Four County Catholic December 2016

FOUR COUNTY

CATHOLIC Volume 28 • Number 11 • December 2016

norwichdiocese.org

Christmas Blessings "Let every heart prepare Him room."

God’’s Mercy Transforms Hearts

In this Issue: page

12 page

17

We pray "That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope."

24 page

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CATHOLIC norwichdiocese.org

Serving The Counties Of Middlesex, New London, Tolland, Windham, CT & Fishers Island, NY

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Sister Mary Jude Lazarus, S.C.M.C.

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FOUR COUNTY

"We are all God's children; what we shall be has not yet been revealed."

St. Bernard School junior class motto brought forward at Junior Ring Mass celebrated by Bishop Côte.

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

860.887.9294

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"Every day is a gift from God, and that is why we call each day 'the present' ".

Superintendent of Schools, Henry Fiore, Jr, speaking of the true gift-giving of the season.

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"We are like fish on the top of the Empire State Building..."

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen offering an unusual metaphor to help explain how sin takes us out of our purposeful environment.

December 2016

ON THE COVER:

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Cover painting is Virgin of the Angels

by French Master, Adolphe-William Bouguereau (1881).

This life-size painting, a serene vision of angels serenading the sleeping Jesus in the arms of a graceful young Mary, is one of the most important works by Bouguereau in the United States. It can be seen at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

The deadline for advertising is the second Monday of the preceding month. The editorial deadline is the third Monday of the preceding month. Articles limited to 500-word max; letters to the editor limited to 200-word max and must include name, address and phone number for verification. Email photos as JPEG attachments and MS Word copy to editorial@norwichdiocese.net or fax to 860.859.1253.

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Four County Catholic, 31 Perkins Ave., Norwich, CT 06360-3613 FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC Issue 11 December 2016 (PE 9934) is published monthly except July by Diocese of Norwich, 31 Perkins Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360-3613.

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Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

THE MOST REVEREND

MICHAEL R. COTE. D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY Come Lord Jesus into our Hearts and Homes

In Sacred Scripture, the beautiful Christmas narrative begins the account of God’s unfathomable, unyielding love for us. By the gift of His Only Son, God embraces the whole world with the mantle of His merciful love.

Mary’s Child is the Son of God, Christ the Lord. Saint Luke notes that this is news of great joy to be shared by all the people. In Bethlehem, the town of David, a Savior has been born. Jesus’ birth gives glory to God and the song of the multitude of angels announces the peace that only Jesus brings to this world.

From generation to generation, we remember the events of that holy night and we celebrate His Nativity.

Recounting Jesus’ Birth, we rejoice in our Churches, in our families, and in our communities. At the coldest, darkest time of the whole year, God’s love warms our hearts and illuminates our journey in this world.

However, the message and meaning of Christmas have been clouded by ever growing distractions that take our

focus off the Nativity of Our Savior.

Christmas’ real significance has been diminished and for some it has been lost.

In the Christmas narrative, we find a statement that is prophetic. “There was no room for them at the inn.”

(Luke 2:7) Those stinging words to Mary and Joseph, as they sought shelter, speak to us today of those who have no time, no room, for God in their lives. Thus Jesus is born in a stable and laid in swaddling clothes in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.

In our day, there are several for whom there is no room in their lives for God, for His Son, for the Holy Family. There is no room in the inn of their lives for Jesus. Rather, we should follow the example of the disappointed child who wanted to play Joseph in a Christmas pageant and instead was given the part of the innkeeper. This caused him turmoil and distress. But, you can imagine the “distress” he caused his teacher when in the actual production of the pageant, the youngster-innkeeper

instead said, “Mary, Joseph come right in, I have been expecting you!”

That is our sentiment as we prepare for Christmas. Come Lord Jesus, I have been expecting you. Not only at Christmas, but every day, we welcome Mary, Joseph, and the Child Jesus.

Admittedly, those who have no room or time for God’s Son and whose love for God has grown cold may not read or hear these words. But you have read them. Through you, those who have turned away from the practice of their faith can hear them.

How? By your invitation to join you at Christmas Mass, by your kindnesses and love, by your good deeds and thoughtfulness, by your compassion and understanding, by your prayers and Christmas greeting, you can be that angel who announces Jesus’ Birth, who shares the good news that a Savior has been born for all of us.

Help them to remember God’s love that grips our world in an embrace of eternal love and peace. Help them to remember and make time for Jesus in their lives. The Church welcomes home those who have left the practice

of their faith. God loves them and we, too, invite them to be one with us in His love.

Our focus is clear. We give praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of His Son. By our words and deeds, by our example, we share Jesus with others. Join me in welcoming Jesus this Christmas! In the words of the pageant innkeeper, “Mary, Joseph, I have been expecting you! Come Lord Jesus into our hearts and homes!”

As we welcome Jesus at Christmas, we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the Birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the power of Jesus’ love and mercy abide with you throughout the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Michael R. Cote December 2016

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

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Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

THE MOST REVEREND

MICHAEL R. COTE. D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY Ven Señor Jesús en Nuestro Corazones y Hogares

Mis queridas hermanas y hermanos en Cristo,

December 2016

La hermosa narración navideña en la Sagrada Escritura, comienza con el relato del inexplicable e inquebrantable amor de Dios por nosotros. Dios abraza al mundo entero con el manto de su amor misericordioso, por el don de su único hijo. El hijo de María es el hijo de Dios, Cristo el Señor. San Lucas señala que se trata de una noticia de gran alegría para ser compartida por todas las personas. Ha nacido un Salvador, en Belén, la ciudad de David. El nacimiento de Jesús da Gloria a Dios y el canto de la multitud de ángeles anuncia la paz que sólo Jesύs trae a este mundo.

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Recordamos los acontecimientos de esa noche santa y celebramos su Natividad, de generación en generación. Nos regocijamos recordando el nacimiento de Jesús, en nuestras Iglesias, en nuestras familias y en nuestras comunidades. En el tiempo mas frío y oscuro de todo el año, el amor de Dios calienta nuestros corazones e ilumina nuestro viaje en este mundo.

Sin embargo, el mensaje y el significado de la Navidad ha sido nublado cada vez más por las distracciones que toman nuestro enfoque fuera de la Navidad de nuestro Salvador. El verdadero significado de la Navidad ha disminuído y para algunos se ha perdido, verdaderamente olvidado.

En la narración de la Navidad, encontramos una declaración que es profética. “No había lugar para ellos en la posada.” (Lucas 2:7) Aquellas palabras que acuchillan a María y a José mientras buscaban refugio, nos hablan hoy de aquellos que no tienen tiempo ni espacio para Dios en sus vidas. Así, Jesús nace en un establo, puesto en pañales en un pesebre, en un bebedero para los animales.

Hay muchos en nuestros días, para quienes no hay lugar en su vida para Dios, para su Hijo, para la Sagrada Familia. No hay lugar para Jesús en la posada de sus vidas. Más bien, debemos seguir el ejemplo del niño decepcionado que quería representar a José en una obra de Navidad y en cambio se le dio la parte del hotelero. Esto le causó confusión y

angustia. Pero, usted puede imaginar la “angustia” que causó a su maestro cuando en la producción real de la obra, el jovencito-hotelero en su lugar dijo, “¡María, José entren, les he estado esperando!”

Ese es nuestro sentimiento cuando nos preparamos para la Navidad. Ven Señor Jesús, te he estado esperando.

No sólo en Navidad, sino todos los días, damos la bienvenida a María, José y al niño Jesús.

Ciertamente, aquellos que no tienen tiempo para el hijo de Dios y cuyo amor por Dios se ha enfriado, no pueden leer ni oir estas palabras. Pero usted las ha leído. A través de usted, aquellos que se han apartado de la práctica de su fe pueden escucharlos. ¿Cómo? Por su invitación a unirse a usted en la Misa de Navidad, por su bondad y amor, por sus buenas acciones y consideración, por su compasión y comprensión, por sus oraciones y saludo de Navidad, usted puede ser ese ángel que anuncia el nacimiento de Jesús, que comparte la Buena Nueva de que un Salvador ha nacido para todos nosotros. Ayúdelos a recordar el amor de Dios que agarra

nuestro mundo en un abrazo de amor y paz eterno. Ayúdelos a recordar y a dar tiempo a Jesús en sus vidas.

La Iglesia da la bienvenida a los que han abandonado la práctica de su fe.

Dios los ama y nosotros también los invitamos a ser uno con nosotros en su amor.

Nuestro enfoque es claro. Damos alabanza y Acción de Gracias a Dios por el don de su hijo. Compartimos a Jesús con los demás, por nuestras palabras y hechos, por nuestro ejemplo. ¡Únase a mí para dar la bienvenida a Jesús en esta Navidad, celebremos el verdadero significado de la Navidad, el nacimiento de nuestro Señor y salvador, Jesucristo.

Que el poder del amor y la misericordia de Jesús esté con usted durante todo el nuevo año! ¡Feliz Navidad!

Sinceramente en Cristo,

Michael R. Cote

Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

VOCATIONS CORNER

FATHER GREGORY GALVIN, DIRECTOR OF PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

The Doorway to Christmas

A

dvent began during the weekend of November 26th. Here we are a week away from celebrating the most transforming moment in the history of mankind when God the Father sent His Word and Son into the world to take on human flesh, to live among us, to show us the way to eternal life. That first Christmas morning, our transformation as a humanity began actively through that little baby born in the manger. Have we reached the end of that transformation?

No, not yet. But each time another human person opens their heart to God, we as a humanity come closer to the goal that our God has for us individually and as His Family. God desires us. God wants all of us to become one with Him. God wants us to know fully His Peace, His Mercy, His Love, and God desires in His Son and through the Holy Spirit that we rest in the completeness of His joy, forever and ever.

Looking back over this year, there are many who have suffered greatly, many who have already experienced death and now await a share in the promised resurrection which will bring us ultimately to the eternal life we are called to by God. There are many who are still doubtful, hesitant, unsure, caught in present suffering of illness, or lack of love, lack of relationship, lack of understanding, lack of necessities to live out their life in such a manner as to be daily focused on working for our greatest purpose in life, to attain the union we are created for, the joy we are created for, the peace we are created for. There are too many people around the world being displaced from their homes, their countries, their families, to fully wrap their heads around the immensity of God's love for each of us. Many of us are so wounded inside and afraid that we want to reach out to be healed but we hesitate. We

OUR DIOCESE

are not willing yet to reach out.

The Power of Christmas is about all the above - Christmas is the answer to all of our different experiences of suffering as long as we will open our hearts to the gift of Christmas. Open the door to your heart, for some, again, for others, the first time maybe, to getting to know who the baby Jesus is. Who did He become? Who has He always been? What did He do for us? Why did He do so much for us?

Why is He coming again? Why does He wait for us still? Why does He love us so much? Why did He give us his total self?

It is because of the love He shares with His Father through His Holy Spirit.

They desire to be completely one with us, with all of us, no matter our faults, our failures, our color, our nationality, our likes or dislikes, what we may be suffering right now, have suffered in the past or may suffer in the future. There is nothing that stops God from loving each

and every human being totally with the same desire for all of us that we be one with Him.

Our healing begins with Christmas, but we must let Christmas into our hearts.

One gift we must open our heart to - is the Christ Child. He desires to be rocked and cuddled in our hearts. He desires to massage our hearts. He desires to slowly heal with the power of His Divine Love, the deepest wounds of our hearts. Open the door - open the door and let the New Born King in. Let Him bring you His Peace, Joy and His Love. If each of us opens the door to our heart again - The world will change and His Kingdom will reign forever and ever. Alleluia! Amen.

Merry Christmas to All. Sincerely in Christ, Father Greg

Four County

CATHOLIC

A Day of Holy Hour for Vocations Reflection at St. Mary of the Visitation Church

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

(860) 887-9294

www.God-Calls.com

Submitted by Mary Burnett

January • 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm on ather Michael Giannitelli of St. 19, In 2017 this cycle, the Church is focused

thomas / St.years Anne, Voluntown Mary of the Visitation Church St.the first thirty of Jesus’ life. These were His routine ordinary public years in Clinton recently held a Day of Reflection in Visitation lived in an extraordinary way. He was a Hall. His subject was the Spirituality of carpenter. His friends were fishermen. ordinary time.

He preached. He taught. He healed. In We Pray for our seminarians Father Normand Michael covered Michael the Liturgical our lifetime, Dharen Mother Teresa may be the Brochero Jacob ramos Bovino Laflamme 2nd Year English Studies 1st Year PreTheology 1st Year Theology 2nd Year PreTheology University ordinary time in an Mt. St.best Mary Seminary Mt. St. Mary Seminary St. Mary Seminary Cycle, theMt.colors associated with example ofClark using Worcester, MA Emmitsburg, MD Emmitsburg, MD Emmitsburh, MD each cycle Frank andGilbert their signifiRev.cance.

His extraordinary way.

Michael Castiblanco Lawrence Barile.

Mr. Ron Blank 2nd Year English Studies 1st Year PreTheology 3rd Year Theology 3rd Year Theology Pope Saint John XXIII Clarkparticipated University Pope Saint John XXIII Pope Sainton John XXIII Eighty people in the two emphasis was Ordinary Time, the National Seminary Worcester, MA National Seminary National Seminary Weston, MA Weston, MA Weston, MA longest season in the five-season cycle. part conference which ended at 1:00pm Father Michael spoke about how our daily after a luncheon that was filled with very lives are filled with ordinary time that can lively discussions and leaving all proud to be spiritual and bring us closer to God by be Catholic. being conscious of our routine.

The World Needs Heroes.

All young men have that deep desire to do something remarkable, to be someone remarkable.

Have you considered the call?

Father Greg Galvin 860-887-9294 www.God-Calls.org Office of Vocations • Diocese of Norwich, CT • vocations@norwichdiocese.net

Shrine of Divine Mercy

December 2016

F

Father Greg Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations vocations@norwichdiocese.net

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Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

Donation of School Supplies from the Anne Capano Charitable Foundation Elates Diocesan Elementary Schools

By Kathy Gaito

December 2016

Over the summer months, families, principals, faculty and staff at schools across the country are busy purchasing costly school supplies. As the school year progresses, pencils break, notebooks fill, markers stop working and backpacks rip. Families and school personnel are then left with the task of spending more to replace these items.

Thanks to a donation of school supplies from the Anne Capano Charitable Foundation, the Catholic Elementary Schools in the Diocese of Norwich won’t have to go shopping!

The generous donation of pencils, backpacks, staplers, markers, paint, glue, whiteboards, notebooks, rulers, scissors and other school necessities has helped to alleviate the need to purchase these items mid-year.

Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Henry Fiore, Jr. expressed, “On behalf of our diocesan schools, I am extremely grateful to the Capano family for their very generous donation of the many boxes of school supplies for our students. As a result of their kindness, our families, who sacrifice to send their children to our schools will have some relief from the financial burden of the cost of supplies for their children. We are humbled and very appreciative of

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Left to Right: Kenneth Capano, Jr., Jennifer Capano, Jean Capano, Sharon Lent, Henry Fiore, Jr. and Kenneth Capano, Sr. their generosity.”

The Anne Capano Foundation is a charitable organization intent on giving back to the community to honor Anne, the eldest daughter of Kenneth and Jean Capano, who was born developmentally disabled. All of the Capano family members have rallied around this cause, wanting this Foundation to be a reflection of Anne and her life in Southeastern Connecticut. They want the focus to

be on helping young people in the community. The value of the school supplies purchased by the foundation exceeded $7,000.00 total. Over half of these supplies were donated to the Catholic Elementary Schools in the Diocese of Norwich and the other half were donated to other schools.

The Capano family are owners of three ShopRite Supermarkets in the towns of Clinton, New London and Norwich, Connecticut. Kenneth

Capano Jr., Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the stores, in talking about the connection between ShopRite and the Anne Capano Foundation spoke from the heart stating, “We are a family business entrenched in the community. We take the opportunity to give back because we work, play and raise our families here. It’s the right thing to do…it’s what you are supposed to do.”

Over three generations of the Capano family sit on the Anne Capano Foundation Board. The act of donating schools supplies to schools throughout the area where the Five Star ShopRite stores are located is just one example of the good work performed by the Foundation. The Foundation also supports scholarships for associates at ShopRite. In its eighth year, one of the key fundraisers to help the Foundation continue its work is the Annual Golf Tournament to be held on July 20, 2017 at Fox Hopyard, East Haddam, Connecticut.

The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Norwich consist of twelve elementary/middle schools with a student population in those schools of just under 1,700 students.

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Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

Norwichtown Mass

Christmas Mass Times for The Cathedral of St. Patrick

Christmas Eve: 4:00pm vigil

Midnight Mass with Bishop Michael R. Cote Bishop Cote and Monsignor Janik celebrating Mass for residents of the Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center on Monday, December 5.

Monsignor Leszek T. Janik, Vicar General of the Diocese, shared these thoughts on the close relationship of the Diocese of Norwich and the Rehabilitation Center, “At this holy and grateful time of year, as we celebrate our blessings and give thanks to God, we must keep the elderly and those struggling with serious health challenges close to our hearts. We are grateful for the assistance of the Rosary Altar Society from Sacred Heart Parish for their dedicated and faithful ministry to the elderly. It has been my privilege to celebrate Mass on a regular basis for the welcoming residents of the Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center. They remain in our thoughts and prayers as Christmas nears and throughout the New Year.”

7:30, 9:00 & 10:30am, 5:00pm.

•

Free Admission & Parking

December 2016

1 State Street, New Haven

Christmas Day:

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Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

2x10 SpiritualRenewal Dec16FCC_Main 12/9/2016 12:01 PM Page 1

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tuesday, January 10

Saturday, January 21

Sports and Spirituality

Dominican Mass

You are invited to an adult discussion on how the secrets of sports success can lead to spiritual success. At Our Lady of Lourdes - Gales Ferry Hosted by Andrea Hoisl, Office of Faith Events at 7pm.

Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich at 11am.

Wednesday, January 18 How you can help prevent the tragedy of suicide You are invited to an adult discussion on how you can help prevent the tragedy of suicide. At Our Lady of Lourdes - Gales Ferry. Hosted by Angela Rae Duhaime, PFS Coordinator City of Norwich and William Gilbert, PhD, from Catholic Charities.

7pm.

January 20-22 Retrouvaille Weekend At a Retrouvaille weekend, couples are given tools to re-establish communication, work on their issues, gain new insights and heal. For more information or to sign up for the weekend in the Hartford area, please call 413-525-1634, or 203-710-6207, or visit www.retrouvaille.org.

Wednesday, January 25 Recognition of the Pain of Loss and Support to Grieving You are invited to an adult discussion on how you can recognize the pain of loss and support to grieving. At Our Lady of Lourdes - Gales Ferry.

Presented by Mary Jo McLaughlin Family Services.

7pm.

Thursday- Friday January 26-27 Annual March for Life Bus Trip The Annual March for Life will take place this year on Friday, January 27th in Washington, D.C., as a way for people to express their opposition to abortion. Buses sponsored by the Southeast Chapter of Connecticut Right to Life will travel to the March leaving from the Norwich Municipal Parking Lot (Exit 11, I-395) on Thursday, January 26th at 9pm. Bus fare is $67 per person. For information, or to reserve/sponsor a seat, please call Margaret Becotte at 860-822-1362.

Yolanda “YoYo” Carroll “The Shoreline Specialist!”

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Wednesday, Janary 4, 2017

Television Mass

Father Ray Introvigne At 10:00am Channel 11 WCCT Comcast Channel 20 WTXX Charter

“ In the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a Virgin whose name was Mary…Do not be afraid, Mary, for

You have found favor with God. You will conceive and bear a son, and You shall name Him Jesus (which means ‘God is with us’), He will be great and will be called ‘Son of the Most High’…He will rule over the house of Jacob FOREVER, and of His Kingdom there will be NO end! ” Luke 1:26-27

Prayer and Discernment Board Meeting Monday, December 5 11:30am at Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich.

York Correctional Healing Mass Saturday, December 10 at 1pm. Individual Prayer and Anointing.

Healing Mass

Mondays, December 12th & 26th 2pm. Spiritual Renewal Center.

Carismatic Prayer Meeting Every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm Individual Prayer and Blessing Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich.

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25 Merry Christmas!

Thank you Holy Spirit, Blessed Mary, Joseph and Jesus!

Life in the Spirit Seminar

7 weeks begins in 2017 Monday, January 30 Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 & March 6, 13 7-8:30pm at Spiritual Renewal Center, Norwich.

Television Mass

Wednesday, January 4 10am. Comcast channel 11 WCCT, Charter channel 20 WTXX

spiritual renewal services Diocese of Norwich

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

Four County

Our DIOCESE

took the position as Director of Outreach to Haiti just over two years ago. When I began, I knew about Haiti’s poverty, lack of infrastructure, low levels of education, and limited access to potable water and sanitation. In short, I knew about the dire need.

But I also knew they were our brothers and sisters, and that we are called to help others.

As I write this, I am about to finish my fifth trip to Haiti, and it is three weeks since Hurricane Matthew. I have seen that what I knew about Haiti is true. In this trip, I have seen a country still reeling from a deadly earthquake, be devastated by a hurricane. But I have seen much more than that over the two years on the job, and almost 7 weeks in Haiti.

I have visited the clinic Outreach runs in Christ Roi, and seen the dedicated care of the Haitian doctors, aides and technicians we employ there. I have seen the malnourished children, in the clinic and at their homes, as they are brought back from severe malnourishment to health. I have seen pregnant mothers receive the care they need, medically and nutritionally, to bring a healthy

program.

While I have seen that all the negatives that Haiti deals with are true, I have seen progress, and heard about even more progress from the many wonderful people that have been active in this ministry for many years. I have seen hope, and faith, and the possibility of a bright future. In two years, I cannot see a significant difference in Haiti overall, but I can see a difference in the lives of those we help, and in the lives of the Haitians who run our programs.

baby into the world. I have seen our health aide workers in the neighborhood, following up on clinic visits to assure the right progress is being made.

I visited a school built and supported by St Matthew’s in Tolland, CT. The kindergarten students were a wonder with their infectious smiles, their joy and their love of life….even a life most of us can’t truly imagine. The older students were warm, welcoming, and

joyful. These students were being given a chance through our twinning program.

The university students quickly show warmth, a deep faith, and an appreciation for the chances our donors give them to improve their lives, through their sponsorships.

When they talk about postgraduation plans, they speak of making Haiti different, better. They talk about helping their families, and giving back to others still in the

Finally, I have had the pleasure of interacting with many dedicated, compassionate, faith-full donors.

People who call when we are late sending out a notice of a sponsorship payment, and say, “I just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong. I want to continue sponsoring my student, should I send in a check right away?” Or who call for updates on a program, or send down extra letters or gifts for Haiti. People who thank me for what I do, when it is really they who make everything happen.

As we prepare for the coming of the Christ child, I am struck by all we have been given, and the blessing of all those who share their bounty so readily with others.

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Outreach to Haiti

CATHOLIC

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Find Out How YOU Can Help Prevent Suicide January 18, 2017 @ 7 pm.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish 1650 Route 12, Gales Ferry.

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December 2016

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Four County Catholic Please Contact: Meredith Morrison (860) 887-3933 commeredith@norwichdiocese.net

We Can Help To report inappropriate contact of any kind by a representative of the Diocese of Norwich or for assistance to victims, please call: 1-800-624-7407

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Biblical Scholar Awes and Inspires

By Andrea D. Hoisl

were unshaken by the external forces around them.

Smith’s workshop was, as the gospel of John is, an invitation to deepen our faith. It reminds us that we can have “new life” in the Body and Blood of Christ. Through John’s eyes we can see very strongly Jesus’ divinity and humanity – humanity that we all share as our common denominator. After all, who wouldn’t turn water into wine if told to do so by your mother?

“God gave us the gift of renewed faith today. I feel very blessed,” was one of the many comments from the audience that attended a lecture by Biblical Scholar Thomas Smith on the Gospel of John. The workshop, co-sponsored by the Office of Faith Events and Ascension Press, took place November 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Quaker Hill.

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony

to themes and lessons for everyone to ponder. The stories highlighted included: the wedding at Cana, the multitudes of the loaves and fishes, Jesus walking on water, and the passion of Christ.

The day concluded with Smith looking at seven powerful women in John’s gospel who model discipleship and courage: the Samaritan woman at the well; the woman caught in adultery; the sisters of Jesus’ good

friend Lazarus, Martha and Mary; the woman who washed Jesus’ feet; Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. He prefaced these stories by noting that 20 percent of the women in Jesus’ time were named Mary. Smith noted that it was the women who stood vigil at the foot of the cross. While the disciples dispersed and only one of them remained, it was the women whose fidelity to and faith in Jesus

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

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

~ MRM ~

December 2016

Smith’s dynamic personality and down-to-earth presentation style enlightened the audience allowing them to journey alongside the gospel writer John into a spiritual connectedness that superseded time and place. As one participant noted, “Thomas made the Bible come alive for us today.” Before delving into the writings of the gospel writer John, Smith began with a communal invocation of St. John: "Oh teach me then, dear saint! "The secrets Christ taught thee – The beatings of His Heart, and how it beats for me!"

He compared the task of paring the depth of John’s gospel down to a one-day presentation to trying to fit the ocean into a glass for someone to experience it. Smith, the co-author of Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come Bible study, and a frequent guest on Catholic radio and television programs, including EWTN, described John as the gospel writer who gives us a “stand alone” picture of Christ. John, unlike the other gospel writers, focuses on Jesus as fully God and fully man. Since his gospel came after the other three, he had the advantage of being able to “fill-in the gaps” by including eyewitness testimony of events.

The workshop was a blend of humor, historical antidotes and religious nuances. Smith divided the gospel into parts by explaining pivotal stories and then attached them

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Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for December

“By means of the Funeral Rites, it has been the practice of the Church, as a tender Mother,…to commend the dead to God…and to give witness to its own faith in the future resurrection of the Baptized with Christ.”

That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope.

(CoNGReGATioN foR DiviNe WoRsHip ~ 1969)

ST. MARY & ST. JOSEPH CEMETERY Community Mausoleum Available 815 Boswell Ave, Norwich • 860-887-1019 ST. MARY CEMETERY Community Mausoleum Available 600 Jefferson Ave, New London • 860-443-3465 SACRED HEART CEMETERY Harland Road, Taftville • 860-887-1019 ST. PATRICK CEMETERY Depot Road, Uncasville • 860-887-1019 RESURRECTION CEMETERY Route 145, Westbrook • 860-443-3465 SACRED HEART CEMETERY Wauregan Road, Wauregan • 860-887-1019

December 2016

ALL HALLOWS CEMETERY Green Hallow Road, Moosup 860-887-1019

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Norwich Diocesan Cemetery Corporation 815 Boswell Ave, Norwich CT 06360 860-887-1019

Diocese of Norwich Youth March for Life Trip January 26-27, 2017 H.S. Students, stand up for your for faith and it will change your world! Join us for an exciting and faith-filled one-night pilgrimage as we experience what it means to be PRO-LIFE in the D.C. metropolitan area. January 22, 1974 thousands of pro-lifers took a stand for the unborn and each year it has grown into the annual march which is the largest pro-life event in the world.

Thursday, January 26 9:30 p.m.

Stop in Willimantic for pick up 10:00 p.m Bus departs from Saint Bernard School *1 stop for bathroom, break and snacks paid for by youth

Friday, January 27 5:00 a.m.

Breakfast 6:30 a.m.

Arrival at the D.C. Armory for Rally and Mass for Life *This event will begin with a rally featuring popular Catholic musicians.

Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Wuerl and visiting bishops.

7:30 a.m. Youth Rally begins 7:30 a.m. Confessions will be heard 9:30 a.m. Mass for Life 10:45 a.m. Leave for National Mall 11:45 a.m. Picnic in D.C. 12:00 p.m.

Arrive at National Mall/March for Life 4:00 p.m. Depart D.C. for home *1 stop for dinner on paid for by youth 11:00 p.m. Arrive at Saint Bernard School 12:00 a.m. Stop at Willimantic

Cost for the trip is $85 for students and chaperones which must accompany permission form. Only Breakfast will be provided, the stops for meals are on-yourown. Lunch must be packed and we suggest student have $20 for Dinner. Breakfast, Mass, and rally all happen before we arrive at March for Life. For more information, contact Liza Roach at Lroach@norwichdiocese.net or (860)848-2237 ex. 305.

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LITURGY NOTES Sister Elissa Rinere, C.P., J.C.D.

Office of Worship

Pope Francis in Sweden

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n late October, Pope Francis traveled from Rome to Sweden.

He had two purposes for the trip. First, he was to participate in an Ecumenical Prayer Service along with several other Christian leaders to begin celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

At the Ecumenical Service, held in the Lutheran Cathedral in the city of Lund, Pope Francis spoke of the importance of being close to others who might have ideas different from our own, since keeping distance results primarily in bitterness. He also prayed that the long history of dialogue between Catholic and Lutheran theologians would continue and even expand to include working together to help the poor, the sick and the downtrodden. Such charity undertaken together, Pope Francis said, is a highly effective form of dialogue.

Pope Francis’ second purpose in going to Sweden was to accept an invitation from the Catholic community of Sweden, only about 1% of the whole population, to celebrate with them the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1st. No pope had ever

before visited Sweden.

In his homily to the Catholic community gathered, Pope Francis spoke of the holiness of the saints.

He mentioned the saints who have been proclaimed so through the ages, but also relatives and friends and acquaintances who lived their lives in the fullness of faith and love. Holiness, Pope Francis said, is not found in great deeds, but in daily fidelity to the demands of our Christian Baptism, through which we are incorporated into Christ.

The Gospel read on the feast of All Saints is the beatitudes (Mt.5:112). Referring to the Gospel, Pope Francis pointed out that the true hallmark of the saints is that they are genuinely happy because they have found the joy that comes from giving to others. He singled out the beatitude of meekness, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” explaining that through meekness we are overwhelmed by the grandeur of God and with gratitude for all God’s gifts. Those who are truly meek are free to reach out to others in friendship and love, with no barriers.

Those who are truly meek do not fear

loss, because their true wealth is found only in God. Finally, Pope Francis spoke of saints as those who responded with fresh spiritual energy to the needs of their own times. That is, their path of holiness was found in generous deeds to who with them and around them in their everyday lives. Then, Pope Francis offered to his audience and to the whole Church new beatitudes, new paths to holiness, based on the needs of the 21st century.

Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others, and forgive them from their hearts.

Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized, and show them their closeness.

Blessed are those who see God in every person, and strive to make others also discover him.

Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.

Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others.

Blessed are those who pray and work for full unity between Christians.

Certainly, these “new” beatitudes can be found within those so familiar to us from the Gospel, but perhaps the new words can focus us in new ways on the needs of our own time and place. The path to holiness, as Pope Francis reminded us, is found in generous deeds of service to those who are nearby.

Pope Francis closed his homily with a prayer that through the example and intercession of the saints, all Christians will answer the call to holiness, and help one another to become saints. He entrusted this prayer to Mary, Queen of all Saints.

Amen.

Note: After eight years, “Liturgy Notes” comes to an end as a regular feature in the Four County Catholic.

As time permits, I will continue to write occasional articles on diocesan events or on subjects of special interest. Thanks to all who have been regular readers of “Liturgy Notes.”

Sr. Elissa Rinere, C.P.

Are you taking care of a loved one- spouse, *Give yourself child, parent, sibling, friend?

February 15, 2017, 7-8:30 pm Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry, CT

the gift of this night.*

Join us for a night of reflection to listen and share with others who are experiencing the struggles of caregiving.

Sign up through The Office of Faith Events 860-848-2237, ext.304 or via email at faithevents@norwichdiocese.net

December 2016

Caregiver Spirituality Night

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By Linda Norton econd Saturday Films is a unique ministry started by Brian Johnson, a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill and is a gift to the people of God in eastern Connecticut.

Brian’s openness to God’s will and stepping out in faith helped bring Second Saturday Films to be in 2014. Brian explained “I had become increasingly disappointed that faith based movies seem to rarely be shown

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at the movie theaters in our area of eastern Connecticut. One such movie, ‘October Baby’, was a movie I had to travel to Massachusetts to see. I was so moved by the movie that I bought the rights to show it in my church. That movie and its pro-life message were the seeds that started Second Saturday Films. I started, and continue, Second Saturday Films because I believe that, in what seems to be an increasingly confused and out of balance world, I see a need and a thirst for Truth. And I believe that movie nights are a great way to convey our Lord’s teachings.”

As stated in the name, the movies are shown the second Saturday of each month at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 63 Old Norwich Rd, Quaker Hill. Some of the movies that have been shown are “Courageous”, “Do You Believe?”, “The Young Messiah”, “The Letters”, and “Little Boy”. Brian likes to show movies that are “recently released, captivating, and relevant to the circumstances we face today.”

It’s time to be thankful for the

December 2016

Warmth oƒ Family

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Warm hugs, cheerful gatherings, gifts of kindness and love – the holiday season is filled with caring and sharing. At Creamery Brook our goal is to provide our residents with a caring and sharing environment all year long. As we reflect on the past year, we’re thankful for the smiles, laughter and compassion we see every day. We invite you to come for a visit and feel the warmth of our friendly community. Call us today at 860-779-8700 for information on our amenities and lifestyle options or to arrange a tour of our campus.

The movies begin at 6:30pm, but the doors open at 5:30 for anyone who’d like to enjoy some popcorn, pizza, socializing, and music before the movie. There is no cost, but donations are welcome to defray the costs of refreshments and the movie viewing license. Currently between 50 and 100 people attend each month, but with increased publicity, such as this article, it is hoped that many more people will take advantage of this opportunity for entertainment, community, and faith development. Seating is metal folding chairs but people can bring cushions or their own chairs if they’d like, as well as their own food to snack on during the movie if they are not into popcorn or pizza. Some people have even brought beach chairs to make themselves extra comfortable!

So far most of the audience has been comprised of adults and senior citizens, but Second Saturday Films has, “a particular desire to reach our younger friends. In a time where we seem to be losing the battle sometimes with Creamery Brook is part of children, teens, the Continuum of Care at and young adults between things of this world and things of God, the movies we show definitely have millennials in mind.” Movies have been shown at other parishes

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too and Brian hopes to make different locations a more common practice in the future.

Why not make a New Year’s resolution to bring your friends, family, and parish groups on a little “field trip” to a Second Saturday Films event?

The price is always right and the faith benefits are many! If bringing a group, please let Brian know in advance so ample refreshments can be ordered.

For more information, check out www. journeyforlife.org and click on the Second Saturday Films page. You can also e-mail Brian Johnson at brian@ journeyforlife.org or call him at (860) 961-7609. Please “Like” Second Saturday Films on Facebook at www. facebook.com/secondsaturdayfilms.

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2x3 BlueHorse Dec16FCC_Main 12/12/2016 10:39 AM Page 1 Our DIOCESE

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In Tribute “Beautiful Things For Children”

First Communion Dress Sale!

All In-Stock Dresses!

up to

70% OFF

December 26th ~ January 29th

In-stock merchandise only. All dress sales final.

On the bridge, downtown Mystic

860.536.4895

OPEN SEVEN DAYS • PERSONAL ATTENTION

Immaculata RetReat House A Ministry of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate 289 Windham Road, Rte. 32 Willimantic, Connecticut

WINTER GARDEN RETREAT January 31

Fr. Ron Meyer opens the 1st of series of garden retreats with “Catalogues & Choices”. Prayer, conference, Celebration of Eucharist with Homily, lunch, and resource sharing.

Offering is $25.00

SENIOR RENEWAL DAY January 18

The “Lesser-Known Saints in the Church and Beyond” series

by Fr. Roger Couture. Come and join your fellow seniors for a morning centered around “Dietrich Bonhoeffer” Offering is $10.00 and includes lunch.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

For all who want to examine in detail and strengthen their relationship with God, we offer one-on-one personal counselling.

Free will offering accepted according to ability to give.

Suggested: $20-$50 per hour.

INDIVIDUAL and/or GROUP RETREATS: Conference halls, chef-prepared meals, private rooms w/bath, WIFI. Call for details.

To register or for more information, please call 860-423-8484 or E-mail -info@immaculataretreat.org

Reverend Roger J. Lamoureux, O.M.I. Retired priest of the Diocese of Norwich

Norwich - -- The Reverend Roger J. Lamoureux, O.M.I., retired priest of the Diocese of Norwich, died November 14, 2016, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He was 83. As both educator and pastor, Father “Red” is fondly remembered as a gifted, caring and joyful priest. He had been Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Willimantic, Connecticut, for 23 years before retiring in July of this year.

Father Lamoureux, born in Lowell, MA, son of the late Emile J. and Marie-Ange (Landry) Lamoureux, prepared for the priesthood at Oblate College in Bar Harbor, Maine and pursued further studies in philosophy and theology at the Oblate Scholasticate in Natick, MA. Father Lamoureux also completed graduate studies at Catholic University, Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Jean Louis Joseph Collignon O.M.I., Bishop of Les Cayes, Haiti, on June 24, 1959, at St. Jean-Baptiste Church, Lowell, MA. Following his ordination, Father Lamoureux served for six years as an instructor at the Oblate Minor Seminary in Bucksport, ME. He then became Vocational Director for the New England area before beginning an assignment of many years as Superior, Bursar and preacher at the Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic, CT. While in service there, Father Lamoureux was appointed Associate Defender of the Bond of the Norwich Diocesan Tribunal in 1980 and Defender of the Bond in 1995 by the Most Reverend Daniel A. Hart, Bishop of Norwich.

It was on December 1, 1993, that Father “Red’ was appointed Pastor, St. Mary Church in Willimantic. There, he would faithfully watch over a grateful parish until earlier this year due to declining health. His leadership during the Church’s two-year restoration following the fire of 2013 will ever be among his most admired accomplishments as pastor.

In tribute to his determined spirit during that crisis, the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, on behalf of Parish and Diocese, presented Father “Red” with a framed portrait of himself as a permanent reminder of his inspired efforts to hold the parish together during the crisis. Father “Red” left all who knew him and the parish he loved strengthened in faith by his presence.

December 2016

www.thebluehorse.com 2x6 ImmaculataRetreatDec16FCC_Main 11/28/2016 2:32 PM Page 1

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Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Norwich Moves Ahead with Preparations for the V Encuentro

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Sister Mary Jude Lazarus, S.C.M.C. he Catholic Church in the United States is moving ahead with preparations for the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/ Latino Ministry, and the Diocese of Norwich is very much on board.

On Nov. 15, Pope Francis gave his personal endorsement of this endeavor in a video presentation to the U.S. Bishops at their general assembly in Baltimore. The Pope said: "The Encuentro seeks to

acknowledge and value the specific gifts that Hispanic Catholics have offered, and continue to offer, to the Church in your country. But it is more than that. It is part of a greater process of renewal and missionary outreach, one to which all of your local churches are called.” The Pope continued: “The Church in America as elsewhere is called to go out from its comfort zone and be a leaven of communion –- communion among ourselves,

Fatima, Lourdes & Shrines of Spain

Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Apparitions in Fatima

December 2016

Presented by Dream Vacation Travels Personally escorted by owners Bill & Elaine Potuchek May 11- 22, 2017

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Join Deacon Bill McGann and his wife Sheila as we visit Lisbon, Alcobaca, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Lourdes, Carcassonne, Barcelona & more.

Land Tour Priced at $1584 per person double occupancy

Air from city of choice, 2 night pre-stay in Lisbon, gratuities and insurance quoted on request.

For more information and reservations contact Bill Potuchek at 860-887-6481 A non refundable deposit of $250 per person is required to hold space.

Due to the special anniversary celebration in Fatima space is limited.

with our fellow Christians, and with all who seek a future of hope. The Christian community is meant to be a sign of prophecy of God's plan for the entire human family. We are called to be bearers of good news for

a society gripped by disconcerting social, cultural and spiritual shifts and increasing polarization. We need to become ever more fully a community of missionary disciples, filled with love of the Lord Jesus and enthusiasm for the spread of the Gospel. It is my hope that the Church in your country, at every level, will accompany the Encuentro with its own reflection and pastoral discernment.”

The Fifth Encuentro process is set to begin at the parish level in Lent 2017 with 5 weeks of reflection, consultation, and missionary activity. This will conclude with a Parish Encuentro, or gathering. It is estimated that some 5,000 parishes across the Nation will take part in this process. The Parish Encuentro will lead to the Diocesan Encuentro in the fall of 2017, in approximately 150 dioceses, involving some 200,000 participants. The Diocesan Encuentro, in turn, will lead to the Regional Encuentro in the spring of 2018, with about 10,000 delegates expected. The final gathering of the Fifth Encuentro, at the national level, to take place Sept, 20-23, 2018 in Texas, will be the

culmination of parish, diocesan and regional Encuentros. The Bishops expect that more than 1 million Catholics will participate in the Fifth Encuentro process over the next two years, as it moves from the parish to the national level.

After the national event, a summary of the Encuentro results will be published, with guidelines for implementation.

The ultimate goal of the Encuentro process is "to discern the ways in which the Church in the United States can better respond to Hispanic/Latinos, and strengthen the ways in which Hispanics can better respond to the call to the New Evangelization."

Based on Pope Francis’ The Joy of the Gospel, the theme of the "V Encuentro," as it is commonly known, is "Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God's Love.” The process of the V Encuentro is a call to the entire U. S. Church, and the Hispanic/Latino community in particular, to take seriously the call to the New Evangelization and so truly to become Missionary Disciples: Witnesses of God’s Love. In the Diocese of Norwich, the teams that will lead the process in the parishes were commissioned at various Sunday liturgies in November and have begun their work of preparing the parishes to engage in the process. Our Diocesan Encuentro is set for October 28, 2017.

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El Ministerio Hispano de la Diócesis de Norwich Sigue Adelante con los Preparativos para el V Encuentro

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Sister Mary Jude Lazarus, S.C.M.C.

Estamos llamados a ser portadores de buenas noticias para una sociedad sujeta a desconcertantes cambios sociales, culturales y espirituales, y a una creciente polarización.

Espero que la Iglesia en su país, en todos sus ámbitos, acompañe este Encuentro con su propia reflexión y discernimiento pastoral.”

El proceso del V Encuentro comienza a nivel de la parroquia durante la Cuaresma del 2017, con 5 semanas de reflexión, consulta, y actividad misionera. Esto se concluye con un Encuentro Parroquial. Se estima que unas 5,000 parroquias a lo largo del país participarán en este proceso.

Después del Encuentro Parroquial sigue el Encuentro Diocesano, que se realizará en el otoño del 2017, contando con la participación de unas 150 diocesis y 200,000 participantes.

Después del Encuentro Diocesano, sigue el Encuentro Regional, a realizarse en la primavera del 2018, con algunos 10,000 delegados. Con el Encuentro Nacional, a realizarse Sept. 20-23, 2018 en Texas, se culmina el proceso de los Encuentros en los diferente FUNERAL HOME, INC. niveles. Los obispos Serving All Faiths • Pre-Need Arrangements esperan que Traditional Services or Cremations más de 1 Directors: Joseph R. Introvigne, millón de Joseph R. Introvigne, Jr. & Michael J. Introvigne católicos 51 East Main St. participarán Stafford Springs, CT www.introvignefuneralhome.com en el proceso

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del V Encuentro a lo largo de los próximos dos años, desde el nivel parroquial hasta nacional.

Después del evento nacional, se publicará un documento que resume los resultados del Encuentro con pautas para la implementación.

La meta del V Encuentro es “discernir las maneras en que la Iglesia en Estados Unidos puede responderle mejor a los Hispanos/ Latinos y fortalecer las maneras en que los Hispanos/Latinos responden al llamado de la Nueva Evangelización.” Basado en la carta del Papa: La Alegría del Evangelio, el tema del V Encuentro

es “Discípulos Misioneros: Testigos del Amor de Dios.” El V Encuentro es un llamado a la Iglesia de Estados Unidos, y al Pueblo Hispano/Latino en particular, a tomar en serio el llamado a la Nueva Evangelización, y así convertirse en verdaderos Discípulos Misioneros: Testigos del Amor de Dios. En la Diócesis de Norwich, los equipos que van a facilitar el proceso en las parroquias fueron comisionados en varias liturgias dominicales durante el mes de Noviembre y han empezado su trabajo de preparar las parroquias para entrar en este proceso. Nuestro Encuentro Diocesano es el 28 de Octubre, 2017.

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December 2016

a Iglesia Católica en Estados Unidos se está preparando para el Quinto Encuentro Nacional de la Pastoral Hispana Latina, y la Diócesis de Norwich también. El esfuerzo recibió atención personal del Papa Francisco durante un mensaje de video del 15 de Noviembre dirigido a los obispos estadounidenses durante su asamblea general en Baltimore. Dijo el Papa: “El Encuentro busca reconocer y valorar los dones específicos que los católicos hispanos han ofrecido y siguen ofreciendo a la iglesia en su país. Pero es mucho más que eso. Es parte de un proceso más grande de renovación y de impulso misionero, al que están llamadas todas sus iglesias locales. La Iglesia en los Estados Unidos, como en otras partes del mundo, está llamada a salir de su comodidad y a convertirse en fermento de comunión. Comunión entre nosotros mismos, con nuestros hermanos cristianos y con todos los que buscan un futuro de esperanza.

Tenemos que ser cada vez más una comunidad de discípulos misioneros en toda su plenitud, llenos de amor al Señor Jesús y de entusiasmo por la difusión del Evangelio. La comunidad cristiana debe ser un signo y un anuncio profético del plan de Dios para toda la familia humana.

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Closing Celebration Mass for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy”

By Linda Norton

December 2016

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o mark the end of the Year of Mercy, our Bishop, Michael R. Cote, presided at a Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick on November 13th. Similarly, Masses were being held around the world as the Church brought the Jubilee year to a close.

According to the Catholic News Agency and EWTN, Holy Doors around the world were closed on November 13th, with the final Holy Door at St. Peter’s basilica closing on November 20th, the Solemnity of Christ the King.

In keeping with the message of Pope Francis to live the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, those who came to the Mass brought food donations for St. Vincent de Paul.

The Mass was a well-attended, beautifully coordinated liturgy.

Among those present were 100 appointed lay Disciples of Mercy from our parishes, the Sisters of Charity, students from the Academy of the Holy Family, and the Legion of Mary. Douglas Green led the Cathedral Choir, the Sterling Brass Quartet, and a bell choir.

Mr. Edward Tessman, Executive Director of Catholic Charities and parishioner of St. Mary of the Visitation in Clinton, was the commentator. He welcomed everyone and mentioned that the Disciples of Mercy “have served their parishes in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy” during the Year of Mercy.

The processional hymn, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” was sung as our Bishop and his concelebrants

Monsignors Anthony Rosaforte and Thomas Bride, Father Raymond Introvigne, Father Peter Langevin, and Father David Zercie, Masters of Ceremonies Monsignor Robert L. Brown, and Deacon Jorge Escalona, deacons Peter Gill and William Herrmann, processed into the sanctuary. Incense and cross bearers, altar servers, and the esteemed and colorful Knights of Columbus were also in the procession.

While singing the Gloria, our voices were accompanied by the heavenly sound of a bell choir. Lectors were Angela Arnold of St. Mark’s in Westbrook and Marjorie Vanner, our recently retired director of the Office of Faith Events, from St. Paul the Apostle parish in Foster, RI. After incensing the pulpit, Deacon Peter

Gill read the Gospel.

In his homily, Bishop Cote said that every 25 years a pope will proclaim a special year, but “years like the Year of Mercy are less frequent and offer opportunities for spiritual growth and grace”. He explained that this year was special not only because it began on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception but it also began on the 50th anniversary of the start of Vatican II. He shared inspiring quotes from Pope Francis, including how “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s Mercy” and if we “desire to see God, we have only to look at Jesus” and that “Mercy is a face to be recognized, contemplated, and served.”

Bishop Cote explained how the spiritual and corporal works of mercy are incorporated into the ministries

of our diocese. He thanked the Disciples of Mercy and Year of Mercy Planning Committee for suggesting the Gospel reading of the Prodigal Son for the Mass because it fit in well with the Year of Mercy. He commented that perhaps this Gospel should be called the “Parable of the Good Father” or “the Compassionate or Merciful Father” because the Father didn’t wait to hear his son’s excuses or to see if he was repentant or if he had suffered enough, but instead the compassionate father “runs to him with open arms”.

The General Intercessions were read by Andrea Hoisl, Director of Faith Events, and parishioner of St. Mark the Evangelist in West Hartford. The gifts of bread and wine were presented by Mona and Robert Niedbala of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Diane and William Russell from St. John’s in Middletown.

After Communion, Bishop Cote recited a prayer thanking God for giving us the Year of Mercy: “As we sing the Lord’s mercy extending to every generation, let us ask him to pour out, like the morning dewfall, that same mercy unceasingly upon the entire world.” Everyone sang the Magnificat and then Bishop Cote gave the final blessing.

For anyone who has not read “The Face of Mercy”, it can be found online, just Google “Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy”.

Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

Take Time to Reflect on Your Year ow many times have you heard people complain about the end of the year and how busy they are? From Thanksgiving onward, many feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities and busyness of the season. As much as everyone loves Christmas and New Year’s, there are a good portion of people who feel rushed to just get through it all. This is very, very sad.

Not only is yearend filled with time to joyously celebrate being with our families and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but it also provides us with the opportunity to take stock of our year as it concludes. Amidst all of the activities, Masses and gatherings, it is worthwhile to carve out some

quiet time of reflection. I know many of you are reading this saying to yourselves, “Time for me to relax and reflect? Ha!” We need to make this time part of our yearend routine because it allows us to really appreciate how we as people have progressed through the year. When we quietly review our year, we will remember many wonderful events, special transitions, amazing accomplishments, as well as the sadder events in life, loss and disappointment. But in them all, we will see, if we take the time to quiet ourselves, the love of Jesus Christthe support He gave us to achieve the good and deal with the bad.

Once we have been able to consider the events of the past year, it is also useful to take an inventory of our financial health.

Have you been able to meet your expenses with ease or do you need to reevaluate and perhaps adjust your budge accordingly? Have you supported your favorite charity by donating your time and talent or provided monetary support to the organization to carry out its mission? Have you found these involvements to be worthwhile and do you want to become more involved, perhaps by volunteering for a ministry or making a planned gift to your Parish or the Diocese?

We cannot even begin to make plans for our future until we evaluate our past. We need to prioritize our goals and determine how our time, talent and treasure can best allow us to meet our goals. All of this begins within the quiet of contemplation.

And last but not least, don’t let the year end without celebrating

what you and Jesus have accomplished together! All the good you have done, all the people you have touched, all the love you have given, all of this must be celebrated!

Whatever the New Year brings your way, right now, you can pause for a bit, take stock of what has been and praise where you stand now.

If you feel inclined to make a gift now before the year ends or plan for a gift to be made during the New Year or far into the future, please contact Mary Ellen Mahoney, Development Manager- Major Gifts at memahoney@norwichdiocese. net or (860) 886-1928 ext. 14.

Mary Ellen is available to help you to make a gift to your Parish, the Diocese, a Diocesan ministry or to establish an endowment with the Catholic Foundation as well.

The Good News is that Christmas brings the gift of faith, the blessings of hope and the peace of His love.

Thank You 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

December 2016

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By Mary Ellen Mahoney

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Providing Help, Creating Hope May you have 9 5 the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of HisCatholic loveCharities at Christmas would like to thank everyone who our 95 Anniversary Gala and supported the andattended always. good work that we do.

December 2016

th

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THANK YOU TO OUR 95th ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR Stephen and Patricia Coan

Merry Christmas To those that purchased a ticket, donated or purchased a silent auction item, purchased a Flame of Remembrance, simply made a donation CatholicCharities Charities; thank Ed or Tessman and the staff at to Catholic you!

Catholic Charities Locations

7KH HYHQLQJ VLJQLILHG D ´1HZ %HJLQQLQJµ IRU &DWKROLF Charities and could not have been possible without your Norwich (Main Office) Willimantic Middletown support.

THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS Michael and Angela Arnold Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tessman Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Capano, Sr. Ms. Jacqueline Keller Ms. Christine Jackel Mr. Everest Brustolon Chelsea Groton Bank New London Dime Bank

331 Main Street 88 Jackson Street 151 Broad Street 28 Huntington Street ´,W was an amazing night and celebration, allowing860-346-0060 Catholic Charities those in our community who support our organization through their 860-889-8346 860-423-7065 to honor 860-443-5328

hard word and unselfish dedication. We are truly blessed.µ said Edward J. Tessman, Executive Director 331 Main Street, Norwich, Connecticut 06360 / 860.889.8346 / www.ccfsn.org

Our DIOCESE

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Four County

Merciful Saviour Catholic Store Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Marie & Ed Fusco

By Linda Norton

t is no small feat to keep a business going for twenty years but Ed and Marie Fusco have done it. Their Catholic Store, “Merciful Saviour”, will be celebrating 20 years in business this January 2017.

The seeds of Merciful Saviour first germinated in the early 1990’s when

Marie had a profound conversion experience and was “deeply touched by the love and mercy of Jesus”.

Marie recalls developing “a deep desire in my heart to serve the Lord in ministry, to evangelize and share with others God’s love and mercy.”

After much prayer and discernment, it became clear to Marie and Ed that Jesus was calling them to open a Catholic store. They named it Merciful Savior because they had a devotion to the Divine Mercy.

The store originally opened in Lebanon in 1997. In 2002 they moved to Colchester where they remain today.

Starting a business is challenging but making it successful requires much work, care, and time. For Marie and Ed, it is a family affair.

Marie works in the store while Ed, in addition to his full time job as a Life Science Industry Specialist, takes care of the maintenance and store repairs.

Their daughter Jennifer Galante

works at home doing bookkeeping and inventories. They have two employees, Janet Larson and Marie Trawcyznski, who serve customers and do much of the day to day running of the store.

In reflecting on these 20 years, Marie said “The highpoint of my time at Merciful Saviour is watching the Lord work in this store in the hearts of so many beautiful, holy people who want to share their faith. Whether they are bringing religious items, Bibles, or books to their classrooms, nursing homes, prisons, parishes, hospitals, or their families and friends, they bring hope, healing, and God’s love to all of those in need.”

The store carries items for Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, books, Bibles, medals, crucifixes, jewelry, greeting cards, giftware, music, DVDs, some church supplies, cemetery lights and candles, statues, wall art, wedding and anniversary items, and more!

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In an age when Catholic and other Christian stores are closing across the country, the Merciful Saviour continues its mission. Even though online sales have increased in recent years and people can get discounted prices via the internet, there are still plenty of people who like to support small businesses and see and touch the merchandise before buying it.

Marie said “we try to do our best by providing the customer with good service, a listening ear, some smiles and laughter and sometimes we will just share our tears—those are some things that the internet cannot provide.”

Store hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 10 AM – 5 PM, Thursday and Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM – 3PM. Closed Sunday for obvious reasons! They do not have a website, but you can call directly at 860-537-0079.

Independently Owned and Operated Since 1881

Steve Bennardo

392 South Main Street, Colchester

860-537-0079

Store Hours: Mon-Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-6, Sat 10-3

10

%off

Any One In-Stock Item

Expires 1/10/2017. One Coupon Per Customer.

Must have coupon to receive discount.

We carry: Rosary Beads, Jewelry, Music, Books, Bibles, Indoor & Outdoor Statues, Crucifixes, Wall Crosses/Crucifixes, Eternal Lights & Candles, Greeting Cards for all occasions, Missals, Prayer Books & Cards, Baptism Gifts for children and adults.

Giftware for Sacramental Celebrations, DVD's,

Prayer to St. Jude

Most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

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

~ JJ ~

433 Main Street, Danielson, CT

25 Main Street, Central Village, CT

860-774-3284

860-564-2147

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

December 2016

Owner/Funeral Director

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Four County

Our DIOCESE

CATHOLIC

Que Viva!

December 2016

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The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

By Linda Norton uan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin is living proof that life is full of surprises. On December 8, 1531, he probably never thought it possible that the next day he would have the first of four encounters with the Virgin Mary that would change his life, and the lives of others, forever.

Almost 500 years later, the Church still has the tilma Juan Diego was wearing on December 12, 1531, the date of the fourth and final apparition, which miraculously bears Mary’s image.

Today, Juan Diego is a saint, canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II as the first indigenous saint from the Americas; and the Virgin Mary is honored as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas.

Our Diocese has celebrated a bilingual Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the last few decades.

Fr. Robert Washabaugh initiated the annual Mass when he was the Director of Hispanic Ministries. Sister Mary

Jude, of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church, is the current director and continues this tradition, with the generous help of a faithful planning committee. As Sister Mary Jude, explained “Our Lady belongs to everybody” and everyone in the Diocese is always invited to participate in this special annual Mass.

Those entering the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich on December 12th saw a large framed portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe illuminated by festive white lights on the right side of the sanctuary. Roses were placed beneath the portrait and in the sanctuary, reminders of the roses Mary provided for Juan Diego.

Prior to the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation in English and Spanish was available, while simultaneously Alvania Tejada from St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in New London led a bilingual recitation of the rosary.

After the Rosary, Sister Mary Jude

Photographs by Meredith Morrsion

welcomed everyone. She reminded us that the apparitions demonstrated Mary’s great love for the poor, and it was in this spirit that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) proclaimed December 12th as a special day of “Prayer and Solidarity with Families of Immigrants”. She asked us to enter into the Mass with fervent prayers for this intention, as well as for the unborn, and all who suffer.

The opening hymn “Las Apariciones Guadalupanas” (Translation: The Virgin of Guadalupe), was sung as our Bishop, Michael R. Cote, a dozen concelebrating priests from around the Diocese, three deacons and altar servers Lucas Brennan, Jean Pasato and Manuel Silva processed into the sanctuary.

Bishop Cote welcomed everyone in English and in Spanish. He explained that on December 1st our U.S. Bishops asked all Catholics to pray for those

who have come to our Country seeking a better life and, as quoted from the program, to pray for “those families separated and far from home in these uncertain times; we join with you in prayer for comfort and joy this Advent season,” and to especially ask for Mary’s intercession. Bishop Cote explained that people are worried about possible changes in immigration policies and assured everyone that the Church is monitoring things so it can advocate for immigrants.

The music ministry for the Mass was provided by Mariachi Internacional from the Boston area and included trumpet, accordion, guitars, and voice. Rosanna Bueno was the cantor.

Andrea Hoisl, Director of the Office of Faith Events, was the lector, and Yanet Gonzalez from St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish led the singing of the Responsorial Psalm. Deacon Octavio Flores proclaimed the Gospel from Luke 1: 26-28. ~ Continued

Four County

Our diocese

Father Russell Kennedy, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Middletown, offered the homily in Spanish and English. He connected the experience of the early Spanish missionaries with the mindset of our challenges today regarding immigrants. Many today ask if immigrants “count” or if they have rights. Father Kennedy took that line of thought further and asked if those who are unemployed count, or the elderly, or felons, or those in poverty…. and unborn babies. He asked the congregation, “What does the Church say?” It says we are all God’s children

CATHOLIC

and we all count. He mentioned that the bishops are working very hard to make sure everyone has rights, and the assembly broke out in applause in thanksgiving for the work of the bishops.

Prayers of the Faithful were offered

by Sr. Yalile Ruiz and Lizbeth Hernandez-Lopez. The Gift Bearers were from the Los Santos-Dominguez family from Iglesia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Parish in Windham. In addition to the gifts of bread and wine for the Consecration, they brought a bouquet of roses which was placed at the base of

the portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

They knelt down for a moment to pray before the image and then returned to their pew. After Communion, Fabiola Galvez, a young person from St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish, sang Ave Maria.

A few times during the Mass, the assembly responded to either the bishop or homilist with “Que Viva!”. After the Mass, Jose Luis Gutierrez of Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Parish, explained to this writer that the term “Que Viva!” acclaimed that Mary is alive and with us. Mr. Gutierrez stated that he moved to the United States

from Mexico when he was 17 years old and has been coming to this Mass for about 18 years. He says it helps keep his culture alive and believes it is the largest Hispanic event held in our Diocese.

After the Mass, everyone was invited to the Cathedral Hall for a tremendous fiesta with food and music with Mariachi Internacional. To contact the Hispanic Ministry office: 860-456-3349 or aposthispano@gmail.com.

Que Viva!

Sports and Spirituality: How Do We Balance Both in Today’s World?

Who: Adults, Coaches and Parents When: January 10, 2017, 7-8:30 pm Where: Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry A panel of experts with over 70 years of experience in organized athletics on the college and high school levels will discuss the importance of

Speakers include: Mr. Anthony Jaskot, Athletic Director, Xavier HS, Middletown, Ct Mr. Nicholas Cerreta, Varsity Baseball Coach Xavier HS, Middletown, Ct. Fr. Gregory Galvin, Pastor St Bridget of Kildare, Moodus, Ct and Varsity Hockey Coach, Xavier HS, Middletown, Ct Sign up with the Office of Faith Events at 860-848-2237, ext. 312 or via email at faith events@norwichdiocese.net.

December 2016

Vs.

“Coaching the Whole Person”

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Four County

OUR YOUTH Sacred Heart School, Groton

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

CATHOLIC Sacred Heart School, Taftville

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

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

St. Edward School, Stafford Springs Mrs. MaryAnne Pelletier, Principal 25 Church St, Stafford Springs, CT Phone: 860-684-2600 www.stedward-stafford.org

St. James School, Danielson Linda Marie Joya, Principal 120 Water St, Danielson, CT Phone: 860-774-3281 www.stjamesdanielson.org

Academic Excellence. Character. Self-Confidence.

Bishop Cote Celebrates Junior Ring Mass at Saint Bernard

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December 2016

By Shari Marderness

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he Most Reverand Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, celebrated the Junior Ring Mass at Saint Bernard School.

Students, teachers, staff and family members filled the auditorium for the special Mass in which the Bishop blessed the rings, emblems and symbols of the junior class. It happened to fall this year on All Saints’ Day, a solemn holy day dedicated to the saints of the Church.

The Junior Ring Mass is a special event that symbolizes the juniors’ shift from lowerclassmen to maturing young adults, said Angela Abraham, junior class president, in her welcoming remarks.

“It reinforces the idea that we are now role models for our younger generation; we must do our best to influence them in a positive way,” she said. “The blessing of our class rings recognizes our achievements and unity as a class.”

St. Joseph School, North Grosvenordale

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

One by one, juniors came forward to receive their blessed items from Bishop Cote, who recited a special prayer for class members: “May they always be reminded of the values and good things that they

St. Mary-St. Joseph School, Willimantic

Ms. Abby Demars, Principal 35 Valley St, Willimantic, CT Phone: 860-423-8479 www.smsjschool.org

have learned and heard and studied during their time here at Saint Bernard.”

He prayed for members of the junior class to continue to grow in their love for God and appreciate

St. Michael School, Pawcatuck

Mrs. Doris Messina, Principal

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

the talents given to them by God. “May they continue to develop those gifts and talents,” he said.

A banner decorated by the juniors served as a visual representation of their class motto, “We are all God’s children, what we shall be has not yet been revealed.”

That phrase resonates particularly now with the juniors who are faced with college and vocational decisions, Angela said. “Now is the time for us to use the teachings and advice given to us from our parents, teachers, and peers to help us make important decisions,” she said. “…Though we may not know where we are going in life, we will always have the bonds of our class.

Not only have we made friendships that will last a lifetime, but we have also created a family with an unbreakable bond.”

Following Mass, juniors and their families gathered in the gym for a reception in their honor.

St. Patrick School, Norwich

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

Four County

Our YOUTH St. John School, Old Saybrook

Mother Elaine Moorcroft, SCMC, Principal 42 Maynard Road, Old Saybrook, CT Phone: 860-388-0849 www.saintjohnschoolos.com

CATHOLIC St. Joseph School, Baltic

St. John Paul II School, Middletown Dr. Darryl Bullock, Principal 87 South Main St, Middletown, CT Phone: 860-347-2978 www.jpii.org

Sr. Mary Patrick Mulready, SCMC, Principal

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

St. Joseph School, New London

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

From the Superintendent’s Office…..

My Dear Friends,

Let us all make an effort during this Advent season to truly set examples by making our lives living prayers to God by following His Son’s commandment of love.

There is a saying that every day is a gift from God, and that is why we call each day “the present”. We teach our students that the best present we receive at Christmas is receiving the Spirit of the Newborn Savior in our hearts. And guess what? Our students “get it”!

That, along with the high academic standards we set, is what makes our schools so special. Thank you for all you do to support our diocesan schools. Please continue to pray for us. The main thread that permeates this diocese is the love for the same Jesus we are preparing for with joy and happiness.

May the warmth of the Holy Family be with your families during these special Advent and Christmas seasons,

Henry Fiore, Jr.

Superintendent of Schools

St. Bernard School, Uncasville

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

Academy of the Holy Family, Baltic

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

Marianapolis Preparatory School, Thompson

Mr. Joseph Hanrahan, Headmaster 26 Chase Road, Thompson, CT Phone: 860-923-9565 www.marinapolis.org

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

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 Mercy High School, Middletown

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

Xavier High School, Middletown

Brother Brian Davis, C.F.X, Headmaster Mr. Brendan Donohue, Principal 181 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT Phone: 860-346-7735 www.xavierhighschool.org

December 2016

The Advent season is upon us. In our diocesan schools, we strive to ensure that this season remains one of the most important seasons in our Liturgical Calendar. In our culture today, it is almost a forgotten season. Every year it seems that Christmas commercialism comes earlier and earlier. As soon as the Halloween candy is off the shelves, the Christmas decorations and “Black Friday” (a term which I do not like at all) ads begin. Is this how we are supposed to prepare ourselves for Christmas?

St. John Paul II, in his Angelus message of 1999, explained that Christmas is not simply the remembrance of the event that took place 2000 years ago, when the power of God took on the frailty of a baby. It is really about a living reality that is repeated every year in the hearts of believers. He stated, “The mystery of the Holy Night, which historically happened two thousand years ago, must be lived as a spiritual event in the ‘today’ of the Liturgy," the Pope clarified. "The Word who found a dwelling in Mary’s womb comes to knock on the heart of every person with singular intensity this Christmas."

This is not an easy task in today’s society. We teach our students that this is truly a time to prepare our hearts for Jesus through our reaching out to the needy, our deepening of prayer, our ministry as peacemakers, and living the roots of His Gospel, namely, loving God and loving our neighbor.

Your support of our diocesan schools and the sacrifices that parents make to send their children to Catholic schools are witnesses to the importance the Norwich Diocese places on providing a faith-based education. Our children will be less likely to get caught up in the commercialism and secularism of this time of year as adults as a result of your support of Catholic education and our joint commitment to raising our children to be true disciples of Jesus.

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Family Retreats for parents and their children ...the most important vacation your family will ever take.

Celebrating Advent December 16-18, 2016 at Wisdom House Litchfield, CT Summer: July 27, 2017 at Miramar Retreat Center, near an ocean beach in Druxbury , MA. Contact Deacon John & Peggy Scarfi

◆ Renowned college preparatory boarding school for young men who have not yet realized their potential. ◆ Located in scenic southeastern Connecticut

jscarfi@verizon.net 845-621-7000 www.starofthesearetreats.com catholicfamilyretreats.com

Academy of the HOLY FAMILY

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

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

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

St. Mary – St. Joseph School 35 Valley Street – Willimantic, CT 06226 860-423-8479 • www.smsjschool.org

At the Academy of the Holy Family, friends become family, so our house is always open to you!

A Magnet School for Values

An OPEN HOUSE on your time

December 2016

Come visit us and see…

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ϮAn environment that respects the dignity of each student as a sacred trust ϮA safe place with strong Christian values where our young women thrive ϮA family atmosphere with small classes, focusing on YOU! ϮA college prep program that opens the doors to opportunities ϮExtra tutoring to make it happen ϮSports, Activities and Unique Traditions to round out your personality and build community

Become one of the family!

For family visits and student shadowing or for more information, please call us or send a date request by e-mail to:

admissions@ahfbaltic.org

1-860-822-6279

54 West Main Street

Baltic, CT 06330

www.ahfbaltic.org

• • • • • • •

PreK—3 year olds (3 half days) PreK – 4 year olds full or half days Full day Kindergarten – Gr.8 Before and after school care Weekly Art, P.E., Music, Library, Technology Classes Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Challenging academic program

Trust your child to a Catholic School where faith, knowledge and life meet.

Come visit us!

Four County

OUR FAITH

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Longest Married Couple

or the seventh year in a row Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) is sponsoring its annual search for the Longest Married Couple in the United States.

“As we begin the seventh year of this wonderful project of recognizing long marriages, we want to honor the longest married couple in the United States, as well as in each of the 50 states and territories,” explained Dick & Diane Baumbach and Fr. Dick Morse, the U.S. coordinators for this

special project.

Nominations, which are open to all married couples regardless of religious affiliation, may be submitted through January 10, 2017. They may be emailed to wwmelmc2017@gmail.com or by regular mail to Dick & Diane Baumbach 188 Pinellas Lane, Suite 401 Cocoa Beach, FL 32931; or by phone to 321-804-2310. When nominating a couple, please include their names, wedding date and the city and state where they currently

reside. Also include a contact phone or email address of the individual nominating the couple.

The national winners will be recognized during Valentine's Week, 2017, which coincides with World Marriage Day, the second Sunday of February. The national winners will be formally recognized in person by the WWME United States Leadership Team.

The state winners are also recognized for their longest marriages by WWME couples from

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their states. The state winners will receive recognition and a special certificate of achievement from the WWME movement.

For more information on the Longest Married Couple project, view the video at https://youtu.be/ DTESH7JZLv4.

R E S E RVA T I O N S F O R D I O C E S A N T R I P TO :

Steubenville NYC 2017 St. John's University Friday July 21 – Sunday July 23, 2017

Pope Francis Celebrates His 80th

Join 3000 teens from throughout the area for three days of fellowship, faith, the sacraments, and awesome music.

Open to graduating 8th graders through 12th grade. $75 Deposit Due By January 23, 2017 Total Cost is $345

Cost for Conference is $270 for Early Bird due in April.

For further Information email Liza Roach at lroach@norwichdiocese.net

or 860-848-2237 ex. 305 Like us at:

https://www.facebook.com/ NorwichYouthEvents/

Steubenville NYC 2017 Diocese of Norwich Parish Registration Due January 23rd Steubenville NYC 2017 St. John’s University

Payments Made Monthly

Mail Form to : Office of Faith Events 199 Broadway Norwich CT 06360

PARISH NAME__________________________________________________________ ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________ Street Town Zip PHONE_____________________

E-mail___________________________________

POC _______________________________

NUMBER OF TEENS _______________

NUMBER OF CHAPERONES ____________________________ (1 Per Every 6 Teens) TOTAL TRANSPORTATION AND T-SHIRT FEES ($75 Per Teen/Chaperone): _________

Make Checks Payable To The Office of Faith Events

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis celebrated his 80th birthday on December 17 with a morning Mass with his cardinals and an otherwise “normal” day of back-to-back meetings and audiences.

Francis isn’t one to make a big deal about birthdays, but his decision to celebrate a special Mass in the Paoline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace suggests that even he recognizes 80 is a significant milestone.

The chapel is where the Holy Father spent his first minutes in prayer after being elected in 2013.

December 2016

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By Mary-Jo McLaughlin, Catholic Family Services

ministries, assist priests in enriching the faith lives of parishioners, offer service events that allow people to act on their faith, and provide support and resources that promote happy, holy sacramental marriages and enrich family life.

To achieve these goals, Andrea and Mary-Jo have enlisted the help of diocesan clergy on the parish level by meeting with them at deanery meetings to share ideas and discuss ways the OFE can support them in their ministry to their people.

“Any significant changes need to be sustained on a parish level,” Andrea noted. “We are here to provide the programs and the resources parishes need.”

U

nder the guidance of its new Director, Andrea Hoisl, the Diocesan Office of Faith Events (OFE) hopes to become an active, living resource for people in the diocese to enrich their faith life and their experience of God’s presence in their lives.

“As we begin a new liturgical photo by Meredith Morrison year next month, the Office of Faith Events hopes to support parishes to offer instructional programs and clergy in creating meaningful that provide spiritual growth for faith experiences for parishioners parishioners of all ages, coordinate throughout the diocese to learn faith offerings in the diocese, more about and grow in their faith,” collaborate with other diocesan said Andrea. “We hope to be a clearinghouse for faith events and formation by providing programs and opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about their faith, enrich SERVING THE AREA FOR OVER 100 YEARS their prayer lives and help them come to know Jesus personally.”

In her new post, Andrea oversees Liza Roach, diocesan youth minister, and MaryPersonalized Service Jo McLaughlin, coordinator on All Types of Insurance of the Catholic Family Edward J. Waitte Services office. The OFE also • Group Medical • Auto encompasses catechetics, Pat Zils • Motorcycles • Home evangelization, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults • Business • Boats Michael J. Waitte and scouting ministries.

• Bonds • Life Working together as a Debbie Froio collaborative team, Andrea hopes the OFE staff will be 860 886-1961 able to usher in goals that FAX: 860 886-1965 incorporate the mission of the 116 BROADWAY, diocese as well as the direction NORWICH Pope Francis has set forth for NEXT TO NORWICH all Catholics to be disciples of CITY HALL the Lord’s work.

Those specific goals are

The OFE staff plans to generate triannual newsletters and calendars to keep clergy and parishioners informed of faith events and services available through the office. It anticipates making programs accessible to everyone by offering them at various venues throughout the diocese.

Andrea brings to her new post over 30 years of ministry in religious education, most recently as Director of Campus Ministry and Service Coordinator for Xavier High School in Middletown. She succeeds Marge Vanner, former OFE director who retired from her post in September after 16 years of service with the diocese.

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From the Saint Bernard Family to Your Family…

St. John the Baptist plays a prominent role in the Scripture readings during the Advent season as the church prepares for the celebration of Christmas. He is not mentioned on the first and fourth Sundays of Advent, but he is a major figure on the second and third. While Jesus is always the main focus of the Gospel, during the middle of Advent, St. John the Baptist serves as the main supporting character.

John the Baptist is the intertestamental prophet, the prophet who bridges the Old and

New Testaments.

“The one who is coming after me is mightier than I” (Matthew 3:11); “I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap” (Luke 3:16).

John the Baptist’s prophetic message is applicable to our spiritual preparation for Christmas. Advent is a time to prepare the way of the Lord, to clear away every obstacle that would prevent Jesus from coming to us, so that when Jesus comes to us today and on Christmas, He will have unimpeded access to our hearts. John

the Baptist wanted his listeners to renounce sin, be washed of their past impurities, and be in the state of grace when Jesus appeared. Likewise, if we wish to be well-prepared for the solemn feast of Christmas, we would be wise to renounce our own sins, to confess them in the sacrament of reconciliation, to be washed of our impurities through sacramental absolution, to do good works, and to be in the state of grace when Jesus comes on Christmas. Let us humbly keep Jesus as the main focus of Advent, Christmas and every day of our lives.

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Four County

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Why Advent?

A

By Alan Malizia, St. James Parish, Danielson.

dvent is the beginning of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church.

It is a time of both anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus at Christmas.

Why did God find it necessary to come to man as a man; while maintaining His divine nature?

I believe the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen explains it best in the following.

“We bear within ourselves the image of God. We are very much like a man who has fallen into a well. We ought not be there, and yet we cannot get out. We need healing; we need deliverance; we need liberation, and we know very well that we cannot give this liberation and this freedom to ourselves. We are like fish on top of the Empire State Building.

Somehow or other we are outside of our environment. We cannot swim back into the stream. Someone has to put us back.”

We cannot in and of ourselves fix ourselves, as Archbishop Sheen says. And what needs repair is beyond the means which the world can provide. For it is through worldliness that we have become broken. If our watch is not operating properly, then it is not fulfilling its purpose. In order for it to be made right, the malfunctioning watch must be taken to a watchmaker. For as the maker of watches he can best diagnose and restore the damaged watch to its proper operation. So

too, God, as our maker, knows best what is needed to free us of our brokenness and restore us to the rightful purpose for which we were intended. And the consequence of fulfilling that purpose is that one day the obedient will return home to Him. We could not bring our illness to God as we can take our broken watch to the watchmaker. So God made a house call.

He could only heal us by coming to us.

And by an exchange of the exalted for the humbled, God, the creator of all things, chose to enter His own creation as an innocent child. For it is in the restoration of innocence that our cure is found.

The King of Kings would not be welcomed by prominent men and women with pageantry, replete with fine trappings befitting royalty.

Instead, among those who would receive and pay Him homage were domestic beasts, and men and women of meager means.

He would be loved and nurtured by a common and sinless woman of His own choosing; not to be cradled in a regal estate, but the humblest of accommodations; a stable beneath the Earth.

“Bethlehem is emphatically a place where extremes meet. All the eyes of wonder and worship which had been turned outwards to the largest thing were now turned inward to the smallest…paradox of the divine being in the cradle.” – G. K. Chesterton (“The Everlasting Man”)

Cardinal DiNardo Elected President Of U.S. Bishops.

Archbishop Gomez Elected Vice President.

BALTIMORE—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, was elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during the annual fall General Assembly in Baltimore.

Cardinal DiNardo has served as vice president of the USCCB since 2013. Archbishop Jose Gomez was elected as USCCB vice president.

Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Gomez are elected to three-year terms and succeed Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, and Cardinal DiNardo, respectively.

Cardinal DiNardo was born May 23, 1949, and ordained a priest of Pittsburgh on June 16, 1977. He previously served as bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, from 1998-2004 before being appointed to coadjutor bishop, then archbishop, of Galveston-Houston. Pope Benedict XVI named him a cardinal in 2007, making him the first cardinal from Texas.

Archbishop Gomez was born December 26, 1951, in Monterrey, Mexico. He was ordained a priest on August 15, 1978. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Denver in 2001, and in 2004, he was appointed archbishop of San Antonio. He was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Los Angeles in 2010, and was installed as archbishop of Los Angeles in 2011.

December 2016

Op-Ed

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Wishing you a

Merry Christmas

December 2016

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