WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. Luke 2:16-17
Each year, as we commemorate the birth of the Lord Jesus at Christmas, it is important for us to encounter the mystery and significance of the Lord’s Incarnation with renewed wonder, gratitude and love.
first to hear, respond to, and share the Good News of the birth of the Savior, proclaimed to them by the angels in their joyful hymn of praise: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Lk 2:14)
bringing Christ to others. We need not do this important task alone.
MOSTIn calling to mind that first Christmas, so lovingly evoked by the manger scenes set up in our parishes and homes, it can be easy to overlook the presence of the humble shepherds of Bethlehem. It was these shepherds who were the
As the angels returned to heaven and the unadorned reality of that first Christmas began to dawn upon them with the first light of morning, the shepherds left their flocks and set out in haste to encounter the infant Lord Jesus in the quiet stillness of the manger.
As Catholics, we are called, like the shepherds, to witness Jesus’ great love and mercy, sharing the Good News by our example,
Therefore, it is with pleasure that I welcome you to our updated Four County Catholic magazine. The goal of the magazine is to help all of us grow in our relationship with Jesus, and to become better connected with each other and especially with the Church as the body of Christ.
For 34 years, the Four County Catholic has communicated the official news of the diocese and beyond, as well as highlights of important events that occurred in our parishes, schools and institutions.
Employing a new bimonthly
Y fueron a toda prisa, y encontraron a María y a José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre. Al verlo, dieron a conocer lo que les habían dicho acerca de aquel niño. Lucas 2:16-17
Al conmemorar cada año en la Navidad, el nacimiento del Señor Jesús, es importante que encontremos el misterio y la importancia de la Encarnación del Señor con renovado asombro, gratitud y amor.
Al recordar aquella primera Navidad, evocada con tanto cariño por los pesebres que se encuentran en nuestras parroquias y hogares, es fácil pasar por alto la presencia de los humildes pastores de
Belén. Fueron estos pastores los primeros en escuchar, responder y compartir la Buena Nueva del nacimiento del Salvador, anunciada por los Ángeles en su gozoso himno de alabanza: “Gloria a Dios en
las alturas y en la tierra paz a los hombres en quienes él se complace”. (Lucas 2:14)
Cuando los ángeles regresaron al Cielo y la realidad sin adornos de esa primera Navidad comenzó a amanecer sobre ellos con la primera luz de la mañana, los pastores dejaron sus rebaños y se apresuraron a encontrarse con el niño Jesús en la quietud del pesebre.
Como católicos, al igual que aquellos pastores, estamos llamados a dar testimonio del gran amor y misericordia de Jesús, compartiendo la Buena Nueva con nuestro ejemplo,
llevando a Cristo a los demás. No hay necesidad de hacer esta importante tarea solos. Por lo tanto, es un placer darle la bienvenida a nuestra revista actualizada Four County Catholic. El objetivo de la revista es ayudarnos a todos a crecer en nuestra relación con Jesús, y estar mejor conectados entre nosotros y especialmente con la Iglesia como el cuerpo de Cristo.
Durante 34 años, Four County Catholic ha comunicado las noticias oficiales de la Diócesis y más allá, así como los aspectos más destacados de los eventos importantes que ocurrieron en
magazine format, it is our goal to reach every registered Catholic household in the Diocese.
As you read each issue, you may wish to share the magazine or an interesting article with family, friends and neighbors so that they too can have a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. In that small way, you will become an envoy
of evangelization, helping me to get the word out about what Christ is accomplishing among us in Eastern Connecticut.
Each month, the Four County Catholic writers will attempt to chronicle inspiring faith stories already occurring here in our diocese, along with sharing fascinating articles of spirituality and Catholic
culture. Other features will roll out in the months to come that will aid you in your faith journey. It is my hope that this magazine, over time, serves as an instrument to encourage the faithful in Eastern Connecticut to share the Good News with those around us.
In this season of light and hope, let us give thanks to God
for the tremendous gift He has given to the world in the person of Jesus and spend some time in prayer, asking how He is calling us to reflect and radiate the light of His love to others.
As we again recall the great mystery of God’s love this Christmas, may we, like the shepherds of old, approach the manger and adore our infant King with hearts full of gratitude. Then, let us allow His transformative love to work through us as His disciples to bring hope, peace, and joy to our world today.
May you, your families and loved ones have a truly Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s blessings!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop Michael R. Cote
nuestras parroquias, escuelas e instituciones.
Empleando un nuevo formato de revista bimensual, nuestro objetivo es llegar a todos los hogares católicos registrados en la Diócesis.
A medida que lea cada ejemplar, tal vez desee compartir la revista o un artículo interesante con familiares, amigos y vecinos para que ellos también puedan tener una relación profunda y significativa con Jesucristo. De esa pequeña manera se convertirá en un enviado de la evangelización, ayudándome a
pasar la voz sobre lo que Cristo está logrando entre nosotros en el este de Connecticut.
Los escritores de Four County Catholic cada mes, intentarán hacer una crónica de historias de fe inspiradoras que ya ocurren aquí en nuestra Diócesis, además de compartir artículos fascinantes sobre espiritualidad y cultura católica. Otras características se implementarán en los próximos meses que le ayudarán en su viaje de fe. Es mi esperanza que esta revista, con el tiempo, sirva como un instrumento para alentar a los
fieles en el este de Connecticut a compartir la Buena Nueva con quienes nos rodean.
Demos gracias a Dios en esta temporada de luz y esperanza, por el tremendo regalo que ha dado al mundo en la persona de Jesús y dediquemos un tiempo a la oración, preguntándonos cómo nos llama a reflejar e irradiar la luz de Su amor a los demás.
Al recordar de nuevo el gran misterio del amor de Dios en esta Navidad, como los pastores de antaño, acerquémonos al pesebre y adoremos a nuestro niño Rey con corazones llenos de
gratitud. Entonces, permitamos que Su amor transformador trabaje a través de nosotros como Sus discípulos para traer esperanza, paz y alegría a nuestro mundo de hoy.
¡Que usted, su familia y seres queridos tengan una verdadera Feliz Navidad y un Año Nuevo lleno de las bendiciones de Dios!
Sinceramente en el amor de Cristo,
Michael R. Cote Obispo de NorwichMore than three decades ago the first issue of the Four County Catholic rolled off the presses. I recall this because a few years prior I had a conversation with Jacqueline Keller, the communications director at the time, regarding the Diocese of Norwich publishing a newspaper. Little did I know then that I would one day be employed by the diocese as the executive editor.
So, dear reader, here we are nearly 35 years later not changing but evolving the Four County Catholic by revamping the format to show the beauty contained in the diocese and refining the focus to include more articles of faith in action.
The newspaper’s mission of evangelization is accentuated in the magazine. For example, our faith in action article, “Janet Capello: A Joyful Servant” shows how one woman shares her time and talents with the parishioners of St. Mary in Portland, living out the Gospel message in her daily life.
Speaking of time and talents, we are always looking for volunteers to document happenings of interest at your own parishes, as well as photographs of the architectural beauty of the churches and the spiritual beauty of the people in the diocese. If this interests you, please let us know.
WAYNE GIGNAC Communications Director & Executive Editor
Our cover story focuses on fictional character George Bailey, a selfless man who lived his life for the good of others. While it is never directly mentioned, George Bailey, the protagonist in the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life , has all the traits of a follower of Christ. This is the perfect movie to share with family and friends who are less religiously inclined. We hope you will enjoy discovering all the teachable moments laid out in this classic movie and rediscover that it truly is a wonderful life.
In this issue you will also be introduced to a new television series entitled The Chair that highlights 85 of America’s cathedrals, exploring the rich fabric and diversity of the Catholic Church through the eyes of the bishops and archbishops that lead them. The Diocese of Norwich and the Cathedral of St. Patrick are featured in one of the episodes, shot at the beginning of the lockdown in 2020. The article includes a link to watch all the episodes of The Chair. Consider it our gift to you.
The question has arisen, “If you are only going to publish the magazine every other month, how will I find out what’s going on in the diocese?” There are a number of ways. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter at NorwichDiocese. org/Newsletter. You may also follow us on Facebook. As time and the need develops, we will
eventually find ourselves on other social media platforms. We will be wherever we need to be to bring the Good News to as many people as possible.
I would like to thank Mary Ellen Mahoney, Andrea Hoisl and Father Peter Langevin who, along with their teams, were instrumental in bringing this transition to fruition.
I would also like to thank the members of my team who work tirelessly each month in bringing the Gospel message to all of you. As always, please pray for me and my staff, as well as the writers and photographers. We are a small but faith-filled group who benefit from your prayers and encouragement.
It is my hope that this magazine, under the leadership of Bishop Cote, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, becomes a source of comfort and inspiration for you and your loved ones.
If there is ever anything we can do to improve this experience, please let us know.
2. FROM THE BISHOP
4. FROM THE EDITOR’S KEYBOARD
Continuing the mission of evangelization
6. COVER STORY
It’s a wonderful life
8. FEATURE STORY
The Chair: A conversation with today’s apostles
10. KNIGHTS CORNER
The gift of warmth
10. CLERGY APPOINTMENTS
In the Diocese of Norwich
11. MARRIAGE MATTERS
January 29, 2023 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.
https://jpii.eduk12.net • 860.347.2978
St. John Paul II School 87 S. Main St., Middletown, CT 06457
Take time to affirm your spouse’s endearing qualities
12. FAITH IN ACTION
Janet Capello — A Joyful Servant
15. COLLECTING AND CARING
St. Bernard girls help new moms, babies
16. DIAKONIA
2022 Permanent Dioconate Convocation
18. VOCATIONS
A seminarian’s faith journey on the Camino de Santiago
20. FAITH SPARKS
Preparing for a season of giving
21. SAINT OF THE MONTH
Our Lady of Guadalupe
22. DEVELOPMENT NEWS
ACA needs help of each member of family of faith
23. WORK LIFE
Can our work help our faith?
Four
To report inappropriate conduct of any kind by a Diocesan Bishop please contact ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562. To report inappropriate contact of any kind by a representative of the Diocese of Norwich or for assistance for victims, please call: The Diocesan Reporting Line @ 1-800-624-7407.
If the incident involves a minor (persons under the age of 18), you must also call: State of CT Department of Children and Families Care Line 1-800-842-2288
-OR –State of NY Child Protective Services
1-800-635-1522
Incidents involving abuse of vulnerable adults aged 18-59 should be reported to: Connecticut Department of Developmental Services - AID Division for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
1-844-878-8923
Incidents involving abuse of vulnerable adults aged 60 and over should be reported to: Connecticut Department of Social Services for the Elderly
1-888-385-4225
country.
f you are one of the few people who have never seen this classic movie, be warned, there are some spoilers to follow. Hopefully, by the time you finish this article, you will want to pop some corn or roast some chestnuts and find an airing of It’s a Wonderful Life . Be sure to share it with someone you love. If you are like me, you will want to have a box of tissues nearby. What can I say, I’m ok embracing my emotions.
Frank Capra, the Italian-born American director, called It’s a Wonderful Life the greatest film he had ever made: “A film to tell the wary, the disheartened and the disillusioned; the wino, the junkie, the prostitute; those behind prison walls and those behind Iron Curtains, that no man is a failure! To show those born slow of foot or slow of mind, that each man’s life touches so many other lives. And that if he isn’t around, it would leave an awful hole.”
It is easy to miss how Catholic this movie is, as there are no overt religious visuals in the movie. However, the themes are there.
Like many of us, Capra initially rejected his religious heritage. In his autobiography, The Name Above the Title, he wrote that in his early adulthood he was a “Christmas Catholic.” But in the mid-1930s, he underwent an artistic crisis. It was the scolding given him by an unidentified man that resulted in a conversion
experience: “The talents you have, Mr. Capra, are not your own, not self-acquired. God gave you those talents; they are His gifts to you, to use for His purpose. And when you don’t use the gifts God blessed you with, you are an offense to God and to humanity.” Capra later developed this theme in It’s a Wonderful Life.
Frank Capra described himself as “a Catholic in spirit; one who firmly believes that the anti-moral, the intellectual bigots and the mafias of ill-will may destroy religion, but they will never conquer the cross.”
When I first thought of the characteristics of a person who would appear on the pages of this magazine, George Bailey came to mind. I realize he is a fictional character, however, his consistent choices of self-sacrifice for the common good are present throughout his life. The words of Jesus from Mathew’s Gospel are cinematically depicted, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mt 16:26)
And like Satan tempting Jesus in the desert, Henry F. Potter tempts George Bailey with everything he ever wanted: money, travel, fancy clothes for his wife and an important job. But you
It’s a wonderful life It’s a wonderful life
see, George’s soul was not for sale. Whether it was putting his own life at risk to save his brother from drowning, saving Mr. Gower from a life of ruin, giving his college money to his brother Harry, using his honeymoon money to help the townspeople or rejecting Mr. Potter’s offer of fame and fortune, George always took the selfless path. Without realizing it, George, through his many sacrifices for others, spent his entire life imitating Christ.
Jimmy Stewart, the actor who played George Bailey, explained why he became emotional in the prayer scene at Martini’s Bar — “God … God … dear Father in heaven … I’m at the end of my rope. Show me the way.” When he spoke those words, he “felt the loneliness of people who had nowhere to turn,” and his “eyes filled with tears.”
“I broke down sobbing,” he said. “This was not planned at all, but the power of that prayer, the realization that our Father in heaven is there to help the hopeless, had reduced me to tears.”
Capra explained that his major goal was “to show … that each man’s life touches so many other lives.” Though in his isolation and desolation George Bailey didn’t know it, that’s exactly why the townspeople were at the very same moment praying for him.
Capra said, “My films must let every man, woman and child know that God loves them, and that I love them, and that peace and salvation become a reality only when we all learn to love each other.”
The Christmas Eve prayers of the Bedford Falls townspeople were answered. Sometimes a change of perspective is good. We, as humans, don’t have the whole picture. We have part of the jigsaw puzzle, but we don’t see the whole. However, God sees everything as it really is — including people’s hearts.
In George’s case, he is given a gift, to see what the world would have been like had he never been born at all. This changed George’s skewed perspective.
While his circumstances didn’t change from when he was on the bridge of despair to a couple hours later when he prayed those memorable words at the same location, “Clarence, help me! I want to live again. Help me to live again.” His perspective changed.
George needed this gift because he didn’t fully understand that doing good works is empty without an understanding of the importance of such good works in the context of fullness of life. A life of service without contemplation can sometimes lead to resentment.
My hope this Christmas season is that, like George Bailey, we are all able to see how precious and meaningful every person is in God’s plan. Especially ourselves.
Now please go make yourself a snack and watch It’s a Wonderful Life.
“
My films must let every man, woman, and child know that God loves them, and that I love them, and that peace and salvation become a reality only when we all learn to love each other.”
— Frank Capra
Every life is precious
The Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Bishop Michael R. Cote were featured in The Chair, a television series that highlights 85 of America's cathedrals, exploring the rich fabric and diversity of the Catholic Church through the eyes of the local ordinary.
The cathedral church of a diocese houses the seat of the bishop, his chair, the cathedra — from which we get the name "cathedral." In a real sense, that chair is the heart of the diocese, representing the bishop’s authority to sanctify, preach and govern as a true successor of the apostles.
The episode begins with the bishop's chair and the Cathedral of St. Patrick — the spiritual heart of our diocese — and explores the history, people, architecture and art of our unique church. Throughout the show, scholars, historians and our chancellor, Reverend Peter Langevin, tell the history of Catholicism in the Diocese of Norwich.
Through conversations and interviews, Bishop Cote also shares his story in his own words, beginning with his vocation and ordination, his insights into what it means today to be the ordinary in our diocese and his hopes for the future.
“The Lord is the center of our prayer, the rest of us, we are there to adore Him,” Bishop Cote said.
This episode begins with a history of the city of Norwich and the slow growth of the Catholic Church in Connecticut, which sprung up under the early Puritan, anti- Catholic policies of New England. Highlighted is the fact that it was not until
1818 that the state of Connecticut formally recognized freedom of religion, and that it was not until the arrival of Irish Catholic i mmigrants in the mid-19th century that the Catholic faith began to grow exponentially in Connecticut.
The first Mass in Norwich was celebrated in an upper room loft, attended by about 12 Catholics
The show then explores the history of the Diocese of Norwich and the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Father Langevin explains how up until 1953 all of Connecticut was part of the Archdiocese of Hartford. At that time, the Holy Father divided Connecticut into three dioceses, and thus the Diocese of Norwich was born and its first bishop appointed, Bernard Flanagan.
Equally fascinating is the history of the Cathedral of St. Patrick. The story opens on Good Friday of 1873, when a group of Irish working men using picks and shovels began digging the foundation for St. Patrick Church. St. Patrick’s was funded by immigrants ’ weekly 10- cent donations and finally completed in 1878, with the first Mass celebrated there on St. Patrick’s Day in 1879. Since then, it has undergone three renovations to become the magnificent structure it is today.
The Chair explores what it means to be an apostle today in America The series celebrates the best of Catholicism today,
springing from the physical beauty of our cathedral, and tells the story of Bishop Cote, through the lens of his cathedral and his bishop’s chair — the seat from which he leads as the apostle in our midst.
The series was created by Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington who stated, "We created The Chair because we wanted to tell the story of the Catholic Church in America. There is so much to learn about our faith across our diverse nation and the beautiful cathedrals throughout. We are excited to share the perspectives of so many of our bishops, and we hope that the faithful around the country celebrate with us the past, present and future of the Church."
The first Mass in Norwich was celebrated in an upper room loft, attended by about 12 Catholics"
The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointments in the Diocese of Norwich.
As many headed out to shop on the day after Thanksgiving, the Knights of Columbus in the Middletown Deanery distributed new winter coats to those in need at St. Sebastian’s Hall. The upper Middlesex councils have joined other councils in Connecticut and North America to give children in need a free and muchneeded gift as the Knights distributed new winter coats at nine sites throughout Connecticut.
The COATS FOR KIDS distributions were held throughout the state as part of an initiative that began in Bridgeport during Thanksgiving weekend in 2012. Last winter, Knights gave almost 5,000 coats in Connecticut and more than 100,000 coats across North America.
The goal of the Coats for Kids program is to ensure that children in need across North America have a warm, winter coat. Through the dedication of councils across the United States and Canada, hundreds of thousands of new winter coats have been distributed to children since the program’s inception.
In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, then a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into one of the world’s leading international charitable organizations, with 2 million members in more than 16,000 local councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 48 million service hours and $154 million for worthy causes in their communities. The Knights of Columbus also offers extensive life insurance products to members and their families and currently has more than $124 billion of life insurance policies in force. In
addition, the Knights provides investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through Knights of Columbus Asset Advisers, which holds nearly $25 billion in assets under management. Based on the founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the order remains committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes and to practicing faith in action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.
The Knights of Columbus in Connecticut is made up of 23,000 Catholic men in 175 local councils throughout the state, working with their families, parishes and communities to help those in need, strengthen families and help each other. Annually, Knights in Connecticut donate more than $1 million to worthy causes and volunteer more than 250,000 hours of service. Now more than ever there is a need for Catholic men who are dedicated to our principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
For more information on the Connecticut State Council, go to ctstatecouncil.org. Catholic men can join the K of C at www.kofc.org/joinus.
Reverend Jonathan Ficara from Pastor, Our Lady-Queen of Peace Parish, Storrs and Coventry, leave of absence for personal reasons.
Effective: October 15, 2022.
Reverend Gregory Galvin from Pastor, Saint Philip the Apostle Parish, Ashford, to Pastor, Our Lady-Queen of Peace Parish, Storrs and Coventry.
Effective: October 15, 2022.
Reverend Michael Giannitelli from Pastor, Saint Mary of the Visitation Parish, Clinton, to Pastor, Saint Philip the Apostle Parish, Ashford.
Effective: October 15, 2022
Reverend Daniel Long from Parochial Vicar, Saint Sebastian Parish and Saint John Parish, Middletown, to Pastor, Saint Mary of the Visitation Parish, Clinton.
Effective: October 15, 2022.
Reverend Roy Parayil, MS, from Parochial Vicar, St. James Parish, Danielson, to Pastor, St. James Parish, Danielson.
Effective: November 8, 2022
Reverend Peter J. Langevin, Chancellor
In my marriage preparation classes, I ask engaged couples to sit close to one another, hold hands, look into each other’s eyes and tell their future spouse what his or her most endearing quality is that day.
MARY-JO MCLAUGHLIN
in addition to being the coordinator of Catholic Family Services for the diocese, Mary-Jo, along with her husband facilitate workshops that help strengthen marriages.
When they are done sharing with one another, I ask the couples if they learned anything new from their exchange. Nearly every time the response is, “No, but it was nice to hear!” Yes, it is nice to hear our beloved tell us something good about ourselves. We all need that kind of affirmation in our lives, especially from the person with whom we have chosen to spend our lives.
It is very easy for married couples to take one another for granted. We assume that our spouse knows how we feel about him or her. We judge that our daily actions and the decisions we make to love them are enough to show them we care. Indeed, those things are important. Yet telling our spouse the qualities that we recognize in and admire about them can be a vital element in keeping our marriage fresh and spontaneous. It can also deepen the intimacy that is necessary for marriages to survive in today’s world.
Recently, I was getting dressed for work and asked my husband how I looked that day, an impossible question for any husband to answer. He told me I looked great. I shrugged and said my body felt heavy. His quick response was, ‘But it still moves me.’ Wow! What a perfect response!”
One of my favorite spiritual authors, Vinita Hampton Wright, says, “You have the power to help others experience joy. Use that power with love and delight.” How many of us use that power in the ordinary and mundane routine of married life rather than saving it just for those special “Hallmark” moments?
Recently, I was getting dressed for work and asked my husband how I looked that
day, an impossible question for any husband to answer. He told me I looked great. I shrugged and said my body felt heavy. His quick response was, “But it still moves me.” Wow! What a perfect response! He lifted me up and filled me with a warm smile with just those five small words that I especially needed to hear at that time. It reminded me that the passion and the desire are still there between us, no matter what number the bathroom scale records.
We all have the ability to lift our spouse up and bring him or her joy. It just takes a desire to recognize those endearing qualities that draw us into another and reflect back to them what we see. If we look for those qualities, we will find them.
Make it a point daily to hold hands, gaze into your spouse’s eyes and say, “Today, your most endearing quality is …” Affirm the things you love and admire about him or her. Doing so will help you form the habit of looking for his or her positive characteristics — the things that matter most — rather than dwelling on the negatives.
I like what Helen Keller wrote: “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” There are too many shadows lurking around today; let’s opt to find the sunshine, especially when it illuminates one of God’s most beautiful gifts to us — our spouse.
“I do it all for Him, whatever I do is for Him,” Janet Capello said joyfully in describing her devotion to Jesus Christ that has motivated her to minister to parishioners at St. Mary Church, Portland for more than seven decades. “He gives me the gifts and I am supposed to use them for his glory.”
For 77 years, Janet, 87, has dedicated her time and talents to ministering to and with the parishioners of her parish. Her first memory of St. Mary’s is when she was 5 years old and her family moved to Portland from Rhode Island. Her mom took her and her brother to the church to register her brother for kindergarten at St. Mary School. She recalls not wanting to leave after the registration was completed, as even then she knew St. Mary’s was a very special place. She went on to attend St. Mary School and received all her sacraments at the church as well. It was at St. Mary School that she met her husband, Frank. Their 63-year marriage saw the arrival of three children, a granddaughter and a great-grandson.
Reflecting on her ministry efforts with the parish, she said three ministries hold a special place in her heart and life: extraordinary minister of holy Communion, Bereavement Ministry and Our Lady of Lourdes Mothers Circle. “As a former extraordinary minister of holy Communion, I consider that to have been the biggest honor of my entire life,” she said. Bringing Christ to others in the holy Eucharist was an opportunity for her to deepen her own faith and come to know Christ on a deeper level.
Another ministry very dear to her is overseeing the parish’s Bereavement Ministry, which provides funeral receptions for bereaved families in the parish at no cost. When Janet took over the leadership of the ministry from its founder Estelle Arsenault, there were a dozen members. Today, due in part to her tireless dedication, there are 90 parishioners involved serving in a variety of capacities. It is a self-funded ministry receiving donations from grateful families and fundraisers. Janet finds this ministry most rewarding because it helps people at a time in their lives when they are vulnerable and need God’s love the most. “What the grieving families do not understand is what a privilege it is for us to be able to show them God’s love at such a difficult time,” she said. “People don’t realize how much they give us by letting us share in this moment of their lives.”
Janet is one of the original members of Our Lady of Lourdes Mothers Circle, a ministry created by moms with young children that meets monthly to support and offer one another encouragement. It is a safe place for mothers to share their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their children and families. Many of the original members, like Janet, have been attending for more than 50 years and are now grandmothers and greatgrandmothers. The group also hosts activities and fundraisers that help support local agencies, including the Portland Food Bank, Birthright, Mercy High School, the Sisters of Mercy and their own parish faith formation programs.
The parish Ladies Guild is another ministry close to Janet’s
heart. It collaborates with other parish organizations to fundraise and support parish needs. The guild recently hosted a fundraiser to defray costs for making the church’s front and back doors fully accessible. “This parish is the most welcoming and generous parish around, probably the best in the diocese,” said Janet. “Helping to make this improvement happen is our way of extending our parish to even more people.”
Through her leadership, these ministries have expanded and thrived. She attributes this to the desire to welcome everyone, encourage new ideas, try different projects and accept each person’s varied gifts and talents. Many times, Janet will personally invite parishioners to join a ministry who she thinks has the gifts and talents that can benefit a specific ministry. “Some days, my heart is so full of joy from my ministry work that I need to share it with others,” she noted. “God has given me courage to do things I never thought I could do to benefit His Church.”
She expressed gratitude to the eight pastors she has graciously served under, each one helping her develop spiritually into the person she is today. Those pastors include Father John Sullivan,
FatherCharles McGinley, FatherNorbert Belliveau, Father Joseph Ashe, Father Joseph Kugler, Father John Ashe, Father Paul Boudreau and, currently, Father John Antonelle.
Janet’s zeal for enjoying life comes through loud and clear through her words and actions. “Laughter is a part of who I am, and I like to enjoy life to the fullest — pray, eat and laugh — that’s what is important to me.” She channels her exuberance by planning and offering social events for the parish. Whether it is parties, bus trips or bringing Broadway productions to the parish, Janet is there to lead the charge and unite parishioners for some good oldfashioned fun. “When I experience something good, I want to share it with other people,” she said. It’s also why she plans many bus trips to
Boston, New York City, West Point Academy and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “If you want to have a good time, I want you to join us and share in the fun.”
Amid the love and laughter she has experienced as part of the St. Mary faith community, Janet recalls some challenging times as a parishioner. The most tragic was the fire that destroyed the church after its renovations. Janet remembers seeing the smoke from her back yard and getting the fateful phone call that her beloved St. Mary Church was burning. She remembers her former pastor, Father Joseph Kugler, who in 1993 was fatally hit by a train while he was out walking. She credits her faith for strengthening her in these and other difficult moments of her life. “If you do what is right and pleasing to God, you will always end up in the right direction. He will never leave you to deal with anything alone.”
Despite the amount of time she devotes to her beloved ministries, Janet manages to balance her time between family and church responsibilities. She says sometimes her daughter teases her that she needs to make an appointment with Janet or go on one of her mother’s bus trips to spend time with her.
Janet takes this in stride. “I have lived my life like my mother did — giving and serving. She took care of the nuns all her life. I was blessed to be able to take care of Sister Laura Marie from our parish as she aged. I am truly humbled, grateful and blessed for all the good Lord has given me throughout my life.”
How blessed are we to have such an amazing example of faith in action right here in our own diocese.
Laughter is a part of who I am, and I like to enjoy life to the fullest — pray, eat and laugh — that’s what is important to me.”
Three students at St. Bernard School in Uncasville are on a mission to change the lives of new mothers and their babies.
Olivia Gionet, Anna Kate O’Donnell and Sarah O’Donnell collected supplies this summer to benefit the Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center in New London.
“We’ve all been to Catholic schools our whole lives and they’ve always taught us to live like Christ did. We thought, ‘What better way than to help mothers and babies and the entire community by giving back,’” Anna Kate said.
The girls recently were featured on WTNH News 8’s segment called “Wednesday Warriors.”
Following her passion to work in the medical field with women and children, Olivia spearheaded the community service project to collect supplies for pregnant women in need and their babies. She recruited friends Anna Kate, a freshman, and Sarah, a seventh grader, to help hand out flyers at Sts. Agnes and Mathias churches. They then collected supplies and monetary donations for the cause.
“I’ve always just really enjoyed helping others,” Olivia said. More than 40 boxes of diapers, 180 packs of wipes, 45 outfits, blankets and hundreds of personal care products were collected and placed into 50 care packs for moms and babies. The girls also received more than $1,500 in cash, which was used to buy 14 car seats and four pack-and-play cribs.
The girls delivered the supplies to Care Net, where the director was overwhelmed with emotion. She spoke of how this group of teenage girls took time over the summer to support those who are choosing life in these tough times.
This year’s permanent diaconate convocation was held on Nov. 18-19. The convocation is a yearly gathering of deacons and their wives who come together to worship, to discuss timely topics affecting the Church and their ministries, and to re-connect.
In attendance this year were 23 deacons and 17 wives. As is customary, the convocation began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael R. Cote at the Cathedral of St. Patrick. This year’s convocation topic was the “role of the deacon in the National Eucharistic Revival.” Diocese of Norwich chancellor Rev. Peter Langevin presented the topic and led the discussion.
Father Langevin explained that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) initiated a three-year National Eucharistic Revival on June 19, 2022, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, (Corpus Christi). Its mission
is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” The revival aims to inspire people to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist.
Father Peter stated that the USCCB launched this initiative in response to rather sobering statistics gathered over the past 15 years concerning the waning belief in the true presence of the Lord Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. In the summer of 2019, the Pew Research Center published the results of a study they had conducted earlier that year, regarding both understanding and belief among selfdescribed Catholics, about the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist. The survey focused on the core teaching of transubstantiation, i.e., that through the ministration of a validly ordained Catholic priest, the substance of bread and wine is transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. The study found that 7
in 10 self-identified Catholics do not believe, or did not know, this core teaching.
“We can all agree that this teaching is vitally essential to our Catholic faith...in fact, this teaching is the distinguishing factor which differentiates Catholic teaching from other Christian traditions.”
In light of these lamentable statistics, the focus of Father Langevin’s presentation was to outline what we as a diaconate community can do to assist in the National Eucharistic Revival’s important work of inspiring, educating, and showing to everyone the wonders of True Presence.
If it were possible to encapsulate Father Langevin’s talk into one word, it would be intentionality, or an attitude of purposefulness within the Liturgy and especially regarding the Eucharist, which is “the source and summit of Christian Life.”
“I think that it is particularly important to avoid the temptation to think that these challenges will be solved through programs alone.”
Quoting an old Latin adage, nemo dat quod non habet (one cannot give what one does not have), Father Langevin made clear that words have their place, but actions speak louder. It is up to us, deacons, priests and lay faithful to, by our actions, demonstrate our belief that Christ is truly present in the Holy Communion we receive. Familiarity can breed laxity, and too often we can take the Eucharist for granted. We must be “intentional” in how we speak of, and especially how we act in regard to and in the presence of, the Blessed Sacrament.
Father Langevin referenced the wonderful example of intentionality demonstrated by Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo Acutis is best known for documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world and cataloging them onto a website which he created before his death from leukemia, at the age of 15. He was noted for his cheerfulness, computer skills and especially for his deep devotion to the Eucharist, which became the core theme and focus of his life.
“The Permanent Diaconate is primarily a ministry of charity (love), ... the Eucharist is the sacrament of love.”
From a young age, Carlo had a special love for God, even though his parents weren’t devout. After he made his First Communion, he went to Mass as often as he could, and he made Holy Hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament, before or after Mass. He asked his parents to take him on pilgrimages to the sites of Eucharistic miracles (where bread and wine visibly turned into flesh and blood).
Blessed Carlo Acutis said it best on his website, where he wrote, "The more often we receive the Eucharist, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on this earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”
“We can all agree that this teaching is vitally essential to our Catholic faith...in fact, this teaching is the distinguishing factor which differentiates Catholic teaching from other Christian traditions.”
Ifirst heard of the Camino de Santiago (the Way of Saint James) while studying Spanish as an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut. I learned about the exchange of cultures, ideas and material goods along this historical route starting from southern France to northwestern Spain.
While in Spain for a semester abroad, I spent a week traveling to Santiago de Compostela, staying in some of the major cities along the way. Similar to the mustard seed parable, God planted a seed of faith within me. At the time, I did not realize how much it would grow or in what direction, but it was growing. As time marched on, I had a growing desire to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. As my discernment grew closer toward the priesthood, I felt a particular attention being given to the moments when Jesus entered my life and beckoned me to follow Him (Mt 9:9) or the struggles of the rich man in Luke 18:18 and renunciation of wealth within that chapter of Luke.
Finally, it was time for me to place my trust in the Lord and His providence. During 2018, I made preparations to apply to seminary and go on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
I invited my mother along as a chance to spend some time before my departure for seminary. We procured our pilgrim passports, books, backpacks and boots and set forth on a mission to Santiago de Compostela. With full trust in the Lord, we left by bicycle
from Burgos after attending Mass at the cathedral.
First, we traveled over the meseta from Burgos to Leon. Our initial leg was approximately 25 miles of riding and getting into a rhythm of finding our way to the next town. Leaving the town’s boundaries and seeing nothing but open fields as we prepared to bike to our next destination increases one’s faith in the Lord. Our lives at that moment were
guided by meeting the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in His Church.
Though we weren’t sure where we were going to sleep or wind up, we made it a priority to make it back to His Church. One of the highlights for me was attending Mass at the Monastery of the Holy Cross, run by the Marist Fathers and Benedictines in Sahagun, Spain. We were surrounded by people of different nationalities: Croatians, Germans, Italians, English speakers and others. Being in Spain as the priest celebrated Mass in English demonstrated the unity of our faith throughout the world as we participated in the divine life of Jesus.
Along our pilgrimage, we shared time with people that were part of our lives. Each of us traveling toward the end, Santiago de Compostela, not knowing that the end is but the beginning. After almost 14 days and 350 miles of riding, we made it to Santiago de Compostela, where we participated in the pilgrims’ Mass.
There was one last surprise in store for us, though we did not think there could be any more surprises. We were told that the famous thurible was not going to be used at the Mass due to cost. However, thanks be to God, it was put into action for the glory of God. We
concluded our pilgrimage by taking a bus to the “End of the World,” also known as Fin des Terra or Fisterra. At Fisterra, we saw the sun sinking into the ocean, knowing that tomorrow we would have another day to give glory to God.
Coming home from our pilgrimage left us with a peace that prepared us to return back into the world with a renewed sense of purpose. There were many lasting impressions that were left upon us. Packing fewer things would have been better, great company kept our spirits up, and Christ was at the center of all.
Participating in the liturgical life of the Church brought our souls to God and a peace that is indescribable. In rethinking the guiding Scripture passage for this pilgrimage, perhaps the passage to think of would be, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Jn 14:6)
NICHOLAS is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Faith Events. She is an artist and she and her husband have two sons.
It seems to me with each passing year, as the holidays approach, more and more people are in a rush to start preparing, decorating and even celebrating. I’m not sure if this is because they want to get things done early so they have time to sit back and actually enjoy the season or if it’s because we keep ourselves so busy it’s hard to leave time for the holidays as they are meant to be celebrated in their due time.
One thing I have craved in my family for the past few years is the ability to slow down and simplify special times; enjoy them for what they are truly meant to be namely, faithfilled family gatherings rich in love and spirit. I can definitely say this is not an easy task to accomplish in a world that values multitasking and living up to unachievable standards. A special new tradition I started with my family that allows us to start being mindful of the holidays, in particular Christmas, in October is through Cross Catholic Outreach. Through Cross Catholic, parishes and individuals fill shoeboxsized gift boxes that children in impoverished countries will receive for Christmas. My two sons love filling the little boxes with as much as they possibly can stuff into them, and I love seeing them consider what items would be truly useful for a child who has nothing. It is an important learning experience for
American children to realize that a child in a poor country would be happy to receive a $1 toothbrush, whereas when asked what they want for Christmas, my children very often say they don’t know … because, truthfully, they already have all they want and need. To me, this is a perfect way to take the building excitement of the Christmas season and put it in check. Think of the less fortunate first.
At this point in December it is already too late to participate in the Boxes of Joy program for 2022. Next year, though, if you want to start preparing for Christmas a little early, instead of going out to shop or decorate for yourself on Nov. 1, I encourage you to find a parish that is participating in Cross Catholic’s Boxes of Joy program. It is a wonderful, selfless way to start sharing and celebrating the Christmas spirit early and a spectacular way to involve children in Catholic outreach. If you don’t
Contact Deacon Ben LoCasto, deaconlocasto@norwichdiocese.net
have a parish near you that is participating, go to www. crosscatholic.org and learn how to participate individually or become the leader in your parish.
It is an important learning experience for American children to realize that a child in a poor country would be happy to receive a one-dollar toothbrush.”
The Church celebrates the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. Have you ever felt starved for comfort? Or in need of a safe place to land? Our Lady of Guadalupe has a spiritual shoulder for all her children to rest on. During an apparition to Saint Juan Diego 491 years ago, she left us a message; “Let not your heart be disturbed”. Our Lady of Guadalupe can be this place of peace and rest for all hearts.
FOUR COUNTY
The magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Norwich
PUBLISHER
Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Bishop of Norwich 860.887.9294
EDITORIAL OFFICE 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS/ EXECUTIVE EDITOR Wayne Gignac 860.886.1281 wgignac@norwichdiocese.net
MARKETING/PRODUCTION MANAGER Deacon Benedict LoCasto 860.887.3933 deaconlocasto@norwichdiocese.net
Want to stay local? The opportunity to reach out to the poor in your own town or vicinity is always available at our two local soup kitchens, St. Vincent de Paul Place in Norwich and St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen in Middletown. Both ministries welcome help all year long, as well as donations of food, new clothing items and children’s gifts for Christmas.
If you are stuck rushing to fulfill all your Christmas obligations and it feels stressful and unenjoyable, maybe it’s time to switch up some priorities and look for new meaning in this beautiful season.
The Psalmist writes “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother’s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul” (Psalm 131). Our Lady of Consolation, Comfort of the Afflicted, Refuge of Sinners, is here with us to be our mother. She appeared in Guadalupe to deliver this message to each of us; “Let not your heart be disturbed…Am I not here who am your Mother?”
During a time of confusion and stress in Saint Juan Diego’s life, Our Lady of Guadalupe came to bring him a message of hope. He was struggling to see beyond his uncle’s illness and even his misunderstanding with the local bishop. Our Lady renewed his sense of hope and gave him reason to see beyond the immediate, temporal struggles by showing him a place for his heart to rest; her own Immaculate Heart.
In the safety of your own heart, take a moment to reach out to your mother now. Let her sit with you, be with you. Let her presence still your heart and allow you to rest.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. PLEASE
SAINT PATRICK ON MONDAY,DECEMBER 12TH AT 7:00PM FOR A BILINGUAL EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION.
SENIOR WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Ryan Blessing 860.887.3933 rblessing@norwichdiocese.net
WEB SPECIALIST/WRITER Morgan Martens 860.887.3933 mmartens@norwichdiocese.net
THEOLOGICAL ADVISOR
Very Reverend Ted F. Tumicki, S.T.L., J.C.L., J.V. 860.887.9294
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE DRAWINGS BY Mark O’Neill
MAGAZINE LAYOUT & DESIGN Matt Watters
“Let not your heart be disturbed”
How wonderful it is to be a part of the inaugural edition of our Four County Catholic magazine. How fitting that it will be in homes shortly before Christmas, the time of year when so many of our family and friends will be visiting, hopefully taking the time to enjoy the new columns and format. Jesus asks each of us to bring the love and message of Christ to our families and neighbors, one person at a time. I hope that this beautiful magazine will help us do just that.
MARY ELLEN MAHONEY is the Director of Development
As we look ahead to the end of the year and concluding our 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA), One Faith, One Family, I would like to thank all of our generous donors who have looked within their hearts and made the sacrifice to help support our ACA this year. As our motto states, we truly are of one family in one faith. And there is no better way to show your love of Christ than by making sacrificial gifts to the ACA, allowing our ministries to be the hands and feet of Christ. Whether it be helping seminarians continue their educational path to the priesthood, preparing children for their sacraments, providing compassionate care to the elderly, reigniting one’s faith journey or ensuring that the hungry and homeless are fed and clothed, the missions of our ministries are numerous and far-reaching.
To those of you who have not yet donated to the 2022 ACA, I would ask you to please
consider doing so today. As of the writing of this article, we are still $244,452 away from reaching our goal, amounting to a 9 percent shortfall. Only 15 percent of our parishioners have donated, leaving close to 85 percent of our parishioners yet to make a gift. I respectfully ask everyone who is still praying about donating to please take the opportunity in the next couple of days to do so. Our ministries such as the Office of Vocations, Office of Faith Events, Schools Office, Catholic Charities and
St. Vincent de Paul Place and St. Vincent de Paul Middletown, just to name a few, are relying on each of us to do our part.
The time is now, and the need is urgent. As I wrote before, we have been graced by an amazing matching gift opportunity. Together, the Rossi Foundation and the Padre Pio Foundation of America have agreed to match 50 percent of each new dollar we receive until Dec. 15. The generosity of these donors truly astounds me, and we are so incredibly thankful. We are
equally grateful for each of your donations, no matter their size, because we truly cannot accomplish what we need to do without every member of our family of faith pulling together as one.
While on vacation in South Carolina recently, I attended the local church and was surprised to see an announcement that in the event of a bad storm, the members of this particular coastal parish would be evacuated and welcomed into the homes of members of an inland parish. The announcement continued that the inland parish families were prepared to host the displaced families for as long as they needed. It was so uplifting to see that kind of commitment from one parish to another, truly a testament to our being all members of one family of Christ. While we do not need to open our homes to entire parishes in such a way here, we certainly are called to open our hearts and wallets.
If you are interested in making a donation to the 2022 ACA, please call our campaign manager, Heather Harris, at 860.886.1928, ext. 111 or go online at www.norwichdiocese.net . You may also send checks made payable to the ACA, with your parish name in the memo line, to the ACA Office, 197 Broadway,
Norwich, CT 06360. Thank you very much for your support — and happy reading.
Each and every one of us, by virtue of our baptism, is called to live the Gospel and to follow Jesus in our daily lives. But how practical is that? Is it realistic to think that we can actually practice our faith in our daily work?
According to Michael W. Sullivan, SFO, here are three ways our work can help us deepen our relationship with God:
Be incarnational
Christ became human to be with us to be Emmanuel. If we are to follow Him, then we also need to be with each other. We need to work with others, cooperate with them, serve them, participate and experience our life together with them. When we share our ideas and abilities and allow others to do the same, we become the face of Christ on earth for them and our work truly becomes holy.
We can use our talents, gifts and daily opportunities to renew the world and to work with God to build the kingdom on earth. Pope St. John Paul II has said that the Church “sees it as her particular duty to form a spirituality of work which will help all people to come closer to God through their work” (On Human Work, 1981). Our primary job is to be a disciple of Christ. We are all called to be good stewards of the personal gifts and talents we have received and to freely use those gifts to follow Christ and to do the will of the Father. Our daily work is the opportunity we have been given to participate with God’s will in even the most ordinary of daily activities.
As Catholics, we are called to renew our world, our society and our workplace with such generosity that we become living examples of the Gospel message of Christ. Our work not only allows us to provide for ourselves and our families, but also provides for all of society, especially the poor and the marginalized who have no voice of their own.
Be aware of the suffering and injustice that we experience everyday in our work and daily life. Christ did not condemn organizations and structures, but He did demand that they fulfill the good purpose for which they were intended. We must confront and challenge dysfunctional policies, practices and values that dehumanize and harm people. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking for the grace to stand up and relieve the injustice and suffering we find in our daily work life when and where we can. We also must pray to God to bless and make whole the sufferings which we cannot change and which only God can redeem. When we see injustice or suffering in our workplace, we can ask ourselves the following questions:
• Am I causing or contributing to the injustice? Stop!
• Can I change the situation? Act!
Is this a situation that I cannot change? Offer it to God and ask for his mercy.
I’m not big on New Year's resolutions, except to say that putting these three ideas into practice can go a long way in growing in our faith and doing our part to bring a little bit of heaven into our workplaces.
BY WAYNE GIGNACThe Good News is that Christmas brings the gift of faith, the blessings of hope and the peace of His love.
for the opportunity to continue to share the news of our faith with you and for your kind and generous response to our recent fundraising appeal.*
Wishing you every blessing this Christmas and in the New Year.
Your Four County Catholic Team *
