Four County Catholic September 2012

Volume 24 Number 8

September 20 2

Tuition Assistance Highlights Catholic Foundation Awards Dinner

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Four County Catholic September 2012

History tragically teaches us that if our government can abolish one constitutional right, then all constitutional rights are put in jeopardy.

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atholic at c Four County

- Paul Rondeau, Executive Director of American life League, urging citizen action against HHS Mandate.

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

A museum cannot be prohibited from displaying a historical item merely because the item has religious significance.

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Established in 1989 and published each month except July.

Publisher

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

860.887.9294

Editorial Office

- Peter Breen, Executive and legal Counsel for Thomas More Society in defense of the steel beam cross at the 9/11 museum in NYC.

31 Perkins Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360-3613

Fax 860.859.1253

Director of Communications/Executive Editor

Freedom of religion is not merely the right to freedom of worship – it’s the right to live out our beliefs in the public square.

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- Archbishop Richard W. Smith, Edmunton, Alberta, Canada, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops expressing solidarity with the USCCB’s defense of religious liberty.

Michael Strammiello, 860.887.3933

Managing Editor/Layout & Design/Webmaster

Trina Fulton, 860.886.1281

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- Rita Wieber, mother of Olympic gymnastics team gold medalist, Jordyn Wieber who did not qualify for individual medal round.

The president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.

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- Tomothy Cardinal Dolan, President USCCB, commenting on the president’s enforcement of the HHS mandate.

On the Cover 24 Volume

Num

er 8

S

e

nce Ass st Tu tion lights on High undati Fo ic Cathol ds Dinner Awar

Abaigeal Reynolds of St. John School, Middletown, enjoying dinner at August 9, 2012 Catholic Foundation Awards ceremonies. Abaigeal was one of 277 tuition assistance grant recipients. Other grants were presented to Catholic Schools and ministries. In total, Catholic Foundation awarded $308,000 in grants, primarily supporting Catholic education.

Photo by Donna Antonacci

comtrina@norwichdiocese.net

Theological Advisor

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

860.887.9294

Advertising Sales

Meredith Morrison, 860.887.3933

Things don’t always end up as we think they should, but in the end…it becomes obvious that God has a good plan.

com@norwichdiocese.net

commeredith@norwichdiocese.net

Subscriptions

Susan Underhill

860.886.1928

Printing

GateHouse Media New England

33 New York Avenue Framingham, MA 01701

Annual Subscription

FREE to Annual Catholic Appeal contributors and upon request to registered Catholics in the Diocese of Norwich.

Editorial & Advertising Deadlines

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

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

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

© Copyright 2012, Diocese of Norwich. All rights reserved.

No content may be reproduced without expressed consent.

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

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Four County Catholic September 2012

The Most Reverend

Michael R. Cote, D.D.

Bishop of Norwich

Best Awards Night of the Year My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: One lesson this tough economic time continues to teach us is the value of community. I spoke of this in my previous column. It is heartening to see how our community of faith of over 225,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Norwich has never been more active and supportive, as we all struggle in one way or another with steep challenges in so many directions.

The list of problems we face as a Country is not the news. The news is how we respond. I witness every day compassion and love of neighbor everywhere I travel in the diocese. “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35 Too often lately, in this mediaintense political season, I have heard the criticism that that we are not a caring Nation – the suggestion that the successful are selfish

and not inclined to share their be there to receive tuition assis- ble. The Catholic Foundation blessings – that we are not a grate- tance grants along with a number definitely hosts the best awards ful people. I do not for a second of diocesan schools and ministries night of the year. accept this view. It is a point of who received grants. By the end Besides the extraordinary good view that crumbles quickly when of the dinner, the Catholic Foun- work of the Catholic Foundation, one looks around the Diocese of dation had granted $308,000 to there is a network of other vital Norwich and sees the outpouring help families and ministries work diocesan ministries that day and of help for those among us who through a very difficult time. All night answer the call to serve most need an outthose in need. To How could the Academy Awards stretched hand. If fully comprehend anything, the recesor any self-congratulatory event our faith in action, sion has brought we need to consider possibly compete with a dinner of the remarkable conout exceptionally generous outreach tributions of purpose such as the Catholic as the economic criCatholic Charities.

Foundation night? sis lengthens each In the toughest of day. We are right there for our made possible by the kind and times, Catholic Charities provides brothers and sisters as called by generous donors who established critical social services in the areas Jesus to serve the needs of others. a perpetual fund to help many of basic human needs, adoption, Recently, I had the pleasure of families for years to come. How mental health, family life educaattending the Annual Catholic could the Academy Awards or any tion, pregnancy services and imFoundation of the Diocese of self-congratulatory event possibly migration assistance. “Providing Norwich Awards Dinner. Over compete with a dinner of purpose help, creating hope” is what this 270 Catholic school students and such as the Catholic Foundation amazing ministry does every day families were invited to night? Not possifor Catholic and

non-Catholic families in the four Counties we serve.

Catholic Charities is funded in large part by the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA), as are many of our front-line ministries. On behalf of all those families and individuals whose lives have been lifted by the ministries’ efforts, I am deeply grateful to each person behind each contribution to the ACA. Your gifts are working very hard on your behalf to help stabilize the lives of others and help them move through hard times toward self-sufficiency – with their dignity preserved.

The same principle of caring for each other as we are called to do, is uniquely present in the prison ministry. I am always impressed when I visit the CorriganRadgowski Correctional Center and see the hope that the “Gift of Grace” volunteers bring to the Awards Night Cont. on page 4

Photo by Donna Antonacci

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Awards Night Continued from page 3 prison community and the spiritual awakening in the presence of the Holy Eucharist.

Our soup kitchens and food pantries at St Vincent dePaul Place in Norwich and St. Vincent dePaul Middletown are serving more meals and delivering more groceries than at any time in their history of community service.

Project Northeast has also been seeing similar increased activity.

The kindness and generosity of all contributors extends beyond

PARKER MEMORIALS & STONE COMPANY Monuments, Markers & Signs Cemetery Lettering, Cleaning & Repairs, Urns, Vases & Memorial Lights, Personalized Designs & Duplicate Work, Domestic & Foreign Granite & Bronze Products.

the diocesan geographic boundaries, most notably the 30 years of outreach to Haiti, the poorest among us in the Western Hemisphere. The Outreach to Haiti of the Diocese of Norwich Ministry works locally with twinned parishes and on the ground in Haiti to bring Christian hope and love to our brothers and sisters separated by miles, but close to us spiritually.

So when we hear politicians or media pundits suggesting these days that we are not a sharing and compassionate people, I would recommend that they check with the Diocese of Norwich where we are letting faith lead the way to a promising and hopeful place.

God bless your Christian spirit and your generous concern for your brothers and sisters here in the diocese and beyond.

Sincerely yours in Christ’s love,

(860) 928-3008 248 Grove St., Putnam (On Rte. 12 at exit 96 off Rte. 395)

Bishop Michael R. Cote

Rejoice in Hope RETREATS Days of Recollections September 5 Jesus Calms the Storm at Sea Sr. Eugenia Brady, SJC

God invites us in the midst of the noise and distractions we face every day to a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him.

October 2 Prayer: Presence to the Presence of God Fr. John Burchill, OP

Women’s Weekends

Set some time aside for Him, book your retreat today!

September 28­30 Living the Psalms Fran Karpiej, SFO

(860) 536­0565 www.endersisland.com

October 5­7 Rejoice in the Lord Always Sr. Eugenia Brady, SJC

SACRED ART Gregorian Chant Express September 28­30 Dr. William Tortolano Illuminated Scroll on Vellum Open to all • September 14­19 Harvest Crittenden, Master Penman Advanced Manuscript Illumination September 22­28 Valerie Weilmuenster Stained Glass Open to all • Sept. 30­ Oct. 5 Nicholas Parrendo

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Director of Priestly Vocations

Reverend Gregory Galvin

The Upcoming Year of Faith Last October 11, 2011, our Holy Father Benedict XVI announced through an Apostolic Letter the celebration of the Year of Faith which will begin this coming October 11, 2012 and go through November 24, 2013.

In last month’s Four County Catholic, Bishop Cote wrote that the goal of the Year of Faith is, “to encourage Catholics to actively rediscover our faith and generously share the saving truth of the Gospel at a time calling out for direction and purpose”.

For those who have not been aware of this coming spiritual year dedicated to our Faith, I think it’s also important for you to know that this year of prayer regarding our faith occurs on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II, and the twentieth anniversary of the publication of our now current Catechism of the Catholic Church.

How can this great upcoming opportunity to reflect on our faith affect us? First I think we

must realize, acknowledge and act on what Pope Benedict writes regarding what the Year of Faith is; “The Year of Faith… is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world”.

In other words, we must ANSWER THE CALL to actively renew the gift of faith that we have been given both individually and together as the Church. The need for that renewal is very important right now in this Country and time.

Below are some suggestions about what we all could do to actively make the Year of Faith a time for great personal conversion and growth in our relationship with God and with each other.

• Step one always must be an act of conversion – the best way is to receive the all powerful grace of Divine Mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation. Try to grow this as a more consistent part of your prayer life.

• Devote more time to developing your relationship to Christ in the Eucharist: try to make daily Mass once or twice a week praying for the strengthening of your faith. Make a weekly or monthly visit to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

• Purchase a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and make a goal to read slowly through it during the Year of Faith. Write down questions you have and search out their answers.

• Commit to attending the Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations that Bishop Cote leads each month in a different parish in the Diocese.

• Read about Vatican Council II to enhance your understanding of Church and your faith.

• Commit to building a more regular, daily, prayer life appropriate for your state in life.

Maybe seek out the advice of a spiritual director or your own parish priest or a consecrated

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

September 20• 6-7 pm St. Luke Church, Ellington October 18 • 7-8 pm Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Gales Ferry November 15 • 4-5 pm St. Joseph Church, North Grosvenordale December 20 • 7-8 pm St. Andrew Church, Colchester Father Greg Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations vocations@norwichdiocese.net • (860) 887-9294

religious.

• Continue to pray for more priestly and religious vocations from our diocese and your parish community.

Hopefully as we each respond

to the call of the Lord to re-commit ourselves to growing in faith and holiness during this coming Year of Faith, we will each become greater and more open instruments of His Love in the world.

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Sunday, September 9 17th Annual Educators Mass The Seventeenth Annual Diocesan Mass for Those Dedicated to Education will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, at 8:45 am. The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich will celebrate this Mass for all teachers and support staff, public, parochial, and private, active and retired, of all faiths. Reverend Monsignor Henry N. Archambault, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Taftville, will be the homilist. All are welcome.

Tuesday, September 11 Special Presentation by Faithful Citizenship The Current Fight To Preserve Religious Liberty – Our First Freedom: Is it real?

How will it impact religious institutions and individuals? What can I do? 7:30 – 9:00pm (immediately after the 7:00 pm Mass) at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry, CT. Presenter: Deacon David Reynolds, Legislative Liaison Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference.

Friday-Sunday, September 14-16 Marriage Encounter Weekend The perfect weekend for couples to experience a richer and loving life together.

Rediscover each other for an entire weekend with a heart-to-heart Marriage Encounter. To register for the next weekend in East Hartford or for more information, please call 860-376-0440.

Saturday, September 15 Day of Reflection Join us at My Father’s House, 39 North Moodus Rd., Moodus, from 9:004:00pm. This year’s theme will focus on Saint Therese of Lisieux “The Little Flower”. Fr. William McCarthy will be presenting. Offering: $25.00 includes lunch Saturday, September 15 Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s 57th Annual Convention All women in the Diocese are cordially invited to attend the Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women’s 57th Annual Convention at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville, Registration and coffee begin at 9:00am.

Speakers include Maribeth Stewart, VicePresident North America, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and keynote speaker Anna DiBiasi, Director of Education and Development, Outreach to Haiti. Bishop Michael R. Cote will celebrate the noon Mass. Lunch immediately following Mass. To register mail $25.00 check made out to NDCCW to: Viola Mulcahy, 22 Teecomwas Drive, Uncasville. For more information please contact Helen Connell at 860-848-8998.

Saturday, September 15 St. Joseph Living Center Fall Festival From 10:00-3:00pm on 14 Club Road,

Four County Catholic September 2012

Windham – rain or shine! C&C farm stand (mums, pumpkins, vegetables) corn chowder, burgers and dogs, crafts, jewelry, home goods, bake sale, tag sale, face painting and fore safety for kids. Fantastic raffle: Apple iPad 3rd generation with wifi 64gb; 50’’ TruSlim frame TV; $300.00 Wal-Mart gift card and an Amazon Kindle Fire. Tickets are now available in our lobby. 3:00pm drawing- winner need not be present. Still accepting late vendors until September 7. For more information please call 860-456-1107.

Thurs.-Sat., September 20-22

Fall Festival St. Joseph Church, 11 Baltic Rd. in Versailles is having their annual fall festival on Thursday from 9:00-4:00pm, Friday from9:00-8:00pm, and Saturday from10:00-7:00pm. Yard Sale and Kidz Closet is on Thursday only. Friday and Saturday, will have food, needlework, baked goods, general store, treasure chest, silent auction, attic treasures, kidz closet and much more. Our Famous Fish-N-Chips is Friday, from 5:00- 8:00 pm; major raffle drawing begins at 7:00pm on Saturday.

Monday, September 17 Unbound: Guidance to Deliverance and Freedom in Christ 7:00- 8:30pm St. Sebastian Church, 155 Washington St., Middletown.

Tuesday, September 18 Mass of Healing and Hope 7:00pm at St. Thomas Seminary Chapel, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield.

Tuesday, September 18 Aquinas Lecture by Fr. Albino Barrera St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel at the University of Connecticut will present an Aquinas Lecture by Fr. Albino Barrera, O. P., at 7:30pm. His title is “Ethical Dilemmas of a Globalizing Marketplace: What can Christian Social Thought Offer a Secular, Pluralistic Public Square?” It will take place at the Aquinas Student Center, 46 North Eagleville Road on the UConn Storrs Campus. Admission is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend the event, which will focus on several issues relevant to this year’s elections.

Wednesday, September 19 7th Annual Catholic Charities Golf Tournament Please join us and Bishop Michael R. Cote at Fox Hopyard in East Haddam.

Registration begins at 11:00am, with a scramble format and a shotgun start. The fee is $175.00 per golfer and includes 18 holes, a BBQ lunch and ends with appetizers at awards of prizes and raffles. An excellent opportunity for a great round of golf at a premier course while assisting the works of Catholic Charities throughout our diocese. For information and applications please call Marek Kukulka at 860-889-8346, ext. 267.

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23 Retrouvaille Weekend Reaching for a lifeline for your troubled marriage? In need of serious marriage building and repair: Retrouvaille is that lifeline. At a Retrouvaille weekend couples are given tools to heal, re-establish communication, and work on their issues, to gain new insights. A series of 6 post sessions follows the weekend phase.

For more information or to sign up for the next weekend in Meriden please call 413-525-1634. Website www.retrouvaille.org.

Saturday, September 22 Book Review with Father Emmerich Vogt Mass at 9:00am at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich. A free will offering will be accepted. For more information call Karen at 860-303-0513 Sunday, September 23 RCIA Class Are you considering becoming Catholic or learning more about the Catholic faith? Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) will be at St. Andrew Church, 128 Norwich Ave, Colchester.

Classes are held after 9:30am Mass. For more information or questions, please contact John or Nicole Peck at 860-5376981 or at jnpeck@mac.com.

Sunday, September 23 22nd Annual Blue Mass 10:15am at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich. All law enforcement officers, Federal, State and Municipal, active and retired and their families are invited. All parishioners are cordially invited to attend this Mass. The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich will be the celebrant; the homilist is Very Reverend Robert E. Casey, VF. For more information please call 860-887-9294 ext.232.

Sunday, September 23 Youth Explosion IV 12:30-7:30 pm, at St. Bernard School in Uncasville. This youth event is open to all in grades 7 to 12. Be excited about your faith with the LIFT Band from Boston, celebrate Mass with Bishop Cote, and be inspired by Chris Stefanic, a nationally known ‘youth’ speaker. Spend the after-

noon sharing your faith with other youth from around the Diocese. Visit www.youthexplosionct.com for registration and information or call Marge Vanner, Office of Faith Events 860-848-2237

venue on the Mystic River. We are excepting chair donations. Please call 860.848.2237 x 206 if you or someone you know would like to donate a decorative chair for auction!

Tuesday, September 25 40 Days for Life Mass The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich will celebrate Mass for the 6th Annual 40 Days for Life campaign. Mass begins at 7:00pm- St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich, and will be followed by refreshments downstairs.

The Mass is to prepare for 40 days and 40 nights of prayer, fasting, and a peaceful vigil in front of Planned Parenthood at 12 Case St. Norwich.

Saturday, September 29 Unbound Prayer Ministry Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich at 10:00am by Appointment ONLY – Please Call 860-887-0702 to make an appointment or for more information.

Wednesday, September 26 Sunday, November 4 40 Days for Life Campaign Round-the-clock prayer vigil in front of Planned Parenthood, 12 Case St. Norwich, to raise awareness to end abortion.

You can get involved by logging onto vigilcalendar.com/norwich. For more information please contact Brian Daly at 860-822-1788 or BJDaly@aol.com or visit 40daysforlife.com/norwich.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Silver and Gold Jubilee Anniversary Mass Inviting all couples married 25 & 50 years, also those celebrating any significant anniversary year, to participate in and renew your wedding vows in a Pontifical Mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Michael R. Cote at 2:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich.

Family and friends are invited to share in this special testimony and witness to love and marriage. Light refreshments will be provided in the Cathedral Hall following the Mass.

Register through your parish.

For information call Susan Williams at 860-889-8346.

Friday, September 28 “Chair-ity” for Haiti At the Mystic Art Center, in Mystic from 5:00-8:00pm. Join us for a night on the Mystic River featuring silent auction of unique chairs to benefit Haitians in need.

Find unique styles of chairs for your backyard, poolside, winter cabin, or right in your living room. Enjoy refreshments and music entertainment at this beautiful

Saturday, September 29 16th Annual St. John School Golf Classic Will be held at the Norwich Golf Course, Norwich. A shotgun start will begin at 1:30pm. Registration fee is $150 per person, which includes: greens fees, cart, lunch, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and prizes.

There are various ways to contribute to the tournament through the several levels of sponsorship. Merchandise and monetary donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated. This fund raiser will benefit the science and technology programs at the St. John School of Old Saybrook. For more information please call 860-3889273 or 860-873-9684 or visit www.saintjohnschoolos.com.

September 15, October 13, November 3, December 2 Gift of Grace Prison Ministry Training Program Prison Ministry is now seeking volunteers for the Gift of Grace Prison Ministry Training Program. For more information, please contact Sheree Antoch at 860.848.2237.

Fridays, October 5, 12, 19, 26 Marriage Preparation Class for Engaged Couples God’s Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage offered by the Office of Family Life. For info or to register for the 4 session class call 860-889-8346 ext.283. 6:308:45pm. St Joseph’s Church, RT.97, Occum Saturday, October 6 20th Annual Firefighters/EMS Mass The Twentieth Annual Diocesan Mass for Firefighters/EMS will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, at 3:00pm The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich will celebrate this Mass. Assembly and Procession 5:00pm.

More info on page 9.

Sunday, October 7 22nd Annual Red Mass The Twenty Second Annual Red Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, at 10:30 a.m. The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich will celebrate this Mass. More info on page 10.

Saturday, October 13 Order of Christian Funerals Workshop The Diocesan Office for Worship is sponsoring a workshop on the Order of

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Christian Funerals, the ceremonies and rituals of Catholic Funerals. All parish ministers and interested parishioners are invited to attend. St. Columba Parish, Columbia (Intersection of Rtes 66 and 87). For More information call: 860-8482237.

Every Tuesday at 7:00pm Prayer, Praise, Worship and Adoration Spiritual Renewal Services Center Leaders: Deacon James and Nancy Delaney Saturday-Sunday, October 13- 14 Philip Retreat Weekend 11 Bath Street, Norwich. Pre-registration is required, please call 860-887-0702 for more information. Retreat fee $25.00.

Wednesday, October 24 New England Bishop Liaison Meeting 10:00am, Auburn, Massachusetts Sunday, November 4 Open House Mercy High School 1:00pm. Middle school girls and parents are invited to attend. 1740 Randolph Rd. Middletown. For more information or to register please call 860-346-6659 or visit www.mercyhigh.com Saturday, November 17 Mercy High School Entrance Exam for the Class of 2017 From 8:00-11:15am, 1740 Randolph Rd. Middletown. For more information or to register please call 860-346-6659 or visit www.mercyhigh.com.

The statue of Mary was crowned by Miss Philomena Buscetto, a Senior at St. Bernard School in Uncasville, at the Feast of the Assumption ceremony on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in New London. The Most Reverend Daniel Patrick Reilly, Bishop Emeritus of Worcester lead a procession following Mass to St. Joseph Church. Following a blessing of the sick ceremony at St. Joseph Church, the procession made its way back to St. Mary Star of the Sea. Photo by Phil Twomey

Clergy Appointments The Most Reverend Michael R Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy appointments in the Diocese of Norwich: Reverend John Antonelle, from Administrator/Campus Minister to Pastor/Campus Minister, Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, Storrs. Effective: August 15, 2012 Reverend Victor Chaker, 1 year renewal of appointment as Pastor, Saint Mary Parish, Coventry. Effective: August 7, 2012.

Reverend Michael Giannitelli, from Pastor of Notre Dame Parish, Durham and Saint Colman Parish, Middlefield, to Pastor, Saint Mary of the Visitation Parish, Clinton. Effective: August 15, 2012.

Reverend James Sucholet, from Parochial Vicar of Notre Dame Parish, Durham,and Saint Colman Parish, Middlefield, to Administrator of Notre Dame Parish, Durham and Saint Colman Parish, Middlefield. Effective: August 15, 2012. ~ Monsignor Robert L. Brown, Chancellor ~

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony Holy St Anthony gentlest of Saints. Your love for God and charit for His creators made you wor hy when on ear h posses miraculous power which you were ready to speak for those who are in t ouble or anxiet .

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 of miracles Oh gentle and loving St. Anthony whose hear is f ll of human sy pathy whisper my petition into the ears of sweet infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your ar s, and the g atit de of my hear will ever be yours. This 13 day Novena has never been known to fail. Say three Hail Mar 's and three Glories and promise publication.

~ AG ~

“Beautiful Things For Children”

Come See Our Exquisite Collection of Flower Girl Dresses Available in All Sizes!

On the bridge, downtown Mystic Open Seven Days • Personal Attention

17th Annual

Educators’ Mass

Public, parochial and private educators, active and retired, and all support staff of all faiths are invited.

Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 8:45 a.m.

Cathedral of Saint Patrick • 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT

860.536.4895

www.thebluehorse.com

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Your Generosity Lifts and Saves Lives We are extremely grateful for the progress we are all making as a community of faith with the

By MaryLou Gannotti Director of Planned Giving

Annual Catholic Appeal. As of August 17, 2012, $2,968,716 has been pledged. Having now reached September, we are entering the final months of the campaign. This is the stretch run as we try our hardest to reach this year’s goal in each parish.

If you have given to this life-supporting cause in our diocese in the past but not yet this year, please consider that the needs of those we

will be helping are even greater in these tough economic times. Please realize your contribution counts so much.

As Catholics, we are called to be good stewards. As individuals, we give because we are moved to do so.

Perhaps it warms out heart to help those in need. Perhaps we feel blessed and as a result want to share our good fortune. Or, perhaps we feel it is the right thing to do. Just as people have good reasons for giving, some feel they have good reasons for not giving. They may have lost their job, be facing financial burdens, or they may have simply forgotten to fill out the envelope. What is most

Discovering Our Diocese Where is This?

Can you identify where this was taken? Answer is on page 26.

important to convey to those who have given this year and given in the past is our heartfelt thanks.

Whether you have made your pledge to the Annual Catholic Appeal or are still considering making your pledge, please know that we are extremely grateful for your participation.

It is thanks to those who have given that our Office of Faith Events was able to take the lead in a Habitat for Humanity Build, putting a roof over the head of a young mother and her children. It is through your generosity that pastoral care is provided to sick and dying patients and

their families. It is through your generosity that a child who could otherwise not afford to attend

Catholic school is able to receive scholarship assistance. It is through your generosity that those who are imprisoned are introduced to the

light of Christ. Your generosity makes all this possible!

Everyone’s participation matters.

All gifts are important and we ask that you please consider making your gift to the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal. As we go forward with our campaign “To Love and Serve the Lord,” we ask that you join us on this journey. You can donate online by visiting www.norwichdiocesedevelopment.org. Or, you can donate by contacting the Development Office at 197 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360-4488.

You are also welcome to call 860886-1928 for further information.

Learn more about the security, comfort, and freedom of an active Creamery Brook lifestyle at our next Open House on

Thursda , September 227 at 10 a.m.

Thursday Call 860-779-8700 to reserve a seat.

22nd Annual

Blue Mass

All law enforcement officers, their families and parishioners are invited to attend.

Sunday, September 23, 2012, at 10:15 a.m.

Cathedral of Saint Patrick • 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Catholic Charities Director Reflects on Changes Made to the Norwich Agency Under His Tenure September 19 marks the last day of work for Catholic Charities Executive Director Marek Kukulka,

By Colleen Egan

who had served at the human service agency since June 1, 2005.

Last month, the Four County Catholic sat down with Kukulka to discuss his tenure at the charity organization.

Several significant changes came to be at the agency under Kukulka’s oversight.

All changes were to ensure that the agency operate according to Catholic teachings and laws.

“The Board of Directors and the Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, presented to me what they wanted out of the candidate they were going to hire.

Bishop Cote wanted faithfulness to the Church by the candidate and wanted the agency to have a mission that adhered to all teachings and laws of the Catholic Church,” Kukulka said.

“They wanted us to be the best that we can be in human services.

They wanted us to be in the community, visible and recognized as a Catholic institution that would help people regardless of whether they could pay for services or not.”

Kukulka said he jumped in with

both feet and worked on developing a deeper Catholic identity as an agency – holding staff trainings, orienting staff to the mission of Catholic Charities. He made sure the building’s walls held crucifixes and other Catholic icons so people coming in would

was opened.

Catholic Charities’ first behavioral health clinic opened in Norwich; then came New London and most recently, Middletown. These clinics offer the same level of care as other non-Catholic agencies.

During Kukulka’s direction,

recognize that yes, this is a Catholic agency.

“An enhanced, clear Catholic agency lets the community know we have high standards,” said Kukulka, stressing that professionalism was also high on his agenda for change. Kukulka said under his leadership the agency was reaccredited twice, which allows the agency to get financial assistance from the State.

“Coming to Catholic Charities I felt much supported by the Board of Directors and the Bishop, to be successful in making the changes they wanted. They made my job easy, enjoyable and successful,” he said.

Several moves were made in the years Kukulka served as director.

Offices in New London and Willimantic were moved to be more accessible for people to get to. Most recently an office in Middletown

Catholic Charities established immigration services 2 years ago in New London. That program is recognized by the US Dept. of Justice’s Board of Immigration

Appeals.

“We’re the only program in the area. No one else can do it,” he said.

The housing program, which helps with foreclosures, has grown from 120 families per year, to 1,300 this year. “We can’t always change the situation but we can offer support to those going through it,” said Kukulka.

According to Kukulka funding has gone down for everybody, as well as for Catholic Charities. “But we’re able to maintain our services with the help of the Diocese of Norwich. That means the people in the pews who sup-

port the Church.”

Kukulka got a little sentimental taking about leaving the Diocese of Norwich. “I have mixed feelings about it, sad and excited,” he said.

“This has not been my success alone,” he said. “It’s the employees and the governing board. They all made me look good.

“It’s been a very rewarding experience for me. It’s made me ready to take the next step in my career.”

The next step for Kukulka takes place Sept. 20 when he starts working as director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

“This is a wonderful place to work,” he said of Norwich.

“There’s a good governing board and the new candidate for the job will come in accepted.”

The crown of Portuguese Holy Ghost Society in Stonington Borough is held over the head of Abby Arruda by her brother Austin during the society’s annual celebration and procession of the society’s crown and scepter from St. Mary Church through the streets of the borough Saturday evening Sept. 1, 2012.

Photo by Tim Cook/The Day

20th Annual

Firefighters/EMS Mass All Firefighters, EMS Personnel, their families and parishioners are invited to attend.

Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 3:00 P.M. Assembly and Procession • 5:00 P.M. Mass Cathedral of Saint Patrick • 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT

10

Four County Catholic September 2012

40 Days for Life is Coming to Norwich for the 6th Year!

From September 26 through November 4, 2012, our community will be uniting with hundreds of Submitted by Brian Daly

other cities for a peaceful, prayerful, simultaneous pro-life outreach – the International 40 Days for Life Campaign. Faithful believers are praying that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion, right here in Norwich!

40 Days for Life is a focused prolife campaign that over the past five years has generated measurable lifesaving results in every community where it has been experienced. So far, 40 Days for Life Campaigns have been conducted in more than 440 communities in 15 nations.

More than 5,900 children have been confirmed as saved from abortion.

23 abortion centers have been shut down and some cities have reported

as much as a 32% drop in local abortion numbers. Numerous postabortive women (and men) are finding healing and forgiveness. Several hundred to more than 1,000 new people have been involved with local lifesaving ministry efforts. Here in the Norwich Diocese we’ve had over a thousand people praying in front of Planned Parenthood for an end to abortion each of the prior five years!

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“I never did anything like this before, and I was very apprehensive, but after I prayed in front of Planned Parenthood for those Moms and their babies, I realized how important this is! I saw how my prayers and my being there really makes a difference!” Quoted from Cathy M. from Canterbury, who was originally surprised how she felt and how rewarding praying at the Planned Parenthood vigil was for her, she has since become a regular prayer warrior for LIFE, ever since that first day!

Excerpt from our Testimonies page at www.40daysforlife.com/norwich 40 Days for Life is a cross-denominational, faith-based effort made up of three key components: • Prayer and Fasting: inviting people of faith throughout our city to join together for 40 days and nights of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion • Peaceful Vigil: standing for life through a 40-day peaceful, prayerful, public witness outside the local Planned Parenthood offices located at 12 Case Street, Norwich, CT. • Community Outreach: taking a positive, upbeat pro-life message to every corner of our city through media efforts, church presentations, door-to-door advocacy, and public visibility 40 Days for Life has been en-

dorsed by many prominent national and local leaders. On Tuesday, September 25th we will kick off the 6th Annual 40 Days for Life Campaign with a Mass Celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich at the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Broadway in Norwich, CT. The Mass is to prepare for 40 Days and 40 Nights of prayer, fasting and a peaceful vigil in front of Planned Parenthood at 12 Case Street in Norwich, CT. The Mass begins at 7:00 pm and will be followed by refreshments downstairs. To learn more about the plans for the forthcoming coordinated effort, you can also visit: www.40daysforlife.com/norwich We would love to have the opportunity to discuss the plans for the 40 Days for Life program with members of our community. We need Parishes and organizations to help us by “Adopting-A-Day”!

Please help us explore ways to work together in this effort to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves – innocent children in the womb, and helping all families affected. For more information please contact Brian Daly at 860 822 1788 or BJDaly@aol.com or come to our final planning meeting on Monday, September 17th at 7pm at St. John’s church located at 22 Maple Avenue in Uncasville, CT.

22nd Annual

Red Mass All lawyers, judges and members of the legal community of all faiths are invited to attend.

Sunday, October 7, 2012, at 10:30 a.m.

Cathedral of Saint Patrick • 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT

11

Four County Catholic September 2012

Sr. Marie Anne Vigneault, DHS June 10, 1917 - August 5, 2012 Sr. Marie Anne Vigneault, 95, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on Sunday, August 5, 2012 at The Holy Spirit Health Care Center in Putnam.

Born on June 10, 1917 in St. Valère, Canada, the daughter of Henri and Rose D. (Geoffrey) Vigneault, she entered religious life in 1934 and made profession at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France on September 2, 1937. She was then known as Sr. Rose Henri.

She was a dietician for most of her religious life and between 1937 and 1974 she was assigned in turn to St. Joseph Convent, Pawtucket, RI., Annhurst College in South Woodstock, CT , St. Mary Convent, Jewett City, CT, St. Anne Convent, Swanton, VT, the Provincial House in Putnam, St. Joseph Villa, Putnam,

CT and St. Joseph Convent, Burlington, VT. In 1974 she was assigned to St. Joseph Guest House in New Haven, CT where she did domestic work. In 1979 she was assigned to St. Clare Home in Newport, RI where she served initially as a Nurses’ Aide and later as dietician until 1998 at which time she retired to the Provincial House in Putnam.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, all of Canada and a cousin, Rita Plouffe of Chicopee, MA. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, August 10 at the Holy Spirit Provincial House Chapel in Putnam. The celebrant was Reverend Richard Archambault, Chaplain. The eulogy was given by Sister Michele Bisaillon, DHS. Burial followed at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam.

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Liberty

HHS Mandate: We Are Less Free Today Than Yesterday American Life League Urges Citizen Action as the Obama HHS Mandate Took Effect on August 1, 2012 Washington, DC -The Obama HHS mandate requiring that employers cover abortion drugs, contraception and sterilization in the health insurance plans took effect August 1,

2012. Paul E. Rondeau , executive director of American Life League, issued the following statement: The president’s HHS Mandate redefines and marginalizes religious

freedom in favor of government ideology. History tragically teaches us that if our government can abolish one constitutional right, then all constitutional rights are put in jeop-

ardy. This path sets a dangerous and foolish precedent that First Amendments rights such as freedom of speech, association, freedom of the press, and the rights to assemble and

petition the government may be just as easily curtailed in the future.

We call on all citizens to tell their elected representatives that this erosion of rights must not stand.

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backdrop for his charge that Governor Romney is waging a “war on women.” The president spoke of how Obamacare has made “contraceptives” even more available than they were before — though he did not mention that “contraceptives,” as he defines them, include medications that do not prevent conception but instead cause the death of new life after it is formed. He also claimed the following: “Listen, we recognize that many people have strongly held religious views on contraception — which is why we made sure that churches and other houses of worship — they don’t have to provide it. They don’t have

to pay for it. We worked with the Catholic hospitals and universities to find a solution that protects both religious liberty and a woman’s health.”

The president could not have forgotten that on May 21 there began a confrontation between church and state unlike any in American history. Forty-three Catholic institutions filed twelve lawsuits in twelve federal courts seeking religious exemption from a Health and Human Services regulation implementing Obamacare. This regulation requires employers to provide their employees with medical insurance that includes coverage for abortion-inducing drugs (known as “abortifacients”), contraceptives, and sterilization. Such coverage is contrary to Catholic Church teaching. The abortifacient requirement

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is also contrary to the teachings of many Protestant and Jewish organizations.

The plaintiffs in these lawsuits are diverse; they include archdioceses, dioceses, schools, hospitals, clinics, a nursing home, a publishing company, and the Michigan Catholic Conference. The plaintiffs and their counsel understood what was at stake. If the government could require them to provide their employees with abortifacients, it could require them to provide surgical abortions as well.

Some of the plaintiffs had been misled by President Obama himself.

In his interview with the Wall Street Journal, Cardinal Dolan explained after having met with President Obama, that “So you can imagine the chagrin, when [the president] called me at the end of January to say that the mandates remain in place and that there would be no substantive change, and that the only thing that he could offer me was that we would have until August. . . . I said, ‘Mr. President, I appreciate the call. Are you saying now that we have until August to introduce to you continual concerns that might trigger a substantive mitigation in these mandates?’ He said, ‘No, the mandates remain. We’re more or less giving you this time to find out how you’re going to be able

13

Four County Catholic September 2012

Liberty to comply.’” Cardinal Dolan later said, “The president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.”

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) prevents the government from substantially burdening the religious freedom of any person or entity unless the government has a “compelling” interest in doing so and the government’s interest is advanced through the means that are the “least restrictive” of religious freedom. It almost certainly requires exemption for the plaintiffs and similarly situated entities and individuals.

First, there can be little doubt that requiring employers to arrange for insurance that provides benefits that they find morally objectionable constitutes a “substantial burden” on their religious exercise. The Obama administration effectively conceded this by including in the health-care law a religious exemption for employers in the Anabaptist tradition (primarily Amish and Mennonite); an exemption for Medi-Share, an Evangelical Protestant cost-sharing cooperative; and a narrow religious exemption for churches.

Second, under standard RFRA analysis as articulated in Gonzales v.

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Uniao Do Vegetal(2006), a court assesses whether the government’s interest is compelling in relation to its need to force a particular organization or person to comply with a law, not the value of the law’s overall objective (in this case, to increase the availability of abortifacients and contraceptives). This will make things difficult for the government, given that it has exempted plenty of particular organizations already: other religions as described in the previous paragraph, employers with “grandfathered” plans, and employers with fewer than 50 employees.

All told, the exemptions the administration has given affect millions of employees. Why is it necessary to force the plaintiffs in these lawsuits to provide contraception, but not necessary to force millions of other employers to do so?

The administration is delaying most of these cases until after the election by making “ripeness arguments” — that is, because the administration has postponed implementation requirements for most ministries, it can argue that there is no current controversy to litigate. Procedural delay, however, was not available in the Hercules Industries case. On July 27, 2012, Judge John Kane of the United States District Court in Denver ap-

plied RFRA and issued a preliminary injunction enjoining the implementation of the HHS mandate against Hercules Industries, a forprofit business managed according to the values of its Catholic owners.

Judge Kane reasoned, in part: A law cannot be regarded as protecting an interest of the highest order when it leaves appreciable damage to that supposedly vital interest prohibited. . . . “The government has exempted over 190 million health plan participants and beneficiaries from the preventive care coverage mandate; this massive exemption completely undermines any compelling [governmental] interest in applying the preventive care coverage mandate to [Hercules Industries].

Accordingly, even if President Obama is reelected, it is quite likely that, some time after the election, there will begin a series of decisions favorable to the various plaintiffs, including awards of attorney’s fees against the government that RFRA provides to prevailing plaintiffs.

This raises the question as to why the administration has picked this fight it is almost sure to lose.

L. Martin Nussbaum is a Colorado Springs lawyer whose practice focuses on First Amendment and religious-institution legal issues.

Contraception Fight Not Just ‘A Catholic Thing’ For anyone who believes that the battle over the Department of Health and Human Services’ “contraception mandate” is simply the Catholic Church vs. the Obama administration, consider Wheaton College.

Last month, the Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Ill., joined Catholic University in a lawsuit filed against HHS. Numerous Catholic organizations have already brought suit to challenge the requirement that private employers offer contraception coverage to their employees as a standard health insurance benefit.

These organizations — many of which self-insure — believe that subsidizing or facilitating the use of contraception would violate a core teaching of Catholic

doctrine. But last month, the Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Ill., joined the lawsuit.

The Wheaton lawsuit is significant because the school has long been regarded as a flagship college of Protestant evangelicals. By joining the fight, Wheaton signals

to evangelicals that the contraception mandate is not just “a Catholic thing,” but a threat to their freedom as well. The lawsuit highlights that the mandate requires coverage for “abortion-inducing drugs” as well as “contraception”.

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Liberty

Pope Benedict Commends Knights of Columbus for Defense of Religious Liberty in United States Letter distributed to attendees of organization’s 130th International Convention in Anaheim on August 7 Anaheim, Calif. – As more than 2000 Knights of Columbus and

By Andrew Walther Vice President for Media, Research and Development, K of C

their family members gathered for

the organization’s 130th International Convention – together with more than 80 archbishops and bishops, including 12 cardinals, and scores of clergy – the Pope praised the organization’s work for religious

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At a time when Catholics in the United States face unprecedented attempts by the federal government to limit First Amendment religious liberty, the Pope has applauded and encouraged the work of the Knights of Columbus to protect Americans’ religious freedom.

In a letter, signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI expressed confidence that the Knights will take a leadership role in leading the laity “to counter reductive secularism which would delegitimize the Church’s participation in public debate about issues which are determining the future of American society.”

The Knights – led by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson – have been actively involved in the defense of religious freedom, speaking out pub-

lically in the face of proposed limits to First Amendment rights including the HHS Mandate. That regulation seeks, with only the narrowest of exemptions, to force employers to cover medical interventions which are contrary to Catholic teaching.

The letter expressing the Pope’s sentiments states: “At a time when concerted efforts are being made to redefine and restrict the exercise of the right to religious freedom, the Knights of Columbus have worked tirelessly to help the Catholic community recognize and respond to the unprecedented gravity of these new threats to the Church’s liberty and public moral witness. By defending the right of all religious believers, as individual citizens and in their institutions, to work responsibly in shaping a democratic society inspired by their deepest beliefs, values and aspiration, your Order has

proudly lived up to the high religious and patriotic principles which inspired its founding.”

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson noted: “The message from the pope to the Knights of Columbus is clear.

We must continue to stand up for our religious liberty and to point the way for our fellow Catholics to do the same. Defense of religious liberty has long been a part of the Knights of Columbus history – dating back to our defense of Catholic education from the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. We are honored by the pope’s encouragement and confidence in our work, and will continue to do all we can to protect the First Amendment rights of all Americans from laws and regulations that would encroach on the first freedom guaranteed in our bill of rights – the freedom to practice our religion.”

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Sacred Heart in Groton Welcomes Haitian Priest From Its Twin Parish in St. Pierre, Grand Bois GROTON = Standing side-byside in their green vestments and holding their hands

By Shelley Wolf Four County Catholic Contributor

over the chalice, Father Dariusz Dudzik, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Groton, and Father Jean Reginald Joachim, pastor of the parish at St. Pierre in Grand Bois, Haiti, celebrated three Masses with the parishioners of Sacred Heart Church on August 18 and 19.

United together, the two priests of these twin American and Haitian parishes also greeted churchgoers in after-Mass receptions, enabling members of Sacred Heart to get to know the pastor of the Haitian parish they have been financially assisting for the past 20 years.

Long ago, the two parishes “twinned,” or joined forces, and Sacred Heart committed to sending a

small, ongoing monthly stipend to help support the ministry and school in St. Pierre. However, during all that time the two parish communities never actually met — until Sacred Heart recently extended an invitation to Father Joachim to visit.

For his part, Father Joachim was thrilled to be invited to Groton. “I was very happy to receive the news because I was eager to visit this parish,” Father Joachim said in his native Creole through an interpreter.

Patrick White, co-chairman of Sacred Heart’s three-member Haiti Committee said this visit has been a long time coming. “We have been pushing to make the connection closer,” White said. “Everyone was wondering what happened after the earthquake.”

Fortunately, the area of St. Pierre, Grand Bois, located just 40 miles northeast of Port-au-Prince, sustained only minor damage during

the earthquake of 2010. But the challenges of deep poverty still remain in this rural community, which is a four- to six-hour drive from Port-au-Prince over rocky dirt roads through mountainous terrain.

Members of Sacred Heart’s Haiti Committee were relieved to hear the parish remained intact, but they wondered what more they could do to partner with their twin church to attend to its needs. “Our goal was to try and meet with the pastor in Haiti and find other ways to help him,” said George Gorton, also cochairman of Sacred Heart’s Haiti Committee.

“Any little thing that we can do as a Country, as a parish, or as an individual is appreciated,” Gorton said.

“We need to make the effort.”

During Father Joachim’s 5-day trip to Groton, the Haitian pastor was treated to lunch and dinner at parishioners’ homes as well as tours of the church, the attached Sacred

Heart School, and the surrounding neighborhood, which includes many single-family and multi-family homes and the nearby Electric Boat shipyard.

During Mass, Father Joachim delivered the homily and thanked Sacred Heart parishioners for all their help and prayers. “To share and to thank is essentially the word of today,” Father Joachim told the congregation through an interpreter.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank this parish for all their help in the past.”

The Haitian father described his homeland as a country of political division. “But the people in Haiti have faith,” he stressed. “They love to pray. That’s how they live life.” He later noted that he serves 200 to 300 attendees at Mass each weekend in his rural community.

“Once you arrive at my parish, there are two things you will notice: You will discover the poverty and

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Most families are joyful, Father Joachim said, despite the fact that they have five or six children to feed and educate, their farming success is totally dependent on the amount of rainfall, they have no electricity, and the nearest hospital is three to four hours away.

Father Joachim admitted that he sometimes feels overwhelmed by his peoples’ great need. “As a priest who lives among them, I need to help them morally, spiritually and economically.” But he says he doesn’t have the resources to help them financially.

“We have a school in our area that is 100 years old,” Father Joachim said. Some of the 120 students are educated in the school, while others are educated in the nearby church, which often creates conflict when the space is also needed for church events.

“I have two projects I’d like to realize,” Father Joachim said. “I’d like to add two more classrooms to the school and I’d like teachers to have a better salary.” He also noted that while many parents cannot afford the cost of schooling, it costs only $30 in U.S. dollars to educate one Haitian child for an entire year.

In response to the Haitian father’s visit, Sacred Heart has already purchased school supplies for the Haitian children for the coming school year.

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Four County Catholic September 2012

During his stay, Father Joachim also mentioned that he needed some items for Mass, which caused Father Dudzik to clean out and donate an old chalice, a monstrance, and some priestly vestments to his grateful Haitian counterpart. “We found some treasures,” Father Dudzik said.

In addition, members of the Sacred Heart prayer shawl ministry

contributed 15 prayer shawls that were laid on the altar and blessed during the 11:00 a.m. Mass. A prayer written in both English and Creole was printed and attached to each shawl. Parishioners also supplied numerous hand-made rosaries.

Father Joachim clearly enjoyed the one-on-one meetings with congregation members during the re-

ceptions. His face lit up as he shook and held people’s hands and listened to their questions through the interpreter.

When asked what he will remember most about his visit, Father Joachim said, “I learned the most how they accepted me with open arms, embraced me, and gave me good treatment.”

Outreach Collaborates with Haiti’s Health Ministry Vaccination Program Reaches 25,000 in Christ Roi Community Outreach to Haiti collaborated this spring with the Haitian government and U.S. officials to vaccinate

By Anna DeBiasi Development Director, Outreach to Haiti

more than 25,000 children in the Christ Roi community of Port-auPrince.

Because of Outreach’s long-standing relationship with the community, the Haitian government approached us to help reach children, from infancy to age 9. The staff at Outreach’s Sr. Ann Weller Clinic were happy to help.

Haitian and U.S. officials together launched the nationwide vaccination campaign that seeks to curb or prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, along with the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and international providers, helped the Haitian government launch the vaccination program, which includes inoculations to prevent to measles and polio.

As part of Outreach’s existing Community Outreach Program, four health agents regularly perform home visits throughout the neighborhood of Christ Roi, where they monitor health and nutrition and provide public health information to families.

While working with the two-

week vaccination campaign in Christ Roi, each community health agent took responsibility for spreading the word throughout a four- to five- mile radius, where they spoke with residents about the free shots available for their children. Once the word was out about the campaign

and the day of the clinic arrived, families began lining up outside Outreach’s Sr. Ann Weller Clinic, where the vaccinations were administered by our staff.

Mothers traveled for miles with small children to get to the clinic.

Children received vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as oral worm medication and vitamin A. Haiti has the highest rates of infant, under-5-years and maternal mortality in the Western Hemisphere. Some 60 per cent of people lack access to basic health-care services. Haitian children and adults die every day from treatable illnesses

such as diarrhea, malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cholera.

While fewer than 44 percent of the target population in Haiti receives recommended immunizations, the percentage of population vaccinated in the Christ Roi community has far surpassed that amount, thanks in part to the work of Outreach’s clinic over the past two decades. Collaborative efforts like those in the April vaccination clinic are central to the ongoing effort to improve the health of children and families.

“This is an enormous step forward for Haiti,” said Thomas R. Frieden, director of the CDC&P. “This is a big deal.”

During the twoweek vaccination campaign, in the month of April alone, approximately 10,000 children were served at Outreach’s clinic. Of those 10,000 children, 3,072 received measles, mumps, rubella, vaccine, and 3,137 received polio vaccines. In addition to these vaccinations, 2,299 were given the oral de-worming medication, Albendazole, and 1,625 children were treated with vitamin A. To learn more about Outreach to Haiti’s Medical Program, which includes a primary care clinic with laboratory and pharmacy, community outreach, public health education, and nutrition programs, please visit www.outreachtohaiti.org/programs/medical.

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9/11 Museum, Atheists Spar Over Cross The National September 11 Memorial and Museum’s planned presentation of the World Trade Center Courtesy of CBS News

cross-shaped steel beam, which became a famous Ground Zero symbol right after the September 11 attacks, is being legally challenged by an atheist group.

Last year, American Atheists sued the museum for the cross’ removal, arguing that the steel beam promoted religion. Its legal director, Edwin Kagin, argued that the display represents “a violation of both federal and New York law in that public funds will be used to establish the Christian religion on public land.”

Last month, as previously reported

by The New York Post and The New York Times, the museum filed court

papers to have the lawsuit thrown out.

American Atheists’ president, David Silverman, characterized the display as “a clear instance of a violation of the separation of church and state in its extreme.”

When contacted by CBS News, the museum said it had no comments on Silverman’s claims. As reported by other media outlets, the museum in its court filing characterized itself is an “independent nonprofit corporation.” It called the cross an “important and essential artifact” that “belongs at the World Trade Center site as it comprises a key component of the re-telling of the story of 9/11.”

Michael Moreland, vice dean and professor of law at Villanova University School of Law in Pennsylvania,

said there are two issues presented in this case. “If the court agrees with the Museum that it is a private nonprofit organization,” Moreland told CBS News, “then the museum will win because a private party can’t violate the Establishment Clause - only the government can.

“It appears based on the arguments of the lawyers of the museum,” he said, “they’re arguing from pretty solid ground - that a museum cannot be prohibited from displaying a historical item merely because the item has religious significance or is in viewed with religious significance by others. I think the lawyers for the museum were also right to condemn this as an attempt to revise the very history of the site by trying to keep the 9/11 cross out of the museum.”

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Four County Catholic September 2012

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Labor Day Statement Says Renewed Respect for Workers is Key to Renewed Economy WASHINGTON - People of faith stand with people who’ve been left behind and should seek economic renewal that makes workers and their families a central concern, according to the annual Labor Day Statement from the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). “Millions of Americans suffer from unemployment, underemployment or are living in poverty as their basic needs too often go unmet. This represents a serious economic and moral failure for our nation,� wrote the committee’s chairman, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California, in the statement, Placing Work and

Workers at the Center of Economic Life.

Bishop Blaire cited the 12 million Americans officially unemployed, the millions more who are undere m p l oye d or who have given up looking for work, 10 million “working poor� families, and 46 million people, including 16 million children, living in poverty as a sign of a broken economy. He

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cited the words of Pope Benedict XVI, who said poverty often “results from a violation of the dignity of human work,� either because of a lack of job opportunities or because, in the words of Pope John Paul II, “low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it.�

According to Bishop Blaire, the “terrible human costs� of a broken economy include workers being exploited or mistreated, stagnant or falling wages, and stress on families. As a result, “many employees struggle for just wages, a safe workplace, and a voice in the economy, but they cannot purchase the goods they make, stay in the hotels they clean, or eat the food they harvest, prepare, or serve.� “An economy that allows this exploitation and abuse demands our attention and action,� wrote Bishop Blaire. He noted that the bishops work to provide hope and help to exploited workers through programs such as USCCB Migration and Refugee Services and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, but said that “everyone and every institution� in society—businesses, government, unions and private institutions—should collaborate to support workers and create an economy “that serves the person rather than the other way around.� “This Labor Day, millions of working people and their families have urgent and compelling needs,� Bishop Blaire concluded. “I ask you to join me in a special prayer for them and all workers, especially those without a job struggling to live in dignity. May God guide our nation in creating a more just economy that truly honors the dignity of work and the rights of workers.�

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Challenges to Marriage, Religious Liberty Among Knights’ Top Concerns ANAHEIM, Calif. - Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson called the number of attendees at the

By Elisabeth Deffner Catholic News Service

Knights of Columbus 130th supreme convention in Anaheim “a testament to the growth and development” of the international fraternal organization.

More than 2,000 Knights from around the world -- many of them with their wives and children -along with 12 cardinals and more than 70 bishops attended the Aug. 6-8 convention.

Anderson made the comments at the States Dinner, a high point of the convention that brings Knights together in a celebration of patriotism.

The celebratory tone carried through the keynote speech of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York -- a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 30 years -- who got a big laugh after thanking Anderson for booking him into the honeymoon suite of the hotel where the convention took place.

He went on to say he wanted to turn his audience’s attention away from “the crimson tide” of bishops and cardinals seated before them and focus instead on the Knights and their wives, and the sacrament of marriage.

“We Catholics are hopeless romantics, you know, when it comes to married love,” he said, recalling something a staff member had said to him when he was the archbishop of Milwaukee. In striving to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Jan Ruidl told him, he was not thinking along the right lines.

“The greatest vocation crisis

today is to lifelong, loving, faithful, life-giving marriage,” she said.

“You take care of that one, and you’ll have all the priests and sisters you need.” “‘For an increase in vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and the sacrament of marriage’ should perhaps become the new phrasing for a prayer of the faithful at every Mass,” Cardinal Dolan went on, referring not to high divorce rates -- but to low sacramental marriage rates.

Other speakers focused on the issue of religious liberty -- a hot topic at a convention with “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land” as its theme.

Pointing out that the clergy and the faithful of the United States had launched a robust defense of the fundamental right of religious freedom, Archbishop Richard W. Smith of Edmonton, Alberta, -the newly elected president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops -- noted that their neighbors to the north are also facing many challenges to their religious freedom.

“Freedom of religion is not merely the right to freedom of worship -- it’s the right to live out our beliefs in the public square,” he said. “On an issue of such fundamental importance, we must be vocal.”

In his homily during the opening Mass, celebrated earlier that day, Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown also touched on the issue of religious liberty.

“We face a growing secularism, attacks on the value and gift of human life, attempts to redefine traditional marriage, and serious curtailment of our religious rights,” said Bishop Brown, a Knight of Columbus for 40 years. “Certainly,

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LCWR Board Comments on Meeting with Archbishop Sartain ST. LOUIS -- Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle “listened carefully” to the concerns and Courtesy of the USCCB & the Catholic News Service

feelings of board members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and asked for the board’s help in learning more about “members’ experience and understandings of religious life,” the LCWR said after an Aug. 11 meeting with the archbishop.

“

Archbishop Sartain was charged with overseeing the group’s reform after an assessment issued in April by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith questioned the organization’s fidelity to Catholic teaching in areas including abortion, euthanasia, women’s ordination and homosexuality.

An Aug. 13 statement from LCWR said the board had been charged by its membership at an Aug. 7-10 meeting in St. Louis

with articulating “its belief that religious life, as it is lived by the women religious who comprise LCWR, is an authentic expression of this life that must not be compromised.”

The board also told Archbishop Sartain that “the expectation of the LCWR members is that open and honest dialogue may lead not only to increasing understanding between the church leadership and women religious, but also to creating more possibilities for the laity

and, particularly for women, to have a voice in the church.”

In his own statement after meeting with the LCWR board, Archbishop Sartain said he remained “committed to working to address the issues raised by the doctrinal assessment in an atmosphere of prayer and respectful dialogue.”

“We must also work toward clearing up any misunderstandings, and I remain truly hopeful that we will work together without compromising church

teaching or the important role of the LCWR,” he added. “I look forward to our continued discussions as we collaborate in promoting consecrated life in the United States.”

The LCWR, an umbrella group of 1,500 leaders of U.S. women’s religious communities representing about 80 percent of the country’s 57,000 women religious, said the board planned to meet again with Archbishop Sartain “later in the fall.”

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Four County Catholic September 2012

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Technology Coordinator, Diocesan School Office

Taftville, Mother Marie Christina Van Beck, SCMC, is no stranger to the Diocese of Norwich Catholic Schools.

Mother started her career here in the Diocese of Norwich in 1990 as the eighth grade teacher at St. Joseph

School in Baltic. The following year found her teaching first grade at Sacred Heart School in Taftville. Over the next ten years, Mother Christina taught at a number of diocesan schools until becoming Principal of St. Joseph School in Baltic in 2001. She would go on to become Assistant Principal at the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic, until assuming her new position as Principal at Sacred Heart, Taftville.

Mother Christina played an

active role in religious education in all of the parishes in which she served. She was Director of Religious Education at Assumption Parish in Manchester, St. Joseph Parish, North Grosvenordale, St. John Parish, Old Saybrook, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Baltic during her tenure at each place.

While at the Academy of the Holy Family, she held the position of Senior Class Advisor from 2005 to 2008, and was

Yearbook Advisor from 20052011. She served as Head of dorm mothers for two years from 2010-2012 and was on the Dorm staff for seven years from 2005-2012. Mother also was the Recruitment Assistant from 2007-2012.

Mother Christina feels that moving around over the years from school to school, and from grade to grade, particularly from first to eighth, has Sacred Heart School

Continued on page 26

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

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Sunday, September 23 • 12:30-7:30 pm St. Bernard School, Uncasville This youth event is open to all in grades 7 to 12. Be excited about your faith with the LIFT Band from Boston, celebrate Mass with Bishop Cote, and be inspired by Chris Stefanick, a nationally known ‘youth’ speaker. Spend the afternoon sharing your faith with other youths within the Diocese.

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Sacred Heart School

Continued from page 25

truly been a blessing in disguise.

Running the gamut of grade level experience from lower to middle school has given her a better understanding of how children develop and grow from early childhood into youthful adolescence.

Mother was fortunate to be able to attend the World Youth Day in Rome in 2000. This week-long experience where more than two million youth of all ages from all over the world, gathered to share their faith, gave her a new perspective and view of the greater picture of youth in the Church today and how everyone has an important

part to play in its growth.

In addition to her extensive experience on the elementary level, Mother also has significant experience working with high school students at the Academy of the Holy Family. Many of the students who matriculate at the Academy are from foreign countries and the Sisters who teach them become family as well as academic instructors.

Mother treasures the years that she was fortunate enough to be a part of those students’ lives, and continues to stay in touch with many of them after their graduation. She brings this strong sense of the con-

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tinuity of family with her to Sacred Heart School, and hopes that she will be able to use this experience to reassure parents as they journey with their children through their educational experiences at Sacred Heart and beyond. She believes that all teachers are not only academic educators but should be role models for all their students in life as well. She enjoys working with others and is looking forward to working as a team with all the teachers and staff. Catholic education is close to Mother’s heart, and she feels truly blessed to have been able to be a teacher and now principal at Sacred Heart.

In a recent conversation with Mother Christina, she commented, “I truly appreciate the warm welcome I have received from the Sacred Heart community. As I am becoming acclimated to the people and culture of SHS through conversations with parents, students, faculty, staff & alumni, I have discovered Sacred Heart School’s rich tradition of faith, family, and service to the community. Everyone I’ve met has expressed that the experience of attending SHS or being involved in the school community is a treasured gift in their lives. I look forward to serving as administrator and becoming a part of passing on that gift. Like any gift-giving experience, I anticipate I will become a better person in the process.”

It is evident that Mother is bringing with her, a wealthof experience, both in the classroom and as an administrator, to Sacred Heart School.

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27

Four County Catholic September 2012

Praying Mothers Behind Gold-Medal Athletes The one thing that may be harder than being an Olympian is being the parent of an Olympian.

By Christina Capecchi Four County Catholic Contributor

As I watched the London games, I was awed by the athletes and charmed by their parents.

There was Michael Phelps’ mom, her eyes and mouth drawn into o’s, momentarily misreading a s i l ve r - m e d a l finish for a gold then breaking into polite applause as reality sunk in.

There were Aly Raisman’s parents, moving as much as possible while seated: leaning back, rocking forward, biting their lips as their 18-yearold daughter flipped across a 4inch beam. “I think they were more nervous than I was,” Aly told Bob Costas.

But the parent who impressed me most was Rita Wieber, the Michigan mom who clutched a rosary as her daughter, Jordyn, sailed across the uneven bars. Her quest for gold involved heartbreak: Jordyn was favored to win the Olympic All-Around, as the highest-scoring gymnast in all four events, and instead she didn’t qualify. She couldn’t suppress tears, and the image was broadcast endlessly: chin dropped into palms, fingertips pressed to eyes.

A symbol of defeat, a longtime dream snatched away.

More striking than the crying was the composure that so quickly followed. Jordyn, who is 17, tweeted: “Thank you all for your love and support. I’m extremely honored to be an Olympian and be a part of this team.”

Rita reflected that night on her blog. “Things don’t always end up as we think they should, but in the end…it becomes obvious that

God has a good plan,” she wrote.

Two days later Jordyn faced another shot at gold, this time as a team. Rita woke in London with a pit in her stomach. “I knew the day could end up great, but if it didn’t,” she wrote in her blog, “I wasn’t sure I could stand to see Jordyn sad anymore.”

Rita went for a morning run and then headed to a Catholic church to pray the rosary. Sliding

into the wooden pew brought a familiar sensation: how many times she had done so back at St. Jude in Dewitt, Mich., and now, across the Atlantic, the church universal, that sense of home.

“My parents always made going to church as a family important,” Jordyn had told Catholic reporter Eileen Gianiaodis. “It’s a very special family time and it means a lot to me.”

Seated in that pew, rosary beads in hand, altar before her, Rita was overcome by tears. She cried for two hours.

Having darted around London with friends and relatives – sightseeing, beach volleyball – this was a dose of solitude, allowing the tangle of terror and thrill in her chest to unravel.

Soon it was time for the big meet, and as the U.S. women’s team advanced their lead, from vault to bars to beam, Rita let herself watch Jordyn. “She looked so happy, it just warmed my heart.”

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cheered wildly and tapped out the congratulatory tweet: “You deserve it, girl!”

The gold medal Jordyn won brought glory, and the gold medal she lost brought character. Back home in Dewitt, she can proudly recite 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”

Christina Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, Minn. She can be reached at www.ReadChristina.com.

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The American gymnasts clinched the gold, the first time since 1996. Rita, who is a nurse, took to her blog again, writing, “If I wrote an hour-by-hour timeline of my emotional status over the past 48 hours, it would look like an EKG strip.”

Two days later Jordyn was sitting in the stands, having declared herself “the loudest cheerleader,” watching her teammate Gabby Douglas win the all-around title she had hoped to clinch. Jordyn

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Four County Catholic September 2012

St. Bernard’s School Energy ‘Bigger and Better’ Three Grades, Transfer Students Participate in Orientation Day Some students from grades 6, 9 and 12 returned to St. Bernard School on the Friday before openBy James Mosher Reprint from The Bulletin

ing week, and the ones that did displayed energy “bigger and better” than last year, Headmaster Thomas Doherty said.

About 15 students lined the school’s driveway, holding welcome signs and waving to passing motorists prior to the beginning of orientation and classes. Red and white balloons were tied to handrails at the front entrance.

“Energy and enthusiasm will be kept strong through students caring for each other,” Doherty said.

“I want happiness for you,” he said during his welcome speech in the auditorium Friday morning.

“Love your classmates. Be part of this community. We all benefit.

We all make us better.”

Friday’s session had an abbreviated schedule and included Spirit Day activities for three grades and transfer students.

There are 58 freshmen, or ninth-graders, in the class of 2016, administrator Jill Patten said. That class will graduate in the year that St. Bernard’s marks its 60th anniversary. Faith-based education sets it apart from other Eastern Connecticut schools, said Matthew Murphy, a freshman who lives in Gales Ferry.

“It’s very much a family atmosphere,” Murphy said. “The faith part of it is very important to me.”

Students come from all over New London and Windham counties to be schooled at St.

Bernard’s. The headmaster commutes from Massachusetts every day.

“It’s definitely worth it,” said Jak Kennedy, a senior who drives from North Windham.

Two seniors were paired with groups of younger students with the elder classmen helping their younger brethren find their lockers and homerooms. The groups had names like Holy Rollers,

Black Knights, Green Givers, Red Cross, and Simply Blue.

There are 74 seniors in this year’s class, which is the class of 2013. Last May’s graduating class numbered 73. The high caliber of the teachers becomes more apparent as students get older, said Katie Bosetti, a senior who lives in Mystic.

“I’m super excited about this year,” said Bosetti, who said her instructors are a major reason why she’s planning a career in special education. “The teachers inspire us very much.”

With excitement comes confusion, Doherty noted.

“It’s going to be OK,” he said.

“The first day seems crazy. You were in a much different place one day ago. Relax. It’s going to be great.”

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Four County Catholic September 2012

Did You Know?

September 8 Feast to celebrate birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Have a birthday cake! Read Mary’s words in Luke 2:46-55.

September 11 Remember Freedom Day and a day to remember the terrorist attack of 2001. Also remember to trust God for your safety. Read 91:5 and use that as a prayer when you are afraid.

by Karen H Whiting

September 17 Constitution Day. First signed in 1787 (225 years ago) and ratified (accepted) in 1987 is the document that formed our government.

September 6-22 National clean hands week. Read James 4:8 where we are also told to clean our hands of sin and draw near to God. That’s where an old saying of cleanliness is next to godliness may have started.

September 29 World Heart Day. Care for your heart’s health. Exercise and eat healthy foods.

Also care for your heart’s spirit with hugs and reading about God’s love (John 3:16).

Back to School Word Search As school begins you may shop for new supplies and clothes. Many children don’t have money for new things. Check this word list for what you can donate to help children who don’t have money.

BOOKS BACKPACK SHIRTS

PAPER RULER SCISSOR

TAPE PENCILS SOCKS

SHOES PANTS DRESS

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Olympics & Great Exercises The gospel readings during September include some wise thoughts from Jesus.

When Jesus told his close friends that he would be killed and then rise, his close friend Peter tried to scold him. Jesus told Peter, “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Scientists have discovered that babies are born with the ability to think but practice and exercises can improve thinking skills.

Jesus also told people that they cling to human ways and forget his commandments. Jesus challenges us to think like God thinks. He wants us to be wise and not just accept what people say. He knows we are wired to think and wants us to really think about things and ask questions to learn. In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 2:16 states For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

That is important as you study in school. It’s also important as people elect a new president and decide who God wants them to choose when they vote.

School helps you think by solving problems and answering questions. Try to increase your thinking skills with these ideas: • Compare and contrast objects to think about similarities and differences. It helps you develop analytical skills.

• Brainstorm and think about what if? questions about making slight changes.

These exercises help you be creative.

• Concrete thinking comes from knowledge that is gained with reading, remembering what is read, and applying what is read. Read more to increase these thinking skills.

• Abstract thinking comes with comparing, analyzing, and experimenting. Nurture these skills by finding patterns, predicting what might happen with changes, evaluating facts, and following clues.

• Figure out how you think best and make use of your own style of learning. Are you creative, musical (recall better when reading or studying with music), logical or analytical(analyze and observe things to learn), visual-spatial (thinking by visualizing things), kinesthetic (think as you move and do things-such as acting something out) interpersonal (thinking with debating and talking), intrapersonal (learn best when alone), verbal-linguistic learner (like to dwell on meanings of words), or naturalistic (investigate nature)?

• Ask questions to clarify information and to help learn more. Then search for the answers.

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Four County Catholic September 2012

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A large cross and umbrellas serve as a giant Rosary as people pay homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe during an event in her honor at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, in Los Angeles. Thousands of Catholics filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe in what is believed to be the largest celebration of Mexico’s most beloved saint outside of that country in 75 years.

AP Photo/David McNew

New Diocesan Website Design Goes

Online News & Information 24.7 Parishes Priests FCC Online Mass Times Archives Streaming Catholic Radio & TV

www.NorwichDiocese.org

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Four County Catholic September 2012

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Four County Catholic September 2012

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