Four County Catholic April 2020

FOUR COUNTY

CATHOLIC

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

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

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

In this Issue: I pray that this issue of the Four County Catholic (FCC) finds you and your family in good health. The FCC team is, like many of you, sheltering in place. We have quickly adapted to this new normal, utilizing technologies such as Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Docs to collaborate with each other as we work from our homes.

Part of that collaboration has been in publishing an informative and balanced paper. In this issue are articles that address the reality we are all experiencing, as well as articles submitted for publication prior to Governor Ned Lamont issuing the Executive Order to stay at home and stay safe.

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

Communicating informative, up-to-date news of the diocese and the good works of the more than twenty ministries that continue to perform their duties, despite the current health crisis, is a top priority for us.

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Several new web pages have been added to the Diocesan website – NorwichDiocese.org – to help inform and connect you to your faith.

Posted are schedules of Broadcast and Livestreamed Masses as well as prayers and devotions to aid you in making an Act of Spiritual Communion. So that you don’t miss anything important, we encourage you to visit often and be sure to sign up for our free, weekly, email newsletter. Please share this information with others in your parish.

Please keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours and be sure to let us know if there is anything we can do to keep you better informed during this unique time in history. With God’s grace we will get through this.

Together.

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Podemos ayudar

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE MOST REVEREND

MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, There was a song that I recall from my youth called Turn, Turn, Turn. The lyric will be familiar to you —

upon this, as have other Bishops, by suspending all public Masses and postponing other diocesan events for a while.

I realize today that the lyrics were inspired by Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. Its message speaks to the public health crisis we are living through together.

I am reminded of two other phrases, “Be not afraid” and “Do not worry”.

Jesus, the Great Healer, spoke these words on more than one occasion.

We would do well to include these in our vocabulary as we practice social distancing, hand washing and all the other recommendations that the experts tell us will help flatten the curve.

A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep…

Pope Francis on March 27 graced us with a moving and extraordinary Urbi et Orbi meditation and blessing in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

We are living in unprecedented times.

As the song tells us and we know all too well, every thing has its time. It is a time for faith, a time for renewal, and yes, a time, paradoxically, for community and communion — even as we are forced to keep our distance.

He likened our current plight to that of the disciples in the Gospel, who, while in a boat with Jesus, were frightened by an unexpected and turbulent storm.

Pope Francis said, “We have realized that we are in the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.”

To every thing, turn, turn, turn there is a season, turn, turn, turn and a time to every purpose under heaven.

In the last few weeks, we have all heard the phrases and understand the meaning of “social distancing” and “flattening the curve.” Our healthcare experts, government officials and news media have repeated these terms and told us, that this is the way to counteract the spread of the virus. I have acted

Pope Francis went on to say that God is “calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing . . . a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what

is necessary from what is not. It is the time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.”

I have been impressed with those who, in spite of this pandemic, talk of a time for kindness, a time for grace and a time for generosity. A time to assess what is important in our lives — a time to realize we are blessed with the opportunity to look inward to our faith and to our values. A time to put our faith into action. A time to look after the vulnerable. It is a blessing; it is all grace.

This has sparked a time of creativity and the embrace of technology to help us practice our faith. I am grateful for the number of priests, deacons and lay people who are stepping up to make available online, devotions such as the Rosary and Stations of the Cross, as well as, celebrating private Masses for anyone with a smartphone or a computer to see.

As you go through the next weeks and months, I encourage you to look for the stories, the many, many wonderful stories of people putting their faith into action during this time of crisis. People stepping forward with heroic acts of service to others.

The Holy Father asks us, “How many

people every day are exercising patience and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday gestures, how to face up to and navigate a crisis by adjusting their routines, lifting their gaze and fostering prayer. How many are praying, offering and interceding for the good of all.

Prayer and quiet service: these are victorious weapons.”

As we move forward in the next weeks and months may we see the love of Christ in every sacrifice and act of generosity during this crisis – a crisis that will pass — and make us all the stronger and more appreciative of our love for each other in our shared love of our Savior and Redeemer.

Now is the time to invite Jesus into the boats of our lives and welcome His Easter message of hope.

Sincerely yours in the healing power of Christ,

Michael R. Cote Bishop of Norwich

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

There is a Season

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THE MOST REVEREND

MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

BISHOP OF NORWICH

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

LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY

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Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, Había una canción que recuerdo de mi juventud llamada Turno, Turno, Turno. La letra le será familiar — A cada cosa, turno, turno, turno hay una época, turno, turno, turno y un tiempo para cada propósito bajo el cielo.

Hoy me doy cuenta de que la letra se inspiró en Eclesiastés Capítulo 3. Su mensaje habla de la crisis de salud pública que estamos viviendo juntos.

Un tiempo para nacer, un tiempo para morir Un tiempo para plantar, un tiempo para cosechar Un tiempo para matar, un tiempo para sanar Un tiempo para reír, un tiempo para l lorar...

Vivimos tiempos sin precedentes.

Como nos dice la canción, cada cosa tiene su tiempo y lo sabemos muy bien.

Un tiempo para la fe, un tiempo de renovación, y sí, un tiempo, paradójico, para la comunidad y la communión incluso cuando nos vemos obligados a mantener nuestra distancia.

Todos hemos escuchado, en las ύltimas semanas, las frases y entendemos el significado de "distanciamiento social" y "aplanar la curva". Nuestros expertos en salud, funcionarios gubernamentales y medios de comunicación han repetido estos términos y nos han dicho que esta es la manera de contrarrestar la propagación del virus. He actuado

Hay una época

en consecuencia, al igual que otros obispos, suspendiendo todas las misas públicas y posponiendo otros eventos diocesanos por un tiempo.

Me acuerdo de otras dos frases: "No tengan miedo" y "No se preocupen".

Jesús, el Gran Sanador, pronunció estas palabras en más de una ocasión. Haríamos bien en incluirlas en nuestro vocabulario mientras practicamos el distanciamiento social, el lavado de manos y todas las demás recomendaciones que los expertos nos dicen que ayudarán a aplanar la curva.

El Papa Francisco nos entregó el 27 de marzo una conmovedora y extraordinaria meditación y bendición Urbi et Orbi en respuesta a la pandemia del coronavirus.

Comparó nuestra situación actual con la de los discípulos en el Evangelio, que, mientras estaban en la barca con Jesús, se asustaron por una tormenta inesperada y turbulenta. El Papa Francisco dijo: "Nos hemos dado cuenta de que estamos en el misma barca, todos nosotros frágiles y desorientados, pero al mismo tiempo importantes y necesarios, todos llamados a remar juntos, cada uno de nosotros en necesidad de consolar al otro.”

El Papa Francisco continuó diciendo que Dios nos está "llamando a aprovechar este tiempo de prueba como un tiempo de elección... un tiempo para elegir lo que importa y lo que pasa, un tiempo para separar

lo que es necesario de lo que no lo es.

Es el momento de volver a encaminar nuestra vida con respecto a ti, Señor, y a los demás".

Me han impresionado aquellos que, a pesar de esta pandemia, hablan de un tiempo para la bondad, un tiempo para la gracia y un tiempo para la generosidad. Un tiempo para evaluar lo que es importante en nuestra vida, un tiempo para darnos cuenta de que somos bendecidos con la oportunidad de mirar hacia adentro nuestra fe y nuestros valores. Un tiempo para poner nuestra fe en acción. Un momento para cuidar a los vulnerables. Es una bendición; todo es gracia.

Esto ha desatado un tiempo de creatividad y de aprovechar la tecnología para ayudarnos a practicar nuestra fe. Agradezco al número de sacerdotes, diáconos y laicos que están dando un paso adelante para hacer accesible en línea, devociones como el Rosario y el Vía Cucis así como, celebrar misas privadas para cualquier persona con un teléfono inteligente o una computadora.

A medida que pasan las próximas semanas y meses, les animo a buscar las historias, las muchas, muchas historias maravillosas de personas que ponen su fe en acción durante este tiempo de crisis. Gente dando un paso adelante con actos heroicos de servicio a los demás.

El Santo Padre nos pregunta: "Cuántas personas cada día ejercen paciencia

y ofrecen esperanza, cuidando de no sembrar pánico, sino una responsabilidad compartida. Cuántos padres, madres, abuelos y maestros están mostrando a nuestros hijos, en pequeños gestos cotidianos, cómo afrontar y navegar una crisis ajustando sus rutinas, levantando la mirada y fomentando la oración. Cuántos están orando, ofreciendo e intercediendo por el bien de todos. Oración y servicio silencioso: son armas victoriosas.”

A medida que avancemos en las próximas semanas y meses, que podamos ver el amor de Cristo en cada sacrificio y acto de generosidad durante esta crisis, una crisis que pasará— y nos haga a todos más fuertes y agradecidos de nuestro amor los unos por los otros en nuestro amor compartido por nuestro Salvador y Redentor.

Ahora es el momento de invitar a Jesús a la barca de nuestra vida y dar la bienvenida a Su mensaje Pascual de esperanza.

Sinceramente en el poder sanador de Cristo,

Michael R. Cote Obispo de Norwich

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

Vocations Corner

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

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

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

My name is Larry Barile, and I am a seminarian in Third Theology studying at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts.

This seminary is for men who are called to the priesthood as a second or delayed vocation. How “delayed” am I? John F. Kennedy was president when I was a toddler.

Before entering seminary, I worked as a respiratory therapist for 28 years at the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs. I credit my family of six with strong Christian values for my desire to help others in need. This desire manifested itself in high school when I became an EMT/ volunteer firefighter in my hometown of Coventry. This desire to serve continued after high school when I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for four years as a medic.

Clearly, my family has had a profound influence in nurturing my Catholic beliefs. Whether it was my paternal “saint of a grandmother” taking my sister and I to Church on Saturdays

3rd Year Theology Pope John XXIII National Seminary Weston, Massachusetts

while my grandmother went to confession, or witnessing my maternal grandfather “kissing the crucifix” when leaving or entering his house, I was evangelized in the faith by true disciples of Christ. Included in this mix of true witnesses is my sister, Karen. She too is a delayed vocation and has been a professed sister with the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for 10 years.

This month, Larry Barile presents us with a brief look at his journey as he prepares to be called to ordination as a Transitional Deacon. Please keep Larry in your prayers, Larry is to be ordained a transitional deacon, now on April 15, 2020 at Pope John XXIII National Seminary where he is presently in his final month of formation for priesthood ordination.

Father Gregory Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations

MONTHLY

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

Mr. Larry Barile

The call to the priesthood first began as a teenager. My desire to become a father overshadowed these feelings.

God fulfilled my heart’s desire to be a biological father and blessed me with a son. Michael is now 30 years old and lives in Florida. When his mother went home to the Lord in May of 2015, the desire to pursue a vocation to the priesthood flooded my heart. I now pray God will fulfill my heart’s desire to be a spiritual father.

Since entering seminary in 2016, I have taken candidacy and received the ministries of acolyte and lector. It has been an exciting journey with many expected highs and lows. God willing, I joyfully anticipate being ordained to the transitional diaconate this May and ordination to the priesthood in June of 2021. I am thankful to Bishop Cote for granting me this great privilege of discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

With God’s grace, I eagerly look forward to serving the spiritual needs of Catholics in the Norwich Diocese.

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

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

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

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

Holy Hour for Vocations

APRIL 23

6pm Live streamed from the Cathedral of St. Patrick

www.God-Calls.com

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

Our Diocese

Deacon Michael Bovino

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Diocese of Norwich Office of the Bishop 201 Broadway Norwich, Connecticut 06360 (860) 887-9294

MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D.

Easter Message, 2020

“For they did not yet understand the Scripture that He had to rise from the dead.”

John 20:9 Dear brothers and sisters in the Risen Lord, The passage from the Gospel of John cited above is the last verse proclaimed in the Gospel for the Mass of Easter Day. It speaks to us of a very interesting dimension that is common to many of the events and appearances surrounding the Resurrection: the disciples are confused. They do not yet understand all that the Scriptures had foretold and that Jesus Himself had revealed to them during His public ministry. This is not to say that they do not still have faith.

The faith of the disciples was understandably shaken by the horror of the events of Good Friday, and the emotional highs and lows that they experienced that first Holy Week had taken their toll on them as well.

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

On the morning of the Resurrection, as the disciples stared into the cold, dark, but empty tomb, they simply were left with more questions than answers. Yet, the seeds of faith and hope, planted deeply in their hearts, remained. In the days and weeks that followed, these seeds would grow exponentially as they both encountered and continued to be taught by the Risen Lord. It was only in the Lord’s time that they would come to understand, at a deeply profound level, what on that first Easter morning confused and even frightened them.

Dear brothers and sisters, it is clear to us all that the events of these past months surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have greatly disrupted our lives. At a profoundly human level, even the greatest scientific minds are confused and our understanding of how we will move forward as a nation and as a global society is uncertain. These anxieties and so many more that we are experiencing have had profound effects on our lives of faith, and even on the manner in which that faith is practiced. This is, without question, among the most painful developments of these days for me as your Bishop, for your priests, as it is for all of you: that this Easter we are separated, physically. The pain you are experiencing by not being able to receive the Risen Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist is real and is a testament to your love and faith in His abiding presence among us.

But it is from the midst of the confusion, uncertainty and pain of this time, that the Lord is continuing to call us on to deeper faith. As our Holy Father Pope Francis reflected in his meditation at the extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27: Lord, you are calling to us, calling us to faith. Which is not so much believing that you exist, but coming to you and trusting in you… You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing… a time to choose what matters and what passes way, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord and to others…

We are once again confronted with the paradox of the Paschal Mystery – that from suffering, pain and death come the hope and promise of happiness, peace and eternal life. Our faith teaches us clearly that God never allows evil to have the final word. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and power, can and is using this time to bring about tremendous good by challenging us to understand, appreciate and rely upon our Christian faith more deeply. As Pope Francis teaches us: He is inviting us once again to choose Him and to cling to His love above all else in our lives.

And so, we continue our journey of faith together, confident that we too will rise with Him; not only from this present distress with deepened faith and renewed hope, but unto life everlasting with Him and all the Saints in the kingdom of Heaven. Although this Easter will be celebrated in a manner unlike any of us have experienced in our lifetimes, we rejoice all the more because no matter what may befall us, nothing can take away the central truth upon which our faith is securely founded: Christ is risen; He is truly risen! Alleluia!!

Please be assured of my prayerful closeness to you all, particularly in these challenging times. A blessed and grace-filled Easter to you and your loved ones!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Michael R. Cote Bishop of Norwich

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Coronavirus Stymies 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal

“One Faith, One Family”

By Mary Ellen Mahoney As with all aspects of our lives, the ACA “One Faith, One Family” campaign has been affected by the pandemic. While we were able to have our annual Leadership Dinner, which brought together our priests, secretaries and ACA chairpeople on March 5th, we had to postpone our Ministry Fair which had been scheduled for March 15th. At the time we made the decision to postpone, group gatherings were still allowed but we realized that because the Ministry Fair is a very high contact event with people moving from booth to booth meeting ministry representatives, as well as having a self-serve continental buffet, it was the smart thing to do. Only in hindsight have we realized what a great decision that was.

On the heels of canceling the Ministry Fair, as the public health situation became more severe, we decided that we would also postpone the ACA video and in

pew collection weekend. When we made that decision, public Masses were still being celebrated. Since that time, as we all know, that is no longer the case. Hopefully, we will conduct the ACA video and in pew collection weekend in June. If you do have envelopes at home and would like to send them in to our office, please feel free to do so. We would also appreciate your making your gifts and pledges online. You will also be able to watch our video online as well.

While our ACA launch did not go as planned, the needs of our friends and neighbors have continued to greatly increase. St. Vincent de Paul, Norwich, and St. Vincent de Paul, Middletown along with Catholic Charities are working hard to meet the increased demands for food and other basic needs.

Please remember that our once a year ACA is the chance for all of us to help support the ministries and programs that are provided

by the diocese, not the parish. The ACA is needed in order to fund the education of our seminarians, the provision of coordinated social services, and the education of our youth, all provided at the diocesan level.

I pray for each of you, our entire diocese and hope that you are well and able to navigate this new challenge. During times of heightened anxiety, such as these, we all find ourselves reflecting on what really matters to us the most, our faith and our family. We hope you are able to turn your anxiety over to God and do what you are able, to support our 2020 ACA “One Faith, One Family.” Every gift no matter its size is truly appreciated and will allow our ministries to reach out to those in need of spiritual, physical, emotional or economic support during this crisis.

Our Diocese

W

hen we decided on our 2020 ACA theme, “One Faith, One Family”, we did so in the summer of 2019, well in advance of any coronavirus concerns. We selected this theme very purposefully because we felt that it was critical for everyone in the diocese to understand that we are truly all members of one family of faith and our ACA ministries and programs can only serve those in need if we all come together, working as one family. We never realized how much our theme would resonate with the current public health crisis. Clearly, the need to realize how all mankind is related as one family of brotherhood is never so apparent than when faced with a public health epidemic such as the COVID19 pandemic. We truly need to rely on each of us to do our very best to practice good hygiene, social distancing and consideration of others, in order to contain this virus.

To make a contribution to “One Faith, One Family” please go online to NorwichdioceseDevelopment.org or call the Office of Development at 860-886-1928. Thank you so much for your kindness.

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“Beautiful Things ForFor Children” “Beautiful Things Children”

Come See Our Come See Our Exquisite Collection ofof First Exquisite Collection First Communion Dresses Communion Dresses Gown, Suits & Accessories Too! Gown, Suits & Accessories Too! Personal Service Personal Service

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

860.536.4895

www.thebluehorse.com

Holy Week Masses from the Cathedral of Saint Patrick The Cathedral will be closed to the public during these liturgical celebrations.

Masses will be livestreamed on the Diocesan Website- NorwichDiocese.org/Masses Sunday Masses can also be heard on radio station WICH 1310 AM

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

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

April 5th 9am

The Chrism Mass April 7th 10:30am

SAINT BERNARD SCHOOL

Holy Thursday

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 9th 7pm

Good Friday

The Passion of the Lord April 10th 3pm

Holy Saturday

Easter Vigil in the Holy Night April 11th 8pm

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

Easter Sunday

The Resurrection of the Lord

April 12th 9am

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

Easter Hope, Easter Joy!

By Father Frank Rouleau Chaplain, Outreach to Haiti Whether in Norwich, Port au Prince, Rome or anywhere else in the world, the same Eucharist is celebrated. Whether in English, Haitian Creole, French, Latin or other languages, the same command of Jesus is fulfilled when at the Last Supper He took bread and wine, declared them to be His Body and Blood and told His disciples “to do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).

With the terrible scourge of the coronavirus going on throughout the world, with the scourge of poverty and political instability continuing here in Haiti and other places, this is a time to truly turn to the Lord in prayer for ourselves and for the world. In America, and many other places in the world, the public celebration of the Eucharist has

been suspended because of public health concerns. We can participate in the Mass being celebrated on television and the internet. We can listen to the scriptures being proclaimed, we can make spiritual communion. God is all powerful.

We can pray for Him to lift this great burden from us and return our lives to normal. Our priests are praying for us.

Jesus gave us the Eucharist on the night before His passion and death made in atonement for our sins. But suffering and death was not the end of Jesus’ existence.

He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday to everlasting life! He has promised us everlasting life, too, if we are faithful to Him. So let us rejoice at Easter knowing that even if we cannot publicly celebrate the

Eucharist together, we can rejoice in what our Savior has done for us.

Alleluia!

The faithful of the Archdiocese of Port-auPrince join their brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Norwich in spiritual communion rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God. The staff of Outreach to Haiti, those we serve in Haiti, and the parishioners of our twin Parishes in Haiti join with all of us to proclaim Alleluia! Alleluia! Give thanks to the Risen Lord.

To find out how you can help visit OutreachtoHaiti.org

Our Diocese

R

ecently, while I was celebrating Mass for the Missionaries of Charity in Port au Prince, Haiti, a four-yearold boy came up to me as I was listening to the First Reading being proclaimed. He pointed to the Crucifix on the wall above me. The Mass was celebrated in English.

The child doesn’t speak English, but he understood that the celebration of Eucharist was about Jesus. Jesus who sacrificed His life on the cross for us, gave us this great Sacrament, truly His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The Eucharist, the Second Vatican Council tells us, is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11). The Eucharist is spiritual nourishment for our journey of life through good times and trying times.

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In Memoriam Sr. Blanche Thibault, DHS 1925 – 2020

Celebrating 20 Years

of serving Northeast Connecticut Seniors and Their Families

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

For over 20 years, we have been the right choice for retirement living: • A long list of amenities including transporation and meals • Spacious, beautifully appointed apartments and cottages with independent or assisted living options • A safe, welcoming community with a gracious, attentive staff and so much more

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Why not call 860-779-8700 today for more information or a personal tour to experience what puts us at the top of the list every time.

36 Vina Lane Brooklyn, CT 06234 www.piercecare.org

Creamery Brook is part of the Continuum of Care at

Sr. Blanche Thibault, DHS, 94, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit died unexpectedly on Thursday March 26, 2020, at Saint Joseph Living Center in Windham.

Born on June 17, 1925, in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of Albert and Eva (Vigeant) Thibault. Sr. Blanche entered religious life in 1948 and made her religious profession on August 16, 1949 in Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Albert de Ste. Anne.

Most of her years in ministry were in nurseries and day care centers in Fall River, Newport, and Putnam. She loved the little children and was dedicated to them. In 1989, she moved to the Provincial House in Putnam, and was active in housekeeping there until she retired in 1993. In 2017, she was missioned to St. Joseph Community in Windham.

She is survived by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates as well as her sisters, Alice Mandeville and Florence Steele, both of Florida and Imelda Bernard of Ohio. She was predeceased by her brothers, Armand and Oscar and her sisters, Anita and Irene.

136 Sachem Street Norwich CT 06360 860-889-2374 Fax 860-886-2396 Sign up for the weekly newsletter at NorwichDiocese.org/Newsletter for updates emailed directly to you.

"One Faith, One Family"

Lived Everyday by the Families of our Diocese

By Gina Foster

M

any of our parishioners face daily challenges in their lives. One very difficult challenge that many confront is the selection of an assisted living center for an elderly loved one. Choosing a long-term care facility or assisted living center is a decision that is not easy. It often involves multiple family members

with varying opinions. Saint Joseph Living Center, a ministry sponsored by the Diocese of Norwich, was established in 1988. It is on nine acres in picturesque Windham and offers short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing and end-of-life care.

While the community is a Catholic faith-based healthcare facility, St. Joseph Living Center welcomes residents of all faiths. Its suburban location affords privacy and a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of parking and accessibility. Saint

14 Club Road Windham, CT 06280 860.456.1107 www.sjlivingcenter.org

Dedicating our love, compassion and service to our community.

Specializing in: *Short-term Rehabilitation *Long-term Care *End-of-Life Care *Daily Mass

Sponsored Sponsoredby bythe the Dioces of Norwich Diocese of Norwich

Joseph Living Center has indoor and outdoor special features, including a beautiful chapel that hosts a daily Mass. Residents and guests can also enjoy an enclosed courtyard with lovely gardens and a Koi pond.

My family was faced with the challenge of caring for my grandmother not too long ago.

We made a tough decision and selected an assisted living center for her. Two of the most important considerations were how welcome our family felt and our ability to visit her daily. We also needed to be assured that grandma would receive great medical care and have things to do.

The facility offered an excellent selection of activities to the residents and their families. My grandmother was more active in her new living center than she had been at home, and also had the 24-hour medical care she needed. One of my favorite visits was during Easter time. A local farmer volunteered to join us for Family Day. She brought in baby animals for the residents to interact with, and their smiling faces lit up the room that morning.

St. Joseph Living Center is one of the many ministries and programs that our ACA donations support.

When you decide to make a gift or pledge to this year’s ACA, please be confident that your hard-earned money will have a major effect on the lives of your friends and neighbors. Whether it allows for the

care of the elderly as at St. Joseph or the provision of food at St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich, or St. Vincent de Paul, Middletown, or the education of our youth in faith, your ACA donations go a long way in helping many.

The diocese relies on the kindness of each and every one of us to support its ministries and programs. Mary Ellen Mahoney, the Executive Director of the Office of Development, reflected on the importance of parishioner participation in the ACA. “We know that in order to fund our ministries to allow them to continue to impact the most people possible, it requires all of us working together as one family of faith. The Annual Catholic Appeal provides the vehicle by which we can all do our part to help keep our ministries strong. Last year, 22 percent of our parishioners donated to the ACA. This year, we are hoping to increase this number and are asking everyone who is able to make a donation, no matter how small. As this year’s ACA theme reminds us, we are “One Faith, One Family.”

To make a contribution to our 2020 ACA “One Faith, To make a contribution to our One Family,” go One online to 2020 ACAplease “One Faith, Family,” please go online to norwichdiocesedevelopment.org or norwichdiocesedevelopment.org call the Office of Development at or call the Office of Development 860-886-1928.

Thank you so much at 860-886-1928.

Thank you so for your generosity. much for your generosity.

Our Diocese

This year’s Annual Catholic Appeal theme, “One Faith, One Family,” is lived every day by families in the Diocese of Norwich.

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Catholic Charities Enacts Continuity Plan to Serve Clients During Crisis

By Jack Babbitt

C

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

atholic Charities of the Diocese of Norwich recognizes that with the constantly changing COVID-19 situation around the world, these are unprecedented times for everyone.

A time that, for many, is filled with much uncertainty. Our hearts, thoughts and especially our prayers go out to each and every one of you.

In response to the current situation, Catholic Charities has implemented our business continuity plan, which examines all areas of business operations at every site, and have taken actions to ensure continued service to our clients.

First and foremost, our plan ensures the health and safety of our clients and staff so we can continue to deliver and support the services counted on by the most vulnerable among us.

As we continue to monitor events surrounding the new coronavirus, we

Catholic Charities is trying to minimize direct client contact as much as possible. We have decided to temporarily assist clients via telephone or email rather than using in-person visits, when possible. If a visit to any of the four offices is necessary, these clients will be seen by appointment only -- no walk-ins will be accepted. Clients can call Catholic Charities to make appointments for the food pantry, utility, rental and other assistance.

When a visit is needed, we ask clients to let us know their physical health situation before entering the building Catholic Charities wants the community in the geographic boundaries within the Diocese of Norwich to know that you have our

commitment to continue providing you with the services you depend on. For 99 years, ‘The mission of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. is to respond to Christ's call to care for those of all faiths in need by providing compassionate social services for individuals and families living in Eastern Connecticut. These services shall be provided in a fiscally responsible manner with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and effectiveness, with special attention to people who are poor or disadvantaged.�

Our top priority is addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in our community in order to meet the demands caused by this rapidly changing situation.

respond to this situation. Catholic Charities wishes to thank the many friends and donors who have checked in and asked how they can help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis. It shows how, as a community, we're truly in this together. Given that the 99th Annual Gala scheduled for April has been canceled, expected funding will be impacted. If you would like to donate to Catholic Charities, please visit our website for more information.

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

This enduring mission guides us as we closely monitor, assess and

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

Parker

parkermemorials@yahoo.com

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are taking the CDC recommended precautions to keep everyone safe.

N A C

L E C

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

D E L

Tickets $100 Cocktail Attire Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

For more information, contact Alice Dugan at 860-889-8346 Ext 285 or alicedugan@tccfsn.org

APRIL 18, 2020

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L L

Cocktails 5pm Bishops Remarks 6pm Dinner 6:15pm Silent auction 5-7pm Dancing 8-10pm

N A

E C

D E

Our Diocese

OUR 99TH ANNIVERSARY

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Saints of Molokai Minister to Forgotten Exiles

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

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

I

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n February, my husband and I were blessed to vacation in Hawaii. The scenery everywhere was breathtaking, but there was a beauty and a peace on the island of Molokai that I didn’t experience on the other more populated islands we visited.

Maybe it was the less-frantic pace of Molokai, which boasts one hotel and so little traffic that there is not one traffic signal on the entire island. Or, perhaps the calm I found was a sense of the pervading spiritual presence of what the native Hawaiians refer to as the “Saints of Molokai.”

Saints Damien De Veuster and Mother Marianne Cope answered a missionary call to serve victims of Hansen’s Disease, more commonly known as leprosy, who were exiled to Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai beginning in 1866. At the time, little was known about the treatment and spread of leprosy. It was thought to be highly contagious resulting in the forced quarantine of its victims regardless of age. The peninsula is isolated from the ‘topside’ of Molokai by towering sea cliffs nearly 2,000 feet tall.

Saint Damien, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, was

sent by his superiors to Hawaii in 1864. He was ordained and ministered there for nine years before volunteering in 1873 to serve the exiles at Kalaupapa. He would remain there until his death from Hansen’s Disease at age 49 on April 15, 1889. Damien was canonized October 11, 2009, and his feast day is May 10.

In his 16 years on the peninsula, Damien was a strong advocate for the residents promoting their dignity, instilling in them a sense of worth, and improving the overall conditions of the facilities in which they lived. He cleaned and changed their bandages and saw to their spiritual needs. It is estimated that he built over 300 homes and buildings for the community – including a new church, school and orphanage – and dug most of the graves for the dead and built over 1,600 coffins. Because of his compassion and care for those he ministered to, Damien is revered throughout all of Hawaii. A statue of him outside the state capitol in Honolulu is frequently adorned with leis.

A year before Damien died, Sr. Marianne Cope, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, NY, and two members of her order arrived in Molokai to work

beside him. Sr. Marianne cared for Damien as his health deteriorated.

She also oversaw the home Damien had established for boys and men. With a background in nursing, she introduced many beneficial health measures for the residents. Like Damien, she honored the dignity of the residents and saw in them the face of Christ rather than the ravages of their disease. She and her sisters were a motherly presence for the hundreds of children exiled there.

She died on the peninsula 30 years after she had arrived on August 9, 1918, at age 80. She was canonized October 21, 2012 and her feast day is January 23.

Advances in medical science eventually brought a cure for Hansen’s Disease and in 1969 Hawaii abandoned its isolation policy. Today, Kalaupapa is a National Historic Park and a small cluster of former patients still live there. My husband and I had hoped to visit the park, but the cost was prohibitive. Visitors can only arrive by plane and must register with a designated group for a fourhour tour and leave thereafter. It would have cost approximately $500 to $750 for us to visit for less than five hours, a price we could not justify.

St. Damien is revered throughout all of Hawaii for his work with the exiles on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the Island of Molokai. This is a statue of him outside the state capitol in Honolulu.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter at NorwichDiocese.org/Newsletter for updates emailed directly to you.

The closest we could get was a view of the peninsula from an overlook on the topside of Molokai. Looking down, I was struck at how isolated Kalaupapa is from the rest of the island. The choppy ocean waters that day, the crashing waves, and a brisk wind, gave me an eerie sense that the residents must have felt like outcasts, alone and forgotten. But, my faith tells me they were never alone – that through the visible love and compassion of Saints Damien and Mother Marianne and other Christians who ministered alongside them, the people of Kalaupapa were always then, and hopefully now, in the presence and care of our loving and gentle God.

A Sign outside of Saint Joseph Church, one of the two churches on the topside of Molokai built

by Saint Damien before he volunteered to work with the exiles on Kalaupapa Peninsula

May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable.

May we who have the luxury of working from home Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.

May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close Remember those who have no options.

May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no safe place to go.

May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle in for a quarantine at home Remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country, Let us choose love.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.

Amen.

Our Diocese

A Prayer in Times of a Pandemic

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Online Resources Abound for the Faithful During Pandemic FCC News Desk

T APRIL 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

he new restrictions on public gathering and the enforcement of social distancing rules have affected us all, but online tools are freely available to help Catholics remain connected to their faith in myriad different ways.

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The Diocese of Norwich and its Office of Communications have adjusted quickly to provide communicants with different, and sometimes new and unusual, means of celebrating their faith and staying informed during a rapidlyevolving situation.

Bishop Cote has announced the temporary suspension of all Masses until further notice. Priests will continue to celebrate a daily Mass with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Also, pastors are encouraged to make provision for their churches to be open during the day so individuals can still come and pray and make an Act of Spiritual Communion with the Lord.

Contact your parish Pastor regarding all other celebrations.

That said, the first stop homebound Catholics will want to make is to NorwichDiocese.org, the website of the Diocese of Norwich.

Father Ray Introvignes celebrates Mass from the ORTV studios.

Here, on the home page, is a link to a page featuring information about how the coronavirus has specifically affected diocesan events, such as Masses. There’s also a list of postponed and canceled events, links to state and national health websites with information and more.

Also, there’s a page for spiritual communion resources while Masses in the diocese are temporarily suspended.

It outlines the steps Catholics can take, including at least one of four devotions, plus an act of spiritual communion.

That page includes links to the rosary, stations of the cross and to a schedule of Masses that are broadcast on TV, radio and online.

Masses from Saint Bernard Church in Rockville are streamed daily, and can be viewed on the above page. Times are listed there.

Sunday morning Masses from the Cathedral of Saint Patrick are broadcast on the radio, from local radio station WICH 1310 AM. Also, daily televised Masses from the Archdiocese of Harford and EWTN are available for internet viewing live or on demand. Information on how to access them is on the page.

More churches streaming Masses and devotions from the individual parishes, like Blessed Sacrament Parish in Rockville, will be added to the site, as we are notified by the pastors.

The Office of Communications also delivers a weekly e-mail newsletter with news and information you can use.

To sign up for it, visit NorwichDiocese. org/Newsletter. It’s free, and comes to your inbox every Thursday.

As we navigate these uncertain times together, we can be comforted knowing these tools are available to keep us united in faith.

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

Spiritual Communion Resources Bishop Michael R. Cote has mandated that all public celebrations of Mass be temporarily suspended in all churches of the Diocese of Norwich (the Connecticut counties of Middlesex, New London, Tolland, and Windham and Fishers Island, New York) continuing until further notice.

Fulfilling Your Obligation

In cases such as we are experiencing now, the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.

Sunday Mass is commuted by doing one of the following AND making an Act of Spiritual Communion:

Select Any of the Four Devotions Below AND Make an Act of Spiritual Communion

• Watching Sunday Mass on TV or online.

• Reading and reflecting upon the Scriptures for Sunday • Praying 5 Decades of the Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries being particularly suited to both the current situation and the Lenten Season • Meditating on the Stations of the Cross.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

By St. Alphonsus Liguori My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter at NorwichDiocese.org/Newsletter for updates emailed directly to you.

Our Diocese

Here is a prayer for making an Act of Spiritual Communion when unable to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

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St. Mary Chapel MauSoleuM at

St. Mary CeMetery, NorwiCh

An inspiring response to the growing popularity of above ground entombment.

Prayer for TELEVISION MASS Healthcare Workers 10:00am October 2nd Father Brain Maxwell

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

Bishop Cote celebrating Memorial Day Mass at St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Norwich

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A reminder of the eternal love, fellowship and faith that we share.

The Chapel Mausoleum provides loved ones and friends indoor visitation in a peaceful and holy setting. All within a faithfully maintained Catholic cemetery. As people of faith, our burial places share an important meaning for us, since they are sacred places.

Call 860-887-1019 to learn more about a distinguished and cost comparable alternative final resting place for individuals, couples or families.

cemeteries@norwichdiocese.net

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

Praying Your Goodbyes If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, join us for one of two upcoming workshops and learn ways to grow through the experience of your loss

Channel 11, WCCT Channel 20, WTXX Channel 59, WCTX This prayer and pin were made in gratitude by the ONE HEART MINISTRY GROUP for our HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. If you would like a pin and prayer to be mailed to you send a request to ahoisl@norwichdiocese.net and we will mail one (or many) out to you.

We are holding our HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS in our prayers in a special way.

Parker

Thursday, November 7, 9am-Noon Parish Hall, 155 Washington St., Middletown Sign up St. forSebastian the weekly newsletter at NorwichDiocese.org/Newsletter for updates emailed directly to you. or Saturday, November 9, 1-4pm. St. Mary Church Hall, 70 Central Ave., Norwich Both workshops will include time for personal reflection, prayer and journaling

Merciful Saviour Gift Shop Are you looking for something that ignites yours or someone else’s faith?

Find the perfect item that celebrates Lent, Easter and First Holy Communion Are you looking for something that ignites yours or someone else’s faith?

Find the perfect item that celebrates the deeper meaning of Lent, First Holy Communion or any occasion! Our mission is simple: To build God's kingdom in our families and neighborhoods by focusing on the good news of Jesus through books, Scripture, Sacramentals, music and other resources. We also carry beautiful, inexpensive greeting cards and unique gifts that you will love. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better combination of selection and personal service anywhere else. If we don't have what you are looking for, we will find it and order it for you... Stop in the store, meet our great staff and experience Merciful Saviour today.

860-537-0079

392 South Main Street, Colchester

Our Diocese

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

FUNERAL HOMES

12 Ocean Avenue 12 Ocean Avenue NewCT London, CT New London, 443-1871 443-1871

48 Grand Street 48 Grand Street Niantic, CT Niantic, CT 739-6112 739-6112

www.neilanfuneralhome.com FUNERAL HOMES

12 Ocean Avenue New London, CT 443-1871

48 Grand Street Niantic, CT 739-6112

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Catholic Charities Assisting Families through Pregnancy Services

By Sindy Montalvo

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

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f you are a parent-to-be, single mother, or parent of an infant one year and under, you can expect major challenges starting from before the child is born and throughout their infancy. Let’s not even talk about the challenges of raising adolescents, as that is a topic for another article. The undeniable truth is that raising children and providing for a family is not an easy task. However, you are not alone. Catholic Charities has a program that can help ease the stress of infant parenthood.

As thousands of families in Eastern Connecticut struggle to make ends meet, Catholic Charities, is an indispensable resource that provides services and programs to assist families in need. The organization believes families are worthy of opportunities to achieve empowerment and self-sufficiency and for that reason has designed a program to help expectant mothers and fathers and parents with infants get the information and support they need.

then gets distributed through the milk bank, to infants in need across the Northeast.

Among those seeking these services are single mothers, young mothers, first-time mothers/fathers, and families with multiple children.

Catholic Charities help people of all faiths, races/ethnicities, and ages. As part of the Intensive Case Management/Emergency Basic Needs Program, the agency assists families with Pregnancy Education Services, a program where parents can get counseling and education about relevant topics addressing parenthood, as well as referrals to other services. Through this program, the agency provides baby essentials, such as formula, diapers,

wipes, clothing, blankets, hygiene items, car seats, and groceries from the food pantry.

Catholic Charities also provides furniture referrals, especially for cribs and basinets, in addition to medical devices such as breast pumps. The agency houses two of the five milk bank depots for newborns in the State of Connecticut. The milk is screened

by Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast,

Every month, the agency coordinates Pregnancy Support Groups in which Case Managers discuss pregnancy, parenting, child health and development topics, and a variety of other issues. In February, the group discussed nutrition and how to prepare foods for babies 12 months old and younger. The meetings are a way for parents and children to interact and learn while they build supportive relationships.

The groups are led by bilingual, English and Spanish instructors.

Catholic Charities takes pride in the mission of assisting families to improve their quality of life, a mission started 99 years ago. A commitment to “Providing Help and Creating Hope” for families of all faiths, throughout Eastern Connecticut.

For more information on this and other programs and how Catholic Charities staff is adapting to meet the needs of their clients during the current crisis, please visit CCFSN.org

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND

Monsignor Les Janik invites you on a Pilgrimage to Northern Poland

August 23-31, 2020

Saint Bernard Student Sews Face Masks for Hospitals Katelyn Geren, a freshman at Saint Bernard School, is helping the local community by sewing masks for hospitals, nursing homes and organizations in need.

Katelyn, a Ledyard resident, sews the masks in between her studies. Each mask takes about 10 minutes to create, she says.

The cost of the pilgrimage is $2,880 per person/double occupancy.

The cost includes airfare, hotel, bus and tour guide, breakfast and dinner.

St. Joseph School New London, CT

“A Place Where We Discover Each Other in God’s Love” Celebrating 81 Years of Excellence In Catholic Education Grades K-8

For more information, please go online: johnpaultours.com/poland 2020 or call 860-887-1030.

Independently Owned and Operated Since 1881

Steve Bennardo

Owner/Funeral Director 433 Main Street, Danielson, CT

25 Main Street, Central Village, CT

860-774-3284

860-564-2147

Registration is ongoing, please call for information

St. Joseph School 25 Squire St New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-442-1720

Our Diocese

We will visit: Warsaw- capital of Poland, Niepokalanow- city of the Immaculata founded by St. Maksymilian Kolbe, Glogowiec – family home of St. Faustyna Kowalska, Lichen – Basilica of Our Lady, Torun – birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, Gdansk – major seaport of Baltic Sea, Gietrzwald– Shrine of Our Lady, Malbork - Castle of the Teutonic Order among other interesting places.

“I have fallen into a good routine with online school, so I’ve had a bit of time and figured I could be useful,” she says. “My mom has been a huge help, I have a friend doing it as well, and even my siblings have pitched in!”

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Sacred Heart School, Groton Gail Kingston, Principal

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

Sacred Heart School, Taftville

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

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

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

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

St. Joseph School, North Grosvenordale David Sizemore, Principal

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

Academic Excellence. Character. Self-Confidence.

Meet the Sandwich Kids APRIL 2020 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | www.norwichdiocese.org

By Jo Montgomery

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T

he Sandwich Kids Project has been in operation for approximately seven years at the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron.

The goal of the project is to directly involve the parish children in a community volunteer project that benefits food-challenged members of the extended communities in our regional shelters in Willimantic and Hartford.

The monthly time slots fill up quickly with volunteers. As the students make the sandwiches, information about the two donation centers is shared with the children.

The Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic and the St. Vincent DePaul Place in Norwich are the two recipients of the monthly sandwich donations.

The number of sandwiches made each month has varied from 50 to 326, and a friendly competition often develops between the classes.

Once completed, all donations are accepted with great appreciation by the two meal centers.

Here’s how it works: The children bring sandwich fixings to an established monthly work session and team up with their peers to make sandwiches.

Sandwich fixings donations from parishioners Want to know more? A monthly are often added to the surplus. update with the number of Students in the Faith Formation sandwiches made is published in classes often make the sandwiches. the church bulletin.

St. Mary-St. Joseph School, Willimantic Ian M. Holland, Principal 35 Valley St, Willimantic, CT Phone: 860-423-8479 www.smsjschool.org

Church of the Holy Family religious education students

St. Michael School, Pawcatuck

St. Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich

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

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

Mrs. Doris Messina, Principal

Sharon Stewart , Principal

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

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

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

St. Joseph School, Baltic

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

Superintendent's Office

St. Bernard School, Uncasville

“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

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

TELEVISION MASS

My Dear Friends,

The Easter season is upon us this month, and in all of our Catholic schools we strive to reinforce the importance of the joy of the Risen Christ. Joy is in short supply these days. We instill in our children that God wants us to be joyful people. This is an important concept that children and teenagers cannot hear enough.

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly one in every three adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. In addition, nationally, we are witnessing more and more anxiety in children as young as five.

These statistics, combined with the rate of hospital admissions for suicidal teenagers doubling over the past decade, indicate that our young people today need methods for regulation and a sense of inner peace and calm.

Accordingly, a faith-based education can be extremely grounding and provide a sense of hope, which is much needed today. Consider the difference it makes by instilling in our children the depth and full meaning of even these few Bible quotes: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

(James 1:2-4).

St. Paul tells us, “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)

Our mission as Catholic educators is to provide a solid education while proclaiming the Gospel of Our Lord, who reassures us of the joy which we were meant to have. He Himself told us, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest in your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

MAY 6

10:00am Father Greg Galvin Channel 11, WCCT Channel 20, WTXX Channel 59, WCTX

He also said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

My point this month is that our children and teenagers need to be exposed to the true meaning of joy - the ultimate joy which can only come from Our Lord. Take comfort in the fact that your continued support of our schools makes it possible for us to instill this joy in thousands of young people in our diocese. I truly hope that you consider a Catholic education for your children, so that they, too, can live the joy of the Risen Christ each and every day.

May the joy of Our Lord be in your hearts always,

PRAYER INTENTION We pray that those suffering from addiction may be helped and accompanied.

God Bless!

Henry Fiore, Jr.

- Pope Francis

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

Mercy High School, Middletown

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

www.mercyhigh.com

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

www.xavierhighschool.org

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

OUR YOUTH

mily, Baltic

C, Principal CT

St. John Paul II School, Middletown

www.norwichdso.org

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Xavier High School’s Service Trip To Guatemala: Changing Lives

By Jeff Otterbein

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

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s part of one of their missions, Xavier High School students and faculty on a recent service trip to Guatemala presented care packages to local families.

You can always count on this: those receiving the non-perishable food items and cleaning supplies are joyful, thankful and welcoming. Such was the case this year, and one family also responded in a way that typifies the people encountered by the Xavier contingent of about 20 students and three faculty members that returned to school on Feb. 24 after nearly a week in Guatemala.

“We go to these houses,” Assistant Director of Campus Ministry and Religion Teacher John Guinan said.

“And one family said we do need this, but we know of another family that needs it more. You see this immense selflessness.”

The Xavier team also helped build two houses while there.

Xavier students with a family in Guatemala. Standing, from left, Shea Larkin, Colton Malloy, Ethan Kerr, Dillion Luke and Josh Castano. Kneeling is Christian Clarkin.

“At the end we presented the family in a bit of a ceremony, and one mother said she had prayed for this day and up until now it was only a dream, only a prayer,” Guinan said. “And

now you all have been an answer to a prayer. She did that while wiping away tears. Her husband said a few words and broke down in tears.”

Senior Kaden Powers had not been on the Guatemala trip before this year.

“We got to see firsthand how much impact we can have on someone’s life,” Powers said.

He wrote in a journal and kept a photo diary.

“I know I’ll have the visuals,” Powers said, “But I want to try to keep the experience and feelings by building better relationships, and take the humility and respect the people have and put it into my daily life.”

At the end of each day there were

nightly devotions and small groups.

“We all talked about this,” Wes Harris said. “One of the biggest things everyone took away from the trip was thankfulness is something we all have to work on, as well as simplifying life and not getting caught up in the little things because these people live in much worse conditions than we’ll ever see here in America. If we get caught up in material things, and the competition for power and wealth, things like that, it will lead us not to be as happy as we think we will be or society promises we will be if we go to college, get a good job, make a lot of money.”

Guinan had a message for the Xavier students at the end.

"I said to our students on the last day, that you came here thinking you would change people's lives, and you have, but equally these people have changed your lives,” Guinan said. “You have been humbled by them and ultimately you've been humbled by seeing the truth of Jesus Christ, that it is in the simple lives of relationships and faith that you find true happiness."

Brother John Sullivan, C.F.X., and teacher David Applegate also went on the trip. One of Brother John’s roles at Xavier is taking photos throughout the year for the yearbook, so he brought back many images.

Those will live on, but so too will the memories etched in the minds of the Xavier students.

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together

We are all in this Solidarity: Solidarity | Definition of Solidarity

by Merriam-Webster : a feeling of unity between people who have the same interests, goals, etc.

We will get through this, together Jackson (11) and Lauren (2) Vernott with their dog Ella painted their front door to remind everyone that we are all in this together.

An Education You Can Believe In.

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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.

OUR YOUTH

Millions of people gather in solidarity as the world grapples with the crippling effects of the coronavirus. Families and communities are coming together to show one another their support.

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

25

St. Joseph School Students Receive Multiple Awards

By Maria Coffey

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

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ecently at St. Joseph School (SJS) in North Grosvenordale, middle school students earned multiple awards in academic and athletic competitions. SJS competed in the annual Knights of Columbus Eastern Regional Spelling Bee at St. Mary/St. Joseph School in Willimantic. James McHugh took home second-place honors in the Grade 4 level, while Samantha Smyth finished in first place at the Grade 6 division. For Samantha, it is the third consecutive year of taking first-place honors at the Eastern Regional. She previously won the Grade 4 division in 2018 as well as Grade 5 in 2019.

“I feel really good about winning the Eastern Regional for the third year in a row,” Samantha said. “Many people don’t realize that for me to be competitive, I need to practice spelling words at least one hour a day. Studying is everything when it comes to the spelling bee.”

She said she also likes participating in the spelling bee because everyone in the competition shows great sportsmanship.

“Finally, I love to read so that also is a big help to me in competition,” she said.

In addition to the success at the spelling bee, SJS also took home several awards at the conclusion of the annual 395 Basketball League

tournament. Four studentathletes earned AllStar Awards including Kylie Cummings, Justin Griffiths-Lam, Clayton Lehmann and Kiera MacKenzie. The biggest award, however, went to the SJS basketball program as the school received the annual Sportsmanship Award.

All of the other 395 school programs voted unanimously for SJS to be this year’s recipient.

“At SJS, we pride ourselves on how the students represent our school community,” Andrew MacKenzie, head coach of the SJS co-educational basketball program, said. “In athletics, a focus is always placed on fulfilling the ideals of good sportsmanship. In addition to playing the game of basketball to its fullest, our players demonstrate good behavior and fair play on and off the court. These are important building blocks for all young men and women of today and we could not be prouder of our entire basketball program.”

Assistant Basketball Coach Sarah Healey said she was extremely proud of the program for winning the award.

“Our players work hard on the court but showing respect and earning the respect of their opposing peers

Samantha Smyth and James McHugh is even more important, not just in sports but in life,” she said.

Principal David Sizemore said the school’s mission statement emphasizes “establishing a strong foundation of Catholic faith in a caring, respectful, and nurturing environment,” and that winning the Sportsmanship Award for the 395 league is a validation of that mission.

Sizemore went on to laud Samantha’s accomplishments as a three-time spelling bee champion.

“As for Samantha, her efforts reflect another portion of our mission statement which states that, ‘We encourage academic success, instill discipline, and infuse lifetime learning skills in each student.’

Samantha is not just a great student.

She works hard at her craft and I have no doubt that she has a very bright future ahead of her,” he said.

Visit NorwichDSO.org to see all of the wonderful catholic school in our diocese.

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

This Joyous

Time of Year

— Author Unknown

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PLEASE HELP

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

- Saint Vincent de Paul Donations are welcomed and especially needed during the current health crisis. Visit the websites below to see how you can help.

St. Vincent de Paul Middletown 860-344-0097 • www.svdmiddletown.org St.Vincent de Paul Place Norwich 860-889-7374 • www.svdpp.org TO PLACE AN AD OR STORY IN THE JUNE ISSUE ADVERTISEMENTS AND CONTENT DUE ON MAY 1, 2020 CONTACT ADVERTISING SALES/PRODUCTION MANAGER MEREDITH VERNOTT, 860.887.3933 COMMEREDITH@NORWICHDIOCESE.NET

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Thank you for helping us maintain accurate mailing information to better serve you.

OUR YOUTH

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Savior, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

27

By Catholic New Agency

I

n his greetings at the end of his General Audience the morning of Wednesday, April 1, Pope Francis recalled that Jesus is a faithful friend.

He said Jesus accompanies us and never disappoints us. In His cross we find "support and comfort in the midst of life's tribulations", the Pope said.

Therefore, he invited us to entrust ourselves to the intercession of Saint John Paul II, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of his death.

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

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Pope: Jesus is a faithful friend, He accompanies and never disappoints

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Jesus is the faithful friend "who fills our lives with happiness, even in difficult times", who "accompanies us and never disappoints". In Him and with Him we are not alone. In His cross our hearts find "support and comfort in the midst of life's tribulations". It was with these words of encouragment that Pope Francis greeted the faithful of different language groups, following his General Audience through various media platforms.

During the General Audience on Wednesday morning, Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus is a faithful friend, and invites us to call on the intercession of Pope Saint John Paul II. Photo By CNA

At the beginning of his greeting to the Polish-speaking faithful, the Pope reminded them that today, people are living more and more in fear, “threatened to the very core of their existence”. “I invite you to turn your thoughts to Christ”, the Pope said. “Know that you are not alone.

Prices starting at $2,499 ~ with Airfare Included He accompanies you and never from anywhere in the USA disappoints you". He then invited them at this difficult time to entrust Entrusting all our trips to the Maternal Care themselves to the "Divine Mercy and of the Blessed Virgin Mary the intercession of Saint John Paul Several trips to different destinations: II, on the eve of the 15th anniversary of his death", which falls tomorrow, Italy, the Holy Land; Scotland, France, Ireland, France, Portugal, Poland, England, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, April 2.

Greece, Turkey,Budapest, Prague, the Shrines of Europe Looking ahead to Holy Week, Pope and so much more….

Francis invited the PortugueseWe also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. speaking faithful to look to the cross on which Jesus died and “endured every tragedy of humanity". He said Call us 24/7 508-340-9370 that we cannot forget “the tragedies of Hablamos Español 855-842-8001 our days, because the Lord's Passion continues through the suffering of ProximoTravel.com mankind". The Pope then said he anthony@proximotravel.com

hoped that through the cross of Christ, their "hearts would find support and comfort in the midst of life's tribulations; embracing the cross as He did”.

particular, to the groups, who had planned on being “present today”.

These, he said, included a group of young people from the Diocese of Milan".

Addressing the German speakers, Pope Francis stressed that in this period of trial we contemplate "the face of the Lord” who died for us. There, he said, we can recognise in His cross, through which He conquered all evil, "the source of true hope and joy”.

"Dear young people,” said the Pope, addressing them directly, "even though your pilgrimage to Rome is only virtual, I almost feel as though I can perceive your joyful and noisy presence, made tangible also by the many written messages you have sent me”.“You have sent so many”, said the Pope, “and they are beautiful!”

He then urged them to "always live faith with enthusiasm and not to lose hope in Jesus, the faithful friend who fills our lives with happiness, even in difficult moments".

Then, in his mother-tongue, the Pope greeted the Spanish-speaking faithful, asking them to discover the providence of the Lord “in the events of daily life”. He invited them, specifically, to remember, in these moments of trial and darkness, "all our brothers and sisters who suffer, and those who help and accompany them with love and generosity".

Pope Francis’ final greeting went to the Italian-speakers, and in

Finally, the Pope urged that these last days of Lent, may foster "an adequate preparation for the celebration of Easter, leading everyone to an even more heartfelt closeness to Christ".

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Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony

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

Encouraged by this thought I implore to you to obtain for me (request) The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so you are the saint 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.

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29

Fai th Sparks

Celebrating Easter as a Season Not a One-day Holiday

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

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

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he Lenten season is over and Jesus is out of the tomb.

It is time to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection and Christ’s victory over sin and death for as St. Augustine tells us, “We are an Easter people.” But, what does that mean for most of us?

As a child growing up in what I would call a fairly devout Catholic family, Easter celebrated the fact that Christ opened the gates of Heaven for all of us and we would one day be reunited with Him in paradise. While I probably appreciated that on some level, most of my memories of Easter Sunday were that after four long weeks of not eating candy, and three long days of having to go to church or be quiet in our house while Jesus was in the tomb, we could now hoot and holler as we

searched for our Easter basket and devoured the candy left behind by the Easter bunny.

Like most children at that age, chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps, jelly beans in all kinds of flavors, and a new dress and patent leather shoes to wear to Easter Sunday Mass meant more to me than Christ’s victory over sin and death. Looking back on it now, I think that my parents were like most in our community who reverenced and honored the gift of Easter Sunday as a one-day special event like Christmas. I don’t ever recall celebrating Easter as a season, or them teaching us to appreciate it as such.

In an online article by Word Among Us Press, the authors encourage families to sustain an

“Easter Spirit” by celebrating the Easter season, the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost Sunday.

The suggestions are as simple as lighting a candle at family meals to recall the light of Christ or draping crucifixes and crosses with a strip of white cloth. There are other websites with ideas listed at the end of this article. One suggestion that I had never heard before is praying the Stations of the Resurrection devotion which parallels the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

What a creative and positive way to teach children about walking in the light of Christ’s love.

During Easter week we recall the Scripture story about two disciples encountering Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Consider taking your own Emmaus walk with your family. Talk about what is going

on in each of your lives and then imagine what you would each say to Jesus if He were walking alongside of you as well. When the birthday of the Church comes this year on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, why not bake a cake, throw a party and celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to you as a family?

So many of us have incorporated special Lenten practices, devotions and disciplines into our lives for the past 40 days. Now that we are in the mindset of focusing on our spiritual lives, why not continue by including some activities that will help us celebrate the next 50 days with greater intention and meaning and become what St. Augustine refers to us as: “An Easter people.”

Ignite Your Faith.

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

g n i r Sp

at Saint Bernard School is a time to…

Distance Learning

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Learn Learn about all the benefits of our academic and athletic programs.

Join us for our Walkabout Wednesday program which gives parents the chance to visit the campus during a typical school day. See time, dates and registration form at www.saintbernardschool.org.

Grow Ask about our Tailored Tuition Program to help meet your family’s unique financial situation.

Applications and more information available at www.saintbernardschool.org.

St Michael School teachers, Miss Majeika (pictured above) is videoing a handwriting lesson for her kindergarten students.

Mrs. Babcock (picturedbelow) teaching her fifth grade class fractions.

Discover how Saint Bernard school instills the values, traditions, and skills that will guide your child through tomorrow.

Contact Admissions at 860-848-1271 to arrange a General Tour. This is a campus visit that can be tailored to your specific interests.

Contact us for more information: Saint Bernard School • Grades 6–12 1593 Norwich-New London Tpke • Uncasville, CT 06382 860-848-1271 • www.saintbernardschool.org

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