FOUR COUNTY VOLUME 33 • NUMBER 5 • MAY 2021 • SERVING THE COUNTIES OF MIDDLESEX • NEW LONDON • TOLLAND • WINDHAM,LIC CT & FISHERS ISLAND, NY CATHO MAY The Month of Mary “My soul proclaims the greatness of the LukeLord 1:46 ” In This Issue Made Possible in part through your generous support of the Annual Catholic Appeal page “You are holy in God’s eyes, precious, loved and valued…Holy ESTABLISHED IN 1989 AND PUBLISHED EACH MONTH EXCEPT JULY. doesn’t mean perfect. It means to keep on keeping on in your PUBLISHER 9 daily dedication . .” Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. 860.887.9294 Sr. Elissa Rinere, CP, addressing the attendees of the 11th Annual Bishop of Norwich Diocesan Women’s Conference. EDITORIAL OFFICE 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613 Fax 860.859.1253 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS/EXECUTIVE EDITOR page “Our staff are valiant in their efforts to come to work, defying Wayne Gignac, 860.886.1281 [email protected] the risks every day, knowing their absence means not helping a ADVERTISING SALES/PRODUCTION MANAGER 10 pregnant woman seeking care, not giving a malnourished child Meredith Vernott, 860.887.3933 [email protected] food and medicine, and placing students at risk of losing school SENIOR WRITER/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER time if tuition payments are not made. We give thanks to God Ryan Blessing, 860.887.3933 [email protected] each day we can be of service.” Jude Cangé, Director of Operations in Haiti, reporting on the THEOLOGICAL ADVISOR resilience of the ministry staff to deal with the needs of the people Very Reverend Ted F. Tumicki, S.T.L., J.C.L., J.V. 860.887.9294 Behold, Your Mother they serve in spite of kidnappings, COVID-19, and political unrest. PRINTING/LAYOUT The Hartford Courant, 285 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 060115 EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING DEADLINES page “Xavier was critical to my development as a person and I was Deadline for advertising and editorial is the first Monday of the previous month. Articles limited to 500-word max; letters to the editor limited to 200-word max and must include always looking for a way to pay that back.” name, address and phone number for verification. Email photos as JPEG attachments and Mason Passavant of the Class of 2012, explaining why he and his MS Word copy to [email protected]. Publication not guaranteed. The Editor re- 26 fellow alumni returned to Xavier to assist students and staff serves the right to reject, omit or edit all editorial and advertising copy. Published opinions during the pandemic. and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this newspaper. On the Cover Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin POSTMASTER - SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: This month we dedicate our paper to the Mother of God. Four County Catholic, 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613. ON THE COVER Four County Catholic Issue 5, MAY (PE 9934) is published monthly except There are many images of Mary throughout the world. July by The Diocese of Norwich, 25 Otis Street, Norwich, CT 06360-3613. Few are more beautiful than this closeup view of Mary as Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Periodicals postage paid in Hartford, CT 06101 and at additional mailing offices. depicted in the north transept stained glass window at the This month we dedicate our paper to the Mother of God. There are many images of Mary Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. throughout the world. Few are more beautiful © Copyright 2021, Diocese of Norwich. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced without expressed consent. Include picture of cover here like we used to have. than this closeup view of Mary as depicted in the north transept stained glass window at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. If Room is needed, eliminate the Page 9 quote above NorwichDiocese.org ON THE COVER We Can Help Podemos ayudar Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17. Changes to the distribution of ashes are being made this year to ensure the safety To report inappropriate conduct of any kind by a Diocesan Bishop Para reportar una conducta inapropiada de cualquier tipo por parte de un obispo of the clergy and faithful. See page 6 for the details. please contact ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562 diocesano, por favor contacte ReportBishopAbuse.org o llame al 1-800-276-1562 To report inappropriate contact of any kind by a representative of the Para reportar contacto inapropiado de cualquier tipo por medio de un representante Diocese of Norwich or for assistance for victims, please call: The Diocesan de la Diócesis de Norwich o para asistencia a víctimas, por favor llame a La Línea de Reportaje de la Diócesis de Norwich 1-800-624-7407 | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | CATHOLIC | FOUR COUNTY Reporting Line @ 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 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 abuso de adultos vulnerables you must also call: should be reported to: over should be reported to: 18 años), también debe llamar de 18-59 años de edad deben de 60 años de edad o más deben MAY 2021 MAY State of CT Department of Connecticut Department of Connecticut Department a Departamento de Niños y ser reportados a Departamento ser reportados a Departamento Children and Families Care Developmental Services - AID of Social Services for the Familias de CT de Servicios al Desarrollo del de Servicios Sociales Para Line 1-800-842-2288 -OR Division for Persons with Intel- Elderly 1-800-842-2288 -O-Servicios Estado de Connecticut-División Ancianos de Connecticut –State of NY Child Protective lectual Disabilities 1-888-385-4225 de Protección de Niños del de Ayuda para Personas con 1-888-385-4225. Services 1-800-635-1522 1-844-878-8923 Estado de NY Incapacidad Intelectual 1-800-635-1522. 1-844-878-8923. 2 THE MOST REVEREND MICHAEL R. COTE, D.D. BISHOP OF NORWICH LET FAITH LEAD THE WAY Behold, Your Mother Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord, Immaculate Conception, be named as the authority in her life. She did not keep Him to Spring is here. A time for us to witness patroness of our United States. herself but instead shared the meaning and rebirth in the blossoming flowers and trees. This dedication has been renewed many times experience with others. Another form of rebirth occurred at Easter throughout the subsequent centuries. The title Aware that life in the Spirit consists of Vigil Masses in churches across the world. of “Mother of the Church” was bestowed on serving others, she “left with haste” on a I pray that everyone who entered into our the Blessed Virgin Mary by Saint Pope Paul 100-mile journey through dangerous terrain spiritual family through baptism this year VI during the Second Vatican Council. to the hill country to tend to the needs of her will continue to experience the joy of Christ, Our Blessed Mother has held us in her care elderly cousin Elizabeth. finding love and support from each of us, for a very long time. Like our Mother Mary, I pray that you invite their new brothers and sisters in the Lord. Through Mary’s compassionate presence the Spirit of God to have full authority in your This theme of family continues in May, the at the cross, she can understand our trials life, and if necessary, are given the strength month dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary. and support us, as does a loving mother. As to endure the journey in service to Jesus. She is our mother – gifted to us by Jesus who she relied in this certain embrace of divine Our new brothers and sisters, who came said from the cross, “Woman, behold, your providence, she can assure us of God’s loving into full communion with the Church at the son.” Then He said to the beloved disciple, care and with great grace will continue to do Easter Vigil, received the Holy Spirit in the “Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27) so. Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. NorwichDiocese.org From that very instant we have all been Our Holy Mother not only understands our This is the same Spirit we all received. It gathered under her mantle of protection. trials but can intercede for us. The Catechism is our baptismal promise to share in the Last May, as the world faced the ongoing informs us that, “Mary is the perfect Orans outpouring of the Holy Spirit among us. effects of the global pandemic, Catholics (pray-er) . We can pray with and to her. Through the renewal of this promise and rededicated and renewed the consecration of The prayer of the Church is sustained by the your service to the Lord and His people, may our beloved nation, our Diocese of Norwich, prayer of Mary and united with it in hope.” your soul proclaim the greatness of the Lord our individual homes, and families, to the (CCC 2679) and your spirit rejoice in God our Savior. care and protection of the Blessed Virgin There are many prayers to Mary. One of the I extend my continued prayers for everyone’s Mary. most well-known, second only to the Hail safety and renewed health. Consecrating our country to Our Lady has Mary, also comes from scripture. This prayer | FOUR COUNTY CATHOLIC | CATHOLIC | FOUR COUNTY a very long history.