THE MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD

DECEMBER 2017 WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG

Plus: Nativity scenes 22

Meet ‘The Cheese ’ Mother Noëlla plies her talents from Bethlehem cheese cellar to monastery’s internet presence

4 26 28 ’s desk Vocations Pastoral planning And on earth, peace Vocation plan will involve Catholics at Are we there yet? all levels in encouraging more vocations

SERVING THE COUNTIES OF HARTFORD, NEW HAVEN AND LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT THINGS TO DO

‘COME AND FOLLOW ME’ Passionist Father David Cinquegrani, director of Retreat Center Are you following Archbishop Blair and the in West Hartford, will offer an Advent Archdiocese of Hartford on social media? reflection twice on Dec. 6 at the @ArchbishopBlair center. The morning session runs from @ArchdioceseOfHartford 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the evening, from 6 to Facebook.com/ArchdioceseOfHartford 9 p.m. Both include celebration of the Eucharist. Also follow the Cathedral of Joseph, the Confession will be available during the day session. The PARTICIPATE IN ADVENT Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Hartford! title of the reflection is “Full of Grace.” Attendees will REFLECTION explore the potential people have to bring the savior, @HtfdCathedral @CathedralOfSaintJoseph Jesus Christ, to life in their community, their families and Facebook.com/CathedralOfSaintJoseph their hearts. The $40 fee includes a meal. Information is available at www.holyfamilyretreat.org or 860.760.9705. The museum has featured crèche displays yearly, “She Said Yes: Making Room for the Birth of centered on the artistic expression of particular countries God” is the title of a program to be presented from or regions of the globe. Each show celebrates the diversity 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Our Lady of Calvary of culture and the around the world. Retreat Center in Farmington. The presenter will be This year’s exhibition features crèches from across Celeste Calabotta, a music minister, pianist and VIEW A the map. Items on display are from the museum’s member of the retreat team. The program will focus PRESENTATION own collection, including its popular 120-square-foot on the infancy narrative of Luke. The cost is $30. Neapolitan diorama, along with recent acquisitions of Information is available at 860.677.8519 or Polish szopki, stone sculptures from Zimbabwe and www.ourladyofcalvary.net/events. Hummel figurines. Also included are crèches on loan from the Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, Pa.; the The Clare Gallery in Hartford is presenting “A Glimpse International Marian Research Institute at the University of Infinity,” an exhibition of photographic prints by of Dayton (Ohio); the Loyola University Museum of Art artist Aric Attas of Vero Beach, Fla., until Dec. 31. The in Chicago; and St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal in images are large, voluminous in detail and rhythmically Montreal, Canada. circular, and they integrate celestial colors from space. Also a part of the museum’s Christmas tradition is its The exhibition is free and open to the public. The Clare annual Christmas Tree Festival, which opened Dec. 2. This Gallery primarily features exhibitions that emphasize popular display of two dozen Christmas trees showcases the world religions or interfaith themes, as well as social ATTEND imagination and talent of Connecticut elementary AN ART justice themes, on either a global or local level. The Clare schoolchildren who create handmade ornaments in their EXHIBITION Gallery’s hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays classrooms, then travel to the museum to tour the Christmas through Thursdays; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays; 9 exhibition and decorate the trees. The show continues a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays. through Jan. 28, 2018, and visitors are invited to vote for the The gallery is housed in the Franciscan Center for Urban “People’s Choice” Christmas tree. A Christmastime Family Ministry at 285 Church St., Hartford. The center is part of Day will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31, with St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish. More information may be crafts and live music from “Joyful Noise.” found at www.spsact.org/clare2. The museum’s popular historical exhibition, World War I: Beyond the Front Lines, is also on view throughout the The Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven has Christmas season. The show commemorates the 100th opened its 13th annual Christmas exhibition with anniversary of America’s entrance into the “Great War.” more than 65 Nativity scenes on display. “Peace The Knights of Columbus Museum, at 1 State St. in on Earth: Crèches of the World” will New Haven, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with free continue through Feb. 19, 2018. admission and parking. More information is available at St. Francis of Assisi, in the 13th century, 203.865.0400 or www.kofcmuseum.org. popularized the representation of Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem and for centuries artists have depicted the biblical account of that FOR MORE THINGS TO DO event in various forms. The crèche, or Nativity visit www.catholictranscript.org scene, far more than a decoration, is one of many visual representations of this historic event.

2 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG CONTENTS

4 ARCHBISHOP’S DESK And on earth, peace 6 REFLECTION Angela 7 SPIRITUAL FITNESS From our little crosses come great miracles 4 6 8 CATHOLIC LIFE ‘Winter is coming’ 9 JOURNEY OF FAITH The perfect Christmas gift 10 ADVENT The house of Christmas 12 IN THE KNOW WITH FATHER JOE How can I do the right thing? 12 14 THEOLOGY 101 What makes a person suitable to sponsor a child for ?

16 COVER STORY Meet ‘The Cheese Nun’ — Mother Noëlla plies her talents from Bethlehem cheese cellar to monastery’s internet presence 22 PARISH NATIVITY Christmas story told in church Nativity scenes large and small

24 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS A guiding force — On and off the field, this long-time football 14 16 coach has never questioned his faith in God

26 VOCATIONS Vocation plan will involve Catholics at all levels in encouraging more vocations 28 PASTORAL PLANNING Are we there yet? 29 IN YOUR COMMUNITY

COVER PHOTO BY 22 26 ROBERT FALCETTI

3 ARCHBISHOP’S DESK

AND ON EARTH, peace

lory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people conduct deserves. We are moved of good will.” Thus reads the Gloria at Mass, to be sung by the birth of the infant Jesus at at Christmas. In the words of our former , Benedict: Christmas, but let’s not forget what “G he said: “I came into this world for “God’s glory and peace on earth are inseparable. Where God is judgment, so that those who do not excluded, there is a breakdown of peace in the world.” see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” (Jn 9:39) As we approach Christmas 2017, brings, God’s providence guides and Last, but not least, our lives it would be nice to say that peace governs everything. “To those who ought to be guided by the truth reigns in our hearts and homes, love God all things work together of the Incarnation. By becoming our communities and country, our unto good,” St. Paul writes. When man in the Person of the Son, God parishes and the Church herself. at Christmas we hear “Glory to God chose to redeem us precisely “in the ARCHBISHOP Yet we know it is not so. Today, in the highest and on earth peace to LEONARD P. flesh.” As one spiritual author put many souls, even in the Church, people of good will,” we should be BLAIR it, “God understands our human are far from peaceful. Many people mindful of all the terrible hardships is the 13th ‘mess’ firsthand.” He lived and feel beset, besieged and insecure in and threats that the Holy Family bishop of died amid the “mess” that we fallen the Catholic the face of the many uncertainties was experiencing at that moment creatures have made of life. But as Archdiocese and threats to world peace and in Bethlehem. Jesus said, “I have of Hartford. St. Paul teaches, Jesus “is our peace” social well-being; to marriage and come to bring, not peace, but the precisely because he has “broken family and to faith itself. A lack of sword.” His earthly life began with down” all the walls of separation inner peace leads to the anger and the massacre of the innocents by the and alienation that we have created hostility that afflict so many people sword, and his life ended with a lance in ourselves, among ourselves and when they believe themselves to thrust through his side. Yet to those with God.” (cf. Eph 2:14) be offended, injured or thwarted who put all their faith and hope in As we prepare for Christmas in some way. God, Jesus promises the peace that Christ is this year, may each of us seek to It can be argued that as long as the world cannot give. God is never always create a place for God, not only people are people there will always be far from us and, provided we stay looking to be in our own hearts and homes, but turmoil, division and strife. However, close to him, we will be at peace. born anew in our society and in our world, the angels were able to proclaim Another truth is that God sees in human so that we can know peace. God is peace to the shepherds in Bethlehem all. He will be the just judge of hearts, so increasingly being shut out of so even as King Herod was sharpening everything that happens in life, that the joyful much of life. There is little room or his sword to kill the newborn so there’s no need for our blood message of time for him in the lives of many Messiah. It is possible to enjoy peace pressure to soar when we witness people. Yet Christ is always looking the angels at as a gift of God even in the midst of evil and injustice, or for our hearts to be born anew in human hearts, Christmas can the raging of the world, the flesh and to sink when all seems lost. At the so that the joyful message of the be fulfilled. the devil — provided that God is with judgment, God will bring to light angels at Christmas can be fulfilled: us, and we are with God. the secrets of every heart, and on “Glory to God in the highest and on For God to be with us, and we everything that has ever happened earth peace to people of good will.” with God, we have to let our lives be in this world the light of his truth May you and your loved ones be guided by certain truths of faith. will shine. Then he will give to blessed with all the peace and joy The first truth is that whatever life each person what his or her that Christmas is meant to bring.

4 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG DESDE EL ESCRITORIO DEL ARZOBISPO

Y EN LA TIERRA, vuelvan ciegos.” (Juan 9:39) Por último, pero no menos paz importante, nuestras vidas deben guiarse por la verdad de la loria a Dios en las alturas y en la tierra paz a las personas Encarnación. Al hacerse hombre de buena voluntad". Así reza el Gloria en la misa, que se en la Persona del Hijo, Dios eligió “G cantará en Navidad. En las palabras de nuestro Papa Emérito redimirnos precisamente “en la Benedicto: “La gloria de Dios y la paz en la tierra son inseparables. carne”. Como lo expresó un autor Donde Dios está excluido, hay una ruptura de la paz en el mundo”. espiritual, “Dios entiende nuestro ‘desorden’ humano de primera mano”. Vivió y murió en medio A medida que nos acercamos a Dios en las alturas y en la tierra paz del “desorden” que las criaturas la Navidad de 2017, sería bueno a las personas de buena voluntad”, caídas hemos hecho de la vida. Pero, decir que la paz reina en nuestros debemos ser conscientes de todas como enseña San Pablo, Jesús “es corazones y hogares, nuestras las terribles dificultades y amenazas nuestra paz” precisamente porque comunidades y nuestro país, nuestras que la Sagrada Familia estaba EL ARZOBISPO LEONARD P. ha “destruido” todos los muros de parroquias y la Iglesia misma. Sin experimentando en ese momento BLAIR separación y alienación que hemos embargo, sabemos que no es así. Hoy en Belén. Jesús dijo: “No piensen es el décimo creado en nosotros mismos, entre muchas almas, incluso en la Iglesia, que vine a traer paz a la tierra; no tercer obispo de nosotros y con Dios. (véase Efesios 2:14) están lejos de estar en paz. Muchas vine a traer paz, sino espada”. Su la Arquidiócesis Al prepararnos para la Navidad de personas se sienten acosadas, vida terrenal comenzó con la Católica de este año, que cada uno de nosotros sitiadas e inseguras frente a las masacre de los inocentes por la Hartford. busque crear un lugar para Dios, no muchas incertidumbres y amenazas espada, y su vida terminó con una solo en nuestros propios corazones a la paz mundial y al bienestar social, lanza que le atravesó el costado. Sin y hogares, sino en nuestra sociedad al matrimonio y a la familia, y a la embargo, para aquellos que ponen Cristo y en nuestro mundo, para que fe misma. La falta de paz interior toda su fe y esperanza en Dios, siempre está podamos conocer la paz. Dios está conduce a la ira y la hostilidad que Jesús promete la paz que el mundo buscando siendo cada vez más excluido de la afligen a tantas personas cuando se no puede dar. Dios nunca está lejos nacer de vida. Hay poco espacio o tiempo para creen ofendidas, heridas o frustradas de nosotros, y si nos mantenemos nuevo en los él en la vida de muchas personas. de alguna manera. cerca de él, estaremos en paz. corazones Sin embargo, Cristo siempre está Se puede argumentar que mientras Otra verdad es que Dios lo ve humanos, buscando nacer de nuevo en los las personas sean personas siempre todo. Él será el juez justo de todo para que corazones humanos, para que se habrá agitación, división y conflicto. lo que sucede en la vida, por lo que se pueda pueda cumplir el alegre mensaje de Sin embargo, los ángeles pudieron no hay necesidad de que nuestra cumplir los ángeles en Navidad: “Gloria a proclamar la paz a los pastores en presión arterial se eleve cuando el alegre Dios en las alturas y en la tierra paz a Belén, incluso cuando el Rey Herodes presenciamos el mal y la injusticia, mensaje de las personas de buena voluntad”. estaba afilando su espada para matar o que nuestros corazones se hundan los ángeles en Que usted y sus seres queridos al recién nacido Mesías. Es posible cuando todo parece perdido. En Navidad. sean bendecidos con toda la paz y la disfrutar de la paz como un regalo el juicio, Dios sacará a la luz los alegría que la Navidad debe traer. de Dios incluso en medio del furor secretos de cada del mundo, la carne y el demonio, corazón, y sobre todo lo ew NglaNd s argest eligious upply ift eNter siempre que Dios esté con nosotros y que haya sucedido en N e ’ l r s & g C estemos con Dios. este mundo, la luz de su 10% oFF all iTeMS in our store with this ad. does not Para que Dios esté con nosotros, verdad brillará. Luego apply to special orders. y nosotros con Dios, debemos dejar le dará a cada persona que nuestras vidas sean guiadas por lo que su conducta ciertas verdades de fe. merece. Nos conmueve La primera verdad es que, sea el nacimiento del niño 1650 West Street lo que sea lo que traiga la vida, Jesús en Navidad, pero Southington, CT la providencia de Dios guía y no olvidemos lo que 800-243-6385 gobierna todo. “Y sabemos que dijo: “Yo he venido Mon.-Fri.: 9:30-5:30 Sat.: 10-3; CloSed Sun. para los que aman a Dios, todas a este mundo para www.churchgoods.com las cosas cooperan para bien”, tal juzgarlo; para que los como escribe San Pablo. Cuando que no ven, vean, y A Family Business That Cares – Over 50 Years of Service • Free Gift Wrap en Navidad escuchamos “Gloria a para que los que ven se

5 REFLECTION

ears ago, my husband Peter asked me to exercise Angela was funny and needy and self-deprecating extreme caution when offering help to strangers. I and blunt. She told of being spat upon when she asked understood his concern for my safety so I agreed, people for help. She told of being ignored. It made her Y feel invisible. with a few caveats. If I pass someone in need who is I wondered what she was doing miles from home elderly, pregnant, handicapped or has a small child, or if without a ride. Did she really have no food? How much of the weather is blisteringly hot or bitterly cold, I cannot, in her story was true and how much was a con? good conscience, drive by without offering help. It gradually occurred to me that it didn’t matter. For those few minutes in my car, Angela was treated with I’m not sure which category applied to Angela. dignity. We talked and laughed. Mostly, I listened as we I was pulling out of the Stop & Shop parking lot when I drove to her apartment. spied her. She was thin and disheveled, in baggy clothes, I gave her a bit of cash and tousled her peach fuzz hair. and she was trying to flag down passing motorists. She hugged me and we said goodbye. I ignored her. I had one minute to get to a nearby cafe As I drove away, I wondered if, to Angela, my life looks where I was meeting friends. I couldn’t be late, right? perfect. I was wearing clean clothes, driving a working Unfortunately, the light turned red before I could escape, M. REGINA CRAM car and had cash in my pocket. Perhaps she pictured leaving me stopped right next to the gesturing woman. is a writer, me returning to a clean, tastefully decorated home with speaker and She began calling out for me to help her. Maybe if I homemade chocolate chip cookies on the counter. Maybe author. She and didn’t look at her, she would go away. she thought my biggest problem is deciding which mall to her husband live My conscience gnawed at me. Finally acceding, in Glastonbury shop at this week. I rolled down my window. and have She would be wrong. While I am incredibly blessed, “I’m 65 years old and a cancer patient and I live in four children I have known great hardship. I’ve suffered catastrophic Manchester and I need a ride home,” she said in one and seven illness, severe financial pain, miscarriage and hunger. My long breath. She was ghastly thin with just a hint of grandchildren. family endured 20 years of my sister’s drug addiction as peach fuzz on her scalp. She couldn’t have weighed she dealt with homelessness, incarceration and shame. I more than 80 pounds. know what it is to have life fall apart around me. “Umm, well, umm ...” I stammered unintelligibly. As I mused about these things, it occurred to me that “OK, I’ll give you a ride.” My friends wouldn’t mind if I it was the anniversary of my sister’s death that day. I was 10 minutes late. recalled her gorgeous, chestnut brown hair and that She climbed into my car and strapped up. Introducing crooked grin that always made me smile. Perhaps helping herself as Angela, she explained that she lives on a small Angela was an appropriate way to honor my sister. fixed income and the social worker is trying to get her I was more than 30 minutes late when I caught up with additional funds, but has not succeeded, so Angela had no my friends. What I missed was so little in comparison to food at home. what I’d gained.

6 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG SPIRITUAL FITNESS

to fully recover,” she said. “He had to From our little crosses come relearn how to breathe, swallow, talk, walk and sit up. He was like an infant GREAT MIRACLES doing these things for the first time. Today, he’s a walking miracle. He drives, he’s totally independent and any years ago, a little nun from the Sisters of he’s looking for a job.” St. Joseph would drill our third-grade class Then, she added, “We know that on the Baltimore Catechism, week after week, God healed my husband, and we give M him all the glory.” JOE PISANI until we could recite the answers verbatim. It was as Jesus must have done immensely of Orange close to the Marine Corps as I ever got. is a writer wonderful things with that offering. whose work Perhaps one of them was to give has appeared Occasionally, she’d interrupt her tried to stop whining and offer it up, me encouragement to go another in Catholic lesson to give us some spiritual hoping good would come from it. day and offer my little cross for publications advice. She said when we had pain Eventually, I reached a point where her and her husband. I could have nationwide. or suffering in our lives, we should instead of asking, “Why me, Lord?”, never carried her cross — at least He and his “offer it up” because Jesus could I could say, “This is for you, Jesus. not alone. None of us can. It’s not wife Sandy have four do wonderful things with our gift. Help me make it through.” And Jesus a test of strength. It’s a test of faith daughters. A scraped knee. A stomach ache. helped carry the cross. and humility to be able to say, “I’m A bruised elbow. Hurt feelings. Even more amazing, every day that scared, I can’t do this alone. Jesus, No offering was too small or I was consumed by my small cross, please help me. I offer you my cross.” insignificant. Jesus would put someone in my path We all have crosses, some are She said if we offered our suffering who had a considerably larger cross heavier than others. Offer them to to Jesus, it would help him save ... and a smile on her face. Christ, and someday, far from this souls wandering in darkness. It There was the woman I saw at world of suffering, he’ll show you the would provide relief to others in Mass in Manhattan whose body miracles he performed because of pain and despair. It seemed like was wracked by cancer. She was your offerings. such a peculiar exchange. We gave so frail and thin it seemed a strong “We know that God Jesus our pain and he could do wind would blow her over. As she healed my husband, and incomprehensibly good things with it sat praying — because she couldn’t ... and reward us beyond our dreams kneel — I wondered what she was we give him all the glory.” in the next life. saying to Jesus: “Why did you do this St. Paul understood. In his letter to me?”or “Jesus, this is for you. Take to the Colossians, he wrote, “I am my imperfect offering and use it.” now rejoicing in my sufferings for I met a woman who had to walk your sake, and in my flesh I am with two canes because of knee completing what is lacking in Christ’s surgery, and every day she traveled afflictions for the sake of his body, back and forth from the Bronx on the the Church.” subway to get to her job. She smiled As a child, I thought it was such a when I told her my problem and said magical idea; however, as an adult, she would pray for me. I’ve often been more self-absorbed And then I met a woman who with my suffering than with what shared her personal story. Five years Jesus can do if I turn it over. Rather ago, her husband of one month fell than offering it up, I’ve been inclined 15 feet off a ladder and suffered a to complain: “Why me, Lord?” or traumatic brain injury. The neuro- “Deliver me from this, Lord!” or surgeons said his injury was one of “Lord, not again!” the worst they’d seen in 15 years of I recently had some medical tests, practice. He was in the hospital eight and every day I’d say, “Do I really months before they could transfer have to go through this?” Then, I him to a rehab facility. thought of that little nun’s advice. I “It took nearly three years for him

7 CATHOLIC LIFE

‘WINTER IS COMING’ n the wildly popular “Game of Thrones” series on HBO, based on the books by George R. R. Martin, each of the powerful families has an epithet that is particularly I meaningful to the tribe, referred to as the family’s “words.” The words of House Stark, the lords and kings of the bleak and barren northern regions of the mythical land of Westeros, are “Winter is coming.” It is a constant reminder, especially in the soft warmth and promise of spring, and in the heat and plenty of summer, that the world is changing and harder times always are approaching. Moreover, the ever- present concept that winter is coming gives the northern families a shared sense of purpose; a united motivation to prepare for tomorrow and the lean days ahead.

I find a parallel between the words of elite of society, but by a mere voice crying House Stark and one element of the Catholic aloud in the wilderness. (Mk 1:3; Jn 1:23) Jesus experience. While the world of Westeros is himself went to the wilderness to fast and preparing to weather the storms and scarcity have his resolve tested by the devil. (Mt 7:1-11) of the coming winter, the followers of Christ Despite our shared journey as the are on a perpetual journey in the wilderness. Church, we individually venture into the The wilderness is not unlike the winter wilderness on our own occasionally and the Starks warn of. The wilderness is a have our resolve tested. While the devil place that is uncultivated, uninhabited and does not offer to make me king of the world, largely inhospitable to life. Few can survive he does offer to let me sleep in on a Sunday in the wilderness for an extended period morning when my newborn daughter has of time and some have perished in the been up all night. Or tells me it is much attempt. But along with the desolation of the easier to get through a hard day at the office wilderness, there is also a sense of cleansing, by telling people what they want to hear, refocusing and renewal that occurs there. instead of telling the whole truth as my job In the wilderness, all of the distractions requires. Or makes it hard sometimes to CODY are stripped from us and only the essential pick up that Bible at night when I’m just GUARNIERI aspects of our existence seem important. is a criminal wondering, “What is the point of it all?” While the wilderness is a physical place, defense lawyer The corollary to the Starks’ words that for sure, it is also a spiritual dimension; a with a Hartford “winter is coming” is that on the other side place where one’s spiritual life is tested and law firm and is of winter is spring and the return of easier hardened. It’s an environment where all of a member of times of plenty. On the other side of the St. Patrick/ the nonessential baggage can be discarded wilderness is the fertile and lush spiritual St. Anthony on the road and one can continue journeying life of God’s grace, in eternal abundance. Parish in toward what is most important to one’s Hartford. As so many of Jesus’ trickier parables teach existence: the grace and love of Christ. us, God’s grace is not offered by a measure We take part of our journey into the of how much one deserves or needs. God’s desert together, as members of the body of grace overfills whatever cup it is poured into. Christ that is the Church. Throughout the When I’m in the wilderness, it is a comfort liturgical year, we travel with Christ and his to think that the wilderness of suffering and experiences of the wildernesses of his life. grief and doubt is part of the journey. It is in Before Jesus’ public ministry began, Israelites the wilderness that I cast off the unnecessary were drawn to the message of the coming encumbrances, making room for God’s of the Messiah. That message was not being grace, so that I may emerge lighter and more broadcast by the rich, famous or powerful focused on the journey itself.

8 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG JOURNEY OF FAITH

THE The truth was plain for Perfect CHRISTMAS GIFT all to see. The perfect Christmas gift hat is the perfect Christmas gift? meet in order to feed her own kids. came from Albert grew up poor. His parents As Rita entered the kitchen for the Christmas meal, struggled to eke out a living on a she looked at Albert and said, “Albert, I brought you a incredible W present.” Albert ran outside, and looked in her station dried-up piece of land. Sharecroppers in the love. wagon. There it was: a new red bike. rural South were very familiar with poverty. Albert’s heart leapt for joy; his spirit burst with glee. The family had five children, and Albert His long anticipation had come to the most delightful was the youngest. His older siblings loved fulfillment. At last, the bike was his! to take care of him, play with him and teach So Albert did what any 10-year-old boy would do. him new things. The family may have been He slept with that bike. Every night. For a year. short on financial resources, but they were That new red bike meant many things to Albert. long on love. Most of all, it meant he had a sister who loved him immensely. She had sacrificed for him in a remarkable DR. ALLEN R. HUNT As the youngest child, Albert received five cents from way. That bike meant someone really, really cared. is a senior advisor his father each Saturday before he would walk to town. The truth was plain for all to see. The perfect for Dynamic There, Albert could use the money to watch a movie or Christmas gift came from incredible love. Catholic Institute. get ice cream. Five cents was enough money for one or the other, but not both. Either way, for Albert, Saturdays formed the highlight of each week. Each year at Christmas, Albert wished for the same gift, a bicycle. And each year, the bicycle did not come. When he was 7, he wished to Santa, asked his mother, prayed to God: “Please bring me a bike.” But on Christmas morning, when he woke up, Albert discovered that no bike had arrived. Where he had hoped to find a bike, instead he found a bag with several oranges and an apple. When Albert turned 8, again he expressed his deepest wish for a bike. On Christmas morning, again, a bag of fruit appeared, but no bike. The same scene repeated itself when Albert was 9. No bike. Just a few oranges and an apple. When Albert was 10, he repeatedly made his desire known. He tore out pictures from catalogs, he talked about the bike at dinner every evening and, when he went to sleep, he dreamed of a bike. “Santa, please bring me a bike.” However, Christmas again played out like it always did. Albert got up, ran to the den and found no bike. Only a bag with a few oranges and an apple. As time for Christmas dinner approached, the whole family gathered in the kitchen to prepare the meal. Albert’s oldest siblings came home to be part of the family Christmas celebration. In the door walked Albert’s oldest sister, Rita. Twenty-three years old, Rita was married and had moved into town to work at the cotton mill. Rita already had two children of her own, and, like the rest of the mill workers, she struggled to make ends

9 ADVENT

The house of Christmas G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

There fared a mother driven forth This world is wild as an old wives’ tale, Out of an inn to roam; And strange the plain things are, In the place where she was homeless The earth is enough and the air is enough All men are at home. For our wonder and our war; The crazy stable close at hand, But our rest is as far as the fire-drake swings With shaking timber and shifting sand, And our peace is put in impossible things Grew a stronger thing to abide and stand Where clashed and thundered unthinkable wings Than the square stones of Rome. Round an incredible star.

For men are homesick in their homes, To an open house in the evening And strangers under the sun, Home shall men come, And they lay on their heads in a foreign land To an older place than Eden Whenever the day is done. And a taller town than Rome. Here we have battle and blazing eyes, To the end of the way of the wandering star, And chance and honour and high surprise, To the things that cannot be and that are, But our homes are under miraculous skies To the place where God was homeless Where the yule tale was begun. And all men are at home.

A Child in a foul stable, Where the beasts feed and foam; Only where He was homeless Are you and I at home; We have hands that fashion and heads that know, But our hearts we lost — how long ago! In a place no chart nor ship can show Under the sky’s dome.

10 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG Retirement Fund for Religious A SAVIOR IS BORN Please give to those who have given a lifetime. To donate: Office of Vicar for Religious 467 Bloomfield Avenue Bloomfield CT 06002 Make check payable to Archdiocese of Hartford/RFR. Or give at your local parish December 9–10. www.retiredreligious.org Photo (from left): Sister Gloria Rodríguez, MGSpS, 80; Father Albert Bunsic, OCD, 81; Sister Alfonsina Sanchez, OCD, 96; Sister Mary Ann Hanson, SND, 79. ©2017 Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photographer: Jim Judkis.

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11 IN THE KNOW Q&A WITH FATHER JOE

I want to share a quote with you from someone who had the same problem:

I do not understand myself, for I do not do what I want to do, but I do what I hate … I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. I do not do the good I want but I do the evil I do not want.

Now, who said such a thing? St. Paul in his letter to the Romans. The guy with “Saint” in front of his name. The guy who wrote a majority of the New Testament. The guy we call “the Apostle.” That guy got frustrated with his own sin and his tendency to choose sin over virtue. In the end, he found comfort in a HOW CAN I couple things: first, that all of these struggles can serve to remind him of his utter dependence on God. That DO THE RIGHT THING? can keep us from pride. Second, St. Paul recognized that, even in his Dear Fr. Joe: I get sin, God could and still did use him. the perfect place really discouraged Jesus’ victory over sin is so great that for your next event about doing the right thing. he meets us at both ends of it and in I never mean to be mean or the middle: he forgives our sins and disrespectful and yet I keep can use that forgiveness we seek to help us become more humble and finding myself falling into it more holy. how do I act like the Beyond looking at the role of person I want to be? I try God’s forgiveness for our sin and his so hard. victory over it, I’m going to offer you a way we can let God free us from My heart breaks as I read the pattern of our sin, so that we The Archdiocesan your email. I have some are progressing in our walk with the recollection of those days — lots of Lord. To do so, we need to look at Center regret, lots of guilt, lots of passion I virtue. Doing so can move us at Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield simply struggled to control. I invite from the abstract “do good” to a Conference, Event & Retreat Facilities you to take joy and hope from the concrete vision of what goodness is Easily accessible from Interstates 91 and 84 fact that you are not alone and that and looks like. So, I’m going to share only people who care about doing with you three things: the name of Contact Elena O’Halloran, Director of Sales what is right fret about their inability each of the seven heavenly virtues, (860) 913-2603 to do so. God is moving in you — what those virtues look like and the www.stseminary.org | [email protected] take courage. deadly sin they counter.

12 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG Seven Heavenly Virtues

VIRTUE: Humility WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: • “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” — C.S. LEWIS • Putting others first. Not drawing attention to yourself and what you do. Recognizing that all you have comes FATHER JOE KRUPP from God. is a former comedy writer SIN: Pride who is now a Catholic priest. @Joeinblack VIRTUE: Chastity WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: • Holding fast to our knowledge that we are children of God and that our body Now, you’ve got this list and is a temple. Other people do not exist I’ll show you how I use it: for my sexual gratification. Not reducing First, cut the list out or copy it. other people to things I must have. Second, read the list slowly SIN: Lust and carefully, asking God to help you pick one (not two or more, VIRTUE: Patience/Forgiveness just one!). Take your time on WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: this. Clear your head. Don’t “run • Enduring situations and/or people with dignity and a good spirit. A sense of ahead” of God and decide which peaceful stability and harmony. Giving the one you want to go after, wait for wounds other people have inflicted on us his voice in your heart to show to God and asking Him to forgive them. you. When you feel that you’ve SIN: Wrath got the one you are to go after, write it down and carry it with VIRTUE: Kindness you. Pray every day that God will WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: • Compassion and friendship for others, strengthen that virtue within empathy without prejudice for its own you. Ask God to bless you as you sake. The refusal to do harm to others. pursue it. SIN: Envy Next, make sure that each day you practice the virtue in some VIRTUE: Temperance practical concrete way. WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: Wash, rinse, repeat. Do this • Restraint. Constant mindfulness of others and one’s surroundings. every day and realize two things: Self-control, moderation, delayed One, sin is rarely, if ever gratification. The proper response finished in us. I don’t know that at the proper time. any of us will get to a point where SIN: Gluttony we can say that we have safely put a sin behind us. Be vigilant! VIRTUE: Charity Two, Don’t give up. Never, ever WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: give up. God will not give up on • Generosity, self-sacrifice, loving with our actions, giving of ourselves. you. When you fall, if you fall, get SIN: Greed right to confession. Tell the priest what you are doing with these VIRTUE: Diligence virtues and wait for the mercy WHAT THAT VIRTUE LOOKS LIKE: and grace to come pouring down. • Giving all we have in that which we I pray that God blesses your are given to do. Strong work ethic. Not efforts and that you find great life giving up on our tasks because they are challenging. Using our time well and and joy in taking these first steps being on guard against laziness. toward becoming a saint. SIN: Sloth Enjoy another day in God’s presence.

13 THEOLOGY 101

What makes a person suitable to sponsor a child for baptism?

That’s a question that faces all Christian parents of Donate Your Car! a newborn child, and the answer to that question reflects the importance the Church places on those who enter it through the sacrament of baptism. Baptism is, after all, the gateway to Christianity. When a person is baptized, he or she dies to a life without Christ and rises to a new life with Christ. That’s why we say that a newly baptized person is “born again.” Most types of motorized vehicles accepted, running or not. All proceeds benefit children and families in need in Connecticut. By accepting baptism, a person Baptism is the gateway to is proclaiming that birth in the Christianity, but it is actually the natural world, with all of its first of three sacraments that bring limitations, pales in comparison a person fully into the Christian life. to the promise of an abundant and The remaining two are confirmation eternal life that is found in the way and holy Eucharist. It is through and truth of Christ. , the holy Eucharist that a baptized Archdiocese of Hartford which is the inclination to sin that person is nourished by the very life CCUSA PHOTO BY LAUREN BY CHELEC PHOTO CCUSA we inherited as a result of our fallen of Christ. Christ is the bread of life For more information, visit nature, is removed and we are given that gives a person the strength to www.ccaoh.org the hope of freedom from sin that live the Christian way in a world or call 855-660-4483 comes from being a child of God. that challenges him or her to do so

14 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG FATHER JOHN GWOZDZ When parents choose is pastor at St. Edmund Campion Parish in someone to be a sponsor, East Hartford. it is because they find that person worthy of the role.

every day. Through confirmation, it is necessary that a sponsor be a baptized person is given the gifts someone who has fully embraced the of the Holy Spirit, the tools that are Christian life, as well, someone who essential to live the Christian life. has received all three sacraments Progression through these three of initiation. That person must, of sacraments indicates that initiation course, have been baptized himself or is part of a journey. Just as it is herself, have been equipped with the necessary to have a guide when gifts of the Holy Spirit and, finally, making a journey through anything, have been fed by the very life of a person needs a guide when making Christ at Mass each week. the journey through faith in Christ. It also follows that a suitable That’s where the sponsor comes in. sponsor must have some years of It is the responsibility of a sponsor experience in walking the way of to be a guide, to accompany and help Christ, so the Church requires the the baptized person to navigate his or sponsor to be at least 16 years old. her way through the Christian life. Since the laws of the Church are It becomes the work of parents meant to chart a person’s course to consider thoughtfully to whom, faithfully to Christ, a sponsor should among their family or friends, they be someone who lives according to would entrust the responsibility of those laws and, if married, must be being a good and reliable guide for in a marriage recognized as valid by their child. In fact, during the rite the Church. of baptism the sponsors are asked, It’s an honor to be a sponsor for a “Are you ready to help the parents child, but it’s an honor because it’s of this child in their duty as a great responsibility. When parents Christian parents?” choose someone to be a sponsor, it is A guide can only be someone who because they find that person worthy is familiar with the journey ahead, of the role. and a guide or sponsor for a baptized “Are you ready to help the parents person must be someone who is of this child in their duty as Christian familiar with living the Christian life, parents?” A suitable sponsor for someone who knows the hills and baptism should be able to answer valleys, the strengths and joys, and that question with a heartfelt “yes,” who can provide useful example and the affirmation of someone who tries welcome encouragement. to follow the way of Christ always Therefore, to help a person and who wants to be a good guide to fully embrace the Christian life, help others do the same.

15 COVER STORY

Mother Noëlla plies her talents from Bethlehem cheese cellar to monastery’s internet presence Meet ‘The Cheese Nun’

16 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG Story by Photography by MARY CHALUPSKY ROBERT FALCETTI

other Noëlla Marcellino is a scientist, a world-famous cheese maker and a Fulbright Scholar who also happens to be a cloistered Benedictine nun. MFor her expertise and knowledge, she has been featured on “CBS Sunday Morning,” has had her journey unveiled on the PBS documentary “The Cheese Nun,” has championed sustainability on the Netflix series “Cooked” with foodie Michael Pollan and has been written about in The New Yorker. None of this would have happened, she insists in a telephone interview from the of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, without guidance by the hand of God from her early years of making cheese for her community of in fulfillment of her vow of obedience. Divine providence also was present, she says, while she studied the biodiversity of cheese-ripening fungi for three years in as a Fulbright Scholar, then as she became a regarded advocate of preserving the tradition and biodiversity of cheese. God still guides her now, she says, as she serves her community away from the cheese, as webmaster for the abbey. “I was always a sort of geek, anyway,” she explains simply. “I think what interests people is that I am a cheese maker and a Benedictine cheese maker; and then I became a scientist,” she says. The abbey is located on a working farm of 450 acres in Litchfield County, where the sisters manage pastures; harvest 6,000 to 8,000 hay bales a year to feed flocks and herds; process wood; and harvest and preserve fruits, vegetables and honey. “I would not have become a cheese nun if I wasn’t part of the Benedictine community that gave me a chance to do things,” she says. “I like to cook, but I never dreamed of milking cows and making cheese.”

17 COVER STORY

Mother Noëlla entered the abbey during the turbulent ’70s at age 22 after dropping out of Sarah Lawrence College and spending a year at Boston University “at a time when many young people were lost,” she said. “I started becoming more involved with the abbey and disillusioned with college, and eventually entered. “My life here was so much more meaningful than a degree, at that point,” she recalls. “Basically from the time I entered, I worked with food in the kitchen. When we got our first cow, Sheba (in 1976), I fell in love with her, began milking and became a cheese maker. “I was praying for someone to come and teach me how to make cheese,” she laughs, “and two days later, soil and other materials in the cave give cheese its flavor a woman from France showed up and gave me a recipe Mother Noëlla, and consistency. handed down for centuries in her family. It was for a originally When she began making cheese in the ’70s, Mother fungal-ripened cheese made in the Auvergne region called Noëlla notes, there were two cheese producers in Martha A. Saint-Nectaire.” Connecticut: Calabro and the abbey. Wayne Kasacek, a Mother Noëlla says she slowly learned the technique of Marcellino, state Agriculture Department official who monitors this making the semisoft, washed-rind cheese; after two years says her state’s cheese industry, told the Hartford Courant in 2014 of trial and error, she developed what became known as religious name that Connecticut’s artisanal cheese makers produce about Bethlehem cheese, using a wooden paddle and barrel in is rooted in the 250,000 pounds per year. Companies like Calabro Cheese the abbey’s cheese cellar. She made it primarily for the 37 words diem in East Haven and Luizzi Cheese in North Haven turn out nuns in her community and as many as 25 guests. If there natal, which approximately 2 million pounds of Italian-style cheese was any extra, she was able to sell “every morsel” in the is ancient each year, according to Kasacek. abbey cheese shop. French Latin “Consumer tastes have changed dramatically,” she “It’s very labor intensive … very hard on the body,” she notes, citing increased travel, education, a desire to help meaning day said of the cheese-making process. She now supervises the small farms, attention to local foods and the increase the younger nuns and interns in the cheese cellar. of birth. That in farmers markets where many artisanal cheeses are sold. She said the community decided in 1987 to send some became Noëlla Mother Noëlla “has almost single-handedly brought of the nuns to college for the future of the farm. in French, the world of science to artisanal cheeses,” says Dr. Some studied animal reproductive physiology, or which is why David Benson, her doctoral advisor at the University of agronomy or plant science. Mother Noëlla decided to the French Connecticut, who applauds her for her involvement in the study nutrition; but switched to UConn’s Department call Christmas dramatic growth in the U.S. artisanal cheese market — of Molecular and Cell Biology to begin studying the Noël, she says. from 75 makers of the cheese produced by hand in small microbiology of cheese ripening. batches 20 years ago to hundreds today. After earning her master’s of science degree, she spent “She is invited to many cheese conferences,” he says, four years in France, first on the Fulbright Scholarship “and I think she has brought a scientific way of looking at and then on a three-year fellowship from the Institut cheese to those who want to make it but don’t understand National de la Recherche Agronomique, traveling to six the science of cheese microbiology.” regions of France to study the genetic and biochemical Mother Noëlla is typically unassuming about her biodiversity of fungi on cheeses ripened in traditional contributions to cheese making. “It’s not because I’m some caves where humidity, temperature, salinity, type of milk, brilliant scientist,” she states. “I’m the grandmother of this

18 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG artisanal movement in America, blessed with an amazing advisor at UConn who thought outside of the box.” For her work, Mother Noëlla was inducted into the Grande Ordre Des Gourmandins and Gourmandines des Fromages d’Auvergne in 2002; was honored in 2003 by the French food industry with its first French Food Spirit award for helping to promote an understanding of French Over the years, cheeses and helping to preserve traditional ways of the abbey has making them; and received the Grand Prix de la Science sold about two de l’Alimentation from the International Academy of wheels/rounds Gastronomy in 2005. of Bethlehem She advises the U.S. cheese industry and is a speaker cheese a and judge at competitions. week when Mother Noëlla points out that learn to discover God in all areas of creation. available “and “For us, we find God through a very specific area that it usually sells we call an elemental,” she notes. “For me, it happens to out in an hour,” be cheese. For others it’s honey, candles, bees or music says Mother where you really see God in creation.” Noëlla. “That’s She recalls the story of St. Benedict, who “saw the why we say whole world in a ray of light before he died.” it’s available “For us, it’s kind of ironic, but you can see the whole seasonally, through a very specific entry point … which is part of in limited being a contemplative. When I look through a microscope, the world I see is incredible.” Even today, she marvels, quantities, and “Each cheese is an ecosystem in itself.” tell people Today, in addition to its traditional Bethlehem cheese, to call in the abbey also produces butter, cream, raw milk, a advance. (It is type of cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt for sold in wedges its community; while novices are experimenting with at $20 a a Gouda and a Welsh Caerphilly-type cheese, and pound.) are trying a camembert. “We milk four cows from the Dutch Belts and Milking Shorthorn breeds, which are very good for cheese,” says Mother Noëlla. “Our milk is very clean, which is essential in cheese making for food safety,” she explains.

19 COVER STORY

20 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG PHOTO BY ROBERT FENTON HOUSER FENTON ROBERT BY PHOTO

“In our life, being so close to the earth as we are, we learn from creation and we learn about ourselves.”

— MOTHER NOËLLA MARCELLINO

“We’re not selling across the country; just in our shop,” she says. “But we continue to make just enough for our This year, community. If we can produce two rounds a week, that’s Mother Noëlla all we do.” said cheddar “Cheese making is not easy; anything can go wrong because it’s alive,” she warns. “You can try to and Bethlehem control the process, but you have to be patient; and cheese will you can’t be too proud.” be available Mother Noëlla was born outside of Boston. Her in the Jubilee Jocko is a founding member and drummer with the rock Barn during group “Sha Na Na.” She teaches singing and directs the the Christmas choir. Sale that runs She is philosophical about the correlation between on Saturdays vocation and avocation. and Sundays “In our life, being so close to the earth as we are, we learn from creation and we learn about ourselves,” she beginning Nov. says. “As a cheese maker and being someone who has 25. Upcoming spent so long in the cellar, I’ve pondered that cheese is a sale dates are very smelly, musty-tasting decomposition, yet it’s delicious Dec. 9-10 and — not unlike the promise of tasting the resurrection.” Dec. 16-17. Mother Noëlla says people today are hungry for a connection between the meals they eat and the earth, organic foods, community and support for small farms. “There’s a hunger for communion,” she says, the sort of communion she says she found for herself upon entering the abbey.

21 PARISH NATIVITY

Christmas story told Nativity scenes are from: St. Dominic, Southington Abbey of Regina Laudis, Bethlehem in church Nativity scenes Most Holy , Wallingford Sacred Heart, New Britain LARGE and SMALL St. John Paul the Great, Torrington St. Patrick-St. Anthony, Hartford e asked the parishes in the Archdiocese of Annunciation, Newington (Holy Spirit) Hartford to send us photos of their indoor and Sacred Heart, Bloomfield St. John XXIII, West Haven (St. Louis) outdoor Nativity scenes from previous years W Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford and received a good number of photos, including small St. Gregory the Great, Bristol indoor displays, large outdoor scenes and living Nativities. St. Bridget of Sweden, Cheshire Here’s a sampling of beautiful crèches and Nativity scenes St. Anthony, Prospect from churches throughout the archdiocese. St. Stanislaus, New Haven

22 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG 23 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

A GUIDING FORCE On and off the field, this long-time football coach has never questioned his faith in God

n a small office at St. Paul Catholic High School in frowned upon was his non-negotiable Bristol, teacher and Falcons football coach Jude Kelly ritual before and after every game — is surrounded, not surprisingly, by uniforms, team the team’s huddling to pray together. I “We always prayed before and pictures, footballs, trophies and a sign with the word after games,” he says. “It’s who you TEAMWORK on it. are and what you do.” Throughout his life, a guiding

What stands out on a wall in the bedroom wall when he was a child, STORY AND force has always been his faith in office, though, is a crucifix that has is a constant reminder of the deep- PHOTOGRAPHY God. He was an altar boy at Corpus traveled with Kelly throughout his life. rooted religious faith instilled in BY KAREN A. Christi Church in Wethersfield, and It was prominently displayed in his Kelly at a young age by his parents, AVITABILE he attended his parish’s Catholic dorm room during his college years, who were devout Catholics. elementary school. in the office at his first job at Southern Much to the objections of others, “When I pray, I don’t ask for Connecticut State University in New Kelly displayed the same crucifix specific things, but guidance for Haven, and at subsequent positions in his office at Southington High making decisions,” says Kelly, who he held at high schools in Manchester School, a public school, during the is not afraid to share his beliefs with and Southington. 17 years he spent there as a teacher students and players alike. “It’s not The crucifix, which adorned his and head football coach. Even more something I ever questioned.”

24 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG Over the years, Kelly, a member Cary Dupont, president/chief of the American Football Coaches administrator of St. Paul Catholic, Association and the National Football says it is that ability to instill in Foundation, has been recognized players a way of life beyond football for his contributions to the game that makes Kelly a valuable member of football. On Nov. 8, he was of the staff. honored again during an induction “Jude has always been a great ceremony into the eighth class of the inspiration and role model for our Southington Sports Hall of Fame. kids because of the way he lives During his tenure at Southington his life,” says Dupont. “He’s very High, his career record was 115-62-2, consistent and he has been able to and his team captured Southington’s get the kids to understand a picture first Connecticut Interscholastic bigger than football.” as a physical Athletic Conference championship One of the ways Kelly has had a education teacher game victory in 1988. positive impact on students is by and head football More important than teaching incorporating faith-based practices coach. He led the the fundamentals of football, into his coaching, Dupont says. Eagles to three state Kelly says, are the life skills he has During conditioning workouts, for championships imparted to his players and students. example, Kelly uses meaningful before leaving the They include: themes from the Stations of the Cross school in 1988 for that relate to each player’s life. He his posts as head • Hang in there if you are also asks players to attend a team coach of the Blue frustrated. Mass each Friday before football Knights football • Overcome the fear of failure. games, a longstanding tradition at team and a teacher • Have the ability to work the high school. at Southington High. hard, and the discipline to After his daughter graduated from stay at it. Football at an early age high school in 2005, Kelly felt it was Kelly’s love of football began a good time to return to a Catholic These life skills have left an when he was 10 years old; he school and he set his sights on St. indelible mark on Kelly’s players, played in the Wethersfield Midget “Jude has Paul. He started out as a physical including one in particular, Byron Football program through eighth always been education and health teacher, dean of Jones, currently a Dallas Cowboys grade. As a freshman, he joined the a great students and head football coach. free safety. Jones was drafted by the football program at Wethersfield Today, he still teaches health inspiration Cowboys during the 2015 NFL Draft, High School. While a knee injury education there and continues to after he played football under Kelly prevented him from playing his and role coach the Falcons football team, at St. Paul. During his college career, senior year, he remained part of the model for our which has grown to some 40 he played football at the University team as its manager. kids because players on what the school calls of Connecticut. Each year, Jones says In 1970, Kelly began attending of the way he the froshmore team (freshmen and he enjoys catching up with his former Southern Connecticut State sophomores) and the varsity squad lives his life. coach over a gargantuan dinner with University and was an offensive (juniors and seniors). The team ended Kelly’s family. lineman on the college football team. He’s very the 2016 season with a 6-4 record. “I hope he realizes the huge After continuing his graduate studies consistent Kelly believes his biggest impact he had on my life, not there, Kelly stayed on as a football and he has achievements are not the victories only as a football player, but as coach, physical education teacher been able to or championships earned on the a man,” Jones says of Kelly. “His and student teacher supervisor. field. They are the accomplishments get the kids commitment as a football coach After a few years, however, Kelly of his students long after they have and a teacher is rare to see.” yearned for more fulfillment in his to understand graduated, he says. Jones, a New Britain native, teaching career; he felt he could a picture “All of the kids who played for me, also credits Kelly for always make a bigger impact on students at bigger than they always talk about their (football) stressing the importance of doing the high school level, and he set his football.” seasons and talk about what they’ve the right thing. “I've carried that life sights on a setting. got out of it,” says Kelly, in his 44th lesson with me throughout college So, in 1979, he took a job at East year of coaching. “I enjoy seeing what and to the pros,” he adds. Catholic High School in Manchester they've done in their lives.”

25 VOCATIONS

Vocation plan will involve Catholics at all levels in encouraging more vocations

ith all eyes on the Blessed Sacrament, more STORY AND toward fostering God’s plan for than 30 members of St. John Bosco Parish PHOTOGRAPHY people, “opening the doorway to BY SHELLEY knelt in prayer on a Thursday evening at St. encourage young people to consider W WOLF their vocation.” Mary Church in Branford, where they participated in a The plan’s initiatives are being Holy Hour for vocations. phased in over three years. The plan is the result of consultations with Led by Father Jeffrey Gubbiotti, The archdiocese is taking many offices of the archdiocese and with vocation director for the Archdiocese steps to meet this challenge. They recently ordained priests. of Hartford, they prayed the have been laid out in writing in the The Office of Vocations will do Litany for Vocations, took part Office of Vocations’ Vocation Plan, its part to inspire priests, engage in Benediction and meditated a 12-page document published last youth, reach out to parishes and on what additional actions they spring. It enumerates the activities host vocation-related events. personally might take to support the of the vocations office and includes However, the plan will also involve archdiocese’s vocation ministry. many new initiatives intended Catholics at all levels in laying the The Holy Hour for vocations to create a culture of vocations groundwork for young people to was just one of four last fall at throughout the archdiocese. consider the priesthood, the which parishioners throughout the “It’s really meant to be a strategy,” religious life and marriage. archdiocese did their part to pray said Father Gubbiotti. He says that “It involves everybody from the for an increase in vocations to the although we can’t plan our way out archbishop all the way on to the priesthood and the religious life. It of the vocation shortage because parish level,” Father Gubbiotti said. was also just one action among many religious vocations are up to God, Parents, pastors, teachers, youth to address the shortage of vocations. we can at least take practical steps ministers, college campus ministers and parishioners will be called on to encourage and nurture vocations in numerous ways. In his column in the September 2017 issue of Catholic Transcript magazine, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair wrote, “Prayer is essential, but so is a communal effort to encourage and invite our young people to hear and heed God’s call.” Here are just a few highlights from the comprehensive plan:

Bishops’ emphasis. Archbishop Blair and the other bishops in the archdiocese will preach about vocations at confirmations, asking young men and women to consider the priesthood and the religious life. Archbishop Blair will continue to attend “Andrew Dinners,” named

26 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG for St. Andrew, the first apostle interesting idea, something that called to serve. During these dinners, we’d love to support if there were young men who have been invited groups that were interested in by their parish or ministry priest, being mobilized,” he said. because they have an interest in the “My hope is that a year or a year priesthood or the makings of a good and a half down the road, if we were priest, learn about the life of a priest. able to identify particular parish Priests in attendance also share their leaders who wanted to be involved own vocation stories. in this ministry, we could actually What In addition, the archbishop will be bring them in for a one-day Saturday you can invited to “Discernment Nights” for training,” he said. “We’ll bring do right college students twice a year, during Rhonda in who wrote the book on it, now: Christmas and summer breaks. and some of our other local people, HAVE IDEAS? WANT TO GET INVOLVED? and just give them some tools to Join the CONTACT FATHER GUBBIOTTI St. John Vocation curriculum pilot begin forming a vocations ministry in AT 860.761.7457 OR AT Vianney program. In 2018, the Office of their parish.” [email protected] Vocation Vocations plans to join the Office Prayer Society of Education, Evangelization The Office of Vocations will to pray for and Catechesis (OEEC) to test a also focus on increasing vocation vocations Father Gubbiotti believes everyone vocations-themed curriculum in awareness through a variety of — young and old — needs to focus Sponsor or 10 Catholic schools and 10 religious communications, including its attend a Holy on his or her vocation. education programs throughout new HartfordPriest.com website, Hour for “One of the things I’d love to see the archdiocese. social media, bulletin inserts, vocations happen in our parishes is a whole “Most of the curricula we’re an e-newsletter for promoters, turn toward the fact that all we do Post the looking at have maybe five classes a seminarian poster and email “Seminarian with our young people has to be and they cover marriage, religious campaign. Poster” in about helping them to discern their life, the priesthood. It’s all-inclusive Now that parishes have been your school vocation, and all that we do with or parish for all of the vocations in the reorganized into seven deaneries, our adults has to be helping them

Church,” Father Gubbiotti explained. Father Gubbiotti said, he hopes to Learn about to live their vocation because that’s “We are just trying to find the visit each deanery to help parish the different primary, that’s foundational,” he best means to be able to bring the priests understand how they might vocations and stressed. “As important as all these share them message to young people in the most be the primary inspiration for new little particular groups and programs with young effective way possible.” priests. He also hopes to partner people are, what our state in life is, what our The vocation director will look with newly named chaplains at high vocation is, that’s the foundation to for feedback from catechists and schools and colleges, and plans to Pray for your our discipleship.” children and teachers to see if changes are needed offer discernment retreats for Each fall, the Vocation Plan grandchildren before it is launched throughout the college students. He already has to discover will be reviewed and adjusted to archdiocese. collaborated with the OEEC on a God’s plan for make the most of what’s working vocation-themed youth rally. their lives and to tweak those areas that need Parish vocation ministries. “It’s not just about priestly improvement. Father Gubbiotti said Allow young Parishes in other parts of the country vocations,” he said, “but how do people to he welcomes input and assistance have developed committees that we know in general what God respond freely from individuals. work specifically on the issue of wants for our life? to God’s “If you have other ideas, I’d love vocational call; vocations. They help in many ways, “I think so many young people don’t to hear them,” he said. “And if you avoid putting by reciting the rosary, stocking know that God loves them and that pressure on want to be involved in some way, that vocation pamphlets in their church, he has a plan for their life and that’s anyone would be awesome.” sponsoring events, inspiring altar how they’re going to be happy and do servers and supporting seminarians. the most good in the world,” Father According to Father Gubbiotti, the Gubbiotti said. “I don’t think most concept is explained more fully in the people have an experiential sense that book Hundredfold: A Guide ‘God has a plan for my life and that FOR MORE INFORMATION, to Parish Vocation Ministry by the most important task I have in this THE VOCATION PLAN CAN BE VIEWED Rhonda Gruenewald. “It’s an first stage of life is to discover it.’” AT WWW.HARTFORDPRIEST.COM

27 PASTORAL PLANNING

ARE WE THERE YET? lthough this article’s headline is a question A that children typically ask over and over on family

road trips, it’s not exclusive to FOR MORE INFORMATION vacation travel. It has come up ON PASTORAL PLANNING, VISIT in some form or other in post- WWW.STEWARDSFORTOMORROW.ORG merger conversations with clergy, religious and laypeople. In terms of pastoral planning, the directly impacted by the plan. The purpose as a result of our personal encounter with of these meetings is twofold: to understand Christ are compelled to proclaim by word answer is no — we’re not there the positive and negative impacts that the and example “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to yet. In fact, as we have said time parishes are facing as a result of the pastoral the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:11) and again from the outset, “If plan; and, in light of those impacts, to This second phase of pastoral planning, pastoral planning is done right, determine how we can mitigate or totally therefore, started with dialogue and it never really ends.” eliminate the negative impacts while consultation among episcopal vicars, leveraging the positive ones. deans and priests in each of our seven new In other words, pastoral planning is In addition, each of us has been assigned deaneries. A monthly series of deanery more like a journey, not a destination, to serve as liaisons, covering all of the meetings began in October. These initial because, as conditions in the socioeconomic parishes in the archdiocese. In this role, meetings were intended to foster fraternity environment change locally and/or globally, we will work proactively to address issues among our priests as well as to establish we need to respond and adapt in kind to and/or answer questions pastors or staff a common understanding of the state of remain spiritually and practically relevant. may have pertaining to pastoral planning the entire deanery and to collaboratively Oct. 29 marked four months since the and parish life. articulate a vision for the deanery, effective date of the first phase of pastoral I mention parish life because change ultimately leading to the creation of parish- planning, which focused primarily on naturally will impact the culture, the people level strategic plans for the parishes in reorganization and consolidation. The 59 and the dynamics of a parish, to which the deanery. A geographic map showing mergers and 26 closures integral to the plan our office must be equipped to respond. the three vicariates and seven deaneries is have introduced changes the Gail Bellucci, our newest team available on our Stewards for Tomorrow likes of which have no precedent member, has been brought website at: www.stewardsfortomorrow.org/ in the archdiocese. We are on board to help broaden our deaneries.html. pleased to report that most of If pastoral service potential in this arena Are we there yet? Nope, but we sure the mergers, but admittedly not planning is done — based not only on her innate have come a long way and we will continue all of them, are evolving in a right, it never creative capabilities, but also in our efforts to assist each parish to positive manner, thanks to the on her years of experience as a become what envisions: really ends. many dedicated pastors, clergy, parish minister and director of “The presence of the Church in a given religious and lay people who campus ministry at Notre Dame territory, an environment for hearing God’s have embraced the plan and High School in West Haven. word, for growth in the Christian life, for committed themselves to making the best of Are we there yet? Nope, not yet. There’s dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, what the changes have to offer. still plenty of work to do and growth to worship and celebration … a community Beginning in September, staff from the realize. In his first apostolic exhortation The of communities, a sanctuary where the Office of Pastoral Planning — Pastoral Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium), thirsty come to drink in the midst of their Associate David Elliott, Parish Life Pope Francis says: “Every Christian is a journey, and a center of constant missionary Coordinator Gail Bellucci and I — along missionary to the extent that he or she has outreach.” (Evangelii Gaudium 26-28) with Sister Clare Millea, director of the encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus:

archdiocesan Office of Faith and Culture, [W]e no longer say that we are ‘disciples’ ERNEST SCRIVANI, have been meeting with pastors in the newly and ‘missionaries,’ but rather that we are a lay Carmelite, is director of the merged parishes and those in parishes not always ‘missionary disciples,’” people who archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Planning.

28 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Msgr. Thomas M. Ginty selected for Sacred Heart Academy senior is Distinguished Elementary School Pastor honors National Merit Semifinalist Msgr. Thomas M. Ginty, pastor of St. Matthew Parish Eunji Lee of Trumbull, a senior at in Forestville, has been named the 2017-18 Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, archdiocesan Distinguished Elementary School Pastor. has been named a semifinalist in the “Msgr. Ginty is deeply deserving of this honor, as a 2018 National Merit Scholarship pastor who is firmly grounded in a faith tradition that Program. The program honors was nurtured by his family, Catholic education and students who show exceptional a deep, abiding love for God,” said Michael S. Griffin, superintendent academic ability and potential for success in of schools, who announced the honor. “It is his chosen mission to rigorous college studies. provide that same spiritual foundation to his St. Matthew students, Approximately 1.6 million juniors in more than and he works hard each day to ensure that they receive the best 22,000 high schools entered the National Merit possible education while encountering Christ on a daily basis.” Scholarship Program by taking the 2016 PSAT, which Msgr. Ginty’s deep commitment to Catholic school education dates served as an initial screening of program entrants. back to his childhood. He attended Ascension of Our Lord School The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents in Philadelphia and then Holy Cross High School in Waterbury. After less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors and graduating from St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, he earned his includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. bachelor’s degree in American history at the University of Hartford These academically talented seniors now have an and his master’s degrees in divinity and art at Mount St. Mary’s opportunity to continue in the competition for some Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. He was ordained to the priesthood by 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than Archbishop John F. Whealon in 1985. $32 million. His experience as a Catholic school student informs Msgr. Ginty’s administration of St. Matthew School, where he demonstrates his awareness of the important role the school plays in the lifelong Blessings for creatures formation of its students. As their spiritual leader, Msgr. Ginty great and small enthusiastically shares with his school community the philosophy and and plush and plastic beliefs nurtured during his early education. Principal Helen Treacy said of Msgr. Ginty, “Our mission for Catholic Father Matthew Kappalumakkel, education is to shape the minds, hearts and souls of our youth … parochial vicar at St. Jeanne Jugan ultimately fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus, our Lord. Msgr. Parish in Enfield, blesses stuffed dogs, Ginty truly embraces this mission and is deeply invested in shaping bears, cats, bunnies and more held by students from the development of the whole person here at St. Matthew School. It is Little Angels Catholic Pre-School and St. Bernard a pleasure to work alongside him.” School in Enfield. The event was organized in Msgr. Ginty began his ministry as a parochial vicar at St. Thomas celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Before Parish in Southington, then continued it at St. Ann Parish in Avon, the blessing, Principal Charlene Mongillo read a story where he also served as chaplain for the Avon police. He next was about St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, and chaplain of the Serra Club of Hartford, director of divine worship shared time in St. Bernard Church. Students also sang and assistant vocation director, before his appointment as secretary to Sister Theresa Grochowski, pastoral associate at to Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin and chancellor of the Archdiocese St. Jeanne Jugan Parish, in honor of her birthday. of Hartford. Msgr. Ginty then became pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Waterbury and then St. Stanislaus Parish in Waterbury St. Gabriel students help hurricane victims before taking on the pastorate at St. Matthew. “The quality of education which I received has helped me in so St. Gabriel School in Windsor reached out to help many ways to be the person that I am today,” says Msgr. Ginty. “Being people and animals who were affected by Hurricane a pastor and running a parish school certainly has its challenges, but Harvey. As part of the school's Guardian Angels all the effort is worth it in knowing that you are helping to provide program, students in grades seven and one worked that same assistance to our youth today that I received from my many together to devise and execute ways to help. The years of Catholic education. In a sense, it’s ‘payback time,’ and I am students discussed ideas, then voted to take up a happy to do all I can do to promote our Catholic schools and the collection for the Houston Humane Society and the wonderful education and formation they provide.” Texas Diaper Bank. Posters were created and students Msgr. Ginty serves as a mentor to young priests and a resource visited each classroom to explain their mission and for his fellow pastors. He also serves on the archdiocesan School distribute fliers. In the end, families donated more Board, the Holy Cross High School Board and the HOPES (Help Our than $900 and the school sent more than 130 pounds Parish Elementary Schools) Grants Distribution Committee, and is a of dry cat and dog food, 144 cans of kitten and puppy former member of the St. Paul Catholic High School Board and the food, 1,360 diapers and pull-ups of various sizes and archdiocesan Presbyteral Council. 3,888 containers of baby wipes.

29 IN YOUR COMMUNITY

The magazine of the Archdiocese of Hartford Journalistic Service in Connecticut since 1829 TELEPHONE: 860.286.2828 or 1.800.726.2391 Archbishop Blair ties care for refugees Obituary WEBSITE: www.catholictranscript.org EMAIL: [email protected] to pro-life theme DEACON JOSEPH VINCENT LAVOIE Distribution: more than 180,000 As part of a historic global campaign passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2017, DECEMBER 2017 initiated by Pope Francis, Archbishop at his home in Northfield, surrounded by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Leonard P. Blair called on Connecticut’s his devoted family. Catholics to “expand the reach and range He was born on July 2, 1921, in Methuen, Roberta W. Tuttle Mass. He and his wife Helen began their EXECUTIVE EDITOR of our hearts to those who are calling out for help” and to support migrants and 70-year marriage in Waterbury. They raised Jane LaChapelle 10 children, and he made a lifelong career BUSINESS MANAGER refugees during the Respect Life Mass on Oct. 8 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph as a builder and master craftsman. Leslie DiVenere He was a permanent deacon and served GRAPHICS EDITOR in Hartford. “Without diminishing for a moment for almost 40 years at Sacred Heart Parish Mary Chalupsky the essential task we have to oppose in Southbury and for eight years at St. Shelley Wolf STAFF REPORTERS crimes like abortion and euthanasia, Pope Anthony of Padua Parish in Litchfield. Francis is asking us this year and next Deacon Lavoie is survived by nine Dawn Grady children: Catherine Lavoie of Bethlehem; ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE year to respect life by also upholding the life and dignity of migrants and refugees,” Dorothy Beckley and Theresa Lavoie, Karen A. Avitabile both of Litchfield; Janet Stocking and Gail M. Regina Cram the archbishop said in his homily. Robert Falcetti We are all witnessing a crisis, he said. Lavoie, both of Cape Coral, Fla.; Cynthia Cody Guarnieri Lavoie of Morris; Mary Lavoie of Goshen; Father John Gwozdz During his homily, Archbishop Blair Robert Fenton Houser stressed the value of each individual, and Diane Lavoie of Northfield; and Joseph Allen R. Hunt Lavoie of Goshen. He was predeceased by Father Joe Krupp saying, “We have to realize that every Joe Pisani single human person, no matter how his wife and son Robert V. Lavoie. Deacon Ernest Scrivani A Mass of Christian Burial was CONTRIBUTORS helpless or down and out, born or still in the womb, that every person has an celebrated on Oct. 7 at Sacred Heart CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH JESUS Church in Southbury. AND HIS CHURCH infinite value in the sight of God.” WWW.FAITHCATHOLIC.COM

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30 Catholic Transcript | DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.ARCHDIOCESEOFHARTFORD.ORG Relic of St. Gianna Beretta Molla The blessing and enshrinement ceremony was held on the feast of Our enshrined at pregnancy center Lady of the Rosary. Archbishop Leonard P. Blair officiated The center offers maternity and baby at the enshrinement of an image and supplies and adoption information, second-class relic of St. Gianna Beretta as well as free assistance in obtaining Molla on Oct. 7 at the St. Gianna housing, emergency food and Pregnancy Resource Center, located transportation; financial and legal at 180 Sherman Ave., New Haven. aid; and referrals for pregnancy care, According to Executive Director Carolyn prenatal care and post-abortion Falcigno, the center has served about programs and support. 150 clients since it relocated from It also provides a mobile ultrasound Family Council 8882 and the Challenge Whitney Avenue last February, and it unit to the city that is made possible & Conquest boys & girls clubs. For averages about seven clients a week. by the Knights of Columbus Holy information, call 203.624.BABY(2229).

Life gets a boost at two- Hotel in New Haven. Center in Middletown. day conference at Yale Other conference Attendees at the event at Yale’s speakers included Thomas E. Golden Jr. Center explored Nearly 200 people Daniel K. Williams, the relationship between the pro- gathered at Yale associate professor of life movement and the promotion of University to focus on history at the University women's rights. the theme “Pro-Life Is of West Georgia and The Vita et Veritas Conference was Pro-Woman” at the fifth author of Defenders of founded in 2013 by a team of students Vita et Veritas Conference the Unborn: The Pro-Life in Choose Life at Yale. It aims to spark Oct. 6-7. Movement Before Roe v. pro-life thought to Yale and to engage Pro-life activist Abby Johnson, Wade; Arina Grossu, director the pro-life communities of other a former Planned Parenthood clinic of the Center for Human Dignity in universities. Organizers design the director, was the keynote speaker at the Washington, D.C.; and Christina Bennett, conference to help and inspire others to opening banquet on Oct. 6 at the Omni client services manager at ABC Women's advocate for the lives of the unborn.

assigned to Reverend Michael A. Ruminski: Deacon Ramon A. Rosado: St. Justin-Saint Michael Parish, Hartford, appointed to Priests’ Retirement Deacon Ronald Biamonte: assigned to Mary, for a five-year term, effective Sept. 1, 2017. Board, for a three-year term, Gate of Heaven Parish, Windsor Locks, for a effective Sept. 14, 2017. five-year term, effective Nov. 1, 2017. Deacon William J. Sayles: senior** status, effective Aug. 7, 2017. Reverend Michael Santiago: Deacon Michael Cassella: assigned to Christ appointed to Priests’ Retirement the King Parish, Wethersfield, for a five-year Deacon Ernest Scrivani: appointed Board, for a three-year term, effective term, effective Oct. 1, 2017. temporary administrator of St. Michael Sept. 14, 2017. Parish, New Haven, effective Sept. 25, 2017. Deacon Paul Iadarola: senior** status, Monsignor Gerard G. Schmitz: effective Dec. 22, 2017. Deacon Mark J. Stevens: assigned to St. appointed to Priests’ Retirement Blaise Parish, Waterbury, for a five-year Deacon Paul J. Jennings: assigned to Board, for a three-year term, term, effective Sept. 1, 2017. Precious Blood, Milford, for a five-year term, effective Sept. 14, 2017. effective Sept. 25, 2017. Deacon Robert P. Tartaris: assigned to Reverend Joseph Sidera, CSC: St. George Parish, Guilford, for a five-year Deacon Frank J. Krasnicki: senior** status, appointed parochial vicar of term, effective Sept. 1, 2017. effective Aug. 17, 2017. Assumption Parish, Woodbridge, Deacon C. Eric Thermer: assigned to effective Oct. 2, 2017. Deacon Joseph Mazurek: assigned to St. Timothy Parish, West Hartford, for a Most Holy Trinity Parish, Wallingford, for Reverend Nicola N.H. Tran: appointed five-year term, effective Sept. 1, 2017. a five-year term, effective Oct. 8, 2017. parochial vicar on a part-time basis, — REVEREND RYAN M. LERNER, CHANCELLOR, St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish, Hartford, Deacon George E. McCarroll: senior** status, OCT. 11, 2017 effective Oct. 3, 2017. effective June 29, 2017. * Clergy who are not incardinated in the Reverend Robert B. Vargo: appointed Deacon Tullio V. Ossa: assigned to Our Lady Archdiocese of Hartford must request permission exofficio to Priests’ Retirement of Guadalupe Parish, New Haven, for a five- from the archbishop to minister here; that is, they Board, effective Sept. 27, 2017. year term, effective Sept. 1, 2017. request faculties. **Because deacons and priests have received the Reverend Boguslaw Zieziula: granted Deacon William H. Parkinson: assigned to sacrament of holy orders and therefore never temporary priestly faculties* until St. Bernadette Parish, New Haven, for a five- retire in the canonical sense, the term “senior” Aug. 31, 2017, effective Aug. 1, 2017. year term, effective Sept. 1, 2017. priest or deacon describes their status.

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