Dear Parishioners and Friends,
First, allow me express my sincerest condolences to our Pastoral Associate, Patricia Curtis, on the death of her mother Doris, who embraced Sister Death last Sunday, July 6th. Pat had been devoted to the care of her mother for a number of years, and in recent months that care increased as Doris suffered the effects of growing weaker and the need for round-the-clock attention. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Doris on Monday, July 14th, at 11:00 AM in her home parish of St. James Church in Manchester. May choirs of angels lead her into paradise, and may the martyrs come to welcome her to bring her home into the Holy City, the new Jerusalem.
Later this week I will begin my vacation at the New Jersey shore, so I will not be around for the next two weeks. You might remember what I wrote in my pastor’s letter two years ago about my stay to Margate, NJ when I had the opportunity to take a tour of the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall pipe organ, the largest in the world. Perhaps I’ll take another tour this year to see the progress that’s been made in the ongoing restoration of that massive instrument of 33,000 pipes. Most of all, I’m looking forward to spending some time relaxing and taking walks along the beautiful beaches of south Jersey. During the 2023 trip, I had the opportunity to visit the last surviving member of my parent’s generation, my own Aunt Doris, my mother’s sister. It was fortunate that I could spend time with her at her beach home in Avalon, NJ before her death in April of 2024 at the age of 98. Her husband, my uncle Chuck, had died in January of 2020.
My heart breaks for the people of central Texas who are dealing with the aftermath of torrential rain and flash floods which have taken the lives of more than 100 persons, including a number of children. Let us keep them in prayer and lift them up to the Lord for his comfort and consolation.
Finally, we are looking forward to a visit from Archbishop Coyne at the end of the month. He is scheduled to bring a seminarian or two to witness our Thursday hot meal program and the health checks conducted by nursing students from the University of St. Joseph, under the supervision of Sr. Beth Fischer, director of The Wellness Center on Church Street. Archbishop Coyne is well aware of the many ways in which our parish, together with the Franciscan Center, serves the needs of the people of Hartford, both spiritually and physically.
Blessings on your week ahead!
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor
Join us at the Beach next Sunday, July 20! Click below for more information and to let us know you’re coming so we can let you know if anything changes due to weather.