Dear Parishioners and Friends,
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” That famous line from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” comes to mind as I announce that our Director of Music Ministry, Gabriel Löfvall, has been appointed Director of Music at St. Joseph Cathedral here in Hartford. Gabe’s final weekend with us will be March 8-9, and we will have an appropriate farewell for him at the 10:00 Mass on Sunday, March 9, followed by Community Sunday in the Franciscan Center.
Since September of 2009, Gabe has been a force of nature with his musical talents which have made our parish a beacon of welcome, drawing many of you to our liturgies and concerts. When I arrived here in 2020 I remember saying that St. Patrick-St. Anthony parish was like a gem among our Province’s ministries because of its superb music ministry, much of which is due to the efforts of Gabe. I have enjoyed a very productive and creative collaboration with Gabe over the past few years, which I will miss very much. But his enthusiasm and joie de vivre will remain with us always.
I am currently seeking an interim music director to see us through the remainder of the choir season. A search committee is also being formed to guide us through the process of hiring a new director of music. I hope to have someone in place by September. I know that Gabe’s departure will be a difficult adjustment in the life of our parish, but we have been through other personnel changes over the past several years, and we have weathered those changes with confidence and hope. Let us give thanks for all the wonderful musical moments and memories which Gabe has given us, and may his ministry at the cathedral bring joy to our entire archdiocese.
In other news, I am pleased to announce that Patti Wawzyniecki has been selected to chair our Sister Parish Committee, succeeding Marc Sherer. Patti has been active in the Sister Parish Committee for a number of years, and has served as co-chair of the annual “Christ- mas in July” fund raising campaign for the past two years. I am very grateful to Patti for taking on this important role, especially during this time of great suffering in Haiti from the violence perpetrated by armed gangs. Marc Sherer has led the committee through some crucial moments, including the renewal of the covenant between St. Patrick-St. Anthony and Ste.-Geneviève parishes. Marc is in constant communication with their pastor, Fr. Gaby Noël; and we continue to support the students and teachers at the parish school.
I am also pleased to announce that this year’s St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation will be awarded to Pamela Morrison-Wolf on Sunday, March 16, at St. Joseph Cathedral. We nominated Pamela for her years of dedicated service as a Lector at weekend and weekday Masses, Pastoral Care Outreach Minister of the Eucharist to the homebound, Spiritual Director, Catechist for multiple units of Servant Leadership formation’s year-long courses, Care Minister assisting bereaved families at the time of a funeral, and Adult Faith Formation facilitator. We are most grateful for Pamela’s very generous and multifaceted ministry for our faith community and we congratulate her on this honor!
Finally, I wish to remind you of Fr. Ken Paulli’s presentation at this year’s Lenten Twilight Retreat: A Journey Inward in Love so that We Move Outward in Greater Love. The retreat will be held on Tuesday, March 11 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Fr. Ken was with us last year and we are so glad to have him back once again. He will draw upon Pope Francis’s recent encyclical, DilexitNos(“He Loved Us”), to help us enter more deeply into the heart of Christ and the heart of the Gospel. The suggested offering is $20.00, including dinner. If you wish to attend only the presentation at 6:30, the offering will be $15.00. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 7. Please click below for the registration link for this and other Lenten programs.
One final thought: I am deeply grateful to everyone who has partic- ipated in our parish appeal. We continue to receive gifts which have totaled $115,223 so far. This amount is a reflection of your commit- ment to building up our community of faith. I hope to get several projects underway soon, including upgrades of our IT equipment and the church’s sound system, replacement of the kneelers, and other necessary repairs and projects.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor