Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Move over, Keebler Elves, there’s a new cookie in town! Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, yours truly has turned himself into a Christmas cookie. If you haven’t already taken a bite out me when I posted on Facebook last week, here’s your chance.
Speaking of cookies, I wish to thank everyone for your cards and goodies for the friars, including some delicious cookies and other baked goods. Fathers Bill, John, Mike and I are very grateful for your good wishes and generosity.
I am also very grateful for the many people who made our annual celebration of the birth of Jesus so beautiful. The dancers under the direction of Mary Beth Griffith, as well as our Church Street Singers under the direction of Katie Frewen, brought much delight to the worshipers at our Christmas Eve Masses.
Our spectacular music ministry under the direction of David Garrido Cid, including our combined choirs and excellent instrumentalists, provided superb music for the other Christmas Masses. Big thanks to you all! Our lectors, servers, sacristans and Eucharistic ministers all contributed to the sacred beauty of our liturgical celebrations.
I also want to offer my thanks to Alan Du Verger, Bill Prenetta, Erin Kelley and John Bizis for their assistance with the Christmas decor in the church. You all made a big task much easier!
In a particular way, I’d like to thank Stacie Mawson for making the beautiful new altar frontal which complements the vestments we acquired a few years ago.
As we enter into the new year of 2026, I am mind-ful of two major anniversaries that will be celebrated during the year.
In July, our nation will commemorate 250 years of independence. While we certainly have much to celebrate, I cannot help but think that we are also living in a very precarious moment of our history. While our nation was founded on the principles of freedom and democracy with liberty and justice for all, those values which we’ve always held as sacrosanct are now under tremendous threat. May we continue to yearn for freedom’s light that we may, once again, be that shining city on a hill.
The other anniversary to be observed this year is the 8th centennary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi which occurred on October 3, 1226. For eight centuries Franciscans around the world have served the Church by living and preaching the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Although we have had our struggles over the years, we continue to strive to keep our founder’s ideals alive and evident for all to see and experience.
Our ministry here in Hartford has borne much fruit over the last 35 years, and I am hopeful that we will continue to serve you, as well as our brothers and sisters in the city of Hartford, with Franciscan joy and compassion. Together, may we work to bring the presence of Christ and Francis to one and all.
Blessings for a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor