Four County Catholic April 2014

Volume 26 Number 4

April 2014

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Jesus is our hope. Nothing - not even evil or death - is able to separate us from the saving power of his love.

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atholic at c Four County

- Pope Francis’ recent tweet at Pope Francis @pontifex.

Serving the Counties of Middlesex New London Tolland Windham & Fishers Island NY

Any movie that drives people to read the Scriptures once again is a very good thing.

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- Scott Landry, Catholic Online, reviewing one of many reasons why the movie Noah is strongly recommended for Catholics.

Established in 1989 and published each month except July.

Publisher

Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Bishop of Norwich

860.887.9294

Editorial Office

31 Perkins Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360-3613

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You have to step into this place. You have to walk the halls, see the kids interact before you see their politeness and focus level. Then you see the difference.

Fax 860.859.1253

Director of Communications/Executive Editor

Michael Strammiello, 860.887.3933

com@norwichdiocese.net

Managing Editor/Layout & Design/Webmaster

Trina Fulton, 860.886.1281

comtrina@norwichdiocese.net

Theological Advisor

Reverend Ted F. Tumicki, S.T.L., J.C.L., J.V.

860.887.9294

Advertising Sales - Mother Christina Van Beck, Principal at Sacred Heart School in Taftville on the occasion of the School’s 125th anniversary.

Meredith Morrison, 860.887.3933

commeredith@norwichdiocese.net

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Doors we never would have closed on our own lead to open windows.

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- Christina Capecchi stressing acceptance of God’s plan in our lives.

Judy Pappagallo, 860.848.2237 x302

judypapp@norwichdiocese.net

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This is the first time a pope has been invited to address Congress.

- Reverend Gerald Fogarty, historian, commenting on the extraordinary invitation extended by the Speaker of the House, to Pope Francis to address Congress in September 2015 on the occasion of the global conference on families to be held in Philiadelphia.

On the Cover Painting entitled Triumphant Entry by Tom Dubois, an accomplished illustrator and painter best known for his Christian art, including his famous and stirring depictions of Noah’s Ark.

Editorial & Advertising Deadlines

The deadline for advertising is the second Monday of the preceding month. (Discount rate available to Diocesan-sponsored ministries and programs.) The editorial deadline is the third Monday of the preceding month.

Articles limited to 500-word max; letters to the editor limited to 200-word max and must include name, address and phone number for verification.

Email photos as JPEG attachments and MS Word copy to comtrina@norwichdiocese.net or fax to 860.859.1253. Publication not guaranteed. The Editor reserves the right to reject, omit or edit all editorial and advertising copy. Published opinions and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this newspaper.

© Copyright 2014, Diocese of Norwich. All rights reserved.

No content may be reproduced without expressed consent.

Periodical Postage paid at New Haven, CT 06511 Postmaster - Send address changes to: Four County Catholic, 31 Perkins Ave., Norwich, CT 06360-3613

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Four County Catholic April 2014

The Most Reverend

Michael R. Cote, D.D.

Bishop of Norwich

The Whole City Was Shaken My Dear Brothers and Sisters in mony of blessing and distributing Christ: palms on what is often the first In a few short days, Palm Sun- spring-like Sunday of the year is so day will be upon us. We will be welcomed and celebrated that it entering Holy Week, an experi- almost distracts from the full sigence that takes us along the ago- nificance of the day. Let us take a nizing path to few moments Calvary and to together to the miraculous focus and reflect hen He entered events of Easter Jerusalem, the whole on the proSunday. There city was shaken and found meaning is no more moand timing of asked who is this? mentous time Palm Sunday.

And the crowds of the year for replied ‘This is Jesus By its full us as faithful name, Palm the prophet from followers of Sunday of the Jesus Christ Nazareth in Galilee Passion of the - Mathew 21: 10-11 than the 8-day Lord commemweek beginning orates Jesus ridwith Palm Sunday through Easter ing into the city of Jerusalem on a Sunday. donkey, as foretold by Prophet Of all the sacred moments of Zechariah, signifying the humility Holy Week, Palm Sunday can that characterizes the Kingdom sometimes be the least under- He proclaimed. stood. It may be that the cere“Behold: your king is coming to

you, A just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey” Zec 9:9 It was customary for kings with peaceful intentions to arrive on a donkey rather than a horse which symbolized war and aggression.

The laying of palms was further symbolic of a dignitary or king arriving in triumph. The triumph of Jesus’ arrival was a victory of humility, an eternal victory over sin and death. Palm branches further signified eternal life. The eternal triumph of “the kingdom not of this earth.” (John 18:36).

But history tells us that the people missed this significance at the time. Their perspective was worldly. Their idea of salvation was primarily political and economic.

Jerusalem at the time was a city under oppressive Roman occupation. The citizens of Jerusalem were expecting an uprising, a mil-

itary revolution to gain their freedom. Many cheered “Hosanna,” which means “Save us now,” as they saw Jesus as the one who would save them from the Roman rule. Jesus, of course, was on a journey to the cross. There would be no military upheaval. There would be a victory much greater.

Christ knew exactly what agony awaited - the betrayals - the cruelty. Forward he went toward the city -- toward the prophesy-fulfilling moment of his torture and death.

Jesus wept as he approached the city knowing the full meaning of His triumphal entry would not be fully comprehended.

Even the disciples did not seem to fully understand. John tells us, “These things His disciples did not understand at first” (12:16).

They did not truly perceive the full and profound significance of

what was unfolding.

Jesus knew that the praises of the multitude would be empty praises. He knew that such an open, public declaration of His identity would result in His betrayal and arrest. Jesus knew this, and yet he willingly and deliberately followed through!

Palm Sunday reminds us that Jesus was about a far greater victory than any earthly battle. And that victory would be secured just a few days later when He Himself would rise from the dead.

Palm Sunday anticipates Christ’s victory over the greatest enemy of all. Victory over sin and death. May the Lord grant us the grace and knowledge to perceive the true meaning of Palm Sunday!

Sincerely yours in Christ’s love, Bishop Michael R. Cote

Toda la Ciudad Fue Sacudida Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas: En unos pocos días, el Domingo de Ramos estará sobre nosotros. Estaremos entrando en Semana Santa, una experiencia que nos lleva por el agonizante camino al Calvario y a los milagrosos acontecimientos del Domingo de Pascua, así es como Cristo dio su vida en amor por el mundo. Como fieles seguidores de Jesucristo, no hay un momento del año más trascendental para nosotros que la semana de 8 días comenzando con el Domingo de Ramos hasta el Domingo de Pascua.

De todos los momentos sagrados de la Semana Santa, el Domingo de Ramos es a veces el menos comprendido. Podría ser

que la ceremonia de bendición y distribución de las palmas en lo que es a menudo el primer domingo primaveral del año es tan bien recibido y celebrado que el significado completo del día puede ser ensombrecido.

Tomemos unos pocos momentos juntos para centrarnos y reflexionar sobre el significado y el momento del Domingo de Ramos.

Por su nombre completo, el Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del Señor conmemora a Jesús cabalgando hacia la ciudad de Jerusalén montado en un burro, como fue predicho por el Profeta Zacarías, significado de humildad que caracteriza al Reino que Él proclamó.

“Pues tu Rey viene a ti, él es

santo y victorioso, humilde y va palma significó más adelante la montado sobre un burro.” vida eterna. El triunfo eterno de Zacarías 9:9 “el reino no es de este mundo.”

Era una costumbre que los reyes (Juan 18:36). con intenciones Pero la histopacíficas lleria nos dice que garan en un las personas Cuando entró en burro en vez de perdieron esto.

Jerusalén, toda la un caballo que ciudad se agitó y se Su perspectiva simbolizaba preguntó ¿Quién es era mundana. guerra y agreSu idea de saleste? Y la gente resión. La colovación era prinspondió. “Este es cación de las cipalmente Jesús el profeta, de palmas fue más política y Nazaret de Galilea simbólica de un económica.

- Mateo 21: 10-11 dignatario o un Jerusalén en rey que llega en esa época era triunfo. El triunfo de la llegada de una ciudad bajo la opresiva ocuJesús fue una victoria de humil- pación romana. Los ciudadanos dad, una eterna victoria sobre el de Jerusalén esperaban un levanpecado y la muerte. Las ramas de tamiento, una revolución militar

para ganar su libertad. Muchos aplaudieron “Hosanna”, que significa “sálvanos ahora”, al ver a Jesús como el que iba a salvarlos de la dominación romana. Jesús, por supuesto, fue en un viaje a la cruz. No habría agitación militar.

Habría una victoria mucho mayor.

Cristo sabía exactamente que agonía esperaba –traiciones -crueldad. Adelante fue hacia la ciudad-hacia la profecía cumpliendo el momento de su tortura y muerte. Jesús lloró mientras se acercaba a la ciudad, porque el significado completo de su entrada triunfal, él lo sabía, sería no ser plenamente comprendido.

Incluso los discípulos no Toda la Ciudad Fue Sacudida

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Toda la Ciudad Fue Sacudida

The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointments in the Diocese of Norwich:

Diocesan Appointments Very Reverend David Choquette, Dean, Putnam Deanery. Effective: March 25, 2014.

Clergy Appointments Reverend Joseph C. Ashe, from Pastor, Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, Groton, to Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Old Lyme. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Sacred Heart, Groton, to Pastor, Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, Groton, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Groton. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend C. Paul Boudreau, from Administrator, Saint Mary Parish, Portland, to Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Portland. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Christopher Feeney, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, New London, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, Groton, and Sacred Heart Parish, Groton. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Richard Breton, from Parochial Vicar, Saint John Parish, Uncasville, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oakdale, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Quaker Hill, to Parochial Vicar, Saint John Parish, Old Saybrook, and Saint Mark Parish, Westbrook. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Monsignor Thomas R. Bride, PA, KCHS, from Pastor, Christ the King Parish, Old Lyme, to Retirement. Effective: April 21, 2014.

Reverend Grzegorz P. Brozonowicz, from Pastor, Saint John Parish, Old Saybrook, to Pastor, Saint Mark Parish, Westbrook, while continuing as Pastor of Saint John Parish, Old Saybrook. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Robert Buongirno, from Administrator, Saint John Parish, Uncasville, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oakdale, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Quaker Hill, to Pastor, Saint John Parish, Uncasville, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oakdale, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Quaker Hill.

Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Anthony J. DiMarco, from Parochial Vicar, All Saints Parish, Somersville, to Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, New London and Our Lady of Grace Parish, Fishers Island. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Dariusz K. Dudzik, from Pastor,

Reverend Grzegorz Jednaki, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Storrs, to Administrator, Saint Joseph Parish, North Grosvenordale, and Saint Stephen Parish, Quinebaug. Effective: March 25, 2014.

Reverend Charles LeBlanc, from Pastor, Saint Joseph, North Grosvenordale, and Saint Stephen, Quinebaug, to Leave of Absence for Personal and Professional Reasons. Effective: March 1, 2014.

Reverend Peter B. Liszewski, from Pastor, Saint Mark Parish, Westbrook, to Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Higganum. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend James J. Sucholet, from Administrator, Notre Dame Parish, Durham, and Saint Colman Parish, Middlefield, to Parochial Vicar, Saint John Parish, Uncasville, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oakdale, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Quaker Hill.

Effective: April 24, 2014.

Reverend Jan Swiderski, from Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Higganum, to Pastor, Notre Dame Parish, Durham, and Saint Colman Parish, Middlefield. Effective: April 24, 2014.

Deacon Douglas Hoffman, from Deacon, Saint Mary Parish, Groton, to Deacon, Saint Mary Parish, Groton and Sacred Heart Parish, Groton. Effective: April 24, 2014.

~ Monsignor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor ~

parecían comprender plenamente, Juan nos dice: “Sus discípulos al principio no entendían estas cosas.” (12:16). Ellos no percibieron realmente el significado pleno y profundo de lo que se estaba desarrollando.

Jesús sabía que las alabanzas de la multitud serian alabanzas vacías.

Sabía que una abierta y pública declaración de su identidad le conduciría a la traición y al arresto.

Jesús sabía esto, y sin embargo, voluntariamente y deliberadamente siguió adelante.

El Domingo de Ramos nos recuerda que Jesús estaba a punto de una victoria mucho mayor que

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cualquier batalla terrenal. Y que la victoria estaría asegurada solo unos días más tarde, cuando él mismo se levantaría de entre los muertos.

El Domingo de Ramos se anticipa a la victoria de Cristo sobre el enemigo más grande de todos. La victoria sobre el pecado y la muerte. Que el Señor nos conceda la gracia y el conocimiento de percibir el verdadero significado del Domingo de Ramos.

Sinceramente, en el amor de Cristo, Obispo Michael R. Cote Translated by Paulina Angulo

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Director of Priestly Vocations

Reverend Gregory Galvin

God’s Spirit at Work on Campus of Champions! – UConn!

That’s right! We are approximately three weeks into spring as you open your copy of the Four County Catholic and begin reading this column. Hopefully the snow and cold of the past four or five months is now gone. I have begun to see signs of the new spring for vocations here in the Diocese of Norwich. The fruit of spreading vocation seeds the last few years began to show itself this past March.

Early last month, I had the chance to speak with two different men I have worked with steadily during the last five years. One I was able to sit with and discuss where his discernment has taken him.

Jacob, who has been discerning a call to priesthood, has determined that instead of pursuing a diocesan priestly vocation, he is being called to discern a call as a Dominican priest. As I say to each man, “your vocation to priesthood is a gift to the Church, so work at discerning where God wants you to serve”.

Please God, bless Jacob as he continues his journey with you and bring his vocation to fulfillment.

About a week later, I received a call from another man, Michael.

Michael also has actively been discerning between a religious and diocesan priestly call. He phoned to let me know that after recently visiting Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg Maryland, where two of our present seminarians are studying, he has indeed decided to

pursue sponsorship with the Diocese of Norwich, his home diocese.

He has been working on the application. Praise God and bless Michael as he continues walking with our Lord and answering the call.

Later during the third week of March, another young man took it upon himself during his Spring Break to head south to the Washington D.C./Baltimore/Emmitsburg area to make visits at three

different seminaries: the seminary at Catholic University, St. Mary in Baltimore and Mount Saint Mary in Emmitsburg. His name is Louis and he has already decided to begin the application for sponsorship with the Diocese at the end of this present academic semester. Please God, let his visits be fruitful and his continued discernment clear in his mind and firm in his heart.

As I write this column, I am planning to head out this coming Sunday, to make the same visits mentioned above to Washington D.C./Baltimore and Emmitsburg with two more men, Wyatt and Paul. This marks my first spring as Vocations Director where I have had the opportunity to have men from our diocese visit with me while I make one of my annual seminary visits where some of our men study.

These are all little signs of change taking place in the culture of vocations.

A very interesting note is that each of the men I have mentioned above are members of the UConn family; Jacob and Michael are both UConn graduates; Louis and Wyatt are both presently UConn students;

and Paul is a FOCUS Missionary Team member at UConn! Wow, is the Spirit of God at Work on the campus of Champions or what?

There is other good new as well.

During the past several months, Frank Gilbert has been in a holding pattern because of a medical event in his life last summer. In March he received the required permissions to move forward and therefore is awaiting acceptance into Blessed John XXIII National seminary in Weston MA where he will begin studies this coming Fall.

We have one other candidate presently also working on the application, and so, God willing, we will be able to have some additional news of new seminarians to be announced in the coming months.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for vocations. Keep them

going!

Finally, as a reminder to anyone who may also be quietly discerning that God may be calling them to think about the priesthood. A very important step to take is to make a visit to one, two or three seminaries while they are in session so you can see what life is like beyond the academic piece which is very similar to being in any postgraduate program.

To see the number of men who have decided to at least respond with firm commitment to our Lord’s call is inspiring to witness, especially outside the classroom. To see these men pray together, laugh together, socialize together and to witness their love for Christ ultimately breaks the shackles that can be holding one back from what they know they want to do in saying Yes to Christ.

Pope Francis @Pontifex Mar 22 Jesus is our hope. Nothing - not even evil or death - is able to separate us from the saving power of his love.

24th Annual White Mass For Healthcare Workers & Caregivers of All Faiths

Sunday, May 4 • 9:00 am Cathedral of Saint Patrick • 213 Broadway, Norwich For reservations or more information call 860-887-9294, ext. 232

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Friday, April 11 St. John, Cromwell Confirmation At 7:00pm - Celebrated by Monsignor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor.

Saturday, April 12 Life In The Spirit Seminar All Hallows Church Hall, Moosup, from 9:00am to 3:30pm. For more information please call Spiritual Renewal at 860-887-0702.

Monday, April 14 Mass of Healing At 1:00 pm Spiritual Renewal Center.

Father Ray, Celebrant, Judith HughesHealing Prayer. For more information please call 860-887-0702.

Tuesday, April 15 Chrism Mass All are invited to the consecration of

the Chrism and the blessing of the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of the Catechumens at the Chrism Mass at 10:30am at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, will celebrate this liturgy.

Friday April 18 Good Friday Way of the Cross A Public Procession of Scripture and Prayer at 6:00pm from Chelsea Parade to Central Baptist Church. We look forward to welcoming people of all Christian traditions.

Saturday, April 19 Holy Saturday Sunday, April 20 Easter Sunday

Thursday, April 24 19th Annual Secretaries Mass In thanksgiving for secretaries of all faiths at 12:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich. Following the Mass, a complimentary luncheon will be served. This Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich and the homilist is the Very Reverend Dennis M. Perkins. For reservations or more information call 860-887-9294, ext.

234.

Friday, April 25 St. Pius X, Middletown, Confirmation At 7:00pm - Celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich.

Friday, April 25 Blue Mass Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser At the Cathedral of Saint Patrick Auditorium from5:30pm – 7:00pm.

Spaghetti – Salad – Bread and Butter, plus soda and water. $10.00 adults, $8.00 seniors, $5.00 children 12 and under. To benefit the Blue Mass Committee to defray expenses associated with the Annual Mass honoring law enforcement personnel. For more information or tickets please call Monsignor Brown at 860-887-9294, ext.

232 or Ms. Becky Cady 860-8879294, ext. 235.

Way of the Cross On Good Friday, April 18 • 6:00 p.m.

From Chelsea Parade to Central Baptist Church The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich will join with clergy of other Christian Communities from Norwich in leading a Public Way of The Cross.

Friday-Sunday, April 25-27 Retrouvaille Weekend A lifeline for your troubled marriage with serious marriage building and repair, and tools to heal, communicate and work on issues. For information or to sign up for the next weekend on April 25-27 in Hartford area, call 413525-1634. Retrouvaille.org.

Saturday, April 26 Notre Dame, Durham, St. Colman, Middlefield Confirmation At 10:00am - Celebrated by Monsi-

19th Annual

gnor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor.

Saturday April 26 St. Thomas Aquinas, Storrs Confirmation At 11:00am - Celebrated by the Very Reverend Leszek Janik, Vicar General.

Saturday, April 26 Church of the Holy Family, Hebron and St. Columba, Columbia Confirmation At 2.00pm - Celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrickin Norwich.

Saturday, April 26 Unbound Prayer Ministry (Freedom) From 10:00am to 3:00pm. Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich. Call for an appointment (860)887-0702 Father Ray, Judith Hughes and Team.

At 5:00pm - Celebrated by Monsignor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor.

Monday, April 28 St. John, Middletown Confirmation At 7:00pm - Celebrated by Monsignor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor.

Monday, April 28 Mass of Healing At 1:00 pm, Spiritual Renewal Center.

Father Ray, Celebrant, Judith HughesHealing Prayer. For more information please call 860-887-0702.

Tuesday, April 29 Most Holy Trinity, Pomfret Confirmation At 7:00pm - Celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich.

Sunday, April 27 Easter Rising Talk by Ted Lovely The New London Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the oldest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization in America, will host a talk by Ted Lovely on the 1916 Easter Rising also known as the Easter Rebellion. This talk will describe the seven men who led the Rising and sacrificed their lives for a free Ireland. Ted Lovely is a retired educator and recently served as Chairman of the Trumbull Board of Education. The talk will take place in the St. Joseph’s auditorium, 25 Squire St., New London, at 1:00pm. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information on the talk, email Rick Connell rconnellsr@gmail.com or call Fran DePeter at 860-443-3791.

Thursday-Thursday, May 1-8 Immersion Trips Outreach to Haiti has as part of its mission, building relationships and understanding between Americans and our Haitian brothers and sisters. This is done through what we call “immersion” visits. We provide complete itineraries, 2 meals a day and in-country transportation. Days are spent in and around Port-au-Prince visiting programs managed or supported by Outreach, as well as other agencies and places. Travelers get a glimpse into the lives of the Haitian people through their environment and culture, their way of life and their faith. The cost is $100 per night plus airfare and incidentals. We are currently offering the following dates: May 1-8 or June 5-11.

Dates may be slightly flexible if the needs of the group dictate. A minimum of 6 is needed for each trip.

Please contact the Outreach to Haiti office by email or phone if you would like more information. You will have an UNFORGETTABLE experience!

Sunday, April 27 Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry Confirmation

Saturday- Sunday, May 3-4 Philips Retreat (A Spiritual Experience)

Sunday, April 27 St. Mary, Baltic Confirmation At 10:00am - Celebrated by Monsignor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor.

Secretaries Mass Thursday, April 24 • 12:00pm • Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich Following the Mass a complimentary luncheon will be served.

For reservations or more information call 860-887-9294, ext. 234

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Pre-registration is required, call the Spiritual Renewal Center at 860-8870702. Free will offering of $25.00.

Sunday, May 4 St. Vincent de Paul Walk Against Hunger St. Vincent de Paul Middletown is now recruiting teams in the Greater Middletown area to participate in the 2014 Food Share Walk Against Hunger in Hartford on May 4th. St. Vincent de Paul and its Amazing Grace Food Pantry are a benefitting agency for this year’s 31st anniversary walk. Money raised by Middletown teams will help feed hungry people in our community. To learn more about the Walk Against Hunger, go to www.foodshare.org and click on “Join the Walk.” Be sure to check the box for St. Vincent de Paul Middletown as the benefiting program in your registration to ensure the money you raise stays in the Middletown community. If you have any questions or would like help with the registration process, please contact the Volunteer Walk Co-Coordinator Bob Walsh at 860-463-5061 or bwalsh@svdmiddletown.org.

Sunday, May 4 White Mass for Heath Care Workers and Care Givers of all Faiths Celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick at 9:00am. Brunch will immediately follow in the Church Hall. Rev. Monsignor Anthony S. Rosaforte will

be the Celebrant and Reverend Tadeusz Pacholoczyk, Ph.D., will be the Homilist and featured speaker at this Mass. The topic will be “Determination of Death and Organ Donation”. The Chair of this event is Deacon Gerald Shaw, MD. Requested donation for breakfast is $25.00. For further information call Monsignor Brown at 860-887-9294, ext. 232.

Saturday, May 10 Workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion From 9:00 am to noon, the Diocesan Office for Worship will conduct a workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in parishes, and for those who bring Communion to the sick and homebound at St. Columba Parish, Columbia. The cost is $20 and the registration deadline is May 1st. For more information call 860-848-2237x203 or go to www.norwichdiocese.org for registration form.

Saturday, May 17 Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women 59th Annual Convention The day will begin with registration at 9:00am at St. Mary’s Church in Putnam. The keynote address will be given by Sister Mary Ellen Ryley, SCMM (Sister of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy.) Her topic will be The Transformative Power of Dreams.

59th Annual Convention NORWICH DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN

Saturday, May 17, 2014 • 9:00 AM St. Mary’s Church in Putnam, Connecticut Liturgy at Noon; luncheon following.

The day will begin with registration at 9 a.m. and the keynote address will be given by Sister Mary Ellen Ryley, SCMM (Sister of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy.) Her topic will be The Transformative Power of Dreams.

Dreams are a unique and powerful resource for the spiritual life journey. They can provide us with insight as we seek to understand struggles and decisions. Even dreams which seem confusing or frightening often contain within them a message which invites us to wholeness and healing. During this presentation we will experience some practical ways of working with our dreams in order to discover the messages contained within the dream symbols.

Please register in advance & send your check for $25 to:

Patricia Blain, 21 Rached Drive No. Grosvenordale, CT 06255 For more information, contact Doris Bury at 860-779-1773

Friday-Sunday, May 30-June 1 Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Weekend Healing, forgiveness and peace from post abortion grief can have a beginning with a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat.

Retreat May 30-June 1 in Hamden, CT call 203-631-9030. Inquiries are confidential. www.rachelsvineyard.org Saturday, May 31 St. Francis of Assisi Church Tag Sale 10 Elm Street, Middletown at the Monsignor M. Davitt Fox Parish Center. From 8:00am – 3:00pm Vendors are welcome- Cost for space is $40.00 inside-$20.00 outside- $5.00 for electricity. Breakfast and lunch will be available. For more info contact Sherrie at 860-346-4383.

“As for you (your name) every hair on your head has been counted (you are special to Jesus) so, do not be afraid of anything – and I (Jesus) promise you, that whoever gives a cup of water (a shoulder to lean on) to one of these lowly ones, because he (or she) is a disciple...

“...will not want for his (her) reward.”

Mathew 10:30-42

St. Mary – St. Joseph School

Parish Mission - SS. Peter & Paul, St. Joseph, Norwich, CT Monday, Mar. 31, @ 6:30 pm at Saints Peter & Paul Tuesday, April 1, @ 6:30 pm at Saints Peter & Paul Wednesday, Apr. 2, @ 6:30 pm at St. Joseph

Annual Spring Gala

Life In The Spirit Seminar, All Hallows Church Hall

Saturday, May 10th

Saturday, April 12, from 9 am to 3:30 pm

All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner

Masses of Healing-Monday, April 14 & Monday April 28, 2014 Twice Monthly @ 1:00 pm Spiritual Renewal Center Fr. Ray, Celebrant, Judith Hughes-Healing Prayer

$8 Adults $6 Children/Seniors (Handicapped accessible for parking and dinner)

Evening Includes: • LIVE/Silent Auctions • White Ticket Raffle • 100+ Raffle Baskets • Rita’s Italian Ice Doors open @ 2pm Dinner starts @ 4pm LIVE Auction & Raffles start @ 7pm Open to Everyone!

Please join us for an enjoyable afternoon and evening.

Preview the Baskets: Monday Friday May 5 9, 9am 3pm

St. Mary – St. Joseph School 35 Valley Street Willimantic, CT 860 423 8479 www.smsjschool.org

Parish Mission-All Hallows Church, Moosup, CT Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Apr. 6-8, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Prayer, Praise, Worship and Adoration Every Tuesday evening @ 6:30 pm Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich, CT Leaders: Usually Deacon Jim Delaney and Nancy Delaney

Unbound Prayer Ministry (Freedom) Saturday, April 26, 2014 10am to 3pm Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich, CT Call for an appointment (860)887-0702 Fr. Ray, Judith Hughes and Team

Philips Retreat (A Spiritual Experience) Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, 2014 Spiritual Renewal Center Pre-registration is required, call 860-887-0702 Free will offering $25.00 “Everyone’s welcomed to these programs!

spiritual renewal services Diocese of Norwich

Dial-A-Prayer (860) 887-7767

P.O. Box 6 • 11 Bath Street Norwich, CT 06360 • (860) 887-0702 email: Renewal@catholicweb.com

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Mass of Chrism Each year, every diocese in the world, celebrates the Mass of Chrism during Holy

By Sister Elissa Rinere, CP, JCD Office of Worship

Week. In the Diocese of Norwich, this unique and singular event will take place on Tuesday, April 15th, at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich.

The Mass of Chrism is rich in

symbols which speak about the true nature of the Church as a community of believers. As the name implies, this Mass is a celebration specific to “chrism,” which is a mixture of olive oil, balsam and other fragrances. Chrism is used to anoint; and anointing, from ancient times, is a sign that something or someone is set apart for a special purpose. In stories of the Old Testament, the kings of Israel were anointed. The title given to Jesus of

“the Christ” comes from the Greek work for chrism and means “the anointed one.”

In our Catholic tradition, chrism is used to anoint those who receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. Chrism is also used to consecrate churches, altars, chalices, and even altar stones. In other words, chrism is a sign and means of consecrating people and objects for the service of God. Everyone who has been

The Light is ON for You

Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation All parishioners are invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Lent.

Your church will be open one night a week, with the lights on and a priest available to hear confessions.

Check with your church for night & hours.

The peace of mind and soul which this sacrament imparts is one for which there is no substitute. Our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God, the Church and one another.

Chrism Mass A Joyous Celebration of Priestly Service and Holy Sacraments Tuesday, April 15th • 10:30am Cathedral of Saint Patrick • 213 Broadway, Norwich Recognition of Papal Honors for Monsignor James Carini and Monsignor Michael Donohue will take place after the Mass. Also to be recognized, John Canning Studios for honors bestowed by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation for the restoration of the Cathedral of St. Patrick.

baptized is thus consecrated to God’s service.

Because of its great importance in the sacramental life of the People of God, and as a sign of unity, only a bishop may bless the chrism which is used in his diocese. This blessing takes place just once each year, at the Mass of Chrism.

Participating in a special way at this Mass are the priests of the diocese, the presbyterate. Every priest, each anointed with chrism at the time of his ordination, ministers in the diocese in virtue of his relationship with the diocesan bishop. The people are a vital part of this pastoral relationship, not only through Baptism, but through the entire sacramental and liturgical life of each parish. Chrism, blessed by the diocesan bishop and distributed for use in every parish in the diocese, is both symbol and transmitter of this web of unity which extends through the entire Church.

At the Mass of Chrism, the priests of the diocese concelebrate with their bishop, and also renew their commitment to ministry in the diocese, under the leadership of their bishop. All the people are asked, as part of the renewal ceremony to pray for both priests and bishop. The renewal prayer concludes with these words spoken by the diocesan bishop: “May the Lord keep us all in his charity and

lead all of us, shepherds and flock, to eternal life.” Amen.

Also blessed by the diocesan bishop at the Mass of Chrism and distributed to all parishes in the diocese are the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick. The first is used, as they name indicates, during the rites of the RCIA, to anoint those catechum e n s who are seeking baptism.

The second is used in the celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick. Each use of these holy oils is a reminder to us of the unity of the community of believers.

Bishop, priests, deacons, religious and laity together form the one People of God, united in faith and prayer.

As one author put it, the Mass of Chrism is unique since it focuses on the sacred oils, which teach us about the three great charisms or gifts of the Church. The gift of the Church to heal in both body and soul is symbolized by the Oil of the Sick. The gift of building faith is signified in the Oil of Catechumens. Finally the great gift of the Church to unify, consecrate and sanctify is symbolized in the sacred chrism.

Even if the realities of life prevent us from participating in the Mass of Chrism, we can take a few minutes to appreciate its importance in the life of our diocese and in our life of faith.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Bright and Hopeful Start to Annual Catholic Appeal The 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Shine the Light of HOPE” is in full swing. Each Lenten season,

By MaryLou Gannotti Director of Planned Giving

the 76 parishes and three missions of the Diocese of Norwich band together to raise money for over 25 ministries and programs funded through the Annual Catholic Appeal. The ACA is an ambitious endeavor made possible thanks to the continued support and stewardship of faithful parishioners, clergy and laity in the Diocese, as well as other charitable individuals and foundations.

This year, the ACA kicked off in a very special way with a series of events, including the 20th annual Christopher Dinner held on February 28th at the Mystic Marriott in Groton. It was in 1994 when the idea to honor leadership giving in the Diocese of Norwich was presented. Through this, the Christopher Dinner began. Fast forward two decades later, and some of those who attended the 1994 inaugural event were among a special group of donors who attended the 2014 Christopher Dinner and were recognized by Bishop Cote for leadership giving for 20 consecutive years.

Members of the Christopher Society make gifts to the Annual Catholic Appeal at the level of $1,000 or above. These sacrificial gifts are greatly appreciated and do a tremendous amount to help those who are facing adversity in their lives. This year’s dinner was made even more special thanks to

the wonderful panel discussion which featured speakers from our Diocesan Youth Ministry and questions posed from guests. Executive Director of Development Angela V. Arnold moderated the Q&A session which featured Travis Moran, a graduate student at Quinnipiac University and a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Willimantic, and Maria Junco, a senior at St. Bernard School and a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist in Uncasville. Travis and Maria offered wonderful insights and perspectives about the challenges and opportunities young people of faith face today. Travis, embarking upon his journey to become a priest, inspired many with his candor and observations. Maria was open, honest, and brought to tears when she shared a story of how she befriended a young woman who lives in poverty when volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul Place in Norwich. The audience had been encouraged to prepare questions for our two young speakers, and they were answered with

great aplomb. Questions included the topics of purgatory and redemption, favorite saints, and the impact of social media on young people. Most in attendance will agree that Travis and Maria were mature, insightful and inspiring in their answers. “God’s love is what

Bishop Cote seated with some of whom have supported Annual Catholic Appeal at the Christopher level for 20 consecutive years. keeps me going,” Maria noted, while Travis observed “Love is impossible without true sacrifice.”

Both agreed that thanks to Youth Ministry, funded through the ACA, they were given abundant opportunities to practice and share their faith with fellow young people from our Diocese.

This year we were also able to reach out to supporters of the ACA at the local level thanks to a series of coffee hours held at three of our

top performing ACA parishes.

These informal events allowed us to thank the parishioners, parish staff, ACA chair people, and clergy who do so much to help others through the Annual Catholic Appeal. Many thanks to Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte, Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Father Mark O’Donnell, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in New London, and Father Marek Masnicki, Pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Colchester, for graciously allowing us to visit their respective churches and enjoy some coffee and conversation. Participa-

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Thanks to the invaluable support of the faithful in the Diocese of Norwich, we are able to “Shine the Light of HOPE” on so many in need. THANK YOU! Visit www.norwichdiocesedevelopment.org to learn more about the ACA or call 860-886-1928.

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O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (state request here). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

Promise publication and for nine consecutive days, pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

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HOLY WEEK RETREATS: Come spend Holy Week 2014 (April 13 20) on the Hill. Father Bill Sheehan, OMI of Contemplative Outreach will conduct a contemplative retreat from Palm Sunday evening to Thursday Noon, and Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI, noted author and preacher, and President of Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX, will conduct a Sacred Triduum Retreat from Holy Thursday afternoon through Easter Sunday Mass.

The general theme of the retreats is: “Preparing for and Celebrating the Paschal Mystery.”

Offering for each retreat is $275.00.

CHRISTIAN SEDER MEAL: Sunday, April 6, from 2 5 PM, we will celebrate a Christian Seder Meal. Offering is $25, dinner included. Reservations are required.

To register or for more information: Phone: 860-423-8484 E-mail: info@immaculataretreat.org

Honoring St. Patrick

The Recently Restored Cathedral in the Diocese of Norwich, Bears the Name of Ireland’s Patron Saint Norwich, CT - Mention St. Patrick Cathedral, and most people immediately think of the grand

By Joseph Pronechen Reprint from the National Catholic Register

church in New York City across from Rockefeller Square.

But there’s another grand St. Patrick Cathedral about 130 miles away, in Norwich, Conn.

My wife, Mary, and I had not visited this cathedral in several years, but we wanted to get reacquainted with it, especially since it was recently restored and redecorated. In fact, the last major mural was completed the day before we arrived in early March.

The majestic cathedral, with its stone and lawn plaza, looked its same pristine self, standing at the edge of the town’s historic district just as it has since 1879.

Its Gothic façade features a trio of steeples of different heights that rise in ascending order to a 216foot main bell tower. They’re part of the jewel-like granite exterior, built with 1,600 Monson blue granite stones that weigh 10 tons each.

Irish immigrants built this lovely worship space as their parish church. Well over 1,000 parishioners showed up with picks and shovels to dig the foundation, and, although poor, they raised the money for the rest by joining the pastor’s “Ten Cents a Week” club, according to the parish’s 100th anniversary commemorative book.

St. Patrick’s wasn’t designated a cathedral until 1953, when Norwich became a diocese, but from the very beginning, the magnificent church has stood as if ready to be a cathedral.

Providence, R.I., architect James Murphy designed it. He emigrated from Ireland and worked under noted church architect Patrick Charles Keely — and even became his brother-in-law — until he

started his own firm in 1875. Murphy’s other credits include St. Mary’s in New Haven, Conn., where the Knights of Columbus were founded.

The first Mass at St. Patrick’s was offered on St. Patrick’s Day in 1879 (though it was officially dedicated on Sept. 28 that year. On Sept. 29, the first marriage took place — the happy couple was Daniel and Elizabeth McCormick, whose son became Bishop Patrick McCormick, seventh rector of The Catholic University of America).

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J.

Sheen was among the bishops who visited during the 20th century.

Past Preserved The earliest parishioners, if they were still alive, would recognize their church because current Bishop Michael Cote and the work of Canning Studios of Cheshire, Conn., have preserved its long legacy. According to its website, Canning Studios specializes in art restoration, decorative painting, plastering and consulting.

As my wife and I walked into the cathedral, we were awestruck by the beauty: There is no doubt this is a holy place, a true temple of God. The liturgical architecture, artistry and decoration act like harmonious hymns that honor God and lead the faithful to prayer and worship of Our Lord.

“We reconstructed the original decoration of St. Patrick’s,” explained John Canning, noting what he discovered under layers of paint, when I spoke with him after our visit to the cathedral. “We discovered some original designs and colors. Bishop Cote got enthused with the idea to have a link from the present to the past. And our

work is a link from the present to the future.”

Indeed, the rows of columns now replicated in maroon guided our eyes to the sanctuary. So did the rows of pews, whose carved ends gracefully rise into tops that look like votive candle flames, lining the aisles up to the sanctuary.

These newly refinished pews of two different woods stretch back into the cathedral’s history. The oak pews replaced the originals in the 1950s, when St. Patrick was designated a cathedral, but the oak ends outlined with mahogany that rise into the candle-flame tops are the originals.

The new cream marble floor, outlined with dark green marble, also draws the attention of the faithful toward the sanctuary.

The aisle’s two green marble shamrock medallions are a nod to St. Patrick. At the same time, the blue ceiling, matching the sky in the many murals, together with its arches, direct attention to the altar, baldachino and tabernacle.

We were happy to see Msgr. Anthony Rosaforte again when we made our pilgrimage, and he pointed out that the altar and baldachino were moved back, for proportion; he also noted that the bishop’s cathedra was moved to the side of the sanctuary, in respect to the tabernacle, which is now back where it should be: in the center of the sanctuary.

The new gold tabernacle is shaped like a small chapel. It rests on a white Cararra marble altar that has two decorative columns and a large bas relief of the Last Supper that came from the original altar, noted Msgr. Rosaforte, who began as an assistant at the cathedral in the 1970s; he became the rector-pastor in the 1980s.

The regal baldachino and matching reredos of hand-carved dark wood and gilded accents date to a mid-20th century renovation.

The baldachino’s Gothic arches fit the overall design. Above the front

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Four County Catholic April 2014

arch, the Holy Spirit, as a white dove, hovers over the altar. Statues of Ireland’s two patron saints — Patrick and Bridget — top the front columns.

The monumental mural filling the apse is a lovely surprise. Canning Studios painted it as a faux stained-glass triptych window, with the intricate details and designs that are often contained in Munich windows from the turn of the last century.

This Gothic-style triptych reaches to the top of the apse, with the Crucifixion scene in the large central “pane,” and the cathedral’s two co-patrons — Patrick and Anne — are represented on faux panes to either side.

St. Anne also appears in statue form at the side of the sanctuary, where she is resplendent in a dazzling gilded dress and enshrined under a golden carved canopy. Her daughter, Mary, is depicted in front of her mother, holding a banner with the Ten Commandments.

On the opposite side, an image of St. Anthony appears under a similar golden canopy.

Life-size statues of our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph and St. Thérèse also are present.

Shrines to either side of the sanctuary honor the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. The shrines are ornamented with intricately carved and gilded wood as well as magnificent new murals.

St. Joseph and the Child Jesus are on the left, while on the right is a wondrous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe; below her, another scene presents Juan Diego opening his mantle to reveal the image of Our Lady that Catholics worldwide revere.

These new murals are the work of Canning Studios, which also did the decorations for the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wis. Canning also painted the 22 murals high in St.Patrick’s Gothic arches that encircle the nave.

The cathedral’s original murals on canvas were lost along the years, but, now, the new ones were completed in the style of Daniel Muller, an artist favored by both Murphy and Keely, bringing to life scenes from Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Even the cathedral’s ornamentation directs eyes heavenward. The maroon pillars rise and burst into

ornate Corinthian capitals, overflowing with flowers, scrolls and grape clusters — all shimmering in gold.

Above most capitals, an angel stands with golden wings and hands folded reverently in prayer.

Above each, the ribbing in the ceiling bursts upward, from resplendent golden gilded bases.

In the transepts, smaller angels holding gilded banners do their share, supporting more ribbing.

And the ceiling offers more points of contemplation, through 600 plaster bosses — those plaster ornaments carved in leaves and grape clusters, covering each intersection of ribs in the vaulted ceiling. St. Patrick’s has 600 bosses, each displaying a Catholic symbol.

“The whole ceiling is covered with symbolism, the most abundance I’ve seen,” Canning said.

There are repeating instances of “IHS” for Jesus and “M” for Mary, as well as instruments of Christ’s passion, bishops’ miters, papal tiaras, sword-pierced hearts and more.

Once painted over in white, they were “invisible,” but the symbols now sparkle like jewels in gold, silver, bright crimsons and blues.

Astonishingly, the lighting bathes the cathedral in a warm glow, thanks to the candle power of the fixtures, combined with the natural lighting from the soft pastel blues and pinks of the nave windows. These windows are replacements (the 1938 hurricane that hit Connecticut’s coast wiped out the originals).

Between them, the faithful can follow the Stations of the Cross, highlighted by newly designed Gothic frames that echo the woodwork.

A stenciled, painted and gilded border in the Victorian Gothic style outlines all the windows and the wainscoting, incorporating ideas from the original decoration that was discovered under layers of previous repainting.

Lastly, the transepts’ stained glass offers final thoughts for contemplation. One window presents the Annunciation in glorious color.

The image of Mary appears with absolute humility, as Gabriel, with heavenly messenger’s authority, presents God’s request for her to be the Mother of Jesus. From either side, Sts. Luke and John con-

template the scene.

The other transept window depicts St. Patrick, robed in brilliant emerald green, preaching to the rulers and people at Tara. To the side, images of Sts. Matthew and Mark contemplate his evangelizing.

The past, present and future of the faith come together in a truly beautiful way at the patron of Ireland’s cathedral in Connecticut.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Ministry Fair All About Helping Our Brothers and Sisters in Need

Bishop Michael R. Cote addresses those gathered expressing his gratitude for the generosity and caring spirit of all present. Bishop Cote is assisted in announcing raffle winners by Susan Underhill, Campaign Coordinator and Angela Arnold, Executive Director, Office of Development.

Anna DeBiasi, Development Coordinator, Catholic Charities Diocese of Norwich, was on hand to explain how Catholic Charities has been helping families in need in Eastern, CT since 1921, and in today’s economy, more than ever.

The 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal Ministry Fair was held Sunday, March 23, at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, Connecticut.

This event provides a once a year opportunity for Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) contributors to interact with representatives from the 25 ministries supported en-

tirely or in part by the generosity of everyone who gives to the ACA to help others.

At the fair, those responsible for the day to day operation of the ministries shared how each ministry “shines the light of hope” across our caring community of faith.

Father Ralph DiOrio

Mass and Healing Service Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA Sunday, April 27 Feast of Divine Mercy Cost $49 (includes $10 ticket)

Children & Teenagers welcome as our guest

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Attendees and ministry representatives enjoyed breakfast together as they discussed how the vital diocesan ministries help realize the mission of the church to help our brothers and sisters.

Photos by Donna Antonacci.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Marking the start of Lent Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, and Catherine Reed, Principal at St. Patrick Cathedral School, perform the imposition of ashes Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich. Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent.

Sean D. Elliot/The Day

This is the second year that the Knights of Columbus, Council 12113, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Essex, CT has done a food drive for the Shoreline Food Pantry. This year they collected over 40 boxes of food during the month of February. Pictured (L to R) are Deacon Bill Kaiser, Ed McCaffrey, Walter Wiegert, Len Dongweck and Pastor Reverend Arul Rajan Peter.

Submitted by Ed McCaffrey

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April 16, 2014 Holy Week With Kathy Irr

April 17­20, 201 “On the Third Day” With Fr. Marcel Rainville, SSE

May 11­16, 2014

May 29, 2014 “The Ascension of the Lord” With Fr. Fred Irving

May 13­15, 2014 Gregorian Chant “Communion Chants; An Introduction to Hildegard of Bingen; Evening Prayer” With Dr. William Tortolano

“The Sermon on the Mount: Challenges for Contemporary Priestly Ministry”

With Fr. Eugene Hensell, OSB

May 25­30, 2014 Illuminated Prayer on Vellum: “Hail Holy Queen”

June 1­7, 2014 The Illuminated Initials of Angelo Rassu

With Harvest Crittenden and Sr. Eugenia Brady, SJC

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Renovation Completed at St. Sebastian, Middletown After many months of careful planning and seven weeks under construction, St. Sebastian Church in Middletown has reopened its doors and welcomed back the congregation. As shown, the new porcelain tile floor is a wonderful complement to the Romanesque interior of the church. Most striking are the new and noticeably darker pews, also providing a stunning complement to the architectural detail throughout the church.

Additionally, marble repair and restoration in the sanctuary adds luster and a finishing touch to the exceptional renovation.

Father James Thaikoottathill, St. Sebastian Pastor, acknowledges the many volunteers, visionaries, planners, craftsmen and generous parishioners - many of whom purchased old pews and dedicated new pews to loved ones.

Congratulations to the St. Sebastian Parish.

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CT Panel to Forgo Vote on Assisted Suicide Bill Hartford, CT (AP) The co-chairman of the General A s s e m b l y ’s Public Health Committee says there won’t be a vote this session on a bill that would allow Connecticut physicians to prescribe medication to help

terminally ill patients end their lives.

Windham Rep. Susan Johnson said Tuesday there’s “still a lot of work to do” on the bill and time is running out for this year’s session, which ends

May 7.

This marks the second year in a row that a public hearing was held on the legislation but no committee vote was taken.

Johnson said there are outstanding issues the Judiciary Committee is better suited to tackle regarding the bill, such as issues of competency, criminal behavior and malpractice.

Proponents vowed to return with another bill next year, when there will be a longer legislative session.

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If you haven’t done so already, please voice your opposition to the mandate by calling President Obama at the White House at 202-456-1111 or Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius at 202-205-5445. Let them know that the mandate is in violation of our First Amendment right to religious freedom.

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High Court Hears Oral Arguments in Companies’ Challenge to HHS Mandate Washington (CNS) -- Oral arguments in two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court March 25 focused on whether for-profit corporations have religious grounds to object to the new health care law’s requirement that most employers provide contraceptive coverage in their employee health plans.

Crowds on both sides of the issue gathered outside the Supreme Court on a cold, snowy morning, holding aloft signs and chanting for their cause.

Inside the court, the arguments lasted for 90 minutes, an extension of the usual 60 minutes, and the justices in their questions for the lawyers arguing the cases seemed divided on the issue. At the center was a close inspection of the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, known as RFRA, which allows for religious exceptions to general laws in certain circumstances.

The cases -- Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius - made their way to the Supreme Court after federal appeals courts issued opposite rulings about the companies’ claims to a religious rights exemption to the contraceptive mandate of the health care law.

At issue is the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that most employers, including religious employers, provide employees coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and some abortion-inducing drugs free of charge, even if the employer is morally opposed to such services.

Both secular businesses claim the contraceptive mandate of the health care law violates the First Amendment’s free exercise clause and their religious liberty rights under RFRA. The 1993 law says that the government “shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion” unless that burden is the least restrictive means to further a compelling governmental interest.

The legal question is whether RFRA protects a for-profit company from having to provide a benefit to which employees are entitled under federal law but to which the owners

have religious objections.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who noted that RFRA was passed overwhelmingly with support from both political parties, said it would not have gained such support if Congress thought the law would confer religious rights to corporations.

Justice Elena Kagan said the arguments in favor of the companies’ religious rights could turn RFRA into something that would put “the entire U.S. code” under intense constitutional scrutiny for possible burdens to corporate religious rights.

For example, she said companies would be able to object on religious grounds to laws on sex discrimination, minimum wage, family leave and child labor.

That point was raised by the Obama administration in its brief, saying a ruling in favor of businesses could undermine laws governing immunizations, Social Security taxes and minimum wages.

Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the exaggerated amounts of religious exemptions that could be claimed by employers could be avoided in a court ruling limited only to corporations that pass their earnings and losses to their shareholders -- which would exclude bigger companies claiming religious freedom rights.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, described as the swing vote in this case, asked how the government could require the family-owned companies in question to provide the mandated insurance contraception coverage when it had already offered exemptions and accommodations to other groups, which was one of the plaintiff’s arguments.

Hobby Lobby is an Oklahomabased chain of more than 500 arts and crafts stores with more than 13,000 employees owned by a Christian family, the Greens. Conestoga Wood Specialties is a Pennsylvania-based kitchen cabinet-making company with 950 employees owned by a Mennonite family, the Hahns.

Conestoga Wood Specialties ob-

jects to complying with any portion of the mandate. Hobby Lobby is not opposed to covering birth control in its employee health plan -and in fact already provides that benefit. What the Green family objects to is being required to cover contraceptive drugs considered to be abortifacients, such as the morningafter pill and Plan B. Hobby Lobby’s owners have stated that their “religious beliefs prohibit them from providing health coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices that end human life after conception.”

In Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, the Green family won a ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which said their craft stores and Mardel, a chain of 35 Christian bookstores, could proceed with seeking an injunction protecting the companies from meeting parts of the contraceptive mandate issued by the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the health care law. The government appealed the decision.

The other case, Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Sebelius, is an appeal by the Hahn family, the Mennonite owners, of a 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that said they had to comply with the contraceptive requirement. The circuit court ruled that as a for-profit, secular corporation, Conestoga Wood and its own-

ers are not protected by the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment.

During oral arguments at the Supreme Court, the justices asked why the companies didn’t just avoid the contraception issue by not offering health care coverage to its employees and paying the tax penalty instead, and the attorney representing them said Hobby Lobby’s owners, at least, wanted to provide health insurance and felt it would be hard to attract workers without it.

Supporters of the Obama administration’s position that the two forprofit companies should not be exempted from the mandate have argued that the businesses are claiming religious rights the Constitution gives to individuals, not corporations.

The attorney for the administration emphasized that if the courts allowed for-profit companies to deny mandated coverage, the employees would be denied benefits the government has decided they should have.

He repeatedly mentioned U.S. v.

Lee, a 1982 Supreme Court ruling that said an Amish employer could not be exempted from paying Social Security taxes for employees of his for-profit business.

That case has been raised in many of the “amicus” briefs on both sides of the mandate issue.

In the 1982 ruling, the court found that “while there is a conflict between the Amish faith and the obligations imposed by the Social Security system, not all burdens on religion are unconstitutional,” the court said. “The court may justify a limitation on religious liberty by showing that it is essential to accomplish an overriding governmental interest.”

Dozens of groups with an interest in the outcome of the cases filed “amicus,” or friend-of-the-court, briefs including one submitted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and another by a group of 67 Catholic theologians and ethicists.

Rulings in the two cases are expected to be handed down in June.

The court is likely to hear arguments in the fall in suits brought by nonprofit faith-based employers who believe that the exemptions and accommodations offered by the government for the health care law are not broad enough. There are currently 93 lawsuits challenging the mandate.

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (state request here). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.

Promise publication and for nine consecutive days, pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.

~ AR ~

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Four County Catholic April 2014

8 Reasons for Catholics to See the Noah Movie I was invited to attend a screening of the movie Noah on Thursday March 6. The movie starring

By Scott Landry Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Russell Crowe as Noah (and including Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins and Ray Winstone) would be released on March 28, 2014. While reviews are embargoed, I wanted to share a few specific thoughts in response to all the chatter out there from people who haven’t seen the film.

There has been some concern expressed in the Christian community due to the fact that the movie is not a literal depiction of the scriptural account of Noah (chapters 5-9 from the Book of Genesis). There has also been concern expressed about the choices the director and screenwriters made adding details to the account that weren’t in Genesis.

For example, how did Noah build an ark that big? How did Noah react to the death and destruction of all things living in the world outside of the ark? Did Noah’s contemporaries know the floods

Prayer to St. Jude Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of.

Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Make use I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever. I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.

~ AG ~

were going to come and what (if anything) did they do to fight for their lives? How did 7 pairs of each animal come to be in the ark and stay calm for months on board?

Pa r a m o u n t Pictures, who is distributing the film, responded to these concerns by clarifying on the movie’s website and promotional materials, “The film is inspired by the story of Noah.

While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.”

I think this is a helpful clarification in case anyone would have assumed that the account would be literal. For my part, I don’t understand why anyone would have assumed that an epic movie could have been done literally only on the material in the Book of Genesis, as the Biblical account wasn’t written with the detail or for the purpose of a two-hour screenplay.

Here’s why I recommend this

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film to Catholics: (1) It inspired me to read the Scriptures again, closely

Preparing to watch the move made me read the chapters in Genesis (5-9) that tell the story of Noah. I also was moved to reread the chapters after the movie.

Frankly, it had been years since I read these chapters as they are not frequently part of the readings at Sunday Mass. One of the Catholics I watched the movie with remarked after immediately it that it makes her “want to go back and read the biblical account of Noah.” Any movie that drives people to read the Scriptures once again is a very good thing.

(2) The movie gets the big aspects of Noah’s role right. Noah receives a life-altering task from God and faithfully executes it. At

a human level, the movie provides an interpretation of what this experience must have been like for Noah. Some Christians will appreciate the interpretation; others might not like the presentation of Noah as conflicted. It’s simply an interpretation.

Any rich telling of this story on the big screen required some artistic license on the question of how did Noah personally cope with this massive task. ( 3 ) I t ’ s great t h a t Hollywood i s making big-budget biblically-inspired epic films. This film cost $125 million to produce. It has a stellar cast and fantastic visuals. It is great to go to the movies and see a gripping movie about a key story from the Scriptures.

(4) The film will spark great conversations. One of the first words I used to describe the movie was “intense.” After the movie, the small group of us had a fascinating discussion about aspects of the movie. We wanted to know what others thought and felt. The movie provokes questions on important topics such as good and evil, life and death, aspects of Noah’s life, and how God is present with us in the world. I am grateful that the Noah movie

will do this for viewers.

(5) The Noah movie can foster what Pope Francis calls a culture of encounter. Specifically because the film isn’t a literal, biblical account, because it has a great cast and because it is visually-appealing epic blockbuster, many people that would never describe themselves as religious will be open to seeing it. Consequently, it allows us to invite those of different faiths and those away from the Christian faith to join us for the movie. Much good can come from the post-movie discussions.

Hopefully some of those discussions lead those involved to also encounter God in prayer.

(6) The movie should make us more aware of evil and goodness in the world. Seeing how good and evil is presented in the movie made me consider how both evil and goodness is present in the world today. In Noah’s time, God saw so much evil that he chose Noah to give the human race a new start. The characters in the movie struggled realistically with the sin, violence and evil within them. We live in a culture that often chooses to downplay and avoid discussing the effects of sin and evil and the need to promote life-affirming values that lead to virtuous choices and service. This movie may produce some reflection on this.

(7) The movie makes a strong pro-life stand. At one of its most pivotal moments, the movie is powerfully pro-life. Without giving the story away, a character faces a choice to eliminate innocent, defenseless human life or to choose to protect and defend it. I hope that those who consider themselves “pro-choice” will see that scene and be open to a change in their views. Unborn girls and boys are vulnerable, voiceless and innocent too.

(8) The movie treats life as an incredible gift from God. Noah and his family understand the gift that God gave them in letting them live and to being part of God’s plan of salvation. It similarly treats the world and nature as incredible gifts that we must responsibly steward. These are strong Christian messages.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

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Four County Catholic April 2014

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Sacred Heart School Going Strong at 125 Norwich - Tuesday marked a first in the 125-year history of Sacred Heart

By Adam Benson Reprint from the Bulletin

School in Norwich, when a state-of-the art smart board was installed in the fourth-grade classroom of Sister M. Regina Callahan.

As several students hovered around the technology, Callahan smiled as she attempted to use it.

“I’ll have it figured out soon,” Callahan said.

That eagerness of spirit — and willingness by her students to help — was an apt metaphor for the small, still-thriving Catholic school in Taftville.

“You have to step into this place. You have to walk the halls, watch the kids and see them interact before you see their politeness and focus level. And then you see the difference,” second year principal Mother Christina Van Beck said.

“The school has been around so long, there’s a very solid alumni as far as people who really support the school and give back to it not just monetarily, but also

their time. It has a rich history of educating people.”

With a student body of 187 prekindergarten through eighth graders that come from 18 communities, Sacred Heart is one of 12 elementary schools tied to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich.

Opened in 1888 by four nuns who transferred from Sprague and Willimantic, the school has been operating out of its 15 Hunters Ave. site since 1909.

“These schools are mainstays for the diocese and the communities which they

To learn more, contact the Diocesan School Office, 860-887-4086, www.norwichdso.org or contact one of the diocesan schools.

21

Four County Catholic April 2014

serve,� diocesan Superintendent Edward Shine said. “The sisters have committed their lives to the education of children, and the Catholic identity our schools bring.�

But because it’s a Catholic school, it doesn’t benefit from city tax money. So it must find other ways to pay for such things as new equipment and other upgrades.

Van Beck said Sacred Heart’s network of volunteers is critical to its success, as people bring experience with grant writing, infrastructure repair and other skills that keep costs down.

Norwich resident Jean Chmelecki, who graduated from the school in 1954, still gives her time by serving food during lunch. “I’m still in that school spirit,� she said. “You’re more close together here. You’re family.�

Librarian and school day-care

coordinator Trish Phillips, whose two children and husband attended Sacred Heart, agreed. “It’s still all in the family. It’s a very warm, welcoming school with a very good scholastic program,� she said.

But attending Sacred Heart is pricey: Tuition for a single child is $3,150, and is as high as $10,300 for a family of four children. Tuition credits of between $500 and $1,500 are available, and Van Beck said school leaders are challenged to strike a balance between keeping education affordable and the cost of running a full-time operation. “We’ve tried to remain as affordable as possible because our parents are generally middle class.

They work hard, they sacrifice a great deal to send their kids here,�

Van Beck said.

Over a lunch of teriyaki chicken

fajitas and hamburgers, Sacred Heart students said they are grateful for the unique education offered by the Norwich school. “It might be a little harder than other schools, but it’s worth it.

When you do well on a test, you

feel really good about yourself because you know you worked at it,�

10-year-old Jacob Giard, of Norwich, said.

His classmate, Peter Daigle, 9, of Norwich, has attended Sacred Heart since kindergarten.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

The Big Reveal: Looking Back at God’s Plan Blue or pink? That was the secret contained in the cake.

My younger brother and his

By Christina Capecchi Four County Catholic Contributor

wife are always looking for an excuse to throw a themed-party – a World Series game for the Cardinals, an endof-the-world prediction, the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

They couldn’t resist the opportunity to kick-start the celebration of their firstborn by hosting a gender-reveal party, so we gathered on a chilly Sunday afternoon to learn about the baby due in July.

A gender-reveal party takes the news captured at an ultra-

sound and announces it in a more dramatic fashion: pulling a sheet out of an envelope, Oscars style; slicing into a blue- or pinkcolored cake; opening a box of balloons. The concept took off in 2011, according to BabyCenter.com, which reported an ex-

plosion of discussion threads. It is the antithesis of a baby shower, heavy on obligation and estrogen. A gender-reveal party centers on the surprise, delivering a sweet pay-off for a breathless audience – the promise of big news and bakery-made cake.

Its popularity has surged with Pinterest, where pregnant

women dream up a million ways to decorate with light pink and powder blue. My brother hung a cascade of pink and blue balloons in the entrance of his home and used his pitcher’s arm to fling crepe paper onto the ceiling fan in his two-story great room.

When Tony and Jodie lifted a slice of blue cake, I felt a flicker of that hospital thrill right there in the dining room. My voice broke when I congratulated him. “You’re going to have a son!”

Later that day, after I’d downloaded my pictures, I found myself thinking about the idea of a big reveal. So few major events can be known in advance through an announcement or alert.

It’s in the looking back, not looking ahead, that we can trace the hand of God. We are guided along in extraordinary ways, through ordinary means. For Sister Mary Madonna Ashton, a 90-year-old Sister of St. Joseph, it was the neighbor girl who happened to attend a Catholic high school and persuaded her to enroll, which led to her conversion to Catholicism and pursuit of religious life. For my husband, the impromptu decision to stop at my college one afternoon – which turned out to be registration day – led our paths to cross.

Disappointments also take on new meaning in retrospect. My friend Natalie’s labor did not go according to her labor plan – which, she later told me, was apt preparation for parenthood.

Learning to deal with the space between fantasy and reality is how we grow up. For one mother of five, praying a daily

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rosary takes the edge off pinched holiday expectations, helping her keep calm and carry on when her visions of a Victorian Christmas go unfulfilled.

When I review my 20s, I can see how an unwelcome no paved the way to a blessed yes. Doors we never would’ve closed on our own lead to opened windows, once we pick ourselves up and look around. Sorrow softens us, kneading our hearts into doughier, more compassionate organs.

This long winter has reminded me that I can’t mastermind my future with a spreadsheet and a stopwatch.

Life doesn’t unfold in even numbers and rhyming couplets. I’m learning what it means to be open to life, the church’s charge to married couples, on a broad level. It can be scary to trust God, to dive headfirst when you can’t see the net beneath you.

But I want to operate on grace, not strategy. I’m entering into Easter, the ultimate surprise.

God’s plan for my life is different from mine – and, I have no doubt, better.

Christina Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and editor of SisterStory.org, the official website of National Catholic Sisters Week.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Director of Admissions XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

Xavier High School, a college preparatory Catholic secondary school for young men in grades 9 12, sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers and the Diocese of Norwich and located in Middletown, CT is seeking applicants and nominations for the position of Director of Admissions.

The Director of Admissions serves as the school’s chief enrollment management officer and reports directly to the Headmaster. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled and candidates with at least two years of experience will be given preference. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2014.

St. John Paul II Regional School to Open Pre-K Campus Kathleen Peck, principal of St. John Paul II Regional School has announced plans to open their 2nd Pre-Kindergarten Campus at St. Pius Faith Formation building, located at 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. This additional campus, to open this September,

will incorporate in their 3 and 4 year old programs the Opening the World Learning Curriculum, which is presently used at the St. John Paul II Campus. This program offers a traditional structured preschool curriculum based on Christian values. The 3-year

Applications or nominations should be directed to Calvin H. Stoney, Partner, Gonser Gerber LLP, via email in PDF or MS Word format to cstoney@gonsergerber.com and should include a letter of application or nomination, current curriculum vitae, a statement of educational philosophy, and the names, addresses, and telephone number of three current references. Background investigations will be conducted on all final applicants recommended for employment.

old program will offer half day classes five days a week as well as full-day classes three or five days a week. The 4-year old program will also offer full day three or five day classes. For further information please visit the school website at www.jpii.org.

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24

Four County Catholic April 2014

Did You Know?

April Keep America Beautiful Month! It’s time to get out and make the world greener. Plant flowers and trees!

Pick up liter. Thank God for making a beautiful world.

April 6 World wide week of prayer and fasting. Pray for peace.

April 13 Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. Talk about the various days of Holy Week and services at your church.

April 20 Easter! Thank God for giving you and all believers eternal life.

by Karen H Whiting

Easter Snack and Tales Enjoy special treats that serve as reminders of lent and Easter.

Make them as a family and chat about them as the table.

• Fast. Have water and crackers for a meal and save the money not spent to give to the poor. Chat about the forty days Jesus fasted and prayed. Hold hands and pray.

• Snack tray tale: Fill a tray with healthy little snacks to talk about Holy Week and how Jesus suffered.

- Use green celery with some of the busy end still on to chat about Palm Sunday and say hosanna!

- Add crackers and grapes to share about the Last Supper and the gift of the Eucharist.

- Use pretzel sticks and cherry tomatoes to share about the crown of thorns, nails and blood when Jesus died.

- Add black olives to chat about the stone rolled in front of the tomb where Jesus lay until Easter morning.

• Crown of thorns bread: Roll refrigerated dough pieces into ropes.

Braid and shape the dough into a large circle (or small circles for little wreaths). Stick pretzel sticks in for thorns. Bake as directed. Chat about how Jesus suffered and died to give believers eternal life.

Easter Word Search Find words about what happened at Easter.

RISEN EMPTY TOMB PETER JOHN MARY GARDEN ANGELS SOLDIER LINEN

• Hot cross toasties or waffles. Pop toaster pastries of waffles in the toaster. Decorate them with icing in the form of crosses. Chat about how Jesus loved you enough to die for you.

SUNDAY

• Rice cereal lamb treats. Mix a batch of marshmallow cereal treats.

Shape them into lambs. Try making standing lambs by shaping an egg body, adding stick legs and small egg shaped head. Discuss Jesus as the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd.

ROCK

• Whip up angel wings. Use whipped cream on a plate to make angel wings or even angels. Swish a knife back and forth to create wings and the body. Drop on a dollop of cream for the head. Talk about he angels that spoke to the women at the empty tomb.

ALIVE

• Resurrection rolls: Wrap refrigerated dough around a marshmallow.

Repeat with all the dough. Bake as directed. The marshmallow will melt leaving the inside hollow as a symbol of the empty tomb. Open them and shout He is Risen!

Cross off the words as you find them. Use the letters left to write an Easter message:

ROLLED ASCEND

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __, __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

Answer: He is not here, but he has risen.

Enjoy a day that celebrates numbers and have a piece of pie too!

RAN

25

Four County Catholic April 2014

Pope to Canonize Blessed John XXIII, John Paul II April 27 Vatican City - Recognizing that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II have widespread reputations for

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service

holiness and that years of studying their lives and actions have proven their exceptional virtue, Pope Francis announced last September that he would declare his two predecessors saints at a single ceremony April 27.

The testimonies of their lives, “completely dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel, shine in the church and reverberate in the history of the world as examples of hope and light,” Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes said.

Blessed John Paul, known as a globetrotter who made 104 trips

outside Italy, served as pope from 1978 to 2005 and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Blessed John XXIII, known particularly for convoking the Second Vatican Council, was pope from 1958 to 1963; Blessed John Paul beatified him in 2000.

The choice of April 27, which will be Di v i n e Mercy Sunday in 2014, was not a complete surprise. Speaking to reporters traveling with him from Brazil to Rome July 28,

Pope Francis said he had been considering Dec. 8, but the possibility of icy roads could make it difficult

for Polish pilgrims who would travel by bus to Rome for the ceremony.

The other option, he said, was Di-

vine Mercy Sunday, a celebration instituted worldwide

by Pope John Paul. Since the beginning of his pontificate in March, Pope Francis has emphasized God’s mercy and readiness to forgive those who recognize their need for pardon. He told reporters on the flight from Brazil that Pope John Paul’s promotion of Divine Mercy Sunday showed his intuition that a new “age of mercy” was needed in the church and the world.

Asked on the plane to describe

the two late popes, Pope Francis said “Pope John XXIII was holy, patient, had a good sense of humor and, especially by calling the Second Vatican Council, was a man of courage.

He was a man who let himself be guided by the Lord.”

As for Blessed John Paul, Pope Francis told the reporters on the plane, “I think of him as ‘the great missionary of the church,” because he was “a man who proclaimed the Gospel everywhere.”

Pope Francis signed a decree recognizing the miracle needed for Blessed John Paul’s canonization July 5; the same day, the Vatican announced that the Pope had agreed with members of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes that the canonization of Blessed John should go forward even without a second miracle attributed to his intercession.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Vatican Panel Approves Archbishop Fulton Sheen Miracle Peoria, Ill (CNA) - The Bishop of Peoria has rejoiced at a Vatican medical panel’s unanimous approval of a reported miracle at-

tributed to the famous television personality and evangelist, Servant of God Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

“There are many more steps ahead and more prayers are needed. But today is a good reason to rejoice,” Bishop Daniel R.

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Jenky of Peoria, Ill. said March 6.

“Today is a significant step in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of our beloved Fulton Sheen, a priest of Peoria and a Son of the Heartland who went on to change the world.”

The approval came from a seven-member board of medical experts advising the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Diocese of Peoria reports.

The miracle involves the unexplained recovery of James Fulton Engstrom, a boy born apparently stillborn in September 2010 to Bonnie and Travis Engstrom of

the Peoria-area town of Goodfield. He showed no signs of life as medical professionals tried to revive him. The child’s mother and father prayed to Archbishop Sheen to heal their son.

Although the baby showed no pulse for an hour after his birth, his heart started beating again and he escaped serious medical problems.

The Vatican’s medical advisory panel ruled that there is no medical explanation for the healing of the baby. The ruling means that a board of theologians will now review the case.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Echoing Pope Francis, Cardinal O’Malley and Brother Bishops Call For Action on Immigration Reform

Cardinal Sean O’Malley leads mass, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, along the international border wall in Nogales, Arizona.

AP Photo/Matt York Nogales, Arizona - Led by Cardinal SeĂĄn O’Malley of Boston, members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border April 1, and celebrated Mass in remembrance of migrants who have died attempting to reach the United States. This Mission for Migrants included a wreath laying ceremony and a tour of the border. It was inspired by the trip by Pope Francis to Lampedusa, Italy, last year to pray for migrants who died attempting to reach Europe by boat. “As a moral matter, our nation can no longer employ an immigration system that divides families and denies basic due process protections to our fellow human beings,â€? said Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration.

Members of the delegation have called upon Congress–specifically the House of Representatives–to move quickly to fix a broken system. While the U.S. Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform last year, the House has refused to move on the measure or pass its own version of reform.

“Our elected officials are sent to Washington, D.C., to make decisions and lead our nation into the future,� said Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, a member of the committee. “They should no longer delay action on this issue, which enjoys the support of the large majority of the American public.�

During the Mass, Cardinal O’Malley and the bishops laid a wreath at the border wall in Nogales, Arizona, to remember those who have died on both sides of the border attempting to reach loved ones in the United States. At Lampedusa, Pope Francis threw a wreath into the Mediterranean Sea to remember migrants who have died attempting to reach Europe.

The bishops also called upon the Obama Administration to use its authority to limit deportations of immigrants “who are no threat to the community� and have families living in the United States and would benefit from a legalization program.

On March 26, Bishop Elizondo wrote Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson recommending steps DHS could take to limit deportations, including the expansion of prosecu-

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Four County Catholic April 2014

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Four County Catholic April 2014

Pope Francis Appoints Eight to Sex-Abuse Commission Group Includes a Victim and Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley Pope Francis has appointed a victim of sexual abuse and a senior cardinal known for his zero-tolerance

By Deborah Ball Reprint from the Wall Street Journal

approach to a new group charged with advising the Catholic Church on how to respond to the problem of sexual abuse of children.

In December, Pope Francis announced plans to establish the special commission, in one of his first major moves to confront an issue that has shaken the church.

Among the pontiff’s eight nominations Saturday, four are women and five are lay people. They include Marie Collins, who was sexually abused by a cleric in the 1960s and is a leading campaigner on the issue in Ireland, and Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who spearheaded that city’s response to the problem. Poland’s former prime minister, a prominent British psychologist and an expert in canon law were also among those named, reflecting the range of issues the new group is supposed to address.

The Vatican said the panel, which has only advisory power, will start its work soon, but didn’t specify when. The members first will

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decide the scope of responsibilities of the new group, which will include additional members from other regions, the Vatican said in a statement.

While Pope Francis has enjoyed immense popularity since his election last year, some victims groups have expressed disappointment that he hasn’t spoken more forcefully about the problem.

Ms. Collins, 67 years old, has been part of a panel to help the church in Ireland develop new child-protection policies. “This came as quite a surprise,� Ms. Collins said in an interview, when asked about her appointment. “This pope has been speaking about change, but this shows real action. It’s a huge step forward.�

Snap, a U.S.-based group representing victims of priest abuse, hailed the nomination of Ms. Collins.

In an interview with an Italian newspaper last month, Pope Francis said the abuse cases have left

“deep wounds,� but also said the church “has done a lot—perhaps more than anyone� to respond.

The makeup of the panel reflects the challenges the church faces in its legal, pastoral and psychological response to the problem.

The number of women on the panel is also in line with the pope’s aim of strengthening the role of women in the church. In the interview with an Italian newspaper last month, the pope said women need to play a bigger part in making de-

cisions in the church.

The panel includes Hanna Suchocka, former prime minister of Poland and ex-ambassador to the Holy See who is an expert in human rights.

Sheila Hollins, a professor of psychiatry in the U.K. who has studied the problem and has participated in church-sponsored panels on the questions of child abuse, is a member, as is Father Humberto Miguel Yanez, a Jesuit priest who is a longtime associate of Pope Francis in

Argentina and is a prominent theologian there.

P. Hans Zollner, a German national who is a licensed psychologist and is vice rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as well as Claudio Papale, an expert in canon law, are members, as is French child psychologist Catherine Bonnet. “With the new group, the pope has made clear that this issue is a priority for him,� said Mr. Zollner in an interview.

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Four County Catholic April 2014

For Pope Francis, a Year of Reform & Evangelization Vatican City (CNS) - As leader of the universal church, a pope must direct his ministry in both of the ways traditionally described by the Latin terms “ad intra” and “ad extra”: inwardly to the church itself, and outwardly to the rest of the world.

Pope Francis has accordingly spent the first year of his pontificate pursuing two ambitious projects: revitalizing the church’s efforts at evangelization and reforming the church’s central administration.

As he wrote in his first apostolic exhortation in November, “Evangelii Gaudium” (“The Joy of the Gospel”), Catholics must go out into the world to share their faith with “enthusiasm and vitality” -- not “like someone who has just come back from a funeral.”

Pope Francis greets a young woman during an encounter with youth in the piazza outside the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 4.

(CNS/Paul Haring) He wrote that the church’s message “has to concentrate on the essentials, on what is most beautiful, most grand, most appealing and at the same time most necessary,” namely, the “saving love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead.”

With his affable, informal manner and simple language, Pope Francis has focused on a message of mercy, forgiveness and concern for the poor. He has taken largely for granted those elements of church teaching, including sexual and medical ethics, that contemporary

culture tends to reject as censorious and intolerant. He has thus elicited extraordinary levels of curiosity and good will far beyond the ranks of practicing Catholics around the world.

At the same time, the pope has carried out an all-but-explicit electoral mandate to reform the Vatican bureaucracy. A major topic of discussion at the cardinals’ meetings before the March 2013 papal conclave was the previous year’s controversy over published revelations of corruption and incompetence in the Roman Curia and Vatican City State.

With his simplicity of life and extraordinary accessibility, the pope himself serves as the foremost model of both the evangelical poverty and the ecclesiastical service he preaches.

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Hill Leaders Invite Pope Francis to Address a Joint Session of Congress in 2015 Hill leaders have invited Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress during his expected

By Ed O’Keefe & Michelle Boorstein Reprint from the Washington Post

.visit to the United States next year.

Francis, who on Thursday marked his first anniversary as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, is reportedly planning to visit the United States to attend a global conference on families scheduled for late September 2015 in Philadelphia. The trip has not been confirmed, officials with the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said Thursday.

House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) issued the invitation as the constitutional officer of Congress, the position that formally invites the president each year to give the State of the Union address. He did so on behalf of

House and Senate leaders; minutes after the announcement, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she was pleased to join in making the invitation.

Boehner, however, initiated the idea, aides said.

“This is [Francis’s] one-year anniversary, and John Boehner is Catholic, and so he’s mindful of that,” said Ed Morrissey, a popular conservative commentator and blogger with HotAir.com, and an active Catholic. “But it’s just a measure of how much impact this particular pope is having — everyone wants him there. Who needs it more than Congress, right?”

The Rev. Gerald Fogarty, a historian of Christianity at the University of Virginia who has written on papal visits, said he believed it was the first time a pope has been invited to address Congress. Other popes have visited the White House, including most recently Pope Benedict XVI, who came at the request of President George W. Bush in 2008.

The United States did not have diplomatic relations with the Vatican until 1984. “Our country has a history of anti-Catholicism,” said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the bishops’ conference.

Aides to Boehner said he sent the invitation Thursday to officials in Vatican City.

In his formal invitation, Boehner noted that Francis’s ascension to the papacy and his social teachings in the past year “have prompted careful reflection and vigorous dialogue among people of all ideologies and religious views in the United States and throughout a rapidly changing world, particularly among those who champion human dignity, freedom, and social justice.”

Francis’s principles “are among the fundamentals of the American Idea,” Boehner wrote. “And though our nation sometimes fails to live up to these principles, at our best we give them new life as we seek the common good.”

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Four County Catholic April 2014

The Pope Receives President Obama: Respect for Humanitarian and International Law in Areas of Conflict

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