarships to approximately 200        studies despite the political situation,   needed medical care and food: We        All of us would do well to heed
young people to attend primary,          kidnappings, and Covid-19; and             give hope through our Medical Clinic,   Jeremiah (29:11) as we continue
secondary and post-secondary             they continue to earn good grades.”        Food and Nutritional Supplements        our journey in life, “For I know
schools. Like the United States,         He went on to say how thankful he          Program, and Community Outreach         the plans I have for you, says the
Haitian     schools      face   many     is that “from November when our            Healthcare Services. When a mother      LORD, plans for welfare and not
challenges because of the pandemic       students started going to school           seeks nutritional supplements for       for evil, to give you a future and a
that began in the last school year and   until now, none of our students            her severely malnourished baby, she     hope.”
carried into the current one.            or their parents have ever been            knows she can come to us. When
                                         victims because of insecurity.             parents are in dire need of food for    If you would like to learn more
Unlike the United States, Haitians                                                                                          about our work, please visit us at
face other tribulations but keep their   They have already been protected.          their loved ones, they can count on
                                         It is a blessing from God. All the         us to help. When family members         Outreachtohaiti.org or call us at 860-
hope, as noted in a recent reflection                                                                                       800-3603.
by Mezalus Emil, our director of         employees have been protected as           are in need of medical care, our
education.                               well. All glory is to God.”                doctors treat them.
                                                                                                                                                                                       7
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
Diocese to Recognize
                                                             Anniversary Couples
                                                             By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

                                                             S
                                                                   unday, October 3 is the         If you are celebrating a significant
                                                                   date set for the annual         anniversary this year and would
                                                                   Silver     and       Golden     like to attend the Mass and be
                                                             Wedding Anniversary Mass at           recognized by Bishop Cote, please
                                                             the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in     register by sending the following
                                                             Norwich. Bishop Michael Cote          information: husband and wife’s
                                                             will be the main celebrant for this   name, address, telephone number,
                                                             year’s Mass, which will honor the     wedding date, anniversary being
                                                             enduring love of married couples.     celebrated and parish to: Mary-
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                             The Mass will begin at 2 p.m.         Jo McLaughlin, Catholic Family
                                                                                                   Services      Coordinator,      199
                                                             Each couple registering for           Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 or
                                                             the Mass will receive a signed        at mmclaughlin@norwichdiocese.

                                                                                                                                          Experience
                                                             certificate from the bishop. The      net or by telephone at 860-848-
                                                             names of all registrants and their    2237, Ext 312.
                                                             anniversary dates will also be
                                                             listed on a special Anniversary       The registration deadline         is
                                                             Page on the Diocese of Norwich        September 10, 2021.
                                                             website and included in The Four
                                                             County Catholic, our diocesan         The Mass will be live streamed         The Creamery Brook
                                                                                                   over the Diocesan website for
                                                             newspaper. Couples may also
                                                             e-mail a digital photo in a jpeg      those couples who are not able to
                                                                                                   attend in person.
                                                                                                                                          Difference
                                                             format of themselves to be
                                                             included in a gallery of pictures                                            Call 860-779-8700 today for more
                                                             on the website.                                                              information or to schedule a
                                                                                                                                          personal tour to experience the
                                                                                                                                          Creamery Brook Difference for yourself.

                                                                                                                                          Peace of mind. At Creamery Brook, we know there’s nothing else like it. With over 20 years
                                                                                                                                          under our belts, our residents know they can sit back and relax – we’re here for them.
                                                                                                                                          From hanging their favorite pictures on the wall to weekly housekeeping, we take care of
                                                                                                                                          it all. When they want to socialize, we’ll give them interesting options while keeping them
                                                                                                                                          safe. When they sleep at night they can rest easy with 24/7 security. Whether independent
                                                                                                                                          or assisted living, we have the knowledgeable staff and record of integrity that puts their
                                                                                                                                          minds, and their family’s minds, at ease each and every day.
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Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
Marriage Encounter Helped Me
                       Find My Best Friend Again
By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

I
    found my best friend again 12                                                                                       at (860) 848-2237, Ext 312.
    years ago during a Worldwide                                                                                        Finding my best friend again wasn’t
    Marriage Encounter experience.                                                                                      something I expected to happen
I married him on June 2, 1990, but                                                                                      when we went on our Marriage
somewhere during those first 19                                                                                         Encounter experience. But God
years of marriage, raising children,                                                                                    had other plans for our marriage.
changing careers and caring for an                                                                                      Perhaps God has other plans for
elderly parent, I woke up one day                                                                                       yours, too.
to realize my best friend was gone.
He was still the extraordinarily
nice guy I married, and we were
still very compatible. We enjoyed
the same things and had the same
values, but the long, intimate talks
in which we shared our hopes and
our dreams with one another were
gone, replaced with daily exchanges
                                                                                                                                          Parker
of mundane conversation. We were
both disillusioned, skirting around     Mary-Jo McLaughlin, coordinator for the Diocesan Catholic Family
important issues going on in our        Services Office, found her best friend again after she and her husband
relationship, and neither one of        Pat attended a Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience.

                                                                                                                                                                                      JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
us would talk about it nor how we
really felt.
                                        us. As tears streamed down my face      A WWME experience is not
For my 50th birthday, my husband        while listening to the crack in his     a retreat nor is it a marriage              parkermemorials@yahoo.com
asked our youngest daughter what        voice as he spoke, I silently prayed,   clinic or counseling program. It
I might like for a present. She told    “Thank you, God.” The openness          is real couples sharing real-life
him, “She’s always wanted to go on      and intimacy I had longed for was       experiences helping others to
a Marriage Encounter weekend.” As       slowly returning to our marriage.       rekindle their relationships and
he tells the story, he never recalled   In time, he was becoming my best        come to a deeper understanding of
hearing me say that, but decided        friend again.                           God’s plan for their marriage.
to Google it. He found a weekend
scheduled for the next month, and       That      Worldwide       Marriage      To support married couples during
as there were no UCONN Husky            Encounter experience was a              social distancing, WWME is
basketball games that weekend, he       game changer for us. Listening          sponsoring a virtual 3 ½ week
registered us.                          to presentations by three married       marriage experience called Restore
                                        couples and a Catholic priest,          – Rekindle – Renew that couples can
At first, I thought the weekend         we realized that most couples           experience in the comfort of their
would just be a nice time away from     experience periods of loneliness        home using a computer. The next
home for the two of us and that we                                                                                           Prayer to the Blessed Virgin
                                        and distance in their marriages.        one in this area will meet virtually         Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful
would be the same couple Monday         The communication technique we          for seven sessions from 7 to 9:30            vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son
morning as we were that Friday          learned gave us the tools to work       p.m. on Monday and Thursday
                                                                                                                             of God. Immaculate Virgin assist me in my necessity.
                                                                                                                             Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you
night. I was wrong.                     through our disillusionment and         nights, July 8-29. There is a $100           are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mother Mary, Mother of
                                                                                                                             God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humble beseech
A wonderful thing began to happen       find the joy and intimacy that God      non-refundable application fee. For          you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my
                                                                                                                             necessity(please help my family). There are none that
in our relationship. We were opening    yearns for all of us to experience      more information or to register, call        can withstand your power O Mary, conceived without
up and sharing deep feelings with       in our marriages. We discovered         or e-mail Frank and Margie Pearson           sin prayer for us who have recourse to thee (say three
                                                                                                                             times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands
one another, something we hadn’t        the importance of risking to trust      at (860) 337-2447 or application@            (say three times). Say this prayer for three consecu-
done in a long time. I remember         the other in sharing vulnerable         wwmectw.org. If the above dates              tive days each time followed by 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail
                                                                                                                             Mary’s, 3 Glory be to the Father.
Sunday morning listening as my          feelings, to listen to one another      are not good for you, visit the
                                                                                                                             Then you must publish it and it will be granted.
husband shared his feelings with        with our hearts and to make daily       national website at www.wwme.org             Thank you, Blessed Virgin, for hearing my prayers.
me about the death of his first wife    decisions to love, and ask for and      for additional dates or contact me at        (Never known to fail)
– a long, unspoken subject between      grant forgiveness of one another.       the Catholic Family Services Office                               ~PM~
                                                                                                                                                                                                        9
Preserving America's CATHOLIC - First Freedom - Diocese of Norwich
Memorial Day Services Honor The Fallen
                                                              By Ryan Blessing

                                                             A
                                                                     dedicated group of about                                                                                   freedom and our peace.”
                                                                     40      people     gathered                                                                                In New London, the Mass was
                                                                     Monday, May 31 at St.                                                                                      moved indoors because of
                                                             Joseph Cemetery in Norwich under                                                                                   damp conditions at St. Mary
                                                             gray skies to honor the U.S. Armed                                                                                 Cemetery.“Our country celebrates
                                                             Forces men and women who have                                                                                      in a very special way those who
                                                             died in military service to our                                                                                    defended our freedoms,” Bishop
                                                             country.                                                                                                           Cote said. “But we remember, as
                                                               The Memorial Day Mass in                                                                                         well, our loved ones who have gone
                                                             Norwich, as well as a Mass                                                                                         before us, we want to remember
                                                             celebrated by the Most Reverend                                                                                    those who have succumbed to the
                                                             Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of                                                                                   great virus and those who mourn
                                                             Norwich, at St. Mary Star of the Sea                                                                               their passing. We bring all of those
                                                             Church in New London marked a                                                                                      people to our prayer.”
                                                             return to in-person observances of     way to remember all servicemen        we have, the peace that we have.      Bishop Cote said the Mass was
                                                             the holiday.                           and women who gave their lives        The freedom that we presently         offered for the brave men and
                                                             Masses also took place at Sacred       so that we could live in peace, and   enjoy in this land cost many lives    women of the military who died for
                                                             Heart Cemetery in Taftville            in freedom,” Monsignor Les Janik,     down through our history. That        the country and its freedoms.“We
                                                             and Saint Patrick Cemetery in          Vicar General, said at the Norwich    is why, each year we show our         also pray for the protection of all
                                                             Montville.                             Mass. “Any time we put the TV on      gratitude by our presence in our      military personnel wherever they
                                                                                                    and look for the news of the whole    cemeteries, offering the Mass, the    may serve,” as well as those who
                                                             “We come together as God’s
                                                                                                    world we begin to appreciate          Holy Eucharist, and our prayers for   were maimed and continue to
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                             family on this Memorial Day to
                                                                                                    more and more the freedom that        those who died in defending our       suffer, he said.
                                                             offer our prayers and in a special

                                                                                                                                                       It is the Soldier, not the minister,
                                                                                                                                                     who has given us freedom of religion.

                                                                                                                                                       It is the Soldier, not the reporter,
                                                                                                                                                    who has given us freedom of the press.

                                                                                                                                                        It is the Soldier, not the poet,
                                                                                                                                                    who has given us freedom of speech.

                                                                                                                                                   It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,

                                                                TELEVISION MASS
                                                                                                                                                      who has given us freedom to protest.

                                                                                                                                                        It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
                                                                                                                                                    who has given us the right to a fair trial.

                                                                                                                                                        It is the Soldier, not the politician,
                                                                                                                                                       who has given us the right to vote.
                                                                   July 7th 10am                    August 4th 10am                                   It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
                                                                Father Jonathan Ficara               Father Ray Introvigne                                 Who serves beneath the flag,
                                                                   Channel 11, WCCT • Channel 20, WTXX • Channel 59, WCTX
                                                                                                                                                   And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
                                                                                                                                                  Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
                                                                               To advertise call Meredith Vernott
                                                                            at 860-887-3933 Content Due July 5th.                                                 Charles M. Province
           10
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                                           My Father’s House Retreat Center                                       Must Register

                                                                                                                                          JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
                                           39 North Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 06469
                                                                                                                      Seating Limited
 For Your Continued Support                When?
  As of May 1, 2021 gifts/pledges          Friday, June 18, 2021 at 7pm until
  totaling $1,969,474 have been            Sunday, June 20, 2021 at lunch
 received. This represents 13.71%
participation. We hope to have 100%                  Price: $200 per person – includes meals and lodging
  of parishioners donate this year.                         $130 per person – includes meals (commuting)

   PLEASE JOIN OTHER                                           Register at MyFathersHouseCT.org
  GENEROUS DONORS IN                                       or call My Father’s House at 860-873-1906
 MAKING YOUR GIFT TODAY!
                                       “This ONE TIME EXPERIENCE can and will change your life and relationship
Gifts/pledges, may be made online at           with Jesus, when you come with an OPEN heart and mind!”
 NorwichDioceseDevelopment.org                  Presented by Father Ray Introvigne, Mrs. Judith Hughes and Team
   or please call 860-886-1928.
                                         “Come to me, all you who Labor and are heavily burdened and I WILL REFRESH YOU!” Matthew 11:28
                                                                                                                                                    11
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
                                                               CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
                                                               Providing Help and Creating Hope to Families
                                                               of All Faiths in Eastern Connecticut

                                                               By Jacqueline Keller

                                                              A Beginning Rooted in Faith
                                                              The First Decade

                                                             T
                                                                   he story of Catholic Charities begins      orphaned. The “grip,” as it was called, was                             They gathered
                                                                   with the first words of the Gospel of      first reported in New London in September                               regularly     for
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                                   St. John.                                  1918. Within a week it spread up the Thames                             social activities
                                                             “The Word was made flesh and lived among         River Valley and throughout the state and by                            and        raised
                                                             us.”                                             1919 it suddenly disappeared, mutating into                             money for parish
                                                                                                              less severe illnesses. Eastern Connecticut                              and civic needs,
                                                             Each day, month, generation and century          suffered the loss of 600 people, mostly                                 including soup
                                                             is marked by the reality of those words.         working men, ages 25 to 40. In its wake, it                             kitchens, homes
                                                             All who serve the needs of our sisters and       left children without one or both parents,                              for     orphans,
                                                             brothers, who are the most needy among us,       many without incomes, life’s necessities.                               assistance     to
                                                             are the hands and feet and heart of Catholic     The St. Vincent de Paul Society, along with                             widows, elderly
                                                             Charities, the face of Jesus. The following      other parish charities, provided everything Fr. Timothy M. Crowley people and the
                                                             summary of events cannot tell the full story     they could.                                                             unemployed,
                                                             of Catholic Charities over the past 100 years.                                                 families, and medical help. They called
                                                             It is a work in progress. We invite readers to                                                 themselves The Crowley Club in honor of
                                                             share their stories and photos with the Four
                                                             County Catholic.                                 Catholic Women                                Fr. Crowley, who supported their efforts.
                                                                                                                                                            At the same time, the Council of Catholic
                                                             Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Norwich     See a Need                                    Women was being established throughout
                                                                                                                                                            the country, motivated by the adoption in
                                                             traces its birth to 1921 in New London,
                                                             the port city of Eastern Connecticut. It had     The parishioners of New London’s St. Mary 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the U.S.
                                                             experienced in the late 1800s into the 1900s     Star of the Sea Church on Huntington Avenue, Constitution, which guaranteed women the
                                                             the arrival of hundreds of immigrants from       as well as many others in Eastern Connecticut right to vote.
                                                             Europe, fleeing from famine and revolutions.     and throughout the state, opened their doors,
                                                             As the home of the Navy’s submarine base         hearts and wallets to help their sisters and In 1920, Hartford’s Bishop John J. Nilan,
                                                             and Coast Guard Academy, New London              brothers in need. Special was a group of whose jurisdiction encompassed all of
                                                             was and is a cosmopolitan city.                  Catholic women, mothers, single career Connecticut, established the Hartford
                                                                                                              women, teachers, nurses and homemakers. Diocesan Bureau of Social Services.
                                                             The people of Connecticut were suffering         Their pastor, Father Timothy M. Crowley, Its purpose was to coordinate and give
                                                             the effects of World War I and the 1918          encouraged them in their social activities direction to the social action efforts of
                                                             Spanish flu pandemic that left many poor and     and various ministries to the community. all charities in Connecticut. Ten years

         12
previously, The National Council of      President of St. Mary’s Council of
Catholic Charities (NCCC) had            Catholic Men (the father of Winifred
been established in 1910 at The          McGuire), was elected President of
Catholic University of America in        the New London District, and Miss
Washington, DC. The dignity of           Jane Clark as District Secretary.
the human person was central to the      The New London District of the
Church’s mission, and preferential       Hartford Diocesan Bureau of Social
options for the poor became a watch      Service was established, which is
word. A main goal was to educate         known today as Catholic Charities.
social workers so that people            (Sources: New London Catholic
in need could be given the best          Charities Historical Highlights, Mrs.
help possible. Father Matthew J.         Grover V. Larsen, Jr., 1986. The
Judge, Hartford Diocesan Bureau’s        Catholic Charities Review, January
Director, recognized the need            1922, p. 363.)
to combine outreach services of          Father      Crowley      immediately
Catholic charities with public non-      made available to the Bureau three
sectarian agencies.                      rooms at 42 Jay St., known as the

New London
                                         Catholic Center. (Today Covenant
                                         Shelter occupies that building.)
Bureau                                   In its first year, the New London
                                         District provided care to thirty-five
Established                              children and five families. The New
                                         London Branch of the Connecticut
In May, Father Matthew J. Judge,         Council of Catholic Women had                 Mrs. Winifred F. McGuire
director of the newly established
Hartford Diocesan Bureau of
                                         raised $1,470.68 to fund Catholic                   (1882- 1947)
                                         Charities. Members of the Crowley
Social Service, came to St. Mary’s       Club paid $1 annually to the             Winifred Foran McGuire was a member

                                                                                                                              JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
at the invitation of Father Crowley      Council of Catholic Women. (The         of the Crowley Club and Past President
to meet with Catholic women in           Crowley Club was incorporated in
the New London parish, and to                                                    of the Connecticut Council of Catholic
                                         the State of Connecticut from 1927-
explain the purpose of the Bureau.                                               Women. She helped organize and was
                                         1991.) Over the years, a portion of
St. Mary’s, with its very active         the Council of Catholic Women’s         a member of the Board of Directors of
branch of the Connecticut Council        yearly membership drive has been        the Diocesan Bureau of Social Service
of Catholic Women and its sister         given to Catholic Charities, a          (Catholic Charities). She lived in New
organization, the Crowley Club, was      total estimated at least $2 million.    London most of her life, attending St.
the perfect place to start a Branch in   The Norwich Diocesan Council
southeastern Connecticut.                                                        Mary’s School. She and her husband,
                                         of Catholic Women continues to
                                                                                 Atty. Frank L. McGuire, were parents
  Mrs. Winifred Foran McGuire,           support Catholic Charities with its
President of the New London              many activities, including its annual   of five children and ten grandchildren.
Branch of Connecticut’s Council of       Layette Drive for infant clothing and   (Atty. Francis C. McGuire of New
Catholic Women and a member of           articles.                               London, her grandson, contributed
The Crowley Club, presided over            (At this 100th Anniversary, all       valuable historical information and
the meeting and introduced Father        founding members of the Crowley         a photograph of his grandmother for
Judge. His explanation and request       Club and Council of Catholic            this writing. The photo was taken in
for a New London District of             Women have risen to membership in
Social Service was enthusiastically                                              New London, about 1940, of Mrs.
                                         the Communion of Saints.)
received.                                                                        McGuire with her grandchildren, Susan,
                                         Jacqueline  Keller  is    the           Elizabeth, and Frank (Atty. McGuire’s
 At a June gathering of men and          Retired Diocesan Director of
women in St. Mary’s Church,                                                      father). Atty. McGuire is a Trustee of the
representatives of the Council of
                                         Communications      and Board           Sullivan Fund, a prominent contributor
Catholic Women and the Council of        Member of Norwich Diocesan              to Catholic Charities.)
Catholic Men agreed to support the       Catholic Charities.
mission of the Diocesan Bureau of
Social Service. Mr. Thomas Foran,

                                                                                                                                      13
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         14
Paintings of the Mysteries
of the Rosary on Display
By Dr. Michael Sullo

I
   have spent most of my adult life      Annunciation panel I added to the
   as a teacher of Oil Painting, fine    narrative the offering of flowers.
   artist, and lecturer.                 Roses to Mary and lillies to Gabriel.
I am reminded of the writings            I made the setting the ruins of the
of Albert Pike “What we do for           ancient temple. With this birth comes
ourselves dies with us. What we do       the new covenant. Painted into the
for others remains and is immortal.”     smokey surroundings are images
So it is with Fine Art.                  that foretold the events in the life of
                                         Christ.
Six years ago, at age 65 I decided to
pursue a series of figurative canvases   Upon completion of the paintings a
depicting the mysteries of the Rosary.   suitable place to display them was
                                         found - the Annex building at St.
An artist must bring to the canvas his   Patrick Church in Mystic. It turned
own transferable forms of passion,       out to be the perfect place to create
not just illustration.                   a shrine where people could come to
To fulfill this requirement for the      view the paintings and pray in silence.

                        The annex is open for quiet meditation Sundays from 7:30 am to 12 noon.
                        A video of the paintings can be viewed on the NorwichDiocese.org website.

                                                                                                                                                JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past I Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past I Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past I   Dear Heart of Jesus, In the past I
have asked for many favors. This have asked for many favors. This have asked for many favors. This         have asked for many favors. This
 time I ask for this special one.   time I ask for this special one.   time I ask for this special one.     time I ask for this special one.
  Take it, Dear Heart Of Jesus,      Take it, Dear Heart Of Jesus,      Take it, Dear Heart Of Jesus,        Take it, Dear Heart Of Jesus,
  and place it within Your own       and place it within Your own       and place it within Your own         and place it within Your own
broken heart where Your Father broken heart where Your Father broken heart where Your Father               broken heart where Your Father
 will see it. Then in his merciful will see it. Then in his merciful will see it. Then in his merciful      will see it. Then in his merciful
 eyes it will become Your favor,    eyes it will become Your favor,    eyes it will become Your favor,      eyes it will become Your favor,
 not mine. Say this prayer for 3    not mine. Say this prayer for 3    not mine. Say this prayer for 3      not mine. Say this prayer for 3
  days and promise publication       days and promise publication       days and promise publication         days and promise publication
               ~MS~                               ~PM~                               ~RD~                                 ~CB~
                                                                                                                                                         15
CALLED                                                          t
                                                              By Ryan Blessing
                                                             Mr. Jacob Ramos was ordained to the Diaconate      A deacon, an ordained minister of the Catholic      Church, in the grade of Deacon.”
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                             in a Mass of Ordination on Thursday, May 27, at    Church, is a minister of the Word, proclaiming      During the Promise of the Elect, Mr. Ramos was
                                                             the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich.             the Gospel, preaching and teaching in the name      questioned by Bishop Cote and declared before
                                                             Deacon Lawrence Barile, who was ordained last      of the Church. They are also ministers of the       the people his intention to undertake the office of
                                                             year, called the Elect, Jacob Ramos, forward       Sacraments, baptizing, leading the faithful in      Deacon. Then, Mr. Ramos knelt before Bishop
                                                             during the Rite of Ordination before the Most      prayer, witnessing marriages, and conducting        Cote and placed his joined hands between those
                                                             Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich.       wake and funeral services.                          of the Bishop in the promise of obedience and
                                                             “We all rejoice with you and congratulate you      “Jacob will draw strength from the gift of the      respect.
                                                             for your generosity and readiness to offer your    Holy Spirit in order to be an effective helper to   During the Litany of Supplication, Mr. Ramos
                                                             life to the Lord’s Church,” Bishop Cote told Mr.   his bishop and the body of priests of the Diocese   prostrated himself face down before the altar,
                                                             Ramos during his homily, while both men sat        as a minister of the Word, altar and charity,”      while the litany was sung. Then, he again knelt
                                                             facing each other at the altar.                    Bishop Cote said. “Through his ordination he        before Bishop Cote, who performed the Laying
                                                                                                                will become a member of the hierarchy of the        on of Hands, the gesture that signifies divine

         16
to..SERVE
power being conferred on the Elect.                “Living in a vibrant student community of peers      In the fall of 2016 he began attending Mount St

                                                                                                                                                              JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org
Following the Bishop’s prayer of ordination, the   seeking after Christ and a life of happiness and     Mary’s Seminary as a seminarian of Norwich.
newly ordained Deacon received a diaconal stole    holiness was the community that helped me hear       “During the years of seminary formation, I have
and a dalmatic from Father Michael Bovino.         the Lord’s call. I was excited to see where Christ   been constantly learning more about myself and
Finally, vested as Deacon, Reverend Mr. Ramos      was leading me,” he said.                            the path Jesus has been leading me on,” Deacon
received the Book of Gospels from the Bishop.      After graduation he tested the call to religious     Ramos said. “In this time of self-reflection and
Deacon Ramos is originally from Meriden,           life with the Dominican Order. “It was there         actualization I have done my best to reveal to
where he lived with his parents, Noel and Wilma    that my prayer life grew and a great deepening       the Lord and the Church who I am. That way, in
and older brother, Victor. While attending the     of my relationship with Jesus happened during        full freedom and having stepped into the light
University of Connecticut for an undergraduate     my Novitiate year. During that time the Lord         of truth I could say to the Lord and the Church,
degree, he felt the Lord planted the seeds         made clear He was calling me toward a priestly       ‘behold me; this is Jacob Ramos, his faults and
of priestly service in his heart and gave him      vocation, not in a religious order, in the Diocese   failings, his triumphs and joys, his striving after
spiritual roots in the Diocese of Norwich.         of Norwich.”                                         holiness by the grace of God.’”

                                                                                                                                                                       17
11th Annual Seton Scholarship
                                                                                     Dinner Honorees
                                                              By Gina Foster

                                                             T
                                                                    his unprecedented year has certainly     tutoring over the phone, via Zoom or in          announce that this year’s 11th Annual Seton
                                                                    affected students and their education    person.                                          Scholarship Dinner will be held on Sunday,
                                                                    around the globe. The classroom          The commitment of those involved in our          November 7, 2021 at 4 p.m. at The Riverhouse
                                                             has changed in so many ways, whether it         Catholic school education in the diocese         at Goodspeed Station, located at 55 Bridge
                                                             is by learning from home through Google         has been well known for years. Recognizing       Road, Haddam. This is the new rescheduled
                                                             classroom, or Zoom, or by attending in-person   the exceptional work of our educators, in        date from 2020. Sponsorship opportunities,
                                                             classes part-time or full-time. Our diocesan    2010, Bishop Cote established the Most           program book ads and tickets are available
                                                             educators have worked exceptionally hard        Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Award for         for purchase by contacting Gina Foster at
                                                             with students and their parents to maintain     Contributions to Catholic Education in the       gfoster@norwichdiocese.net or by calling
                                                             a traditional in-person education. They         Diocese of Norwich. Each year following          the Office of Development at (860) 886-1928.
                                                             recognize that many families include            its inaugural year, this award has been          All proceeds from the Seton Scholarship
                                                             essential workers who do not have the ability   presented to three individuals who have          Dinner support Catholic elementary school
                                                             to stay home with their young children. Our     made significant contributions to Catholic       students and are distributed by the Catholic
                                                             teachers and faculty have worked tirelessly     education in the Diocese of Norwich. The         Foundation in the form of tuition assistance
                                                             this year developing Covid-19 compliant         award ceremony takes place at the Annual         grants. We really appreciate your generous
                                                             classrooms, adhering to social-distancing       Seton Scholarship Dinner.                        support throughout the past 11 years and
                                                             mandates, and requiring students to wear                                                         hope you can join us in celebrating Andrea
                                                             masks throughout the school day. Many of        Now that many restrictions are being lifted in   D. Hoisl, The Very Reverend Dennis Perkins
                                                             our teachers have given students additional     the State of Connecticut, we are so happy to     and Frederic S. Smith.

                                                                                         THIS YEAR’S HONOREES
JUNE/JULY 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

                                                               Andrea D. Hoisl, Director of Faith               The Very Reverend Dennis Perkins,               Frederic S. Smith, Teacher, Saint
                                                               Events, Diocese of Norwich                       Vicar for the Clergy, Diocese of                Bernard School, Uncasville
                                                               Andrea D. Hoisl, a former teacher at             Norwich, and Pastor, Saint Michael              Frederic S. Smith, in his 53rd year as
                                                               Xavier and current Director of Faith             Parish, Pawcatuck                               a teacher and coach at Saint Bernard
                                                               Events for the Diocese of Norwich, has           The Very Reverend Dennis Perkins,               School, has dedicated much of his life
                                                               dedicated more than 30 years to Catholic         Vicar of Clergy, Pastor of Saint                to his school. He is also a proud Saint
                                                               education. “Educating young people               Michael Pawcatuck and teacher at                Bernard graduate of the class of 1964.
                                                               about God’s unconditional love and               St. Michael School for 11 years: “It            He will retire at the end of the school
                                                               mercy for the past 35 years has been an          has been a privilege for me to be a             year after so many years of devotion
                                                               honor and a privilege,” she said. “I go          pastor and teacher in a parish where            to Saint Bernard School. “Though my
                                                               to work every day feeling blessed to be          its Catholic school has been such               profession is teaching, an essential part
                                                               living out my vocation. There is no one          a significant and vital part of the             of my experience has been learning
                                                               luckier than me.”                                community for over 145 years.”                  from my students and colleagues,” he
         18                                                                                                                                                     said. “This is the true reward of my time
                                                                                                                                                                at Saint Bernard.”
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