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FOUR COUNTY VOLUMCATHOLIC E 32 • N UMBER 5 • MAY 2020 SERVING THE COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX • NEW LONDON • TOLLAND • WINDHAM, CT & FISHERS ISLAND, NY One Faith One Family MINISTRY DURING PANDEMIC Helping Others Is What We Do Letter From the Editor Made Possible in part through your generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal ESTABLISHED IN 1989 AND PUBLISHED EACH MONTH EXCEPT JULY. Approximately two months ago I received a call from Mary Ellen Mahoney, Director of Development for the Diocese of Norwich, informing me that PUBLISHER Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. 860.887.9294 the Ministry Fair, to be held on March 15, was being postponed due to Bishop of Norwich coronavirus concerns. This annual event is both a Thank You to donors and a way to showcase the good works of our diocesan ministries. It is at the EDITORIAL OFFICE 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613 Fax 860.859.1253 Ministry Fair that ministry directors and their staffs update participants on the positive impact of their work. This is an important event to the success DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS/EXECUTIVE EDITOR of the Annual Catholic Appeal and by extension the continued support of the Wayne Gignac, 860.886.1281 [email protected] ministries. ADVERTISING SALES/PRODUCTION MANAGER Meredith Vernott, 860.887.3933 [email protected] Understanding this, within three days Mary Ellen and I had formulated a plan SENIOR WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER to have a Virtual Ministry Fair within the pages of the Four County Catholic. Ryan Blessing, 860.887.3933 [email protected] This issue is the result of that planning. THEOLOGICAL ADVISOR The mission of our ministries can best be expressed by the words of Jesus in Very Reverend Ted F. Tumicki, S.T.L., J.C.L., J.V. 860.887.9294 the Gospel of Matthew: PRINTING/LAYOUT The Hartford Courant, 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 060115 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING DEADLINES The deadline for advertising and editorial is the first Monday of the previous you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36 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 You will see that our ministries are extremely important to so many verification. Email photos as JPEG attachments and MS Word copy to individuals, probably now more than ever. [email protected]. Publication not guaranteed. The Editor reserves the right to reject, omit or edit all editorial and advertising copy. Published opinions and This is a tough time for many of us. Where perhaps you once were a donor, advertisements do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this newspaper. you may now find yourself needing assistance. Please do not hesitate to reach POSTMASTER - SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: out for the help that one of our ministries can provide you. Four County Catholic, 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613. Four County Catholic Issue 5 MAY (PE 9934) is published monthly except No matter what your circumstances we are always grateful for your prayers July by The Diocese of Norwich, 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613. and continued support. Periodicals postage paid in Hartford, CT 06101 and at additional mailing offices. Discover more at Wayne Gignac NorwichDiocese.org ww.norwichdiocese.org Editor © Copyright 2020, Diocese of Norwich. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without expressed consent. Periodical Postage paid at Hartford, CT 06101 and at additional offices. We Can Help Podemos ayudar To report inappropriate conduct of any kind by a Diocesan Bishop please contact Para reportar una conducta inapropiada de cualquier tipo por parte de un obispo diocesano, ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562 por favor contacte ReportBishopAbuse.org o llame al 1-800-276-1562 To report inappropriate contact of any kind by a representative of the Diocese of Norwich Para reportar contacto inapropiado de cualquier tipo por medio de un representante de la or for assistance for victims, please call: The Diocesan Reporting Line @ 1-800-624-7407 Diócesis de Norwich o para asistencia a víctimas, por favor llame a La Línea de Reportaje de la | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | w CATHOLIC | FOUR COUNTY Diócesis de Norwich 1-800-624-7407 If the incident involves a minor Incidents involving abuse of Incidents involving abuse of Si el incidente involucra a un Incidentes relacionados con el (persons under the age of 18), vulnerable adults aged 18-59 vulnerable adults aged 60 and menor (personas menores de abuso de adultos vulnerables Incidentes relacionados con el you must also call: should be reported to: over should be reported to: 18 años), también debe llamar a de 18-59 años de edad deben ser abuso de adultos vulnerables de MAY 2020 MAY State of CT Department of Connecticut Department of Connecticut Department Departamento de Niños y Familias reportados a Departamento de 60 años de edad o más deben ser Children and Families Care Line Developmental Services - AID of Social Services for the Elderly de CT Servicios al Desarrollo del Estado reportados a Departamento de 1-800-842-2288 -OR –State Division for Persons with 1-888-385-4225 1-800-842-2288 -O-Servicios de de Connecticut-División de Ayuda Servicios Sociales Para Ancianos de of NY Child Protective Services Intellectual Disabilities Protección de Niños del Estado de para Personas con Incapacidad Connecticut 1-888-385-4225. 1-800-635-1522 1-844-878-8923 NY 1-800-635-1522. Intelectual 1-844-878-8923. 2 THE MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D. BISHOP OF NORWICH LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY Hope Prevails Over Fear “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12 My dear brothers and sisters in hope, endure in affliction, persevere Providing for the needs of the people as Mother of the Church and Queen Christ, in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) These in Eastern Connecticut has never of Peace. words are as relevant today, in our been more truly important. I am As we continue forward during current health crisis, as they were to grateful to the many ministries in Let us pray for the souls who have Eastertide we are reminded of the the first century followers of Jesus. the diocese who have found creative died and those who are suffering joy and peace that abounds in hope ways to continue serving the people with COVID-19. We mourn their by the power of the Holy Spirit May 8th is the birthdate of Saint of the diocese. Our ministries, loss and pray fervently for the at Pentecost, renewed in the risen John Vianney, patron saint of parish as you will read in the following healthcare professionals who attend Christ, our source of hope. priests. I bring this to your attention pages, tirelessly serve the people of to them. The medical experts report because his dedication to the people Eastern Connecticut, no matter what that we appear to be nearing the It has been nearly seven weeks of his parish is a fine example of what their faith. The daily dedication end of this crisis as the number of since public celebrations of Mass you can accomplish when allowing of the staff and volunteers to their cases are beginning to level off. May ww.norwichdiocese.org were temporarily suspended in all the love of God to consume you. individual missions lifts the lives of we safely return to our lives with churches of the Diocese. This is so many. the wisdom gained that hope does having a profound effect on our lives I want to take this moment to publicly prevail over fear. of faith, and even on the way that thank my brother priests who, like Through this crisis, we are finding faith is practiced. This is, without their patron, are ministering to that family and community are very Finally, I pray that you may question, among the most painful the needs of their parish families. much alive, even in social isolation. experience these final days of developments of these days for me During the COVID-19 crisis they Family life remains forever the Eastertide with this renewed hope as your Bishop, for your priests, as it have been continuing to hear building block of a healthy society as you make your journey toward is for all of you. confessions, anointing the sick, live and the secure path to our spiritual Pentecost. streaming Masses and devotions, well-being as Christians. I look forward to the day when seeing to the spiritual and corporal we can once again gather around needs of parishioners and keeping As we now enter May, the month of | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | w CATHOLIC | FOUR COUNTY the table of the Lord, reunited as churches open so that, like Saint Mary, let us contemplate the power Sincerely in the joy of Christ, a family of faith. In the meantime, John Vianney, you can sit in silent of God’s mercy in our families lives, may we find comfort and direction devotion with our Lord reposed in as we celebrate our devotion to her. in the words of the apostle Paul in the tabernacle. Our Diocese and our Nation on May 2020 MAY his letter to the Romans, “Rejoice in 1st renewed our consecration to the Michael R. Cote Blessed Virgin Mary under her title Bishop of Norwich 3 THE MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D. BISHOP OF NORWICH LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY La esperanza prevalece sobre el miedo "Alégrate en la esperanza, aguanta en la aflicción, persevera en la oración.” Romanos 12:12 Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas la aflicción, persevera en la oración".