Four County Catholic May 2020

FOUR COUNTY

CATHOLIC

Volume 32 • Number 5 • MAY 2020 SERVING THE COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX • NEW LONDON • TOLLAND • WINDHAM, CT & FISHERS ISLAND, NY

One

Faith

One

Family

MINISTRY DURING

PANDEMIC

Helping Others Is What We Do

Letter From the Editor Approximately two months ago I received a call from Mary Ellen Mahoney, Director of Development for the Diocese of Norwich, informing me that the Ministry Fair, to be held on March 15, was being postponed due to coronavirus concerns. This annual event is both a Thank You to donors and a way to showcase the good works of our diocesan ministries. It is at the Ministry Fair that ministry directors and their staffs update participants on the positive impact of their work. This is an important event to the success of the Annual Catholic Appeal and by extension the continued support of the ministries.

PUBLISHER

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

860.887.9294

EDITORIAL OFFICE

25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613

Fax 860.859.1253

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Wayne Gignac, 860.886.1281

wgignac@norwichdiocese.net

ADVERTISING SALES/PRODUCTION MANAGER

Meredith Vernott, 860.887.3933 c ommeredith@norwichdiocese.net

The mission of our ministries can best be expressed by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew:

Very Reverend Ted F. Tumicki, S.T.L., J.C.L., J.V. 860.887.9294

You will see that our ministries are extremely important to so many individuals, probably now more than ever.

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

­ESTABLISHED IN 1989 AND PUBLISHED EACH MONTH EXCEPT JULY.

Understanding this, within three days Mary Ellen and I had formulated a plan to have a Virtual Ministry Fair within the pages of the Four County Catholic.

This issue is the result of that planning.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36

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Made Possible in part through your generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal

This is a tough time for many of us. Where perhaps you once were a donor, you may now find yourself needing assistance. Please do not hesitate to reach out for the help that one of our ministries can provide you.

No matter what your circumstances we are always grateful for your prayers and continued support.

SENIOR WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Ryan Blessing, 860.887.3933 rblessing@norwichdiocese.net THEOLOGICAL ADVISOR PRINTING/LAYOUT

The Hartford Courant, 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 060115 EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING DEADLINES

The deadline for advertising and editorial is the first Monday of the previous 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 editorial@norwichdiocese.net. 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.

POSTMASTER - SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Four County Catholic, 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613.

Four County Catholic Issue 5 MAY (PE 9934) is published monthly except July by The Diocese of Norwich, 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613.

Periodicals postage paid in Hartford, CT 06101 and at additional mailing offices.

Wayne Gignac Editor

Discover more at

NorwichDiocese.org © Copyright 2020, Diocese of Norwich. All rights reserved.

No content may be reproduced without expressed consent.

Periodical Postage paid at Hartford, CT 06101 and at additional offices.

Podemos ayudar

We Can Help To report inappropriate conduct of any kind by a Diocesan Bishop please contact ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562 To report inappropriate contact of any kind by a representative of the Diocese of Norwich or for assistance for victims, please call: The Diocesan Reporting Line @ 1-800-624-7407 If the incident involves a minor (persons under the age of 18), you must also call: State of CT Department of Children and Families Care Line 1-800-842-2288 -OR –State of NY Child Protective Services 1-800-635-1522

Incidents involving abuse of vulnerable adults aged 18-59 should be reported to: Connecticut Department of Developmental Services - AID Division for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities 1-844-878-8923

Incidents involving abuse of vulnerable adults aged 60 and over should be reported to: Connecticut Department of Social Services for the Elderly 1-888-385-4225

Para reportar una conducta inapropiada de cualquier tipo por parte de un obispo diocesano, por favor contacte ReportBishopAbuse.org o llame al 1-800-276-1562 Para reportar contacto inapropiado de cualquier tipo por medio de un representante de la Diócesis de Norwich o para asistencia a víctimas, por favor llame a La Línea de Reportaje de la Diócesis de Norwich 1-800-624-7407 Si el incidente involucra a un menor (personas menores de 18 años), también debe llamar a Departamento de Niños y Familias de CT 1-800-842-2288 -O-Servicios de Protección de Niños del Estado de NY 1-800-635-1522.

Incidentes relacionados con el abuso de adultos vulnerables de 18-59 años de edad deben ser reportados a Departamento de Servicios al Desarrollo del Estado de Connecticut-División de Ayuda para Personas con Incapacidad Intelectual 1-844-878-8923.

Incidentes relacionados con el abuso de adultos vulnerables de 60 años de edad o más deben ser reportados a Departamento de Servicios Sociales Para Ancianos de Connecticut 1-888-385-4225.

THE MOST REVEREND

MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

Hope Prevails Over Fear “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

As we continue forward during Eastertide we are reminded of the joy and peace that abounds in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, renewed in the risen Christ, our source of hope.

It has been nearly seven weeks since public celebrations of Mass were temporarily suspended in all churches of the Diocese. This is having a profound effect on our lives of faith, and even on the way that faith is practiced. This is, without question, among the most painful developments of these days for me as your Bishop, for your priests, as it is for all of you.

I look forward to the day when we can once again gather around the table of the Lord, reunited as a family of faith. In the meantime, may we find comfort and direction in the words of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, “Rejoice in

hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) These words are as relevant today, in our current health crisis, as they were to the first century followers of Jesus.

May 8th is the birthdate of Saint John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. I bring this to your attention because his dedication to the people of his parish is a fine example of what you can accomplish when allowing the love of God to consume you.

I want to take this moment to publicly thank my brother priests who, like their patron, are ministering to the needs of their parish families.

During the COVID-19 crisis they have been continuing to hear confessions, anointing the sick, live streaming Masses and devotions, seeing to the spiritual and corporal needs of parishioners and keeping churches open so that, like Saint John Vianney, you can sit in silent devotion with our Lord reposed in the tabernacle.

Providing for the needs of the people in Eastern Connecticut has never been more truly important. I am grateful to the many ministries in the diocese who have found creative ways to continue serving the people of the diocese. Our ministries, as you will read in the following pages, tirelessly serve the people of Eastern Connecticut, no matter what their faith. The daily dedication of the staff and volunteers to their individual missions lifts the lives of so many.

Through this crisis, we are finding that family and community are very much alive, even in social isolation.

Family life remains forever the building block of a healthy society and the secure path to our spiritual well-being as Christians.

As we now enter May, the month of Mary, let us contemplate the power of God’s mercy in our families lives, as we celebrate our devotion to her.

Our Diocese and our Nation on May 1st renewed our consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title

as Mother of the Church and Queen of Peace.

Let us pray for the souls who have died and those who are suffering with COVID-19. We mourn their loss and pray fervently for the healthcare professionals who attend to them. The medical experts report that we appear to be nearing the end of this crisis as the number of cases are beginning to level off. May we safely return to our lives with the wisdom gained that hope does prevail over fear.

Finally, I pray that you may experience these final days of Eastertide with this renewed hope as you make your journey toward Pentecost.

Sincerely in the joy of Christ,

Michael R. Cote Bishop of Norwich

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

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THE MOST REVEREND

MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

La esperanza prevalece sobre el miedo "Alégrate en la esperanza, aguanta en la aflicción, persevera en la oración.”

Romanos 12:12

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,

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A medida que avanzamos durante la temporada de Pascua, recordamos la alegría y la paz que abundan en la esperanza por el poder del Espíritu Santo en Pentecostés, renovadas en Cristo resucitado, nuestra fuente de esperanza.

Han pasado casi siete semanas desde que se suspendieron temporalmente las celebraciones públicas de la misa en todas las iglesias de la diócesis.

Esto está teniendo un profundo efecto en nuestras vidas de fe, e incluso en la forma en que se practica la fe. Este es, sin duda, uno de los acontecimientos más dolorosos de estos días para mí como obispo, para sus sacerdotes, como lo es para todos ustedes.

Espero con ansias el día en que podamos reunirnos nuevamente alrededor de la mesa del Señor, reunidos como una familia de fe.

Mientras tanto, encontremos consuelo y dirección en las palabras del apóstol Pablo en su carta a los Romanos: "Alégrate en la esperanza, aguanta en

la aflicción, persevera en la oración".

(Romanos 12:12) Estas palabras son tan relevantes hoy, en nuestra crisis actual de salud, como lo fueron para los seguidores de Jesύs del siglo primero.

El 8 de mayo es la fecha de nacimiento de San Juan Vianney, santo patrón de los párrocos. Menciono esto porque su dedicación a sus feligreses es un buen ejemplo de lo que usted puede lograr cuando permite que el amor de Dios le consuma.

Satisfacer las necesidades de las personas en el este de Connecticut nunca ha sido tan importante como ahora. Estoy agradecido a los muchos ministerios en la diócesis que han encontrado formas creativas de continuar sirviendo a la gente de la diócesis. Nuestros ministerios, como leerá en las páginas siguientes, sirven incansablemente a la gente del este de Connecticut, sin importar su fe.

La dedicación diaria del personal y los voluntarios a sus misiones individuales eleva la vida de muchos.

Quiero aprovechar este momento para agradecer públicamente a mis hermanos sacerdotes que, como su patrón, están atendiendo las necesidades de sus familias parroquiales. Durante la crisis de COVID-19 han seguido escuchando confesiones, ungiendo a los enfermos, transmitiendo en vivo misas y devociones, atendiendo las necesidades espirituales y corporales de los feligreses y manteniendo las iglesias abiertas para que, como San Juan Vianney, usted pueda sentarse en silenciosa devoción con nuestro Señor que reposa en el tabernáculo.

A través de esta crisis, estamos descubriendo que la familia y la comunidad están muy vivas, incluso en aislamiento social. La vida familiar sigue siendo siempre la piedra angular de una sociedad sana y el camino seguro hacia nuestro bienestar espiritual como cristianos.

Al entrar ahora en mayo, el mes de María, contemplemos el poder de la misericordia de Dios en la vida de nuestras familias, mientras celebramos nuestra devoción a ella.

Nuestra Diócesis y nuestra nación renovaron el 1 de mayo nuestra consagración a la Santísima Virgen

María bajo su título de Madre de la Iglesia y Reina de la Paz. Oremos por las almas que han muerto y las que sufren por COVID-19.

Lamentamos su pérdida y rezamos fervientemente por los profesionales de la salud que los atienden. Los medicos expertos informan que parece que nos estamos acercando al final de esta crisis a medida que el número de casos comienza a nivelarse. Que podamos regresar a nuestras vidas con seguridad con la sabiduría adquirida de que la esperanza prevalece sobre el miedo.

Finalmente, rezo para que usted pueda experimentar estos últimos días de temporada de Pascua con esta esperanza renovada mientras hace su recorrido hacia Pentecostés.

Sinceramente en el gozo de Cristo,

Michael R. Cote Obispo de Norwich

Please check NorwichDiocese.org daily. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Vocations Corner

A Seminarian Reflection Deacon Michael Bovino

4th Year Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

As we all continue carrying on the directives given to us as a country trying to fight off this invisible enemy, COVID-19, I take this opportunity to let you know how the seminarians are doing. Below is a reflection from Jacob Ramos, who is finishing his second year of theology and next year is looking forward to his possible diaconate ordination, on his way to Holy Priesthood.

Each of the eight seminarians from Mount St. Mary Seminary were sent home to continue their semester classes remotely. Six are working directly from home and both Dharen and Ruben are each living at a parish in the diocese doing their remote classes also. All of them are healthy.

Our third-year candidate for Diaconate Ordination, Larry Barile, along with all the students at Pope St. John XXIII have been quarantined at the seminary, continuing their classes there. For the purpose of assisting in this trying time, the seminary decided to have their third-year theologians be ordained together if permission from their home bishop was granted. Bishop Cote agreed so on April 15, Larry was ordained by Bishop Hennessy of the Boston Archdiocese as a Transitional Deacon and will be looking forward to next summer when he can be called to priestly ordination by Bishop Cote. Please keep all the seminarians in your prayers and know that they all have us in their prayers as well.

Mr. Julian Cuervo 2nd Year Pre-Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

Father Gregory Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations

Mr. Dharen Brochero 1st Year Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

Mr. Jacob Ramos 2nd YearTheology Mount St. Mary’s, Emmitsburg, MD

the Diocese of Norwich.

In the fall of 2016 I began attending Mount St Mary’s Seminary as a seminarian of Norwich. This spring I am completing my second year of theology and with God’s grace and the Church’s approval I will be ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ in the summer of 2022.

My time so far at the seminary has been a complete blessing and gift. I attend amazing classes with

professors who are experts in their fields. The presence of a holy priestly faculty at the seminary gives us seminarians a clear example of a life of holiness and selfless service, in the image of Christ. I am challenged in my classes and am amazed by the depth of knowledge and wisdom offered to us all by the Holy Mother Church.

One of the best aspects of the life of a seminarian is growing in discipleship with Jesus among such a great group of brother seminarians. I have made great friends with other men who are also being called by the Lord to serve His holy people as priests.

Being with the other seminarians in prayer, liturgy, class, study, sports and recreation are all opportunities for me to see the bright future of the priesthood in our diocese and in our country.

Mr. Eric Hosmer 2nd Year Pre-Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

Ruben Sanchez 1st Year Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, leads the Holy Hour

MONTHLY

MR. ALEXANDER PANDOLFE 2nd Year Pre-Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

Holy Hour for Vocations

Thursday, May 14 6 pm Live-streamed

www.God-Calls.com

Mark Johnson 1st Year Pre-Theology Mount St. Mary’s Emmitsburg, MD

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Mr. Larry Barile 3rd Year Theology Pope St. John XXIII Weston, Massachusetts

Being a seminarian for the diocese is an incredible journey filled with wonder and joy. I am originally from Meriden, where I grew up with my parents and older brother.

While attending the University of Connecticut for an undergraduate degree, I felt the Lord planted the seeds of priestly service in my heart and gave me spiritual roots in the Diocese of Norwich. Living in a vibrant student community of peers seeking after Christ and a life of happiness and holiness was the community that helped me hear the Lord’s call. I was excited to see where Christ was leading me.

After graduation I tested the call to religious life with the Dominican Order. It was there that my prayer life grew and a great deepening of my relationship with Jesus happened during my Novitiate year. During that time the Lord made clear He was calling me toward a priestly vocation, not in a religious order, in

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Continuing Our Ministries During a Pandemic

Welcome to Our Virtual Ministry Fair

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

By Mary Ellen Mahoney, Executive Director Office of Development

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We have asked the ministries and programs that were planning to attend our March Ministry Fair, to share a little bit about their ministry or program. We are planning to have our postponed Ministry Fair on August 30th, God willing.

There has never been an Annual Catholic Appeal theme that was more applicable to the lives of our entire diocesan community than this year’s theme, “One Faith, One Family”. Together, as one family of God, we are experiencing a pandemic gripping the entire world. Whether we live in Norwich, Denver, London, or Rome, we are overwhelmed with the same fear, the same sadness, and the same anxiety. In addition to our shared concerns for the health of our loved ones, many of us have directly experienced or know someone who has directly experienced the loss of a job or financial security. These are certainly times like no other for which none of us have any definitive answers.

It is against this backdrop that I share some insights into the office where I work, the Diocesan Office of Development. As many of you know, the administration of the Annual Catholic Appeal is one of the duties for which our office is responsible.

This is a very serious undertaking as it provides the financial support

necessary for diocesan ministries to carry out their transformative missions. These missions run the gamut, from educating our seminarians so we can attend Mass, be baptized, confirmed, married, and receive all of our sacraments from birth through death; to educating our youth in our diocesan schools and faith formation programs; to caring for our ill and dying; to strengthening our spiritual lives; and fortifying our physical lives with food, clothing and other basic needs. It is clear that our ACA supported ministries are critical to life as we know it. As we continue to face uncertain times, our commitment to this mission is increasingly important.

Some of our office’s other responsibilities include fundraising campaigns such as the Elementary School Campaign, as well as planned giving efforts to help people plan on how they will help the diocese, or their parish or school by making structured gifts during or after their lives and the establishment of endowments through work with the Catholic Foundation. Our office also runs events that support our mission such as the Seton Scholarship Dinner which annually honors three people who have had tremendous impact on education within our diocese, the Christopher Dinner which recognizes donors who have

made a significant commitment to the ACA and the ACA Ministry Fair which provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about our ministries while speaking with ministry representatives.

While the COVID19 crisis caused the postponement of both our Ministry Fair and our Christopher Dinner, we hope that our Seton Scholarship Dinner scheduled for October 25th will not be affected.

During this period, we continue to work hard on all our duties, doing as much from our homes as possible and limiting our time in the office.

While the showing of our ACA video and in-pew collection was postponed, we hope that everyone who has received our ACA mailing takes the time to complete their envelopes and make a gift or pledge.

We know that everyone is feeling scared during these uncertain times.

However, many of our neighbors are facing an additional burden as they are out of work and unable to provide for their families. We know that people cannot give what they do not have but if you are able, please consider making a gift to support our mission during this critical time. Your support will allow our ministries, St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich, St. Vincent de Paul, Middletown, and Catholic Charities, Norwich, New London, Willimantic

and Middletown to provide much needed food and support.

Each time we decide to support the Annual Catholic Appeal, we put our faith into action.

"We recognize through our action, that we are “One Faith, One Family” and only by working together and helping each other through this adversity will we succeed."

With each gift, we are making a declaration that we trust God, that we are putting ourselves in His hands and that he is working to join all of us together as one, today, during this crisis and always. As Pope Francis said in his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing in March, we are in the same boat together. Let us row in the same direction and in perfect unison as we have never done before.

Please go online to watch our ACA video If you have any questions, please contact our Campaign Manager, Susan Underhill at dodsu@norwichdiocese.net.

You may also call our office at (860) 8861928 and leave a message if nobody is available. Thank you so much for your kindness.

Office of Development • 860-886-1928 ext. 113 at NorwichDioceseDevelopment.org

Properties and Cemeteries Employees Use Social Distancing to Provide Essential Services

By Jennifer Fowler, Diocesan Properties & Cemeteries Norwich Diocesan Cemeteries carry out the sacred religious rites of providing for the burial and care of the resting places of the deceased.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and precautionary quarantining, in the spirit of “One Faith, One Family,” our ministry has found ways to be available and provide services during this difficult and stressful time.

Keeping cemeteries open so families may visit the graves of their loved ones, along with providing burial services for nine diocesan cemeteries, is part of our mission (acts of corporal and spiritual works of mercy). But it is not work that can be performed remotely. Our experienced staff is essential to the cemetery operations and keeping them safe and healthy during this public health crisis is a main priority.

The services we provide to families continue to be handled with respect and dignity, but with attention to CDC and Governor Ned Lamont’s recommended guidelines to protect everyone involved. We have closed our office to the public, so routine transactions are now done by phone, email and the postal service. It’s an adjustment, but the work is still getting done.

We protect our staff by not sharing office space or equipment with fellow employees, maintaining social distancing, wearing masks when

“I would like to thank the Properties & Cemeteries staff for their loyalty and willingness to serve the Diocese and its ministries as we all go through this difficult time.”

– Joseph “Joe” M. Muscarella, Director, Diocesan Properties & Cemeteries

necessary and allowing only one person to ride in a diocesan vehicle at a time. Common office or cemetery equipment storage space is cleaned and sanitized daily, and graveside funeral services are limited to 10

people. Visitors and volunteers are not allowed inside the office at this time, and ministry employees using second floor cemetery offices use a separate entrance when entering and leaving the building.

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony

Holy St Anthony gentlest of Saints. Your love for God and charity for His creators made you worthy when on earth posses miraculous power which you were ready to speak for those who are in trouble or anxiety.

Encouraged by this thought I implore to you to obtain for me (request) The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so you are the saint miracles Oh gentle and loving St. Anthony whose heart is full of human sympathy whisper my petition into the ears of sweet infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. This 13 day Novena has never been known to fail. Say three Hail Mary's and three Glories and promise publication.

~ LG ~

Diocesan Cemeteries • 860-887-1019 • cemeteries@norwichdiocese.net

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Additionally, our Diocesan Properties staff has been working behind the scenes in buildings around the diocese, cleaning and disinfecting so other ministry employees will have a safe office space to work in when they’re not working remotely. Every job here at the Diocese of Norwich is essential, and doing what we can to ensure the health and wellbeing of our work family while keeping operations running continues to be our priority.

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In the Midst of a Pandemic: The Priesthood is a Beacon of Light

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

By Father Richard D. Breton Jr.

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For centuries nautical explorers traveled the Earth seeking new lands and civilizations. For weeks and months, they sailed following their maps by day and the stars by night.

Often, they would find themselves amid horrific storms. The lighthouse beacon was their solace in the darkness and their guide by day.

For several weeks now we have all been living our own journey of exploration. This one, however, has no maps or guides to follow.

This journey comes amid a global pandemic. This is our exploration of the COVID-19 coronavirus.Who would have thought, as we began our Lenten journey, that it would become a true penitential journey that would take hold of us all. Social distancing would change life as we know it: keep six feet away from others, stay safe by staying home, wear a mask and gloves — all to protect us and stop the spread of this deadly virus.

Soon our lives would be affected in more substantial ways, as the number of infected people rose, and the death toll climbed. Hospitals and nursing homes were forced to close their doors. Family and friends were not allowed to visit their sick loved ones.

These new restrictions increased our fears and anxieties.

The journey became worse when the unexpected happened – the

announcement that publicly celebrated Masses were suspended until further notice. What? No Mass?

No Communion? What are we going to do? The journey was getting even more difficult! How would the darkness of this pandemic be transformed into a beacon of light?

Soon many parishes developed ways to communicate with the faithful through internet platforms such as Zoom, YouTube and Facebook Live.

Masses were streamed online for the faithful to participate, even if only virtually. Priests found innovative ways to hear confessions. By wearing masks and following social distancing, penitents had their sins forgiven.

What about the sick? How are they being cared for? This question became real to me during Holy Week. Having been trained as a hospital chaplain I knew the complexities this pandemic poses for our healthcare facilities.

There are Catholic patients who need to receive the Sacrament of the Sick and families who need comforting in this most trying time.

It was Wednesday night of Holy Week and I had just finished my dinner and settled into what I thought would be a quiet night. The Lord had other plans! At seven o’clock the phone rang. A family needed their priest.

Their 94-year-old mother was in the emergency room, dying. I hurried to

136 Sachem Street Norwich CT 06360 860-889-2374 Fax 860-886-2396

get ready and grabbed my little kit with everything I needed to anoint the sick and raced to the emergency room. Upon arrival I was not allowed in. “Sorry, Father, but we’re locked down because there are patients with COVID-19. We can’t let you in.” I urged the hospital staff to make an exception, but to no avail. My only hope was to contact the hospital administrator. Having informed the administrator of my experience as a hospital chaplain, I was able to convince her to allow me access.

On entering the hospital, I donned the requisite surgical gown, two face masks, and surgical gloves. As it turned out, the dying woman had COVID-19. As I was walking to the door of her room, I thought, “This is for the glory of God so that His daughter may be ready to meet Him.” I entered the room. A weak, burdened woman lay in bed wearing an oxygen mask, struggling to breathe. I leaned over and called her name. She opened her eyes. I told her who I was, wearing my stole over the gown to signal to her why I was there. She closed her eyes as I administered the Anointing of the Sick and bestowed the Apostolic Pardon. I blessed her and assured her that she was ready to meet the Lord.

On leaving the room, I found the emergency staff outside the door crying. “Why the tears?” I asked.

One of them replied that they were so moved that I risked my life to minister to the dying woman. I reminded them that my priesthood is not my own: I share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, and that it was He who ministered to her. I am but His instrument.

I left the hospital and found the patient’s family in the parking lot.

Even they were not allowed inside. I assured them their mom had received the sacraments. They told me that while I was inside the hospital they prayed to the Blessed Virgin under her title “Health of the Sick,” asking her to wrap me in her mantle of love as I

Ministry to the Sick • 860-889-8331 ext. 2298

Sister Rita Johnson, SSND, Director of the Ministry to the Sick extends a Thank You and a hug to health care workers for their care and dedication in dealing with the pandemic

ministered to their earthly mother.

On Holy Thursday morning, the day we celebrate the gift of the Priesthood, I received a call from the family informing me that their mom had been tested again for the COVID-19 virus, but this time there was no sign of it. The power of prayer and the hand of God had prevailed. At 5:30 on Easter morning, as the Dawn from on High appeared in His glorious Resurrection, the Lord called His 94-year-old disciple to Eternal Life!

In the midst of this darkness, may we experience within ourselves a renewal of love for and devotion to Jesus Christ the eternal High Priest, who through His humble priestly servants has made visible to us the true beacon of light, the light of Christ, Lumen Christi.

Deo gratias! Thanks be to God! Father Richard D. Breton, Jr., is the parochial vicar of St. Andrew Parish in Colchester and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lebanon.

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COVID-19 has certainly changed how things are done here at St. Joseph Living Center. While families have been asked not to visit, we work hard to make sure our residents have the ability to chat with them. Communication is the key in every aspect of life.

St. Joseph Living Center is a 120-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Windham. We offer short-term rehabilitation, along with long-term and end of life care.

We also offer outpatient therapy that services patients in the community.

Our facility adheres to the moral and ethical teachings of the Catholic Church. Our mission is the delivery of services in a spirit of compassion,

love and service consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mass is celebrated daily.

We happily care for people of all faiths. St. Joseph Living Center has a very dedicated group of more than 100 volunteers who enhance the lives of our residents. We proudly serve as a training site for multiple colleges and technical schools, and more than 100 students annually gain hands-on experience while completing their clinical rotations at St. Joseph Living Center.

We are thankful for our staff who come in every day to take care of and love our residents.

St. Joseph Living Center • 860-456-1107 • sjlivingcenter.org

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Specializing in:

9

The Need Has Never Been Greater

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

St. Vincent de Paul Middletown Focuses on Meeting Needs and Offering Hope in a COVID-19 World

By Tanja Moriarty

10

St. Vincent de Paul Middletown, (SVDM), 617 Main St., Middletown, founded in 1980 by the Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic Diocese of Norwich, focuses on “meeting needs and offering hope” to the poor and homeless in greater Middletown.

Our guests are men, women and children who live in poverty, are unemployed or underemployed, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Approximately 60% of our guests are from minority groups, and more than 50% are women. Many deal with the long-term effects and challenges of addictions and mental illness.

Before the COVID-19 virus climate, SVDM typically served more than 95,000 nutritious meals each year through our community Soup Kitchen and connected more than 1,400 to basic support services and emergency funds through our Community Assistance Program. Our Amazing

Grace Food Pantry usually provides groceries to 975 families per month and our Supportive Housing Program allows 78 formerly chronically homeless individuals with disabilities and addiction to live successfully in their own apartments.

In this COVID-19 climate, to safeguard against this potentially deadly virus, many measures have been implemented to insure social distancing and still meet the basic needs of people in our community.

SVDM’s Executive Director, Maryellen Shuckerow, working closely with Middletown Mayor Benjamin Florsheim, announced on March 18th that the Soup Kitchen would be open with take-out food service only from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. Sunday meals have been suspended until further notice. SVDM's Amazing Grace Food Pantry, 16 Stack St., Middletown, will be open on

Wednesdays and Fridays, 11-4. There will be no inside shopping. A limited number of staff will bring packed food boxes outside for distribution.

"We are challenged to

keep people safe by limiting contact, but are experiencing massive increases in people who need food."

In the first three weeks of the crisis, our Soup Kitchen experienced a 24% increase in food being distributed each week from “normal times,” an average of 2,620 meals, up from 2,100 per week.

Using social distancing measures, our Soup Kitchen staff is preparing and distributing prepackaged meals, lunch and dinner, (270) outside of the Soup Kitchen daily. Under the direction of the mayor, the Soup Kitchen is also now delivering two packaged meals each day (90) to the Eddy Shelter Monday through Saturday, two packaged meals (80) on Wednesdays and Fridays to Riverview Services rehabilitation center, and 60 meals a day to residents at the YMCA. We serve 500 on our peak days of Wednesday and Friday and 360 on Saturday, our slowest day.

Our Soup Kitchen manager Lisa Magee-Corvo said the Soup Kitchen will soon distribute 75 bags of toiletries for when people experiencing homeless are housed temporarily in a hotel. Lisa said that preparing and serving these large quantities of food is the easy part. The hard part is the social distancing. “That is the part taking its toll. Limited conversations, closed doors, lack of choices….it feels dismissive. It is definitely not who we are or what we do. This is the part that eats at me.”

Amazing Grace Food Pantry Increases Our Amazing Grace Food Pantry

has seen a 20% increase in families served in the past week: 145 families last Wednesday, 125 families on Friday. Amazing Grace is planning for incremental increases in the near future because of higher unemployment. Pantry coordinator Kathleen Kelly said, “Most of what we hear is people who have lost their jobs and have no idea when they will be called back. Parents whose kids ate two meals at school five days a week now have to feed them three meals a day at home.”

The pantry has partnered with the City of Middletown’s Senior Services to provide free groceries to people that are appropriately shut-in. The city is making wellness calls to all seniors in the Senior Center’s database and folks in senior housing. If they find someone that will have to leave their home to go to a grocery store in order to get food, they email the food pantry and we set up delivery. So far, we have provided a full week’s groceries to about 50 seniors, and that number is likely to more than double if not triple as the wellness calls continue.

“The work we are doing on many different fronts right now are keeping our partners fed so they can keep going, making life more stable for our seniors, feeding our most vulnerable citizens, and making sure families have food to put on the table for their kids each night,” SVDM Executive Director Maryellen M. Shuckerow said.

To learn more, please visit our website.

To help SVDM continue providing food for growing numbers of people in need, please consider a donation.

We’ll buy tuna, peanut butter, meat and other things that are always in short supply.

Stories from the Street: Charlotte

by Peter Keast, SVDM staff It’s 5:45 a.m., and I am on the way to the neighborhood Stop & Shop on East Main Street in Middletown.

St. Vincent de Paul Middletown • 860-344-0097, Ext. 11 • svdmiddletown.org

SAINT BERNARD SCHOOL

1593 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382 860-848-1271 info@saint-bernard.com www.saintbernardschool.org

Spiritual Renewal Services Spiritual Renewal Services is a Ministry which focuses on the spiritual life of each person. Some of the ways we are able to accomplish this are through our programs. Fr. Ray and Judith and teams have been involved in this ministry for the last 42 years. At this most difficult time we have cancelled all meetings and programs in accordance with our bishop’s and state’s requests.

We look forward to the time when we will move ahead stronger in our faith and more loving and caring toward one another.

Life in the Spirit Seminars We conduct Life in the Spirit Seminars for 8 weeks, one day, or a weekend, depending on needs, schedules and time. This seminar can change your life.

Mass of Healing and Hope These Masses are offered at our Renewal Prayer Center, and whenever invited. Individual prayer is available to anyone attending.

Prayer Meeting A Prayer Meeting is held every Tuesday at 2:00 pm. This is a time for singing hymns, healing and reflecting on scripture. Each one attending is prayed with.

Prayer Ministry Prayer Ministry is offered once a month on a Saturday. The team uses the Unbound Ministry in praying with others. Appointments need to be made for individual prayer.

Healing and Freedom Conference This Conference is offered twice a year. It helps you to understand the importance of being set free of wounds of unforgiveness, anxiety, fear, anger and other negative wounds we carry.

Spiritual Renewal • 860-887-0702 • srsnorwich.org

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

“How many did you get out yesterday,” Charlotte asks. Charlotte is my cardboard angel. She arrives at Stop & Shop for work at 4 a.m. daily and carefully selects about 100 boxes each morning from their night stocking efforts for me to re-use at the Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

The role of the pantry in the community has changed during COVID-19.

Normally we serve an average of 900 families with between 1 and 7 members, 3-4 days’ worth of groceries once a month. We still do that, although we pre-package and distribute outside now, and guests can now come bi-weekly.

The huge unemployment issue has increased the need so greatly that we needed to relax our frequency policy, which doubles the amount of food going into our community.

What is new is that the City of Middletown is relying on us to find, package and arrange for the delivery of groceries to senior and disabled citizens living independently in complexes and individual homes across the city. It is vital to keep these people home and away from contact with other people who might be contagious. Two weeks in and we have collected, boxed and shipped more than two tons of groceries to seniors. That number is likely to double in the next two weeks, and we will need to deliver to the same individuals and families on a schedule through the upcoming weeks – until it is safe for a senior citizen to go the store again without fear of picking up a potentially fatal infection.

Charlotte is one of the army of people

that go to work every day when they don’t have to, to ensure that there is food on everyone’s table in these challenging times. She asks every morning how things are going, hoping that the boxes are making a difference.

Recycled boxes mean that volunteers can place groceries on a doorstep and ring a bell, making grocery delivery as safe as possible for both the volunteer and the resident. We couldn’t make up 400 boxes a week without Stop & Shop, great volunteers and people like Charlotte that are intent on saving lives in this community.

Stories from the Street: Mary

by Peter Keast, SVDM staff An email comes in from Middletown Senior Services about a woman, ‘Mary,’ who is in poor overall health and lives in a rent-controlled apartment. A neighbor of hers had called, expressing concern that she might not have food in her home. We get a name and address.

I knocked on her door at 4 p.m., and after a time she opened it. “I’m from St. Vincent de Paul Middletown. We heard that you didn’t have enough food in the house and I’ve brought some groceries with me. Could I look in your refrigerator please?” She waived me in.

I set my supplies down on her counter, and have a quick look in the refrigerator.

Not unexpectedly, it was almost empty.

“Who is shopping for you?” I ask.

“I do my own, but it’s not safe to go out.

The young people, they will need the food more than me anyway.”

“This is really important,” I responded.

“There is no shortage of food. You do not need to make any sacrifice for them.” I put away the groceries as best as I could.

She seems a bit lonely, so we talked for a while – at a 6-foot distance. Her husband had passed 40 years ago, but she was melancholy like it was yesterday. They were childless, and her siblings had all passed. Mary has a couple of friends, but is otherwise alone.

“Here’s a phone number for Middletown’s Senior Services. If you need anything, please call them. I’ll be back to check on you in a couple of weeks.”

As I was leaving, I wondered: How many more ‘Mary’s are there in our town?

11

Sa ou plante se sa ou rèkolte (A Haitian Proverb):

What you plant is what you harvest

By Susan Wallace, Executive Director Outreach to Haiti

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

For nearly 40 years the Diocese of Norwich has had a presence in Haiti, the poorest and most densely populated country in the Western Hemisphere.

A series of pilgrimages by clergy, religious and lay people in the early 1980’s profoundly impacted all who came to this little island country approximately the size of Maryland. A task force was created, the outcome of which was the establishment of an Office of Haitian Ministries that would educate Americans about Haiti and foster relationships with the Diocese of Norwich and the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince emphasizing the Church’s missionary commitment to people in other countries. This resulted in our Diocese establishing a permanent presence in Haiti as a sign of solidarity and to develop

Parker

This ministry is based on our faith and good works and reflects the wisdom found in Deuteronomy 14:22-29, “Each year you shall tithe all the produce that grows in the field you have sown...so that the Lord, your God, may bless you in all that you undertake.”

Today, more than eleven million people live in Haiti, which is highly vulnerable to tropical storms, earthquakes, disease outbreaks, and droughts; and throughout its history has been plagued by political unrest brought about in part by transfers of power from one government ruler to the next.

Our Mission And Work Today Haitians are hard-working, intelligent, creative, and have a strong faith in God. While the majority of Haitian are Catholic, most others are Christian, and some represent other faiths including our Jewish friends. The great majority of Haitians want what we all do, which is to provide for ourselves and our families, worship freely, enjoy time off, and live in peace. This is evidenced in Haitian art that reveals a joy in living.

In 2020, Haitians face many challenges as revealed in the following statistics:

parkermemorials@yahoo.com

12

long-term, faith-based relationships.

● 59 percent live on less than $2.42 a day

● 50 percent have no access to clean drinking water ● 57 percent do not receive recommended immunizations ● 40 percent of Haitian children do not attend school ● 50 percent of Haitian children are undersized due to malnutrition (the leading cause of death in children under six years old) Helping Haitians to Help Haitians Our ministry in Haiti is staffed by Haitians who support and carry out our work. The Sr. Ann Weller clinic treats approximately 6,000 men, women, and children annually.

Patients receive medication, vaccinations and lab tests as needed.

Trained health-care agents walk the Christ the King neighborhood visiting families in their homes to provide health and medical care, educate families on nutrition and hygiene, and where needed to recommend them to the clinic.

Clean water is offered to all at the Christ the King campus through the Sunspring Water Purification system.

We offer an onsite nutrition program that serves expectant moms and families whose children have been diagnosed with moderate to severe malnutrition.

Education is Key

primary, secondary, and postsecondary schools, and universities.

In the early 1980s, approximately 34.7 percent of Haitian were literate, but today approximately 61.7 percent of Haitian are literate. Students who were able to attend school through our education sponsorship program have discovered their God given gifts and have become doctors, healthcare workers, engineers, IT workers, business owners, and artists, to name just a few vocations.

Father Frank Rouleau represents our Diocese in Haiti where he has served for eight years. As Chaplain he offers daily Mass and hears confessions and as Director of Twinning visits parishes and meets with the pastors. Today we have approximately fourteen Twinning Relationships with parishes in the Diocese of Norwich, other U.S. dioceses and parishes in Haitian dioceses including the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince.

Under the leadership of Bishop Cote, we continue to advance the mission of Outreach to Haiti, strengthening relationships with the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince and the several parishes twinned with us. We remain committed to serving our Haitian brothers and sisters in the spirit and values of the Gospel. The seeds planted by each of us produce a harvest pleasing to God.

Approximately 200 students receive annual scholarships to attend

Outreach to Haiti • 860-800-3601 • OutreachtoHaiti.org

Catholic Charities stands ready to assist our Catholic Charities stands ready to with assistutility our community Community and rental assistance, utility and rentalfood, assistance, food, baby baby needs, SNAPneeds, (food stamp) rities stands ready to assist ourwith community enrollments,and andother otheremergency emergency basic needs.

SNAP nd rental assistance, food, baby needs, (food stamp) enrollments, We are conducting appointments by phone. stamp) enrollments, and otherbasic emergency needs. We are conducting appointments by phone.

We conducting appointments by phone. lic are Charities stands ready to assist If you need our helpcommunity please call us at: If you need help please call us at: elp please us at: assistance, tility andcallrental food,- baby Norwich (860)needs, 889-8346 Norwich: (860) 889-8346 60) 889-8346 Newand London (860) 443-5328 (food stamp) enrollments, other-emergency New London (860) 443-5328 - (860) 443-5328 Willimantic - (860)by423-7065 needs.

We are conducting appointments phone.

Willimantic (860) 423-7065 (860) 423-7065 Middletown (860) 346-0060 need help please call us at: Middletown (860) 346-0060 (860) 346-0060 ich - (860) 889-8346 London - (860) 443-5328 mantic - (860) 423-7065 etown (860) 346-0060

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

By Ed Tessman

13

Hispanic Ministry Exists to Preserve, Enrich and Strengthen Faith

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

14

Hispanic Ministry exists to preserve, enrich and strengthen the faith of Latino Catholics in the Diocese of Norwich, many of whom have been here for years, many others fairly recently arrived and not yet integrated into the mainstream of church and society.

That makes it important for this ministry to be carried out in the language and culture of the people, while assisting them in effective integration into their parishes and society, in a way that respects the values and culture of all.

We seek to proclaim the Good

TELEVISION MASS

JUNE 3

10:00am Father Ray Introvigne Channel 11, WCCT Channel 20, WTXX Channel 59, WCTX

News of Jesus Christ through a deepening of personal and liturgical prayer, active evangelization, the promotion of the family with special attention to youth, and attention to social justice issues as we strive to defend and advocate for the most vulnerable of the immigrants who come to our parishes.

COVID-19 has put a stop to our programs but not to our efforts to nourish the faith of our people through a strengthening of the domestic church and forming community. In spite of closed churches, social distancing and permitted gatherings of no more than five, this ministry, like the others of our diocese, continues to be an active and fruitful presence to our people, thanks to the advantages of social media. The sisters who, with their pastors, lead the ministry in the parishes, continue to effectively accompany the people in their faith journey with daily live transmissions through Zoom and YouTube of various devotions such as holy hours, the praying of the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Scripture reflections, and the Stations of the Cross.

Through this ministry, they have succeeded in creating and strengthening a sense of church and community, in spite of mandated social distancing. At St. Mary Star of the Sea parish in New London, for example, in one of the Friday Stations of the Cross, Sister Estela invited 14 families each to prepare

one of the stations in their homes.

The Stations of the Cross was prayed from each of these homes, with many other families in the community tuned in to Zoom, united in prayer at the same time, from their own homes. In these

days of virtual gatherings, there are often as many as 23 families praying together with the sister.

While no time is a good time to be without your church community, Lent and Holy Week were

Hispanic Ministry • 860-456-3349 • aposthispano@gmail.com

Cont. from page 14. particularly difficult, but the people tell us that praying the customary devotions with their pastoral leaders and other members of the community, greeting each other on the computer screen before the prayer, helped to strengthen their faith and increase their hope. It also gave them a deeper appreciation and love for their church family.

They looked forward to these daily

brothers and sisters. For them there will be no government check; no unemployment check, either now or later; no health care assistance to test for the virus; and no treatment, should that be necessary. They are the first to lose their jobs, and, not being eligible for any kind of state or federal assistance, they are left with no resources.

In one community we are working

Office for Safe Environments

"It is often said that God writes straight with crooked lines."

There have been instances where there have been deaths in the community, in some cases because of COVID-19. Through Zoom the sisters are able to gather with the family and pray with them, as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

Through WhatsApp we connect with groups in the parishes to check up on their spiritual, emotional and physical needs or the needs of others in the community. In one parish, community members have organized themselves to take food, medication, or even money to those in need, one week assisting as many as 15 families.

Among the most vulnerable in our communities are our undocumented

with local interfaith groups in their efforts to raise funds for what is called the Neighbor Safety Net Fund, which is administered by one of the local agencies. This fund helps those who have been laid off or have had their hours reduced as a result of the virus. They are financially vulnerable because they are not able to receive assistance from other sources. They are waiters, waitresses, dishwashers, housekeepers, farm workers and others. The fund covers basic needs, car payments, medicine, and any other financial emergency resulting from COVID-19. These financial emergencies are many and constant. In these times it is not uncommon to hear of families threatened with eviction. We are attentive to these families and assist them in avoiding eviction.

By Karen Caise, Director Safe Environments refers to environments that are created and maintained in an effort to provide children, young people, and the adults who minister to them, with the safest possible place in which to minister, study and work.

In 2003, Bishop Michael R. Cote established the Office for Safe Environments. The responsibilities of this office include overseeing the creation and implementation of safe environments programs and policies, including criminal background screening of adults, as well as abuse prevention education for adults and youth. The programs for adults are Armatus and Called to Protect. Our youth program, newly implemented in November, is called NO GO TELL.

Perhaps one of the messages He is writing is a reminder to all of us to renew our efforts to building up the family as the Domestic Church and for each of us to be more intentional in our baptismal privilege of being missionary disciples in our concern for the most vulnerable among us and those on the margins.

Office for Safe Environments • 860-848-2237, Ext. 212 • ose@norwichdiocese.net

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Perhaps one of the messages He is writing is a reminder to all of us to renew our efforts to building up the family as the Domestic Church and for each of us to be more intentional in our baptismal privilege of being missionary disciples in our concern for the most vulnerable among us and those on the margins."times of “being together” and praying together, even if only on a computer screen.

15

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Bringing Our Diocesan Family Together During Trying Times

16

By Ryan Blessing Holy Week of 2020 was unlike any occasion in memory, with Masses celebrated in empty churches throughout the Diocese of Norwich and broadcast live on the internet using streaming technology to reach faithful parishioners in their homes.

Prevented from attending Mass at church because of restrictions on gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of communicants instead visited the website of the diocese, NorwichDiocese.org, to attend Mass virtually. For most of us, it was the first time using technology in this way.

Supporting the evangelization efforts of the diocese is one of

the core purposes of this ministry, so bringing the broadcasts to you has become part of the mission of the diocese’s Office of Communications, which also publishes the Four County Catholic newspaper and maintains the diocesan websites.

their duties, despite the current health crisis, is a top priority for us,” Director of Communications and FCC Executive Editor Wayne Gignac said.

As public gatherings started to get canceled or postponed and work from home directives were issued, the office found itself quickly adapting to a new normal, using programs such as Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Docs to collaborate.

It is Gignac who has been the man behind the camera for the streaming Masses from the Cathedral of St. Patrick, in Norwich. “We experienced a few glitches at first.

However, the technology and infrastructure is being upgraded to improve the experience for all, even beyond the COVID-19 crisis,” Gignac said.

“Communicating informative, upto-date news of the diocese and the good works of the more than 20 ministries that continue to perform

The FCC team also added pages to the diocese’s website to include schedules of broadcast and Livestreamed Masses, which are

also viewable later on demand, and prayers and devotions to aid Catholics in making an Act of Spiritual Communion.

The move toward a greater presence online didn’t happen overnight.

Much thought and preparation has gone into the work. “Our call to connect with one another and share our faith freely and widely in today’s culture means we must be digitally prepared,” Bishop Cote wrote in the September 2018 Four County Catholic.

Since then, the diocese has unveiled a redesigned website, offered more online video content, ventured more into social media and launched a free weekly email newsletter.

Communications Ministry • 860-887-3933 • Communications@norwichdiocese.net

FOUR COUNTY

CATHOLIC

Volume 32 • Number 4 • APRIL 2020 SERVING THE COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX • NEW LONDON • TOLLAND • WINDHAM, CT & FISHERS ISLAND, NY

Amidst the pain of this pandemic, comes the mystery of Easter.

The promise of hope that leads us from sadness to joy, death to life.

outlets, Communications and the Four County Catholic face strong headwinds in a challenging time, especially for newspapers. “We’ve lost a few advertisers during the crisis. We are praying for them to stay in business and one day return to our pages.”

diocese. Second, support our advertisers and inform merchants you know to advertise with us, and finally, if you are able, donate to the ACA or directly to our ministry.

All of these will help us keep the computers on and the printing presses rolling.

People have asked how they can help. First, pray for our success in supporting all of the other ministries and churches of the

It is our hope to be “Rejoicing in the Good of Others” for many years to come.

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 2022

In addition to the online efforts, the Communications Office also invites members of the diocesan community to share news from their parish, school or ministry.

has greatly increased in the last two months.

“There are a lot of good things happening throughout the Diocese and our small editorial team of three people is limited on what can be physically covered. We can’t be everywhere,” Gignac said. “That’s why we ask churches to send in items of interest that would appeal to our broader diocesan family. We want them to use the paper, the website and the email newsletter to share their news and upcoming events.”

Even with a growing online presence, traditional media continues to play a vital role in spreading the good news of the diocese. For 31 years, the Communications Office has published the Four County Catholic, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Norwich. The paper, with a readership of approximately 25,000, is mailed to homes within the diocese each month except for July. It serves the counties of Middlesex, New London, Tolland and Windham Connecticut, as well as Fishers Island, New York.

The office also serves as the communications and media liaison, responding to questions from secular media outlets as well as inquiries from individuals. The number of queries and comments

The Communications Ministry is supported in three ways -through the Annual Catholic Appeal, advertisement revenue, and direct donations to our ministry. Similar to many media

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MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

INCLUDING THE BEST OF AUSTRIA, GERMANY & SWITZERLAND CELEBRATE THIS POSTPONED ONCE IN A DECADE EVENT

17

St. Vincent de Paul Place Filling a Vital Role

ST. MARY & ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY

Community Mausoleum Available 815 Boswell Ave, Norwich • 860-887-1019

SACRED HEART CEMETERY

Harland Road, Taftville • 860-887-1019

ST. PATRICK CEMETERY

Depot Road, Uncasville • 860-887-1019

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

ST. MARY CEMETERY

18

Community Mausoleum Available 600 Jefferson Ave, New London • 860-443-3465

RESURRECTION CEMETERY

Route 145, Westbrook • 860-443-3465

SACRED HEART CEMETERY

Wauregan Road, Wauregan • 860-887-1019

ALL HALLOWS CEMETERY

Green Hallow Road, Moosup • 860-887-1019 The Church, through it funeral rites: • Celebrates the life and faith of the deceased • Expresses the Church’s belief in the Communion of Saints • Recognizes the spiritual bond that exists between the living and the dead • Brings hope and consolation to the bereaved • Reminds faithful to turn to God in time of need and crisis • Seeks God’s mercy and love • Nourishes the faith of the bereaved • Acknowledges that deceased benefit from our prayers

Norwich Diocesan Cemetery Corporation 815 Boswell Ave, Norwich CT 06360

860-887-1019

By Ryan Blessing Saint Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich, has seen an increased need at its food pantry and soup kitchen on Cliff Street because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pantry is open three days per week, and on one recent weekday, it served 172 households. Food is coming in one door and going out the other often the next day, according to Director Jill Corbin.

“There has been a 69% increase in new households in a two-week period,” Corbin said.

SVDPP is providing 130 takeout breakfasts, more than 200 bagged lunches and 250 additional takeout sandwiches each day.

The served meals program is the largest community meal site in the greater Norwich area.

“Feeding and caring for people in the community during the coronavirus pandemic has been the paramount goal at St. Vincent de Paul Place,” Corbin said. “Our dining room is serving graband-go meals six days per week for breakfast and lunch. We averaged 250 meals per day two weeks ago, and we now average 306 meals per day. The daily distribution of sandwiches has

increased from 155 to 960 during the same time.”

The community has stepped up in an overwhelming way to help St. Vincent de Paul Place in its mission to care for the most vulnerable.

SVDPP recently accepted a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of cloth masks with a sewn in hepa-filter, soap, sanitizer and gloves from The William W. Backus Hospital.

Lions District 23-C recently dropped off two gallons of special concentrated disinfectant that can make up to 128 gallons of cleaning solution. They also brought two boxes of gloves.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s charitable foundation recently gave $7,750 to St. Vincent de Paul Place, and local businesses Voc’s West Side Pizza and Grillo’s Pickles are helping by offering five days of to-go meals.

Corbin was quick to thank everyone who has offered help.

“The increased need has put a strain on our food supplies and we appreciate your help more than ever,” she said.

“The community spirit, prayers and good faith will help get us through this difficult time.”

PLEASE HELP

“We love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.”

- Saint Vincent de Paul

Donations are welcomed and especially needed during the current health crisis.

Visit the websites below to see how you can help.

St. Vincent de Paul Middletown 860-344-0097 • www.svdmiddletown.org St.Vincent de Paul Place Norwich 860-889-7374 • www.svdpp.org

Saint Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich • 860-889-7374 • svdpp.org

Relationship with God

By Deacon Christopher Deskus As Father Steve Gulino finishes hearing several confessions, the altar is prepared and the congregation files in. As the seats are filled, volunteers are assigned the readings and the responsorial psalm.

Holy Mass is set to begin.

This image might represent the celebration of Mass in any of the parishes within the Diocese of Norwich, though this Mass is not being celebrated in one of those churches. This Mass is being celebrated in one of six correctional facilities within the Diocese of Norwich. Father Steve Gulino is a volunteer and the congregation are inmates from the facility. As the Mass progresses the inmates are attentive and prayerful. Upon receiving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, the inmates kneel in silent prayer and thanksgiving.

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Let us all pray together for all who work in the media, who work to communicate, to inform us, so that people are not so isolated, and to educate children. We pray for all those who are helping us bear this time of isolation.

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At Catholic Bible Study on Wednesday morning, a group of inmates share aloud the readings for the day, and a discussion ensues about the meaning of the Scripture that was read and how that Scripture applies to our daily lives. This Catholic program, as well as the Legion of Mary program and the Catholic Alpha program allow inmates to grow in their faith and in their relationship with God. Many have not been practicing their Catholic faith for years and have come to understand that a relationship with God is a critical piece to a successful life after prison. These programs, led by a Catholic chaplain or one of the more than 30 dedicated Catholic volunteers, are offered to Catholic inmates in all six facilities within the diocese.

The Office Of Prison Ministry, funded by generous donations to the Annual Catholic Appeal, promotes the witness of Catholic chaplains and volunteers to prisoners in Eastern Connecticut through education, evangelization and the presence of the Church; offers training and support for volunteers; disburses funds for program materials for the educational programs and evangelization programs; acts as liaison between the Diocese of Norwich and the Department of Corrections; provides referrals, resources, and fellowship in the community for former prisoners and for victims and families affected by crime; encourages healing through reconciliation and constructive approaches in criminal justice.

Although all religious services programs within the Department of Correction are currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the mission of the Office of Prison Ministry continues through its support of the Catholic chaplains within the six facilities in the diocese. The Church is still present through the personal contact between Catholic chaplains and the Catholic inmates. With your continued prayers and continued donations to the Catholic Appeal, the mission of the Office of Prison Ministry will continue to bear witness to our Catholic faith and will continue to encourage and support Catholic inmates in their journeys toward a lifelong and fruitful relationship with God. Deacon Christopher Deskus is Diocesan Director of Prison Ministry for the Diocese of Norwich.

Prison Ministry • 860-490-1539 • prison@norwichdiocese.net

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Providing a Critical Piece to a Successful Life

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Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich

By Jack Babbitt, Grant Writer

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

For 99 years, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. has assisted disadvantaged communities within Eastern Connecticut. With the motto of “Providing Help and Creating Hope,” the agency, through its Intensive Case Management/ Emergency Basic Needs Program, provides compassionate human services to individuals and families no matter their faith, race, ethnicity, age, gender or circumstances. Indeed, 75% of those seeking services are non-Catholic and 80% seeking services are female ages 15 to 65 and older.

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Through our Intensive Case Management program, case managers Engage with clients in their own environment to help assess their situation. They Evaluate what other types of services they may need. This allows the case managers to Educate these clients about budgeting and financial planning, SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) and other assistance programs.

The personalization of the client/ case manager interaction makes the program unique.

The clients are treated with dignity and respect as people in need, not as people looking for a handout. Time is taken with every client in order to learn about them and their situation.

Upon intake the case manager listens to the client and encourages them to share their story. This enables the case manager to treat the client holistically. The purpose of this first encounter is to create a plan to help the client with their initial need, then develop a plan for the future. Getting individuals and families back on their feet and becoming contributing members of the community is the program’s overall goal.

The dedicated staff at Catholic Charities understand that they play a vitally important role in our community, and are committed to doing their best to support our clients

throughout these challenging times.

The staff is working hard to mitigate the growing concerns and fears of individuals and families who may be losing access to food and other basic needs. The coronavirus is also causing Catholic Charities to experience an influx of first-time clients to the agency for all types of support.

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the region, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich continues to come together, now more than ever, to provide relief to those in need.

In response to the current situation, Catholic Charities has implemented our business continuity plan and have taken actions to ensure continued, uninterrupted service to our clients.

First and foremost, our plan ensures the health and safety of our clients and staff, so we can continue to deliver and support the services that the most vulnerable among us count on. As we continue to monitor the events surrounding COVID-19, we are following the CDC recommended precautions to keep everyone safe.

Catholic Charities is trying to minimize direct client contact as much as possible. We assist clients via telephone or email rather than in-person visits when possible. If a visit to any of the four offices is necessary, these clients will be seen by appointment only; no walk-ins will be accepted. Clients can call Catholic Charities to make appointments for the food pantry, utility, rental and other assistance. When a visit is needed, we ask clients to let us know their health situation before entering

the building.

Catholic Charities wants communities in the Diocese of Norwich to know that you have our commitment to continue providing you with the services you depend on. For 99 years, ‘The mission of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. is to respond to Christ's call to care for those of all faiths in need by providing compassionate social services for individuals and families living in Eastern Connecticut.

These services shall be provided in a fiscally responsible manner with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and effectiveness, with special attention to people who are poor or disadvantaged.” Our top priority is addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in our community in order to meet the demands caused by this rapidly developing situation.

Of course, we always like to hear from our clients as their input is

valuable when evaluating a program's strengths and weaknesses. It is also fulfilling and rewarding when notes like those below come in and we can feel and see the happiness on the faces and in the word from clients that Catholic Charities has helped.

“We understand that Catholic Charities plays a vitally important role in our communities during situations like this, and we are committed to doing our very best to support our clients, employees and community throughout this challenging time.

Of course, your help is important to the success of Catholic Charities.

Your support, through financial donations or donations of canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, tuna fish, canned meats, diapers, toiletries and other items is always welcomed.

We can coordinate the pick-up or drop-off of your items. Just call, “We are all in this together.”

Gratitude from Those We’ve Helped "We found residence, after being homeless for a week, but we are behind due to my not working previously. I am currently back to work and writing to thank you for the $200 payment to my landlord. Thank you so much for the services that you provide this community!” – L.N.

“I greatly appreciate the help Catholic Charities has provided me. They helped me with my gas bill when it was shut off so now my daughter and I can be warm and cozy in our home with the help of Catholic Charities.” – A.S.

Catholic Charities • CCFSN.org

“I THANK you for helping me put my family back together!!” – C.K. “Thank you for your help during this difficult financial time for me, for giving me strength to persist and succeed.

Knowing that someone is there to help means the world to me.” – S.

Spirituality, Leadership and Service

Editor's Note: The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women supports a number of ministries in the Diocese. They are a superb example of what can be done when a group of like-minded people come together to share their time, talents and treasures.

By Connie Gillies

The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NDCCW), an affiliate of the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW), works hard to carry out its mission by acting “through its members to support, empower, and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. NCCW programs respond with Gospel values to the needs of the Church and society in the modern world.” The NCCW will celebrate its 100th anniversary this August.

Sixty percent of the NDCCW membership drive is donated directly to Catholic Charities in Willimantic, New London, Middletown and Norwich. In

2019 this donation was $13,659. Since 1955 it is estimated that more than $500,000 has been donated to Catholic Charities through the generous support of men and women contributing to the membership drive.

The NDCCW also conducts the following programs: The Layette Program, established more than 40 years ago, collects infant and toddler clothes as well as diapers.

Last year 27 handmade quilts were donated by the Quilters of St Andrew in Colchester. The items are distributed to the Catholic Charities pregnancy programs throughout the diocese.

Since 2005 we have been collecting and donating books. The current program is called “Read to Grow,” which distributes books to newborn and low income families. More than 1,000 books were collected at the recent NDCCW convention.

Boxes of Joy is a project of Cross Catholic Outreach to provide children in third world countries with small gifts for Christmas.

The NCCW also partnered with CRS -Catholic Relief Services in their “Works of Peace” – Water for Life and the Madonna Plan. In a little more than five years the Middletown District CCW has sent $8,000 to

CRS for Water for Life. The funds are used to drill wells and provide pumps for clean water, preventing blindness caused by organisms in polluted water.

The Middletown District CCW cosponsored a program on Human Trafficking with St Theresa Guild.

This year the NDCCW donated to the Pro-Life Ministry’s 2020 March for Life Trip to Washington DC led

by Reverend Brian Maxwell. Making it possible for more than 100 high school and college students to attend the March.We are always looking for new members to help us with our mission.

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MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

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Sacred Heart School, Groton Gail Kingston, Principal

50 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton, CT 860-445-0611 www.sacredheartgroton.org/school

Sacred Heart School, Taftville

Mother Christina Van Beck, SCMC, Principal 15 Hunters Ave, Taftville, CT

Phone: 860-887-1757 www.sacredhearttaftville.org

St. Edward School, Stafford Springs St. James School, Danielson

Mrs. Pelletier, Principal LindaMaryAnne Marie Joyal, Principal 120 WaterSt, St,Stafford Danielson, CT CT 25 Church Springs, Phone: Phone: 860-774-3281 860-684-2600 www.stjamesdanielson.org www.stedward-stafford.org

St. Joseph School, North Grosvenordale David Sizemore, Principal

26 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT Phone: 860-923-2090 www.schoolofstjoseph.org

Academic Excellence. Character. Self-Confidence.

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Superintendent's Office

22

My Dear Friends, This issue of The Four County Catholic focuses on the effect of the COVID-19 virus on our ministries. In the ministry of Catholic education, we have been greatly affected by the closure of schools because of the pandemic.

I can proudly and sincerely say that our Catholic school administrators and teachers have done an incredibly fantastic job of adjusting quickly to distance learning. The creativity and dedication shown by all of our teachers has been truly commendable. One of the benefits of a Catholic education is that our students are learning about the importance of our Catholic faith every day. Religion classes are alive and well, they are just being delivered differently.

Since families are for the most part staying home, what a wonderful time it is to encourage family prayer.

Our hearts turn to Mary, our Blessed Mother, during the month of May. Mary is ever-present in our school communities. This May, in particular, she is a model for all of us. The first image that usually comes to mind is Mary crowned in her glory in heaven. If we take the time to realize how she attained her crown, we are reminded of the perseverance that she endured during her lifetime of commitment to Our Lord.

It is important for our children to learn of Mary’s hardships. There she was, a young woman, being told by an angel that she was bearing a child who would be the Savior of the world. She had to travel over rough terrain during her pregnancy and give birth in a stable. At the Presentation of Our Lord, Simeon told Our Lady that a sword would someday pierce her heart. Soon afterward, she had to flee to Egypt, a foreign land with a foreign language, in order to keep Him safe. Imagine fleeing your country and trying to provide for your family.

Later on, she lost track of Him for three painful days in the Temple. During His sorrowful Passion, as shown in the fourth Station of the Cross, “Jesus meets His Mother,” imagine the pain she felt watching Him be humiliated, whipped, spat upon and being led to His crucifixion. The pain and empathy that she felt must have been as hard as any physical suffering. He was taken down from the cross into her arms.

The reason she endured all of this is because, as the very first Christian, she knew that this suffering would be turned to total joy in His rising from the dead to save all of us.

She is the Queen of heaven and earth, and she is here to this day interceding for us. This gives us the hope that no matter what sufferings fall upon us, we should persevere as Mary did, knowing that her son, Our Savior, will never abandon us.

We are so blessed to be able to teach about Mary in our schools, and revisit the wedding in Cana when she told the wine steward to, “Do whatever He tells you (John 2:5).”

That is a mission statement that inspires all of us in Catholic education in the Diocese of Norwich.

Let us all join in prayer, using the same words Pope Francis used in a special Mass and act of prayer asking Mary to protect Italy and the world during the COVID-19 pandemic: “O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm…”

For all of you affected by this pandemic physically, emotionally, mentally or otherwise, be assured that you are in the prayers of our school communities God Bless!

Henry Fiore, Jr. Superintendent of Schools St. Mary-St. Joseph School, Willimantic Ian M. Holland, Principal 35 Valley St, Willimantic, CT Phone: 860-423-8479 www.smsjschool.org

St. Michael School, Pawcatuck

St. Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich

63 Liberty St, Pawcatuck, CT Phone: 860-599-1084 www.stmichaelschoolct.com

211 Broadway, Norwich, CT Phone: 860-889-4174 www.st-patrickschoolnorwich.org

Mrs. Doris Messina, Principal

Sharon Stewart , Principal

of the Holy Fam St. John School, Old Saybrook Academy Mother Mary David, SCMC

Mother Elaine Moorcroft, SCMC, Principal 54 West Main St, Baltic, C 42 Maynard Road, Old Saybrook, CT Phone: 860-822-9272 Phone: 860-388-0849 www.ahfbaltic.org www.saintjohnschoolos.org

Mr. Lawrence Fitzgerald, Principal 87 South Main St, Middletown, CT Phone: 860-347-2978 www.jpii.org

Sr. Mary Patrick Mulready, SCMC, Principal

10 School Hill Road, Baltic, CT Phone: 860-822-6141 www.stjosephbaltic.org

St. Joseph School, New London

St. Bernard School, Uncasville

Ms. Marianne Cote, Principal 25 Squire St, New London, CT Phone: 860-442-1720 www.sjsnl.com

“A Holy Place Where We Discover Each Other in God’s Love” Celebrating 76 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education ~ Grades K-8 ~

Full Day Kindergarten School Day from 8:30-2:30 After School Care Available Accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges

Distance Learning

Matthew Fitzgerald Pre-k at St. Joseph Baltic

St. John Paul II students Matthew and Isabella Diaz

Academy of the Holy Family, Baltic Mother Mary David, SCMC, Principal 54 West Main St, Baltic, CT Phone: 860-822-9272 www.ahfbaltic.org

Sr. Mary Jane, SCMC – Math teacher at the Academy of the Holy Family

Mercy High School students Zoom

Xavier HS students, brothers George and Dillion Luke Mercy High School, Middletown

Sr. Mary McCarthy, RSM, President 1740 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT Phone: 860-346-6659

www.mercyhigh.com

25 Squire Street New London, CT For information call 860-442-1720 sjsscty@ct.metrocast.net www.sjsnl.com

Mr. Donald Macrino, Headmaster 1593 Norwich-New London Tpke, Uncasville, CT Phone: 860-848-1271 www.saint-bernard.com

Sacred Heart School, Groton Madelyn Tomaszewski, Grade 8, Marcus Tomaszewski, Grade 5, and Marian Tomaszewski, Grade 1.

Xavier High School, Middletown David C. Eustis, Headmaster Mr. Brendan Donohue, Principal 181 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT Phone: 860-346-7735

www.xavierhighschool.org

Diocesan School Office

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

mily, Baltic

C, Principal CT

St. Joseph School, Baltic

St. John Paul II School, Middletown

25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT Phone: 860-887-4086

www.norwichdso.org

23

CAMPUS MINISTRIES

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

Accompanying Our Young Adults on the Journey

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By Nancy Brennan & Father John Antonelle The Office of Campus Ministry was Our Lady Queen of Peace parish established to make Christ present after having been merged with St. to the academic communities in the Mary Church in Coventry, also offers Diocese of Norwich. The ministry Mass, Stations of the Cross, Holy serves students, faculty and staff Hour and Benediction to the students at Connecticut College, Eastern and parishioners via Livestream on Connecticut State University, UConn their website, OLQOP.com. at Storrs, and Wesleyan University.

Whether we are on campus or not, The Coronavirus pandemic has we encourage the formation of a faith altered the way we serve our community, regular opportunities students. For instance, the TLC for reception of the sacraments and (Tom's Leadership Council) provide spiritual and moral guidance student leaders group and FOCUS to individuals and groups.

(Fellowship of Catholic University Here are but a few of the programs Students) missionaries continue to students can engage in once they are keep in touch with students through able to resume on-campus activities: group chats, and having an online training for extraordinary ministers presence to all. of Holy Communion, Confirmation St. Thomas Aquinas Church, now instruction, vocational discernment

An Education You Can Believe In.

Inspiring Achievement. Celebrating Community.

Embracing Service. Living Faith.

Supported financially and spiritually by 10 parishes in the Middletown Deanery.

Currently the only regional Pre-K to 8th grade school in the Norwich Diocese.

St. John Paul II Regional Catholic School 87 South Main Street / Middletown, CT 06457 Telephone: 860-347-2978 / www.jpii.org

days, social outreach and social gatherings, community engagement, days of reflection, retreats, alternative spring breaks and Bible studies.

Below is an overview of campus ministry at one of our locations.

Case Study-Campus Ministry at UConn The Campus Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas on the UConn campus begins with the orientation program for parents and new students. The parents and students are happy to hear that there is a Catholic church right on campus. On the first day of the semester, there is a 4 p.m.

Mass followed by a barbecue where students are introduced to the FOCUS missionaries, the TLC (Tom's Leadership Council) student leaders, Fr. John and the staff. Not only are the students invited to get involved with Focus and TLC but also invited to help teach Faith Formation to the children of the parish preparing them for their sacraments, joining our Student Choir, becoming a lector and/or an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, as well as a student-run Knight of Columbus to name just a few.

During the first month of school the students are given various opportunities to get to know their fellow students. TLC offers movie nights, after-Mass pasta suppers or snacks, game nights, apple picking, pumpkin picking, and putting on a Halloween party.

Students visit soup kitchens to serve the needy, and the local nursing home. Each year there is a trip to

Campus Ministry • lapointe.larry@gmail.com • 860-439-2452

Appalachia to help build and repair houses for the poor in Kentucky.

They join with a pro-life group on campus to sponsor a van that provides ultrasounds to women who are pregnant. There is a pro-life holy hour each week.

FOCUS The FOCUS missionaries offer bible studies several times a week in addition to a rosary walk every week, rain or shine. Their presence on campus has caused an increase in students wanting to come back to the church or to finish receiving their sacraments.

Return on Investment God bless and reward you for your support, it is making a big difference in the lives of our young adults and the future of our Church. There are six men who have entered seminary upon graduation, one being ordained to the priesthood for our diocese this summer and a number of young women who have entered religious and consecrated life. In addition, we’ve been blessed to have inspired a number of young men and women to become Focus Missionaries to continue the work of evangelization on college and university campuses.

We are very grateful to Bishop Cote and all those whose generous support makes it possible for us in Campus Ministry to continue our work of evangelizing and sharing God's love with all of the students.

One Heart Ministry Initiative Honors Health Care Work

By Mary-Jo Mclaughlin

The pins and keychains are the latest pastoral outreach initiative of the Office of Faith Event’s One Heart Ministry, a partnership of individuals with disabilities and the people who assist them. Hundreds of the items have been distributed to health care workers at hospitals and nursing care facilities within the diocese, state and even New Jersey in gratitude for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

fulfillment in using her gifts and talents to lift up others while helping manage her fears during this time of isolation.” In distributing the items to local facilities with her husband, Bruce, Bouley described a feeling of contentment in participating in this aspect of the One Heart Ministry. Jen Harkins wears one of the One “In a small way we are letting health care workers know that there are Heart Ministry pins as a reminder “Heavenly Father, look upon people on the outside looking in and that there are people praying for the medical professionals and praying for them. They have not been her while she works as a nurse at forgotten.”

Yale New Haven Hospital.Harkins first responders with care and is a catechist at St. Mary Church. compassion. Help them come to the aid of those in desperate need of medical attention during this COVID-19 pandemic. Give them the strength they need to put the needs of others before their own.

We have been getting our customers the right Instill confidence in knowing that coverage at the right price for over a century. you will come to their aid if they are Become a customer and find out why. in harm’s way. Give them courage and wisdom to minister to your people physically, emotionally and spiritually. This we ask through Christ your Son…Amen.”

Attached to each pin is a Diocese of Norwich crest, the One Heart Ministry logo and a prayer written by OFE Director Andrea Hoisl asking God to give these ‘medical heroes’ strength, confidence, courage and wisdom to minister to the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of their patients. It reads:

They are the creation of Dina Bienvenu, one of the founders of the One Heart Ministry, who is herself medically compromised. Isolated at home with family, watching the daily news of the struggles health care workers, she designed the pins in the shape of hearts with a cross Hoisl applauded Dina’s initiative in and heartbeat as it would show on an designing and creating the pins. “This EKG. is unique because it is initiated by “My mom’s gift was singing, and she someone who has her own challenges sang in every church she was asked yet is emulating the Christian to,” said Dina. “She always told me message of looking outward toward that she shared her gift of singing others rather than inward at herself. with God. I am just trying to share These pins and prayers are outward the gifts He has given me. I don’t signs of our gratitude for our health think about this virus, I think about care workers and their tireless efforts how much I can get done and give during this pandemic.” out to people.” Bouley estimates that Bouley, who is one of Dina’s Dina makes approximately 15 pins caregivers, said, “Dina is finding and keychains daily.

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

“It was like a visit from Christ, a reassurance that they are not forgotten,” was how Randy Bouley described the response she received from health care workers when she dropped off specially designed One Heart Ministry pins and keychains to their doorsteps. “One woman at a nursing care facility was in tears when I brought them.”

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Ministry Helps People Encounter Faith in New Ways Office of Faith Events

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

It was Jim’s first holiday season since the loss of his beloved wife when he came to pray his goodbyes at a bereavement day of prayer offered by the Catholic Family Services office. There was time for private reflection, prayer and journaling to help him and the other participants grow through the experience of their loss. Reflecting on the impact of the day, Jim later wrote, “Please know that you are making a difference for me and I’m sure for many others. I thank God for these opportunities.”

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After participating in a disability awareness program at his diocesan Catholic school, one student said it opened his eyes to the ways that “all of us are similar despite our differences.” The program, entitled “Just Like You,” is part of the One Heart Ministry, a disability outreach program sponsored by the Office of Faith Events.

Albert

discovered

a

new-found

strength and confidence in his faith after attending the annual Steubenville NYC conference. He returned home eager to evangelize other teens, urging them not to be afraid to be a witness for their faith. He was part of a contingent of diocesan teens participating at the conference with Youth and Young Adult Minster Liza Roach.

Dominic and Carissa found that the diocesan marriage preparation class they attended brought a new determination and commitment to the success of their relationship and future marriage. “I hope you know that the work you do has a profound effect on so many lives and will touch our marriage for years to come,” they wrote.

Each story is different, yet each connected by the same underlying thread: their participation in a program offered by the Office of Faith Events (OFE) helped them

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encounter their faith in a new and vibrant way.

Noted Writer and Theologian Thomas Merton once said, “Faith is the door to the full inner life of the Church.” Inspired by this thought, the OFE aims to help open that door for families at all stages of development through programs that hope to enrich their faith and deepen their relationships with God. “We assist in implementing Bishop Michael Cote’s vision for faith formation in the Diocese of Norwich,” said Andrea Hoisl, OFE director. “We strive to bring meaningful Gospel-based programs, services and events that will enable Catholics of all ages, especially youth, to know, practice and share their faith in ways that allow faith to be nurtured and grow.”

The office encompasses the ministries of Faith Formation, Catholic Family Services, Youth and Young Adult, Catholic Scouting, RCIA, Evangelization and One Heart Ministry, a partnership for individuals with disabilities and the people who assist them. Staff members under Hoisl’s direction include Liza Roach, Youth and Young Adult minister; Mary-Jo McLaughlin, Catholic Family Services coordinator; and Marianne Nicholas, administrative assistant.

“The work that we do is filled with so many moments of grace as we continuously journey in faith with others,” Hoisl said. “We have the privilege of sharing our faith in

deep and meaningful ways as well as learning more about God through others. There is no better job in the world. I am blessed to be able to share my vocation with an office full of beautiful souls as well.”

Her thoughts were echoed by Nicholas. “Being part of the support system in the OFE has made my own faith stronger. I feel privileged to have met so many other Catholics from our own diocese and beyond.

I encourage anyone reading this to come out for one of our upcoming programs and enrich their faith.”

Ministry in a Pandemic During the shelter in place order from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the office has reached out across social media platforms and the internet to provide spiritual inspiration and encouragement to people throughout the diocese.

A Daily Dose of Happiness is distributed via email to more than 2,000 people daily. It includes Scripture quotes, a brief synopsis on the saint of the day and an uplifting story about positive actions people are taking to support others during this time. A prayer resource entitled, Pray More, Worry Less is distributed twice weekly. The office also circulated a resource to help people praying the celebration of the Mass from home.

“Our staff meets weekly via video conferencing to discuss how we can best support people during these anxious and trying times,” Hoisl

Office of Faith Events • 860-848-2237 • faithevents@norwichdiocese.net

Whether working from their homes or in the office, one of the OFE staff’s key focuses is faith formation.

It supports parish catechetical leaders and educators in this area through ongoing workshops, days of enrichment and prayer, and faithbased resources. During the shelter in place, the office offered online faith formation programs for youth and young adults, Confirmation retreats, and weekly “Virtual Coffee Hours” for catechetical leaders.

“My faith has grown by the families, children and youth that have been participating in our programs since the ‘stay at home’ order,” said Roach, who coordinates the online events.

“They have shown me God’s love, hope and compassion during these trying times. I feel blessed to work in the Diocese of Norwich.”

Last fall, the office oversaw the roll-out of a new faith formation

curriculum for elementary and high-school students, which was two years in the making. Currently, it is overseeing the development

designed for evangelization for individuals and parishes across the diocese.

Roach also oversees the Catholic Youth Sports Organization for the diocese and supervises the annual Diocesan Catholic School Basketball Tournament.

Catholic Family Services Promoting and celebrating happy and holy marriages and families is the goal of the Catholic Family Services Office coordinated by McLaughlin.

Whether a couple is preparing for married life, looking for ways to enrich their good marriage or seeking a lifeline to negotiate the rough waters of a troubled marriage, the office assists and supports them through a variety of resources and programs.

Mary-Jo McLaughlin, Liza Roach, Andrea Hiosl and Marianne Nicholas of outreach parish programs for forming the faith of families with preschool-aged children and those post-high school.

The office also sponsors the popular “Wine, Wisdom, and Why” evangelization program that gives people a forum to ask questions about the church and Catholicism to a distinguished panel of experts that include Bishop Cote. It conducts numerous workshops and days

Keeping youth and young adults engaged, excited and energized in their faith is another component of the OFE ministry. In addition to sponsoring the yearly trip to Steubenville NYC, Roach coordinates Youth Explosion, an opportunity for hundreds of teens to gather for faith sharing, games, fellowship, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacrament of Reconciliation and a Mass celebrated by Bishop Cote.

At a Joy of Love marriage enrichment this past February sponsored by CFS, one couple who attended and married for more than 50 years said, “We walked away thinking, ‘Wow!” After 50 years of marriage, we learned things today. It was wonderful to hear the testimonies of all the couples….So honest and so very helpful and so driven by the Holy Spirit.”

“These enrichments offer married couples support in living a sacramental lifestyle and appreciating God’s plan for marriage in today's world,” said McLaughlin, CFS coordinator.

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said. “We want people to know that the church is here to accompany them. We are all anxious about what each day will bring. Our staff checks email and telephone messages daily.

We may be working from our homes, but we are very much connected to the mission to which we have been entrusted. We hope that the resources we are providing people will inspire them to know that God is with all of us during this time.”

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Ministry Continued The office also helps couples celebrate the gift of enduring love by sponsoring the annual Silver and Gold Anniversary Mass held each year at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Last year, 46 couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries were recognized by Bishop Cote at the Mass.

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and sad times when they have been vulnerable and lost,” recalls McLaughlin. “What an honor it is has been for me to minister to them during some of these life-changing events. My own prayer life has been enriched by seeing a glimpse of God’s love present through the people I have encountered in this ministry.”

“Is that true?” the woman said.

For years she had longed to know Reflecting on the diversity and what became of her baby, but richness of the OFE programs and was too ashamed to ask anyone. initiatives, and the stories of people Reaching out to McLaughlin on touched by them, Hoisl said, “We the confidential Project Rachel are sensitive to the changing needs telephone she asked if her baby was of today’s families in all facets of with the Lord. “Yes,” life.1, Many through McLaughlin Saturday, February 2020 are facing challenges withto this coupon replied, inviting the woman take that impact their faith and their her first step in her journey toward understanding of how God is We are pleased to offer you items rich in tradition, faith and inspiration.

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Another way the office strives to minister to the needs of God’s family is in helping couples embrace God’s plan for married love through Natural Family Planning educational programs or providing support for the grieving, whether it is the loss of loved ones or the loss of the marriage relationship

bulletin this past January. It quoted Saint John Paul II urging those who had aborted their babies to trust in the mercy of God’s love: “You will come to understand that nothing is definitively lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord,” the Pope wrote.

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Office of Faith Events • 860-848-2237 faithevents@norwichdiocese.net

Ministry Utilizes Technology to Support Family Faith Formation

When the Office of Faith Events (OFE) rolled out the new Diocesan Faith Formation curriculum last year, one of its goals was to get parents more involved in the faith life of their children. “We are meeting that goal now,” said OFE Director Andrea Hoisl.

“Just not in the way we had imagined or hoped.”

With Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s directive on social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, diocesan churches closed for public worship as did weekly faith formation classes for children and youth.

“Parents, who have always been the primary teachers of the faith for their children, are now put in the position to teach faith lessons to their families rather than rely on their churches to do it for them,” Hoisl said.

To better support parents in these efforts, the OFE is expanding its use of technology to provide families and parish catechetical leaders with online lessons, retreats, and resources to enrich the faith life of diocesan youth and young adults. “People need to be connected to their faith during times of crisis,” said Youth and Young Adult Minister Liza Roach. “Parents are craving knowledge about how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in light of faith. They want their children to know we have not forgotten them.”

Roach, who has a wide-ranging background and ease in using online technology, provides families with a series of online faith programming and webinars to accompany them during this challenging time. Each weekend she offers two online faith formation classes – one for families with children in grades K-5 and another for youth in grades 6-12. Each lesson gives families an opportunity to connect to their faith through exploration of weekly Scripture readings, faith sharing, and

Youth and Young Adult Minister Liza Roach orchestrates an online confirmation retreat from her home. open discussions about having hope in Jesus Christ and persevering in the knowledge that God is always with us.

“The online activities and discussions engage children, youth and parents and helps them to understand their faith in the midst of our current crisis,” Roach said. She noted that at the end of a recent class, one child reminded participants, “We need to pray to God and look on the bright side of things.”

Online Confirmation Retreat Before the shelter in place order from Gov. Lamont, Roach had a Confirmation retreat scheduled for youth expecting to receive the sacrament later this year. When the governor’s directive changed that, Roach quickly altered her plans, moving the retreat online. “When young people are preparing to become fully emerged into the faith, it is not a time to cancel on them,” she said.

“We needed to find ways to connect to them. We needed to help them ask their questions and talk about their feelings.”

860-848-2237 • faithevents@norwichdiocese.net

The first of two retreats took place April 4 with prayer, faith discussions, music, and guest speaker and musician Lee Roessler, who shared stories and personal testimony of his encounter with Christ through worship and the Sacraments. Approximately 100 youth attended. “It was a great opportunity for young people to come together in faith to share, reflect and pray with one another during this difficult time.”

Commenting on these varied initiatives, Hoisl said, “The ability to offer our families some online options for faith formation is an invaluable

resource at this time. Liza has worked tirelessly to make sure all of the students in the diocese have had access to faith formation in their homes in addition to whatever the individual parishes are providing their students.

We are blessed to have Liza sharing her many gifts and talents with our ministry and the whole diocese.”

Although a main emphasis of the OFE during this time has been on providing spiritual nourishment for youth and families, the staff is also committed to accompanying parish catechetical leaders as well. Staff members offer a weekly invitation to all faith formation leaders to participate in a virtual “Coffee and Chat Hour.” According to Hoisl, it is an opportunity for faith leaders to share and discuss with one another the implications of COVID-19 on parish life, ministry and their own personal lives. “It’s a chance for us to spend time with these parish leaders and see how our office can best assist them,” she said.

Kathy D’Amelio, catechetical leader for Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Coventry and Storrs, is a frequent attendant at those weekly coffee hours. “It’s really great to have this connection once a week and be able to see everyone and share our common circumstances. It helps us all stay connected.”

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Fai th Sparks

Family Faith in Isolation

By Marianne Nicholas

MAY 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

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n a recent statement Pope Francis said, “I am thinking of the families under lockdown, children who aren’t going to school, parents who cannot leave the house, some who are in quarantine. May the Lord help them discover new ways, new expressions of love, of living together in this new situation. ...It is a wonderful opportunity to creatively rediscover affection in the family.

Let us pray for families so that relationships within the family at this moment might flourish always for the good.”

It is an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed America and the world as we know it. The whole planet has had to adapt quickly to a new way of daily life. At the heart of this crisis are families.

What does a day, a week, a month of social distancing look like for the American family and what does it look like for our Catholic families?

Public Masses and faith formation classes are now online. Faith in God is the most important asset we have to hold onto as Catholics. Now is the opportunity for parents to not only use their faith to comfort themselves but their children as well and possibly use this time to make their family stronger.

In our household, we are blessed that my husband and I can both

been in before. Daily inspirational prayer and especially quotes from Scripture have enabled us to start our day grounded and together.

Marianne Nicholas, administrative assistant for the Office of Faith Events, shares a Scripture passage and reflection with her sons. work from home while helping our children with their online schooling.

After the first week at home together, we decided we needed a daily schedule to follow so everyone is aware of what is expected of them.

Of course, our household is Catholic and in these uncertain times this daily schedule includes prayer.

come to us, whether we realize it or not, through pain and trouble. At the same time, we are reminded that we are not in control; it is God that holds the plan for our lives. The passage was Colossians 3:15: And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.

Using a daily devotional geared toward kids, we start our day with a short daily inspiration followed by supporting Scripture. A recent daily reading was about the goodness of God and began with a reminder of all the blessings that we have in our lives. Sometimes those blessings

I have found that referring to Scripture, especially during the first week of being in social isolation, really resounded with my children.

There was a palpable amount of fear in those first few days at home together while we all came to terms with a situation none of us had ever

Ignite Your Faith.

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While reciting prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Grace at meals together is great, there is real hope when we can open the Bible and turn to living Scripture written so long ago and find strength in its message. Hearing familiar Scripture stories is one of the things that we and our families are missing by not being able to attend Mass. Scripture is what reminds us that there have always been trials and tribulations and that God always was and still is there for us.

What we need to do as parents and caregivers during this difficult time of pandemic is pause and find the blessings among the distress. God is giving us the opportunity to spend more time with our families, and more time with Him. Let’s take this time of isolation to mimic Jesus in the desert and look inside ourselves, open Scripture, find our faith, share it with our children and loved ones, and come out stronger in the end.

God, our Father, wants to be at the center of our family life where He always intended to be. Let’s let Him be there.

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We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

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