Four County Catholic August 2022 by Diocese of Norwich

FOUR COUNTY

CATHOLIC

VOLUME 34 • NUMBER 7 • AUGUST 2022 • SERVING THE COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX • NEW LONDON • TOLLAND • WINDHAM, CT & FISHERS ISLAND, NY

Extraordinary

Gift of

God’s Love

Reverend Jacob Michael Ramos

Ordained to the Holy Priesthood June 25, 2022

In This Issue Page

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“I wished that I could fully appreciate the sacrifice that he has given. Within myself I felt a mixture of consolation, joy and admiration for the priesthood. I felt inspired by Fr. Jacob and attracted to live with this same reckless love for God.” University of Connecticut student, Cade Buckheit, reflecting on his participation as an altar server for the ordination Mass of Reverend Jacob Ramos.

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“Our lives are like personalized mosaics. Every piece counts and has a precious meaning.” The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote addressing Deacon Jacob Ramos prior to ordaining him as a priest, noting the importance that individuals and experiences had in his journey to the priesthood.

PUBLISHER

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

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“No matter where we are in our faith journey, each of us needs to be awakened to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and look at life through fresh eyes of faith.”

Andrea Hoisl, director of the Office of Faith Events, unveiling a new program designed to offer participants ways to deepen their faith lives through rediscovering God’s unconditional love.

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

FOUR COUNTY

ON THE COVER

CATHOLIC

VOLUME 34 • NUMBER

7 • AUGUST 2022 •

SERVING THE COUNTIES

OF MIDDLESEX • NEW

• WINDHAM, CT &

FISHERS ISLAND, NY

Extraordinary

Fr. Jacob Ramos reacting with joy to the news of his first assignment as a priest. The ordination took place at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. Story on Page 16. (photo credit Catherine Hoffman)

LONDON • TOLLAND

Gift of

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God’s Love

Reverend Jacob Michae

Ordained to the Holy

l Ramos

Priesthood June 25, 2022

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 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

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We Can Help

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

The Hartford Courant, 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 060115

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 BISHOP OF NORWICH

Sowing Seeds “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ: Many people have influence on the direction our lives take. Parents, family members, friends, and teachers all have an impact on who we are and who we will become. I am very proud to be a product of Catholic education. Many wonderful teachers were a part of my early faith formation. The biggest influence on my life, whether she knew it or not, was my second-grade teacher Sister Celeste. Every year in our parochial school, we had a play in which all the classes were expected to participate. As the school year came to a close, Sister Celeste said to me, “Michael, you will play the role of a priest in the school play.” I thought, “What does that mean?” I soon found out. Outfitted in a little cassock and a biretta on my head, I walked onto the stage, put the biretta on the Prie-Dieu, and gave my blessing. No words, just a gesture. I then put the biretta back on my head and walked off. Sister Celeste sowed a seed that, many years later while in college, began to take root in me and sprout. This little internal voice said, “Yes, you want to be a teacher,

but you’re not going to teach languages, and you’re not going to teach math –– You’re going to teach about Me.” Please, never underestimate the power your words and actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant they may seem to you at the time, have on the future direction of another. They are seeds. A seed that had been planted and nurtured many years before came to full bloom on June 25th when once again we were witness to God’s tenderness toward the Diocese of Norwich. It was on that day that I had the privilege to confer the order of priesthood upon Jacob Michael Ramos. Pope Saint John Paul II once voiced, “Every vocation to the priestly ministry is an extraordinary gift of God’s love.” Vocations arise out of God’s grace, which touches hearts and is experienced through those whom God has put on our path during life. We rejoice in the Lord that He has graced us with the wonderful gift of a new priest, who overtime has responded to God’s call and the seed planted in him by family and friends. I pray that we may always be vigilant to select our words carefully, remembering that they can be seeds of hope or seeds of despair.

Choose wisely. May God who founded the church and guides her still, protect Reverend Jacob Ramos constantly with His grace, to faithfully discharge the duties of his priesthood. May He make Fr. Jacob a servant and a witness in the world, to divine charity and truth and a faithful minister of reconciliation. And may He make him a true shepherd to provide the living bread and word of life to the faithful that they may continue to grow in the unity of the Body of Christ. We thank God for the gift of this vocation to the priesthood and ask Him to pour out His graces upon many more of His sons, that they too might embrace a priestly vocation and be led to His altar of sacrifice in service to the people of God as priest of the Diocese of Norwich. May God’s grace shine upon you and your families as you go about your days sowing seeds of hope. Sincerely yours in the love and joy of Christ,

Most Reverend Michael R. Cote Bishop of Norwich

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

THE MOST REVEREND

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

Sembrando Semillas

“Así será mi palabra que sale de mi boca; no volverá a mí vacía, sino que hará lo que a mí me plazca, logrando el fin para el cual la envié.” Isaiah 55:11

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, Muchas personas influyen en el rumbo que toman nuestras vidas. Padres, familiares, amigos y maestros tienen un impacto en quiénes somos y en quiénes nos convertiremos. Estoy muy orgulloso de ser producto de la educación católica. Muchos maestros maravillosos tuvieron parte en mi formación en la fe. La mayor influencia en mi vida, ya sea que ella lo supiera o no, fue mi maestra de segundo grado, la hermana Celeste. Todos los años en nuestra escuela parroquial teníamos una obra de teatro en la que se esperaba que participaran todas las clases. Cuando el año escolar llegó a su fin, la hermana Celeste me dijo: “Michael, harás el papel de sacerdote en la obra escolar”. Pensé: “¿Cómo haré eso?” Pronto me enteré. Equipado de una pequeña sotana y un birrete en la cabeza, subí al escenario, puse el birrete en el Prie-Dieu y di mi bendición. Sin palabras, solo un gesto. Luego volví a ponerme el birrete en la cabeza y me fui. La hermana Celeste sembró una semilla que, muchos años después, estando en la universidad, comenzó a echar raíces y a brotar. Esa vocecita interna dijo: “Sí, tú quieres ser maestro, pero no vas a enseñar

idiomas, y no vas a enseñar matemáticas, vas a enseñar sobre Mí”. Por favor, nunca subestimen el poder de sus palabras y acciones, sin importar lo insignificantes que les parezcan en ese momento porque dan rumbo al futuro de otra persona. Son semillas. Una semilla que había sido plantada y nutrida muchos años antes, floreció por completo el 25 de junio cuando una vez más fuimos testigos de la ternura de Dios hacia la Diócesis de Norwich. Fue en ese día que tuve el privilegio de conferir la Orden Sacerdotal a Jacob Michael Ramos. El Papa San Juan Pablo II expresó una vez: “Toda vocación al Ministerio Sacerdotal es un don extraordinario del amor de Dios”. Las vocaciones surgen de la gracia de Dios, que toca los corazones y se experimenta a través de aquellos que Dios ha puesto en nuestro camino durante la vida. Nos regocijamos en el Señor que nos ha agraciado con el maravilloso regalo de un nuevo sacerdote, quien ha respondido al llamado de Dios y a la semilla plantada en él por familiares y amigos. Ruego que siempre estemos atentos para seleccionar cuidadosamente nuestras palabras, recordando que pueden ser semillas de esperanza o semillas de desesperación.

Elijan sabiamente. Que Dios, quien fundó la iglesia y aún la guía, proteja constantemente con su gracia a Padre Jacob Ramos, para que cumpla fielmente los deberes de su sacerdocio. Que haga de Padre Jacob un siervo y testigo de la caridad y de la verdad divina y fiel ministro de la reconciliación. Y haga de él un verdadero pastor para dar pan vivo y palabra de vida a los fieles para que sigan creciendo en la unidad del Cuerpo de Cristo. Damos gracias a Dios por el don de esta vocación al sacerdocio y le pedimos que derrame su gracia sobre muchos más de sus hijos, para que ellos también puedan abrazar la vocación sacerdotal y ser conducidos a su altar de sacrificio al servicio del pueblo de Dios como sacerdote de la Diócesis de Norwich. Que la gracia de Dios brille sobre ustedes y sus familias a medida que avanzan en sus días sembrando semillas de esperanza. Sinceramente en el amor de Cristo,

Reverendísimo Michael R. Cote Obispo de Norwich

Vocations Corner “It Was Like a Wedding”

As I walked down the long aisle of the Cathedral of St. Patrick, I was confronted by a mixture of sights and feelings. The space overwhelmed me: the breathtaking beauty of the cathedral, the pre-mass bustle of priests, servers and ministers, and my own nervousness to be serving at such a special Mass despite my inexperience. In the midst of this, as I approached the altar my eyes were drawn to a man quietly kneeling facing the altar. Deacon Jacob noticed me before I could slip by him and stood up to greet me with a big smile. In my brief conversation with him as he hospitably walked me to the sacristy, I remember being struck by his contagious serenity. As we talked, he said he wasn’t nervous but felt a closeness to the Lord. As the start time for Mass drew closer, more of my mind became preoccupied with serving, what to do, who to

Alexander Pandolfe

2nd Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD

watch, and please don’t trip on the cassock - but always throughout the day, the gravity and specialness of this moment was not lost on me.

Seeing the whole diocese with all its priests together in one long procession, were truly awe-inspiring moments for me. I felt a sense of amazement, wonder and pride to see the Church, my Church, our Church, on this particularly exuberant and triumphant occasion. The horns, the light, the incense, the clergy, the people, all instructed my heart in what it should feel: joy. One of my favorite memories from this Mass was witnessing and being a part of the fraternity. I loved sharing moments and laughter with seminarians, priests and deacons. As a somewhat experienced altar server, I found great purpose in exercising my skill of socializing with and distracting the seminarians as they prepared for Mass, especially Julian who was intently focused on making sure the incense did not set off a fire alarm. As he arrived, Bishop Cote’s humble and wise spirit filled the room, and he had a familiar child-like gleam in his eyes as he greeted me and the others. I would be holding his mitre and crozier, which I found out meant his large “hat” and golden shepherd’s staff, though I have forgotten which is which. Finally, I witnessed the culmination of this fraternity as

Julian Cuervo

2nd Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD

the priests laid their hands on and embraced their new brother.

Fr. Jacob’s ordination Mass, I realized, was like a wedding. On that day, surrounded by his family from Puerto Rico and his friends, he gave himself completely to his new bride.

I wished that I could fully appreciate the sacrifice that he has given. Within myself I felt a mixture of consolation, joy and admiration for the priesthood. I felt inspired by Fr. Jacob and attracted to live with this same reckless love for God. At one point, as I contemplated these things, I realized I had missed a cue from Deacon Jorge. It’s not as easy as it looks to hold the mitre and crozier. At the end of the Mass the bishop dramatically announced where Fr. Jacob would be assigned. My mouth dropped when I heard the news: he would be living at the place I first met him: our home at UConn. I couldn’t wait to tell my friends the great news. The Lord has blessed our diocese and the UConn community with a truly wonderful gift, and we are all very excited to welcome our new spiritual father, Fr. Jacob, back to his home at Storrs. Let’s pray for Fr. Jacob as he transitions now into priestly ministry at Storrs. Let’s also pray for Cade and for all our young people in our diocese. - Father Jonathan Ficara, Director of Vocations

Eric Hosmer

Mark Johnson

2nd Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD

1st Theology Mount Saint Mary Seminary Emmitsburg, MD

MONTHLY

Holy Hour

for Vocations

August 11, 6-7 pm - St. John, Old Saybrook September 15, 6-7 pm - St. Catherine of Siena, Preston

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

God-Calls.com

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

ade Buckheit is a rising Senior at the University of Connecticut. He is an active member of the UCONN Catholic Community. He serves the student Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on Sundays and participates in campus ministry events and activities. I invited Cade to serve the Ordination Mass of Fr. Jacob Ramos last June. He agreed. Now, about a month later, I asked him to reflect on his experience of serving the Ordination Mass for this column. Here is what he had to say.

Catholic Foundation’s Contribution is Largest in its History

Rev. Richard Roughan Scholarship recipient, Kevin Kilcomons with his parents, Mary and Brian Kilcomons and Bishop Cote.

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

By Mary Ellen Mahoney

fter being unable to hold its annual awards dinner for two years, the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Norwich was elated to host this event the evening of June 27, 2022 at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. In its 22nd year of giving, the Catholic Foundation made its largest distribution in its history. A grand total of $402,516.96 was distributed among grant applicants from the four counties comprising the Diocese

– Middlesex, New London, Tolland and Windham. Monies were distributed to beneﬁciaries of the Catholic Foundation’s restricted endowments to assist schools, parishes and diocesan entities with their missions. In addition, diocesan ministries that serve those in need regardless of religious afﬁliation, such as Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Middletown and St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich received much-needed monetary aid.

Morgan

Kuhn

and

Jelliam

Martinez received the William F. Jr. and Flora L. O’Neil Scholarship. Lillian Watrous received the Eric B. Evans Scholarship and Jordin Bellinger was the Wronowski Family Scholarship winner. Kevin Kilcomons and Connor Crump each received $5,000 as Rev. Richard Roughan Scholarship recipients. Reverend Richard Roughan, former pastor of St. Paul Church, Waterford, established these scholarships through his will, providing tuition assistance to one incoming college freshman

TELEVISION MASS Fr. Jeff Ellis, September 7

Of course, the most vocal attendees at the dinner were the many children who received tuition help from the Catholic Foundation for the upcoming school year. In its greatest tuition grant ever, the Foundation distributed $154,570 to 373 elementary students. This amounted to an increase of close to 100 student recipients compared with last year. Another $10,314.00 was distributed to the diocesan secondary schools.

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FUNERAL HOMES

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Grand Street 4848 Grand Street Niantic, CTCT Niantic, 739-6112 739-6112

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The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Norwich is a nonproﬁt corporation, established to provide endowments for the Diocese of Norwich and its parishes, schools, agencies and organizations. The Foundation encourages Catholics to be good stewards through gifts of assets, provides for the investment of those assets and distributes the income according to the Gospel and the wishes of the donors.

St. Joseph School, Baltic students and principal, Sister Mary Patrick, with Bishop Cote. and one returning college student. Kevin will start his ﬁrst year at Purdue University and Connor will return to Western New England as a junior this fall.

This year’s dinner was hosted, as always, by Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D., who thanked the ministry representatives, teachers and principals for their devotions to their ministries and schools. Bishop Cote also thanked the parents in attendance each of “who[m] have made a Catholic education a priority in their family and live as Christian role models for their children.” Last but not least, Bishop Cote expressed his appreciation to the children, “for working so hard in school and in your communities to live each day as Jesus asks.” Mrs. Mary Ellen Mahoney, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation, oversaw the distribution of the checks, with Bishop Cote handing each recipient their checks and taking a photo with them. In her remarks, she thanked the board

members for their dedication to the Foundation as well as the donors for their generous commitment to the Foundation. The following endowment sponsors were present at the dinner: Pam and Mike Lynch, Colin and Loretta Rice, Very Rev. Brian Converse and Seana Rafferty Hanson and Stuart Hanson, who traveled from West Virginia to attend. The Catholic Foundation has continued to experience great growth as more people decide that they want to make a lasting commitment to the Diocese and help it to carry out its mission to help those in need of support, whether it be spiritual, physical, emotional or educational. Since its last dinner, the following 14 new endowments have been established: John A. & Judith A. Converse Endowment, Jane Couture Endowment, Barbara Hvizdo Endowment, Thomas & Grace Harvey Endowment, Joseph & Frances Hvizdo Endowment,

Postler, Robert Reed, Robert Ricca, Mother Mary David Riquier, S.C.M.C and Tara Whitehead. Anyone interested in contributing to an endowment or establishing one may contact Mary Ellen Mahoney at 860-886-1928 ext. 113, or e-mail memahoney@norwichdiocese.net

~ LB~

Endowments through the Foundation are a means to greater ﬁnancial stability and growth for our Diocese and its entities. Since its inception, the Catholic Foundation has awarded more than $5.6 million in grant and scholarship assistance. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, including Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, D.D., Rev. Msgr. Leszek T. Janik, J.C.L., Reverend Peter Langevin, Tom Kasprzak, Daniel Adams, Angela Arnold, Jean Barrasso, Shane Kuzel, Todd

~ SL~

CLERGY APPOINTMENTS

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

Reverend Jacob Ramos, newly ordained, to Parochial Vicar,

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Edward G. Manning Endowment, Rev. Robert F. McNulty Endowment, Edward G. Moran Endowment, Very Rev. Michael O’Hara Endowment, Genevieve Rafferty Endowment, Theresa N. Reardon Endowment, Saint Mary Mother of the Redeemer Parish Endowment, Amber Grace Smith Scholarship Endowment and the Wronowski Family Scholarship Endowment.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish - Coventry and Storrs. Effective: July 11, 2022

Reverend Peter J. Langevin, Chancellor

12th Annual SETON SETON SCHOLARSHIP DINNER SCHOLARSHIP DINNER SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022 AT PM AT 4:00 4:00PM

MYSTIC MARRIOTT SAINT CLEMENTS CASTLEHOTEL & MARINA 625 NORTH ROAD ROAD 1931 PORTLAND-COBALT GROTON, PORTLAND, CTCT 06480 Honoring the recipients of the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Award

for Contributions to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Norwich:

Monsignor L. Brown AmyRobert Freeman

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

(Posthumously)

Mother M. Elaine Moorcroft S.C.M.C. Reverend MarkJoseph D. O'Donnell Reverend Tito

Mrs. Doris Messina

All proceeds to benefit tuition assistance for Catholic Schools. The following sponsorships are available: $5,000 SETON SPONSOR Premium Premium reserved reserved table for 10, full-page program program ad full-page $2,500 AQUINAS SPONSOR Reserved Reserved table table for for 10, 8, half-page program program ad ad $1,500 NEWMAN SPONSOR Seating for 4, quarter-page program ad Individual program ads are also available. For more information orPlease to purchase tickets, contact Gina Foster 860-886-1928 or please at contact Kathy Gaito gfoster@NorwichDiocese.net at 860-886-1928 or kgaito@norwichdiocese.net WWW.NORWICHDIOCESEDEVELOPMENT.ORG

It’s Time ‘fore’ Catholic Charities 17th Annual Golf Tournament By Sally Velcofsky

atholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich will host its 17th annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 12, 2022 at Great Neck Country Club, Waterford. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Kick off your day with an all-you-can-eat BBQ and a hand rolled cigar. The Shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m., concluding after play with delicious small bites, rafﬂe results and award winners.

The price is $175 per player. Golfers of all levels are welcome. If golf is not your game, we have many fantastic opportunities to highlight your business by becoming a sponsor, with many levels of sponsorship to suit your budget. Please consider participating in this great event. Proceeds from the tournament support

Catholic Charities programs and help so many people in need in New London, Windham, Tolland and Middlesex counties. Registration and sponsorship forms are available on our website at www.ccfsn. org. For more information on the event, registration or sponsorships, contact Sally Velcofsky at (203) 556-0115 or email at sallyvelcofsky@ccfsn.org.

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Faithful take to the Streets

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Eucharistic Procession - Saint Joseph in Rockville. By Deacon Ben LoCasto

n June 19, while participating with hundreds of others in a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Lowell, Massachusetts, I was reminded of an experience I had as an 11-year-old altar boy. My Parish, St. Joseph Patron in Brooklyn, N.Y. received news that Bishop Brian McEntegart was coming on the Feast of Corpus Christi to lead a Eucharistic

Procession through the streets. This was a big deal. Our parish was one of over 220 in the Diocese of Brooklyn, so to be visited by the bishop was very special indeed. What made it even more special for me was that I was chosen to bear the canopy to be held over the Monstrance carried by the bishop during the procession. This canopy was made up of a 10foot pole with an umbrella which dangled from the end.

Trust in the mercy of God’s love. If you are carrying the grief and sorrow of past abortions, call Project Rachel a post-abortion healing ministry. All calls are confidential.

860-861-4439

Corpus Christi Catholic Parish in Willimantic

I did a pretty good job balancing this thing through the streets, but when we returned to the church, tragedy struck. As we entered, I crashed the end of the pole into the choir loft, dislodging the umbrella and almost hitting Bishop McEntegart in the head. Thankfully, he laughed it off. Pope Francis told Christians worldwide, “We cannot do without the Eucharist, for it is God’s memorial. And it heals our wounded memory.” More and more across our nation and the world, the ancient tradition of a Eucharistic procession through the streets is resurfacing on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (the Feast of Corpus Christi.) This tradition goes back to the year 1264, when Pope Urban IV established the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Before his elevation to the papacy, Pope Urban IV (Jacques Pantaleone) was the archdeacon of the Diocese of Liege in France. He heard of a young woman, Juliana (St. Juliana of Liege), who for 20 years had had visions of the necessity for a liturgical feast in

honor of Christ’s body and blood, and he was so taken by her message that as pope, he instituted the feast. The pope had Juliana prepare the prayers and Thomas Aquinas write the hymns for the feast; today we know these hymns as Tantum Ergo, Pange Lingua, and O Salutaris. The tradition of honoring Christ in the Eucharist with a public display through the streets of cities and towns is both a wonderful witness to others, and a reminder to us, of our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. I pray that this tradition grows exponentially in years to come.

Post Roe- What Now? By Mark Desrosiers

past does not matter. What does matter is how we, as a Church, respond. Many people think the Church is the organization or the buildings. The Church is those of us that are members of Christ’s body. How will we handle this topic? Will we voice our beliefs to our elected ofﬁcials? Will we share our concerns with our priests? Will we pray for guidance? Will we

Resources for Pregnant Women Walking with Moms in Need, https://www.walkingwithmoms. com/. Our diocese implemented this more than a year ago. Most parishes have a contact person and a list of local resources for women. Some of these resources include: Birthright of New London, www.birthright.org/ newlondon; Birthright of Windham, www.birthright.org/windham; Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center, http://www.carenetsect. org/;

Women’s Center of Eastern CT, www.womenscenterec.com; and ABC Women’s Center, Inc., www.abcwomenscenter.org. We must also mention the help the Knights of Columbus have given by donating ultrasound devices that assist in monitoring pregnancies. Just across the border, Choices Women’s Pregnancy Center in Westerly, R.I., www.choicesrhodeisland.com, 401-596-2880.

Resources for New Mothers

Nurse Family Partnership, Visiting Nurse Association, https:// www.nursefamilypartnership. org/locations/connecticut/ Help for pregnant and new moms that are low income, covering Clinton to Middletown to the R.I. border. St. Vincent DePaul in Norwich www.svdpp.org, 860-889-7374, and Middletown www.svdmiddletown. org, 860-344-0097. Lebanon Children’s Wardrobe Children’s clothing and other items available to anyone. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ DGumQrWgzudzS3Pn6 Layette Program The layette consists of many baby

items to help the family care for their newborn child, including diapers size one, onesies, T-shirts, diaper wipes, booties and sleepers. There are many different providers – do an internet search for one near you. Of course, there is also Catholic Charities. This organization provides services that include emergency basic needs, intensive case management, pregnancy and parenting support, assistance with adoption, and assistance with SNAP enrollment. Here in our diocese we have locations in Norwich, Willimantic, Middletown and New London. Start at https://www.ccfsn. org/ for more help with the location most convenient for you.

support women and guide them to resources that can help? What is the Church doing besides pointing out that abortion does end the life of an unborn baby? Thankfully, the Church does a great deal to support pregnant women, new mothers and those who have had an abortion. Unfortunately, our Church is not nearly as successful

when it comes to publicizing the good we do. You might say we do not do a good job of marketing, or are too effective at making sure our left hand does not know what our right hand is doing. So, when asked how the Church supports pregnant women, point out that our love and compassion extends to them and we help direct them to the many agencies that support their needs.

Resources for Women Who Have Had an Abortion Project Rachel. This nationwide program has contacts in every diocese. In our diocese you can ﬁnd help at 860-8614439, mmclaughlin@ norwichdiocese.net. There are also retreats to aid in healing after an abortion. You can ﬁnd information at www.Rachelsvineyard.org. Our diocese Council of Catholic Women, through its parish representatives, also provides support to women under all circumstances. We also have the mercy Christ gives us through the sacrament of reconciliation. Here we have a beautiful sacrament that provides forgiveness and healing. As you can see, the Church does provide a compassionate response to those considering or who have had an abortion.

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

hile the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the move will not prevent abortions, only leave it to the states to decide if they will allow it. We should approach questions we may face with the attitude of “What would Jesus do?” The pregnancy has already occurred, whether it is current or in the distant

By Gina Foster

The Positive Impact of a Catholic Education

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Catholic Education has had such a positive impact on my life. Attending Catholic elementary, middle and high schools has provided me with a strong sense of community, the gift of lifelong friendships and instilled the importance of volunteerism. I can remember many teachers throughout my Catholic education who had a profound inﬂuence on my life. I am sure we can all remember that one teacher who reached out to you when you needed support, stayed after school with you for extra help in math or English, or simply complimented you on a report well done or a good test grade. As fall approaches and our diocesan Catholic schools resume classes, we

are reminded of the commitment our teachers have to Catholic education and how our students beneﬁt from their guidance and support. There will be two very important events to help support our diocesan Catholic schools this fall. The ﬁrst will be held throughout

our parishes on Sept. 10-11, the Faith for the Future Campaign – Catholic Elementary School In-Pew Collection. Your generosity through this campaign assists our Catholic elementary schools in many ways. According to several of our school principals, much of the proceeds from last years collection were allocated wherever the need was greatest. For example, for tuition assistance, a new boiler, operating budgets and helping one of our schools with the installation of promethean interactive panels. The second event, the proceeds of which are used for tuition aid, is the 12th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner. The dinner preparations have begun, and we are excited to be honoring Amy Freeman, Mother M. Elaine Moorcroft S.C.M.C. and Reverend Joseph Tito for their

~ LB ~

contributions to Catholic education. The dinner takes place on Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. at the Saint Clements Castle & Marina, just in time to see the beautiful foliage along the Connecticut River. Tickets are available for $150 per person and $100 for priests, religious, ministry directors and current Diocese of Norwich Catholic school faculty and staff. Invitations will be sent out toward the middle of August, and on-line sales will begin Aug. 1. To be added to our guest list or for further details, feel free to contact Gina Foster, Stewardship Coordinator, Office of Development at gfoster@norwichdiocese.net or 860-886-1928 extension 115. I look forward to seeing you this fall and once again appreciate your kindness and generosity. Finally, I would like to thank the principals, teachers and staff of our diocesan schools for working with me so diligently on both events, the Office of Communications for assisting me with my ads, articles and website updates, and of course my co-workers in the Office of Development for their daily support. I owe much of the success of the Faith for the Future Campaign and the Seton Scholarship Dinner to all of you.

~ JMW ~

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AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

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Sr. Rita Johnson, SSND

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

May10, 1942 ~ July 21, 2022

Sr. Rita K. Johnson, SSND, Diocesan Director of Ministry to the Sick died on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on May 10, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Rita K. (Craven) Johnson and John Johnson. Sr. Rita was taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School and Mission Church High School. After professing religious vows as a School Sister of Notre Dame in 1963, Sr. Rita taught in Catholic schools in New York, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Sr. Rita began to serve in the Diocese of Norwich in 1976 ministering ﬁrst, in the areas of social concerns and to the elderly. She served as a chaplain at William W. Backus Hospital for over 41 years

and leaves behind countless friends that she considered part of her family. Sr. Rita was a beloved sister to Barbara Finn, Maureen Sullivan, and the late Jack Johnson. She was a devoted aunt to her many nieces and nephews. And she was loved by her many cousins. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday July 27th. The ﬁnal resting place is St. Joseph Cemetery, Norwich. Contributions in memory of Sr. Rita may be made to School Sisters of Notre Dame, 6401 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21212 or St. Patrick’s Elementary School, 211 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. The Woyasz & Son Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

To view Sister Rita’s Funeral Mass scan the QR code with your phone or tablet.

Happy Hour for Couples Will Enrich Relationships By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

ouples, are you looking for a unique date night idea that will enrich both your relationship and your spiritual lives? Grab your favorite beverage and join other couples for an uplifting Couples’ Happy Hour that will inspire you and offer different perspectives about romance, relationships and family life. The Diocesan Catholic Family Services Ofﬁce is sponsoring a virtual Couples’ Happy Hour the second Friday every other month beginning September 9 from 7-8:30 p.m.. Each evening will include a presentation on topics relevant to today’s couples, their relationship

and families. Couples will have time to share privately on questions pertinent to the evening’s topic. Pat and MaryJo McLaughlin will host the program. They have been married for 32 years and have three adult children and two granddaughters. The McLaughlins have given many marriage enrichments and are a presenting team couple for Worldwide Marriage Encounter

(WWME), a Catholic-based marriage enrichment program.

of The Holy Spirit Catholic Community at St. Mary Church, Jewett City.

They have served in various leadership roles within WWME, most recently as the leadership couple for the Connecticut/ Albany and Western Massachusetts area and before that as New England regional leaders. Mary-Jo is the current coordinator for Catholic Family Services and Pat is the director of public works for the City of Norwich. They are parishioners

The Couples’ Happy Hour will take place online via a Webex platform. To register, call Mary-Jo at 860848-2237, Ext. 312, or email her at mmclaughlin@norwichdiocese.net. A link to the event will be sent out a few days prior to September 9. There is no cost to participate, just a desire to spend time enriching your relationship and join other couples in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Don’t forget to bring your favorite beverage.

Catholic Charities School Drive C

atholic Charities is holding a School Supply drive to help struggling families as they prepare to send their children back to school. You can help by picking up extra items as you shop, and bringing them to any of our four locations in Norwich, New London, Willimantic, and Middletown. Or you can make an online donation by visiting ccfsn.org/Donate/ Donate-Now By working together, we can help those most vulnerable in our community.

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AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

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‘A Pries

The Ordination of Rev

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Article by Ryan Blessing Photos by Catherine Hoffman

t was while studying as an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut that Jacob Ramos felt the Lord plant the seeds of priestly service in his heart. “In the depth of prayer, through the encouragement of faithful friends and family, the Lord was making clear that He wanted me to ‘come and see,’” Ramos said. “I was excited to see where Christ was leading me.” Christ led the young Ramos, who is from Meriden, Connecticut, to the Diocese of Norwich where, on June 25, 2022, he was ordained as a priest. The Ritual Mass for the Conferral of Holy Orders took place at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, with the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, as the ordaining celebrant. A gathering of invited congregants, fellow diocesan priests, and deacons were at the cathedral to witness the ordination, which was also live-streamed. Also there, and showing their love and support, were his parents, Noel and Wilma and older brother, Victor as well as his godfather. The Rite of Ordination began with

the Presentation of the Elect, Deacon Ramos, by Reverend Jonathan Ficara, the vocations director for the diocese. Father Ficara proclaimed that the elect was found worthy of priesthood. “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose Jacob Michael Ramos, our brother, for the Order of the Priesthood,” Bishop Cote said. All present stood and applauded to show their consent. “Your warm applause indicates your ready acceptance of Deacon Jacob, who is about to be raised to the order of priest,” Bishop Cote said. Vocations don’t fall out of the blue, the bishop noted.

“They arise out of God’s grace, which t o u c h e s hearts,” he said. “Deacon Jacob, clearly you were raised in a strong faith family.” Bishop Cote noted that the elect, Jacob Ramos, became an Eagle Scout which brought him nearer to the outdoors and to the ability to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. “A gift to us out of His goodness,” Bishop Cote said. It was later, during a mission trip to

El Salvador, that Ramos discovered a “spiritual fathership” to which he thought God was calling him. The bishop also remarked on Deacon Ramos’ great love and respect for his grandmother, who shared her love of the rosary, the importance of religious obligation and the compassion she had for anyone who came through her door. “Our lives are like personalized mosaics. Every piece counts

st Forever’

verend Jacob Michael Ramos

“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

and has a precious meaning,” Bishop Cote said. During the Promise of the Elect, Bishop Cote questioned Deacon Ramos, who stood before him. It was at this point that the elect expressed his resolve to carry out his office in accord with the mind of Christ and of the Church, under direction of the bishop.

As the litany of supplication then was chanted, the elect prostrated himself before the altar as all present, through the intercession of the saints, asked for God’s grace to be upon the new priest. Bishop Cote then laid his hands upon the head of the elect. It was through this laying on of hands that the sacrament of Holy Orders was

conferred. This was followed by the recitation of the prayer of ordination. Father Ramos then was vested in the stole and chasuble by the Very Reverend Brian Converse, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry, Sacred Heart Church, Groton and St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, also in Groton. Father Ramos imparted his blessing on Bishop Cote and extended his blessing to members of his family. After the ordination, the new priest gave his blessing to the invited guests. Father Ramos first tested the call to religious life after graduation, 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,” he said. “During that time the Lord made clear He was calling me toward a priestly vocation, not in a religious order, in the Diocese of Norwich.”a

In the fall of 2016 he began attending Mount St. Mary Seminary as a seminarian of Norwich. “During the years of seminary formation, I (was) constantly learning more about myself and the path Jesus has been leading me on,” he said. At the same time, he was also revealing more of himself to the Church. Jacob Ramos was then called by Bishop Cote to ordination as a Transitional Deacon on May 27, 2021. “Spending time in parishes and getting to know the people of the Diocese of Norwich has been a great joy,” he said. Where will the Lord take him next? As it turns out, he will be going back to where it began, in Storrs. Reverend Jacob Ramos was named Parochial Vicar of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish - Coventry and Storrs. His new assignment became effective July 11, 2022.

Watch the Mass of Ordination and see a photo gallery by using your phone to scan the QR code.

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

-- Psalm 110

Knights Korner

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Into the Breach

n the early morning of May 28, members of the Knights of Columbus from Coventry, South Windsor and New Haven traveled virtually across the Atlantic Ocean to the rural town of Whitechurch in County Cork, Ireland. These brother Knights are part of the Connecticut State Spiritual Reﬂection Team led by David Imhof, the Connecticut State Faith director for the Knights of Columbus. It also includes Matt McGrath of New Haven, the Connecticut state deputy. They had a mission that morning to deliver a clarion call to the men of Ireland. They presented the “Into The Breach” Day of Reﬂection (DOR). The DOR is based on the “Into The Breach” Apostolic Exhortation by Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix and the video series produced by the Knights of Columbus. “Into The Breach” seeks to answer three questions: What is a Catholic man, how does a Catholic man love and

why is fatherhood so important? The DOR is made up of activities including prayer, presentations and talks. Fr. Gabriel Burke, the pastor of the parish in County Cork, is a Catholic priest familiar with the Knights of Columbus because of his time in Boston and a recent guest on the podcast “Along The Way,” hosted by David Fortin. It was this continued relationship that opened the door for this day to be possible. The Connecticut State Spiritual Reﬂection team has presented this day of reﬂection other times and in other formats ranging in time from one hour to a full day. The audience of these activities are men. The team is available to parishes, men’s groups, Knights councils to present these activities in person or virtually. Interested groups can contact David Imhof, imhofda@ aol.com to arrange support.

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Church community and the Knights of Columbus from Council #14, specifically Grand Knight Charlie Nadile, Larry King, Sam Bruder, Colin atholic Charities, with the help and Rice, Dan Roberts and John DeVivo.” It was a support from the Knights of Columbus great evening. The pasta was cooked to perfection, Council #14 and the Willimantic the sauce was handmade and simmered for hours, Community held a Pasta for Hope the meatballs were huge and the desserts were out Dinner at SaintMcLaughlin Joseph Church Hall on Saturday, of this world. We were excited to have the Bishop By Mary-Jo October 29th.where Children all ages were encouraged join us Itforalso this community will consecutive allow “No matter weofare in our the Holy Spirit. aims to event spanwhich of two Tuesday groups in each of the diocese’s to dress in costumes and play games for candy. us to continue to “Provide Help and Create Hope” faith journey, each of us needs to be help people develop a richer and and Thursday evenings from 7 seven deaneries. awakened the giftsgraciously of the Holy Father LarrytoLaPointe offered more the usemeaningful of for thoseprayer most inlife need.and to 8:30 p.m. The first program “Especially today, more than ever, Spirit and look at life through fresh experience the mercy of scheduled for Oct. 18, 20, 25, people need a deeper understanding the Parish Hall and the event was a success. Patrons bid on overGod twentyissilent auction items eyes of faith,” said Andrea Hoisl, through a deeper understanding of and 27 at Sacred Heart Church, of God’s presence in our world and Ed Tessman, Executive which ranged from a UCONN basket, donatedAnother will take in their lives,” Hoisl said. “We hope Diocesan director of theDirector Office ofofCatholic the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Norwichtown. from Avery’s Beverages, to a tin Exit Sign that Charities, stated that, “we could not have“We’re done thisreally fromexcited the Willimantic Advisory Board of 29 Catholic Faith Events. about how place Nov. and Dec. 1, 6, 8 at St. this program will meet that need.” had their on. is free, but registration Her offithe ce support is spearheading a new this program can broaden PiusTotally X Church, Future Theeyes program without of Father Larry, the Willimantic Charities, Jelly Belly the Machine, GrossMiddletown. Soda everyone

Program Hopes to Awaken Participants To the Holy Spirit’s Presence in Their Lives

program this fall which it hopes will do just that. Called, “Awakening: How is the Holy Spirit at Work in Your Life?” the program is designed to offer participants ways to deepen their faith lives through rediscovering God’s unconditional love and learning more about the gifts of

knowledge people have about the programs are planned for 2023 in is required. Those interested in Holy Spirit and its signiﬁcance in other parts of the diocese registering for the October program you haven’t done so already, please Nicholas voice your at We are called to advocate foristheopen most fundamental their lives and in our world today,” Awakenings to people ofIfall can contact Marianne opposition to the federal health care of human goods and rights, in particular, the right Hoisl said. “We have found people ages and stages of life. Hoisl said the Ofﬁce of Faith Events,mandate 860-848by calling U.S. Ext. Secretary Health and Human to lifeofand the the right not only will to profess our faith, have a limited understanding program include a series 2237, 304,of or at manicholas@ Servicesnorwichdiocese.net Sylvia Mathews Burwell to live of it out. We are advocating for theasfree. at 202-205how the Holy Spirit can enrichbuttheir presentations as well personal 5445, and your elected state representatives. Let dom to “be Catholic,” to go about our lives servlives and their faith daily.” faith and Scripture sharing. She them know that the mandate is in violation of ing the needs of our brothers and sisters, regardThe four-night program will be hopes an offshoot of each program our First Amendment right to religious freedom. less of their race, creed, or religion, not because offered in a mission format over the will be the formation of faith sharing they are Catholic but because we are Catholic.

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AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

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FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

By Susan Wallace

n his First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul shared, “So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) If we stop and think about it, through our faith we come to know God and His great love for us. Through this gift of love, we are able to love God, ourselves and others. It is the gift of love that inspired lay Catholics in the Diocese of Norwich to visit Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in the early 1980s and compelled them and the Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich to establish a mission there. It is love that inspired Bishop Cote, in 2010, to create the Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti by joining together Haitian Ministries and Hospice St. Joseph. Today this great love is evident in our staff and the services provided to help those who live in the neighborhood where we are centered, Christ Roi (Christ the King), and in the 14 neighborhoods whose parishes are part of our Parish Twinning Program. This program provides a very special opportunity to twin parishes in

the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince with parishes in the Diocese of Norwich and other dioceses in the United States. It is God’s love that leads us to provide medical care, healthcare services, food and nutritional supplement programs, education sponsorships and other educational opportunities to men, women and children who through no fault of their own have very few, if any, places to seek help. It is this same love that hopefully compels you to help the Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti and the many ministries and charitable organizations who depend on your compassion to do good in this world. We show our love to our Haitian brothers and sisters through the services we provide. Our Haitian brothers and sisters respond by reminding us that faith, hope and love are the real treasures in this life. If you would like to learn more about our ministry and support our work, please feel free to call Susan Wallace, OTH Executive Director, 860-800-3604 and or visit our website https://outreachtohaiti. org/

Diocese to Recognize Anniversary Couples

… s n o i t a l u t a r g Con

included in a gallery of pictures and a video on the website. If you are celebrating a signiﬁcant anniversary this year and would like to attend the Mass and be recognized by Bishop Cote, please register by sending the following information: husband and wife’s name, address, telephone number, wedding date, anniversary being celebrated and parish to: MaryJo McLaughlin, Catholic Family Services Coordinator, 199 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 or at mmclaughlin@norwichdiocese.net or by telephone at 860-848-2237, Ext 312. The registration deadline is September 19, 2022. This is a ﬁrm date, so please register early.

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AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

unday, October 16 is the date set for the Annual Silver and Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D., will be the main celebrant for the Mass, which will honor the enduring love of married couples. The Mass will begin at 2 p.m. Each couple registering for the Mass will receive a signed certiﬁcate from the Bishop. The names of all registrants and their anniversary dates will also be listed on a special Anniversary Page on the Diocese of Norwich Website and included in The Four County Catholic, our diocesan newspaper. Couples may also email a digital photo of themselves in a jpeg format to be

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St. James School, Danielson Elyse McAteer, Principal 120 Water St, Danielson 860-774-3281 stjamesdanielson.org

St. John School, Old Saybrook

Mother Elaine Moorcroft, SCMC, Principal 42 Maynard Road, Old Saybrook 860-388-0849 saintjohnschoolos.org

St. John Paul II School, Middletown Larry Fitzgerald, Principal 87 South Main Street. Middletown 860-347-2978 JPII.org

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AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Sr. Mary Patrick Mulready, SCMC, Principal 10 School Hill Road, Baltic 860-822-6141 Stjosephschoolbaltic.com

St. Joseph School, New London Marianne Cote, Principle 25 Squire Street, New London 860-442-1720 SJSNL.com

St. Michael School, Pawcatuck Doris Messina, Principal West Broad St., Pawcatuck 860-599-1084 stmichaelschoolct.com

St. Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich Sharon Stewart, Principal 211 Broadway, Norwich 860-889-4174 st-patrickschoolnorwich.org

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

Mercy High School, Middletown Alissa DeJonge, President 1740 Randolph Road, Middletown 860-346-6659 mercyhigh.com

St. Bernard School, Uncasville

Donald Macrino, Headmaster 1593 Norwich-New London Tpke, Uncasville 860-848-1271 saint-bernard.com

Xavier High School, Middletown David C. Eustis, Headmaster Brendan Donohue, Principal 181 Randolph Road, Middletown 860-346-7735 xavierhighschool.org

Sacred Heart School

My dear friends, this month we focus the spotlight on another one of the outstanding educational institutions in the diocese – Sacred Heart School in Groton.

Our Sacred Heart School community exists for the purpose of guiding all of its students, recognizing their unique learning styles and abilities, toward Catholic faith-based values and morals, academic excellence, creative expression, responsible citizenship and physical and social development. Sacred Heart School provides a steadfast foundation for the continuing growth of each individual, keeping Jesus at the heart of all that is taught since 1957. Instruction is authentic in doctrine and contemporary in presentation. Through a nurturing environment, each child, pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, is helped

to discover their talents and to develop selfconﬁdence to the best of their God-given abilities and to develop into moral, productive and compassionate members of society. Respect and love for oneself and for others, as well as a sense of social responsibility, are lived and learned in Sacred Heart’s faith community. Knowledge of God, of life, and of diverse cultures is offered to prepare students to effectively meet the challenges and opportunities of society.

We are extremely fortunate to have the R.I.S.E.N. Learning Resource Center at Sacred Heart School. It stands for Responding to Inclusive Special Education Needs. We are an inclusive educational ministry focused on the overall development of the child with special needs, thereby maximizing the best of their given ability. We believe that it is through

challenges, as well as enrichment for accelerated students through the COMPASS program. The RISEN Learning Resource Center at Sacred Heart School provides services through the expertise of an in-school special education teacher. Sacred Heart School teachers refer students to the RISEN LRC to receive these services. A variety of additional services are accessible to students with identiﬁed special needs in collaboration with the Groton Public School System through the implementation of an Individualized Service Plan (ISP). These services may consist of:

We envision this as an opportunity for value-centered, quality education rooted in the Catholic faith which accepts and embraces each others’ differences. This experience incorporates academic excellence, faith formation and enriches the communities we serve. The RISEN Learning Resource Center at Sacred Heart School offers services to our students with special needs and learning disabilities and academic support services to enhance our students’ learning opportunities. These services include support for students with learning developmental disabilities and other types of learning and social

Speech/Language Therapy Special Education Teacher Social Worker Services Psychologist Physical/Occupational Therapy The Diocese of Norwich, under the

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teaching authority of the bishop, believes that schools should be healthy learning environments that are physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually safe, clean, and secure. Our schools are founded on the principle of love espoused by Christ in St. Matthew’s Gospel: “You should love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole mind, and all your strength. And your neighbor as yourself.” Catholic schools are designed to function as Christian laboratories for learning. Their environments enhance that learning, which requires the attention of all community members. Safe and healthy environments to enhance student learning are the responsibility of the community as well. These environments require attention to physical conditions along with the assurances of

frequent, consistent and positive teacher-student and student-student interactions. Research shows that academic achievement improves in schools when students feel physically and emotionally safe and where cultures support reasonable rules that are carefully explained and fairly enforced. A healthy learning community that is safe and founded on the principals of love and moral behavior is the foundation for a comprehensive high quality Catholic education.

“Where Jesus is the HEART of everything we do” May God bless you and keep you safe Dr. Gail Kingston Superintendent of Schools

Our own eﬀorts aren’t enough to achieve healing and reconciliation: we need God’s grace. We need the Spirit’s quiet and powerful wisdom. May He fulﬁll the expectations of our hearts. May He take us by the hand and enable us to walk together.

Caring for the community for nearly 150 years

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

each child’s differences that we come to learn more about the purpose and meaning of life. The entire faith community, especially parents and school staff, supports and participates in this development.

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To Walk in Their Footsteps:

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy in Middletown, CT

Students reenact the Sisters’ Journey in a play written by Campus Minister, Ann Derbacher and directed by teachers Michele Dastoli and Lorra Webb. By Marie Kalita and Christina R. D’Amico

s the ﬁnal bell sounds at the end of a long school day, a committee of faculty, staff and administration gather to pray. They are dubbed the “Mercy Circle” in collective spirit of keeping the mission of the Sisters of Mercy thriving within their community. Several months later, after much discussion and collaborative efforts, they are prepared to host a celebration honoring the arrival of the Sisters in Mercy in Middletown, Connecticut from their home turf of Ennis, Ireland which occurred 150 years ago. Who were these remarkable women and what is their story?

in Middletown and Meriden, Connecticut. Their immediate response of “we are ready” was the enthusiastic motto that carried them through their lifetime of service. In the years that followed, the original Middletown seven founded St. Elizabeth Convent and Academy, also taking charge of St. John’s School, while other Sisters later established Mercy High School as well as St. Vincent de Paul Place among other feats. Some did not live to witness the fruit of their labors, but the Mercy Circle is proud to acknowledge all that the “walking nuns” accomplished.

In May of 1872, a band of eleven Sisters of Mercy arrived from their Ennis convent after being summoned to staff parochial schools

Library Assistant and Mercy PreAssociate, Christina D’Amico ’13, fosters a sincere admiration of Catherine McCauley and the

Sisters that has grown throughout her education at Mercy institutions, continuing with her travels to Mercy International Centre in Dublin, Ireland. D’Amico explains her historical research process within the ﬁrst few months she began working at her alma mater: “In conjunction with Librarian and Media Specialist Jennifer Crutchﬁeld who consulted Mercy archives in North Carolina and Ireland, I poured through books and records to compose a timeline of the Sisters’ early beginnings from Ennis to America. We were simultaneously gifted with numerous articles, documents and photos from Sister Ann Mack, a pastoral associate at St. John’s Church. I was immensely glad to speak with her about everything she had collected. As a result of her

contribution, dots were connected and vital information ﬁlled in. From the names of the original Sisters to accounts describing the voyage, their ﬁrst meal in the convent, and objects from a 1905 time capsule, I was thrilled to dig through this treasure trove of what was earmarked to be disposed of the next day, according to Sister

Ann. At the first Mercy Circle meeting I attended, no one knew who these figures were. Now, I feel a personal responsibility for keeping their story alive because of how truly special they have become to me. These young women agreed to an uncertain challenge, not knowing that they would never return home.” On Saturday, April 23rd, a moving memorial service organized by Theology instructor Margaret Malafronte was held at the gravesite of the original Sisters of Mercy; members of the Mercy High School community, lead by a bagpiper, processed with floral bouquets to place on each of the headstones. On May 6th the school-wide body, along with local Sisters of Mercy, friends, and family viewed a touching reenactment play of the Sisters’ journey. Mercy’s registrar Sr. Peggy O’Neill, RSM recalls, “It was a wonderful day to celebrate,

to honor and to thank the seven Sisters of Mercy who answered the call to leave Ennis, Ireland in 1872 and come to Middletown, Connecticut.” She went on to say, “This was a special day to remember and to celebrate all the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas especially those who have served the Middletown community during the past 150 years.”

Pictured L-R: Councilwoman and Mercy Alumna Meghan Carta ‘07 presented a City of Middletown proclamation to Sr. Patty Moriarty, RSM, Institute Minister of the Sisters of Mercy along with Mercy High President Ms. Alissa DeJonge ‘95 at the school wide assembly. The Proclamation from Middletown Mayor Benjamin Florsheim provided a (brief) history of the Sisters of Mercy arrival and contribution to the City of Middletown and proclaimed May 7, 2022 as Sisters of Mercy Day in Middletown.

A reading of the proclamation declaring May 7th Sisters of Mercy Day was given and afterwards, many visitors enjoyed the timeline on display in the school’s Library. We are truly grateful to all administrators, faculty, staff, students, and friends of Mercy who were involved in this milestone project. D’Amico reflects: “One year ago, I could not imagine I would be here, shedding light on the Sisterhood that has influenced my own path thus far. I can only hope that they are proud.”

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Visitors view the 150 year timeline of photos and artifacts on display.

Catholic Men’s Conference is Time of Fellowship, Spiritual Renewal By Ken Santopietro

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

nce again, the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference is gearing up for another incredible day of profound teaching, godly fellowship, and awesome worship. Be sure to save the date, September 24, and get ready to reserve your seat now! During last two years we moved to an outdoor venue in order to

continue the conference; but this year, we are moving back indoors! We are so fortunate to be hosted at Northwest Catholic High School, where we will enjoy a larger auditorium, plenty of space for vendors, lunch, adoration, and confession – all on one ﬂoor!

We cannot wait to see you there! Tickets are on sale now at www. ctcatholicmen.org. Of late, there has been some controversy among Catholics about the Eucharist and the relevance it has for our lives. So many have begun to treat the Eucharist as a ritual, rather than the summit of our Catholic faith. The US Bishops held a meeting to discuss the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist. After our 2021 theme of “the Most Holy Rosary”, it only seemed right to discuss “the Most Holy Eucharist” in 2022. The Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference is a day to honor the men who attend as we call them to give their best to the Church. It is a time of fellowship and fond memories, spiritual healing and sacramental renewal. We invite you to come celebrate what it means to be a Catholic man. At the conference, the best Catholic men’s speakers will share their wisdom and their stories to help inspire you to follow Christ more fully. Here, you will experience times for personal reﬂection, intimate fellowship, and meditative prayer. You will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confession and celebrate the holy sacriﬁce of the Mass, as well as spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Outside groups will offer opportunities for getting involved in local, regional, and national apostolates. Ultimately,

this conference will be a blessing for all who come, an open door to the Savior and a gift of faith. Men, you will leave this wonderful event with a greater desire to love your families well, share your faith with other men, and serve the Church that has called you to this great and lasting hope. In order of appearance in 2022, we will have Father Wade Menezes, of the Fathers of Mercy, a national speaker heard on EWTN each week; followed by Father Larry Richards, national speaker from Diocese of Erie PA, who spoke at the ﬁrst and second CT Catholic Men’s Conference; followed by Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport CT and a national speaker; followed by Father Chris Alar, national speaker & director of the Association of Marian Helpers. Our doors will open at 7:30am and the program will begin at 8:30am with the Eucharistic procession. Our special exhibit in 2022 is the Eucharistic Miracles display that has been traveling the country and was in the Norwich diocese last year. “The Real Presence of Jesus Christ with His gloriﬁed Body is beyond the realm of purely sensory experience. The Eucharistic miracles, on the other hand, are extraordinary events concerning the Bread and Wine consecrated at Mass, which can be experienced through the senses. They become a visible sign of the Real Presence of Jesus.” www.ctcatholicmen.org

Outreach to Haiti

“For “Forthe theLove LoveofofaaChild” Child”

Charity Golf Tournament

Wintonbury Hills Golf Course, Bloomﬁeld, CT September 10, 2022 Sponsorships Available:

Tournaments Sponsorships (2) – $2,500 Other Sponsorships (23) $1000 Carts, Lunch, Dinner Tee Sign Sponsors (18) $150

Check in at 11 AM Lunch at 12 PM Shotgun Start 1 PM Dinner and Reception 6 PM Golf Tournament Price $175 (includes lunch and dinner) Dinner Only $50

Additional Activities: Putting Contest

(winner gets a foursome at Winterberry Hills)

Hole in One 50-50 Hit the Green Closest to the Pin Longest Drive (men and women)

AUGUST 2021 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

7th Annual

St. Joseph School New London, CT

“A Place Where We Discover Each Other in God’s Love”

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

St. Joseph School Registration is ongoing 25 Squire Street Please call or visit New London, CT 06320 www.sjsnl.com for information Phone: 860-442-1720

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

ATTENTION MEN:

Brothers in Christ is Coming to a Parish Near You

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

rothers in Christ is a men’s group focusing on prayer, discussions about our faith and leading men in fellowship to build up the body of Christ. The group was started last year by members Don Gould and Deacon Dan D’Amelio, of Saint John Paul II parish, and Michael Lopez, of Divine Mercy Parish, under the guidance of the Ofﬁce of Faith Events for the Diocese of Norwich. The men’s group proved to be

This year, beginning in September, the group has decided to combine its virtual meetings with in-person gatherings at parishes throughout the diocese, in order to lead more men in prayer and in discussions about their faith and what it means to be a brother in Christ in the world today. The intent of these gatherings is to foster a better prayer life and fellowship among men within a parish and the surrounding community. Fathers are encouraged to bring their adult sons, men are welcome to bring their male

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friends and experience the joy of brotherhood in Christ. Next month, look for a list of parishes that we will be coming to, along with the dates of our online meetings and join us if you can. If you have a topic that you would like us to discuss or if you would like to ﬁnd out more information about the group, contact Liza Roach at the Ofﬁce of Faith Events lroach@ norwichdiocese.net (860) 848-2237, ext. 305.

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very successful, with online virtual discussions every second Tuesday of the month. Each month brought a new topic of discussion and interaction for the men attending online. Some of the topics covered included: “Men of Faith in a Secular World,” “Serving in the Military and Serving the Lord,” “Taking a Leap of Faith/Discipleship,” “Having a Conversation with God,” “Vocations beyond the Collar,” “A call to Service” and “Fatherhood.”

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Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be its witnesses, with courage creativity We pray for smalland and medium sized businesses; in the midst of and in the power of the economic and social crisis, may they Holy find Spirit. ways to continue operating, and

PRAYER INTENTION

serving their communities.

- Pope Francis

Diakonia: Instrument of God’s Charity

The word “deacon” is derived from “diakonia,” a Greek word which means “to serve.” Deacons are members of the clergy along with priests and bishops. The deacon’s ministry has three dimensions: liturgy, word and service. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ,who came “to serve and not to be served.” This column will focus on the service of the Deacons in the Diocese of Norwich.

Toward the end of our first year of actual formation in 2004 (the previous year was the year as an aspirant) we were encouraged to ask our pastors for a role in some active ministry in our parishes or elsewhere where we could actively participate. Our formation was to be directed primarily to “Ministry for the Church”, first of all as representatives of our Bishop and secondly in assisting in daily and/or Sunday Liturgy. I’ll have to admit that exactly how I would serve the Church was an idea I had not fully contemplated when I applied to be accepted into diaconal formation. It may sound strange but I was more prepared for good and or bad outcomes when I left college after my junior year to enlist and serve in a conflict which had already divided our country. Questioning one’s motives is never a bad idea. But my journey to the Diaconate began with prayer for both my wife Melinda and myself and continues each and every day. All of us are called to “serve” the Church that Christ instituted through His death and resurrection. We all just need t h e clarity of thought to find that service. Throughout the remaining years of my formation, I believed I was being called to prison ministry. I often spoke about it with my spiritual advisor. I knew it would be a challenge but I was willing to accept that fact. It never happened! It seemed each time I tried to find a path or tried to find the right contacts into that ministry – the door would close. Having been involved in different ministries in my home parish (such as leading bible studies, Spiritual Life committee), literally for decades, I firmly believe that when those doors close it is for a reason. As it turns out one of my classmates did enter prison ministry and is now a prison Chaplain. That did not help me feel any less guilty for not fulfilling what

I felt was a promise to my Bishop to minister outside the “Church walls”. I did spend three or more years as a volunteer at Birthright but that would end after new restrictions were put on pro-life groups by the state. Although “Birthright” had restrictions on “overt evangelizing” in their charter, whenever I had the opportunity to express my Faith to a “client” as to why I was a volunteer (a male in a predominately female organization) I did so. Unfortunately in another facility in CT. One of our volunteers was “caught” by a state “inspector” (I can only assume) giving out medical advice and Birthright had to begin enforcing all directives on the books. I felt that I couldn’t be true to myself and my Faith under those rules. Then one day about three years ago, I was in a conversation with one of our widowed parishioners and what I heard really struck home. His brokenness and the lonely years after losing his wife got my attention big time. I realized that he, like many other widowers in my parish, continually deal with their losses – often in silence. There are many programs directed toward widows but perhaps men just feel they should “suck it up” and move on. Either way I felt I needed to do something and after much prayer and talking to my pastor, I stepped out. And that is how “1st Monday Coffee Break with a Deacon” came to be. A simple cup of coffee (or tea) with other men, not all widowers, has turned out to be what some needed to break up their “personal loneliness” and just share some company for an hour or so. We gather (now every other Monday) for a cup of “joe”, some light conversation (well maybe not so light) at Dunkin Donuts. Anywhere from 3 to 10 of us meet and it has changed the attitude of all of us. As long as the “door” remains open, I will continue to be at DDs every 1st Monday and let God lead the way. I invite any man reading this article who thinks he might beneﬁt from meeting with us to do so. We meet at 10:00 am, the 1st Monday of the month at DD’s on Rt.81 in Killingworth.

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

By Deacon Bob Ferraro

A Simple Cup of Coffee

Fai t h Sparks

Summer Faith: How is it different?

By Andrea Hoisl

AUGUST 2022 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

e are enjoying the luxuries of summer – beautiful weather, longer days, travel, outings and gatherings with family and friends from near and far. Summer allows us to take a step back and breathe a little easier. The demands of the year are put aside for a brief period of time so that we can refresh and renew ourselves. This is also true in our spiritual lives. Summer affords us an opportunity to experience God and our faith in many different ways. We have a ﬂurry of activities in the summer that seem to occupy every weekend. Places to go and people to see becomes the “rule of thumb” during the summer months. All of that activity should not take away

from our spiritual lives, rather it is a terriﬁc opportunity to deepen our faith in new ways. We have the ability to visit churches in different areas and join in their community’s Eucharistic celebration. When we worship with others we do not know, we have the privilege of learning more about the larger community of believers of which we are all a part. It also helps us to appreciate our own worshiping community that we sometimes take for granted. Getting away and participating in a Eucharistic celebration somewhere new can also help us recognize how lucky we are to be members of the parish to which we belong. Summer also offers us opportunities to rediscover

creation in diverse ways. The beauty of a walk at sunrise is a gift given on many levels. The colors appearing and changing as the sun rises, mixed with the sounds of nature, is a glimpse of the world waking up to praise and glorify God. The ability to take a walk in the woods, on a beach, near a lake, or up a mountain reminds us of the simple yet unbelievable work of God’s hands. All of creation has been placed here on earth for our use and enjoyment. It’s a very visual reminder of how amazing God is and how much He truly loves us. The longer days of summer also give us more time to spend with God. We can sit on our deck, porch or steps and listen to God’s voice

speaking in the silence. Taking time to listen to God is a luxury most of us do not have. For many of us, the busyness of life can make sitting still and listening an unachievable goal on most days. But summer’s pace is conducive to hearing God speak in the silence of our hearts. We understand that God knows what we think and feel always, but we need to learn how to listen and hear God’s hopes, dreams and desires for us. When we hear God in the silence, we are participating in a special prayer that is its own reward. This summer don’t treat your faith as “business as usual.” Do something different and watch your faith grow.

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Ignite Your Faith. Visit NorwichDiocese.org/FaithSparks to find additional resources to grow in faith in 2022.

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AUGUST FOURCOUNTY COUNTY CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org AUGUST 2022 2021 || FOUR CATHOLIC | NorwichDiocese.org

Mary, God’s son became your Son and you became both our Mother and the Queen. From your heavenly throne, intercede for your subjects who are daily confronted with life’s trials, Help us to ﬁnd comfort in our recourse to you and bring us closer to your Divine Son whose glory and honor we proclaim forever. Amen.

FOUR COUNTY

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

Thank You for Your Support of the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal... While our 2022 ACA campaign year continues, we have noticed a reduction in new gifts. As of July 28, 2022 we have reached 86% of our goal with 15% of our parishioners donating. Please help us to close the gap and make your donation to the ACA today!

Our friends and neighbors rely on us all for spiritual, ﬁnancial, physical, emotional and educational support! Please consider joining your fellow parishioners in support of our ministries.

To make your gift or pledge, please contact Heather Harris at (860) 886-1928 ext. 111, Hharris@NorwichDiocese.net, or visit www.NorwichDioceseDevelopment.org