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News Timeline
December 2009
November 2009
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April 2009
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Febryary 2009
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December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
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August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
Febryary 2008
January 2008
December 2007
● Pope Benedict XVI is coming to America! 66 parishioners signed up to travel to
Yankee Stadium for the Papal Mass.
November 2007
● The Child Lures Prevention Program
is an in-depth safety program put into the curriculum for children in
grades 1 to 8. Children in those
grades will have the programs presented to them by Kim Donohue from the
Archdiocese of Hartford.
● The Advent Giving Tree returns this
year with the option of performing an “act of kindness” for someone. The children are being encouraged to
think of their own act of kindness and follow through with it.
October 2007
● The countdown has begun with the
announcement of the closing date of November 16th for the Peter
Paul candy factory here in town.
This affects many of our parishioners and it will hit the borough
hard.
● Three
lighting companies that specialize in Church lighting will visit this month
to evaluate the situation and make recommendations.
● A Celebration of Christian Music: Our
Song of Thanks is the Choir’s Fall Concert offered in appreciation of
the purchase of our new hymnal. The
fund-raising was a complete success.
● Our 10th
grade Confirmation candidates will participate in the 2007 Catholic Youth
Spectacular, “Living Water: Discover
Jesus, the Way,” on Sunday October 14th from
12:00 to 7:00pm at Quassy
Amusement Park,
Middlebury. It will serve as their
retreat.
● A
fund-raising drive began for our new parish hymnal – Gather Comprehensive. We
need to raise $7,500. Each hymnal
can be memorialized for just $15.
September 2007
● Dottie Deitelbaum stepped down from
her ministry as Pro-Life parish representative after finding her own
successor – Doug Wrenn. I thank her for her many years of
dedicated service to this important ministry.
● Father Forsyth took medication his
doctor prescribed and almost died on September 9th. Being diabetic, Father sometimes has leg
cramps. The doctor prescribed
Qualaquin – which Father took Saturday before bed, and by 6:00am Sunday,
was sicker than he’d ever been.
Turns out the medication should only be given to people who have
malaria. Taken by ambulance to Saint Mary
Hospital, he was given 2 EKG’s, a
brain CAT scan and many blood tests.
One enzyme test suggested a possible heart attack. After assuring the doctors he had no
chest pain, nor pains in his left arm, they gave him 4 baby aspirin to thin
his blood. His blood pressure was
very low. After a night in the
hospital – with no food – Father was released Monday morning.
● Paula Bonczek resigned as Parish
Trustee due to family obligations. Paula served as Trustee for many
years under 3 pastors.
● We have a new Saturday Custodian. His name is Jeff Boroski.
● On the
16th (one day after his 51st birthday) Father Kevin
begins a new kind of diet. The
doctors want him to lose 50 pounds in the next 6 months. Father says, “fat chance.”
August 2007
● Carol
Ford and Annette Hughes co-chaired this year’s one-day Fair called a “Block Party” on Saturday evening August 4th
from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with the Raffle Drawing at 8:30pm. ♫ A live
band (“The Trail Riders”) provided music the full 4 hours
featuring country music and songs from the 50’s & 60’s. There was dancing, games & contests
for the young & the young-at-heart.
Block party profit were $6,455 and co-chairs Don & Jackie Duman
turned over Raffle profits this year of $14,399 for a grand total of $21,038.
When added to our Fair
& Raffle CD, it totaled
$100,000.
July 2007
● This place was buzzing on Thursday
July 12th with the arrival of the trailers, vans, trucks &
cars for the movie Revolutionary
Road. Leonardo & Kate
weren’t in them but we did see dozens of other cast and crew preparing for
the shoot on Route 8. The production
company donated $800 to the parish for the brief one-day use of our
property.
June 2007
● The
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal has shown constant growth from what was the
lowest point in the parish’s history – in 2003 when only 45.1% of
goal was reached. In 2004, we jumped
to 66.6% of goal (Yikes! I didn’t like that number!); in 2005 to 84.5% of goal; in 2006 to 87.4%
of goal and this year’s record – 97%
of goal. Incredible.
● A third
Kiducation box is now on the property.
Father Nadolny called and asked if we’d accept a third box because
the other two were getting so full that people were leaving clothes outside
the boxes on the ground. I had said
two was our limit but what can we do?
People are generously donating and we are reaping the financial
benefits! The clothes and shoes
become scholarships for our parish children in Catholic elementary and high
schools. Besides that, remember the
Pastoral Council voted matching funds, too.
May 2007
● The children of the fourth grade CCD
classes have been raising money for their Social Justice Project –for AHOPE
Orphanages & AIDS Clinic in Ethiopia. In April, they sorted over 10,000 cans
and bottles to receive $628.50. All
the pull tabs from the cans were removed and donated to The Ronald McDonald
House for dialysis treatments for children.
Their donations to AHOPE now totals $2,627.50. Totally
awesome!
● Thanks
to Parish Nurse Kim Petrillo, eight
parishioners have been trained in CPR and the use of a new defibulator
we received for free through Griffin
Hospital and the
Valley Parish Nurses program. Should
we ever need to use it, it can save lives.
● A 7th
& 8th grade Youth ♣ Club is forming with Helen
Northrup as parent-leader.
● Cantor Andrew Brochu graduated from
Central CT State University with a B.S. Degree in Music Education, magna
cum laude with overall cum of 3.83!
April 2007
● The 2nd
Annual Parish Stewardship Awards are held on Friday April 13th
at a Buffet Dinner at the Continental Room.
This year’s honorees are: William & Jane Barnum, Patricia
Brown, Vincent Cascella, Barbara Daniels, Don & Jackie Duman, Emma
Kendrioski and Judi McKinney.
Music was provided by Tom Martucci & TJ Tomlin Orchestra.
● On
Monday morning April 16th, Deacon Emil Croce undergoes Bariatric Gastric
by-pass surgery at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury.
● In the Child Care Center, it began
with a small leak from above, (caused by the ice machine in the Continental
Room), then a whole wall needed to be replaced, then the floor. Now, it’s the Play Scape. The state says it has to go; it can’t be
repaired. The local health inspector
disagrees, but the state rules. It
will cost $5,500 to replace it.
● The cost to remove the asbestos floor
in the kitchen and bar areas of the Continental Room is $16,910. The cost to install a new vinyl tile
floor is $16,057. The total cost is
$32,967 and will be paid for from the yearly rental income of $48,000. The job will be completed by September.
● Officials
at Peter Paul announced the plant will be closing at year’s end. This will have a financial effect on the
parish as we have several parishioners who will be out of a job at year’s
end.
March 2007
● An
independent lighting company that
evaluates buildings for C. L.& P. checked our lighting situation. We paid $20,000 for electricity last year
and $25,000 for replacement bulbs and ballasts (plus labor) for the Church,
Cry Room & Vestibule. They were
floored. After evaluating the
premises (all the buildings, including the Continental Room and Child Care Center),
they came back with a few recommendations on how and where we can save
money. As far as the Church worship
space was concerned, they were baffled.
The bulbs are “unique and expensive,” and the wrong kind of fixture
for the space itself. The fixture is
too high up on the ceiling; the bulb is too high up inside the fixture
causing a more directed lighting instead of spreading the light over a
larger area. “How do you change these
bulbs?” they
asked. “With scaffolding – they’re
too high to reach with a ladder.” We
discussed the installation of a more traditional church fixture that will
hang from the ceiling, be closer to the people, and light a wider
area. The bulbs could be easily
changed with a ladder. We could
install one new traditional church fixture for every six of these box type
fixtures we remove.
● Ellen
Zalewski, one of our Extraordinary
Ministers of the Eucharist and a 10th grade Catechist becomes
our trained facilitator for the Virtus program, “Protecting God’s Children.” This program is designed to make all
adults who work with children in any capacity aware of different types of
lures and abuse that can occur. The
Archdiocese of Hartford requires attendance for all people, volunteers
included, who work with children.
●
Archbishop Mansell accepts the nomination of Jean Rostowski as the 2007 recipient of the Saint Joseph Medal
of Appreciation. Jean has been a
vital member of the Ladies Guild & Fair Committee for many years,
helping raise thousands of dollars to support the parish. Jean receives the Medal on Sunday March 18th in a
ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.
February 2007
● The 35th
anniversary parish pictorial directory was finally delivered to the parish
and available for pick-up. Just in
time for our 36th year!
January 2007
● Joshua
St. Onge resigns as Youth Minister.
He is living in Fairfield
now (where his primary job is) and he is finding it difficult to make time
for his job here.
December 2006
● Pastoral
Council “selections” are: Jeff Bingham, Carol Ford, Anita Gawronski, Paul
Paloski, Christina Scappini, Marti Tito, Albert Tuscano, and Doug
Wrenn. Congratulations!
November 2006
· In the Acts of the
Apostles (1:20-26), the
vacancy among the Apostles, caused by the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, is
filled when the Apostles (1) propose names, (2) pray over them, and (3)
cast lots. The vacancies on our
Pastoral Council will be filled in like manner. (1) People will submit their own names;
(2) the parish will hold these names in prayer for a weekend; and (3) the
names will be drawn from the gold box the following weekend. The “choice” will be God’s and no one not
chosen need be embarrassed by having been rejected.
October 2006
· A new bigger bulletin
debuts: it’s now 4 pages
or 8 columns. With all the
activities and information to be shared, it should suit us well … for a
spell.
· Oktoberfest in honor of our German Pope Benedict XVI
is held on the 21st. A
crowd of 300 gathered, but I had hope for more. One reason for the smaller turnout was …
the menu. With a parish made up of
Italians, the Irish and Hispanics, a German menu wasn’t so appealing. Oh well, maybe a dinner in honor of … any
ideas?
· An
Increased Weekly Giving Program is begun with the help of Letter Concepts. If successful, it should increase our
offertory by $1,500 a week – that’s $78,000 a year! The first week brought in an additional
$2,126. Before we say a collective
“wow,” I’m told the increase won’t stay that high!
September 2006
· As I approach
my 50th birthday on Friday, I must admit I haven’t been looking forward to it. The thought of being a half-century old
is not exactly a thrill. Since my 45th
birthday (4 days before 9-11), all seems to have been downhill for me, at
least as far as my health has been concerned. In the midst of a very successful fast
(that brought me down to 190 pounds), I had a small stroke, a “TIA.” The doctor stopped the fast. I gained all the weight back and my
diabetes spun out of control. After
over a year of incredible pain 24/7, I was finally diagnosed with diabetic
neuropathy (nerve ending pain) and given the proper medication; it took
away 90% of the pain. First believed
to have CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), it now appears I have something
else – Sleep Apnea. I’ll be going
into a clinic for an overnight stay soon and if the test supports the
doctor’s suspicion, the treatment that will follow could be the answer to
my prayers. Within weeks I should be
feeling a whole lot better. For
five years I’ve been chronically fatigued, waking 6 to 8 times a night,
exhausted and needing as many as 3 naps a day. (I’m sure my yawns have been noticed
during Mass). I hate the thought of
wearing an oxygen mask in bed at night, but if it keeps me alive and
breathing while I sleep, I’ll do it.
One thing is clear: I must drop a hundred pounds a.s.a.p.
· The parish bids farewell to its Ford Ranger truck (16 years old)
and says hello to a used (new to
us) 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with only 10,100 miles. Unlike the Ranger, the Ram has automatic
drive and a cover for the bin.
August 2006
· A
new parish logo debuts on
the cover of our bulletin. Designed
by graphic artist and parishioner Thomas
Pytel, it is the cross from our tower steeple with its red circle
(symbolizing the eternal God and fire of the Holy Spirit). Underneath is a green arch symbolizing
arms reaching out inviting everyone to come under the protective cross of
Christ.
· It’s called the “Resolute Desk,” a double pedestal partners’ desk made from
the oak timbers of the British ship H.M.S. Resolute as a gift to President
Rutherford B. Hayes from Queen Victoria
in 1880. It has been used by every
president since Hayes, (except Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Ford), but
perhaps it is most famous as the desk little John-John (Kennedy) used as a
fort. The photograph of his peering
through the small door of its’ front panel is one of the most famous photos
of the Kennedy years. Last December, I stumbled upon an exact replica of
the desk on eBay. There it was – a $15,000 desk with no reserve. So, I bid on it. I lost.
The high bidder reneged. I
was asked if I wanted it at my bid of $2,500. I said “yes.” Last Friday, it was delivered and now
sits in my office. If you’d like to
see it, stop by! Bring your camera
and your own little “John-John” or “Jane-Jane” and take their picture
peering through the same door as did JFK, Jr. Oh, by the way, I should mention that I
paid for the desk with my own vacation fund money, not parish
funds. My only dilemma now is
deciding who gets the desk in my “Last Will.” (As of now, it’s going to the Archbishop
– when I die.)
July 2006
· The
Ferrer Family Festival, a
one-day event this year, and offering free food to all parishioners (in
honor of our 35th anniversary), it is rained out and held the
following day. Initially planned for
800, only 300 people show up. Still,
we had a good time. The Raffle was a
success and raised $19,732.
June 2006
· New landscaping
out front is completed by Tom Festa.
Two large diseased and dying trees in the center courtyard are
removed. Four new evergreen shrubs
and 6 azaleas grace the façade of the Wing and a new 9-foot evergreen (to
serve as our Christmas tree) stands in the center of the West Lawn. An irrigation system completes the
upgrade.
April 2006
· The
First Annual Stewardship Awards Dinner was held on April 5th, the Feast of Saint Vincent
Ferrer. Seven parishioners were honored
for their good stewardship to the parish.
They were Dolly Amadeo,
Cornell Bialicki, Dot Deitelbaum, Vern Maxwell, Patricia Meehan, Rita
Roxbury and Stephen Tufanario. Former Pastors Father Vito DeCarolis and
Father Ed Nadolny were on hand to celebrate. Prior to the Dinner, a Feast Day Mass for
Vincent Ferrer was held and the new Tapestry in the Vestibule was unveiled
and blessed.
· We
celebrated the Easter Vigil with one of the largest RCIA classes
ever: Four people were
baptized, five people received their First Holy Communion, and four people
were confirmed.
March 2006
· “Our wonder-dog is back!”
That was what the vet said of Annie’s latest hospital stay 3 weeks
ago. Her “wonder-dog” status wasn’t
to last long however. On Friday March
17th (Saint Patrick’s Day) at 9:40am, Annie Marie died. She had cancer, arthritis, had suffered
two minor strokes, and was going deaf and blind. Over the last 6 months, even though she
ate like a horse, she lost 20% of her body weight. Adopted at age 7, she lived to 14. RIP.
ILY
· Winnie
Nardello is this year’s
recipient of the Archbishop’s Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation. She joins previous recipients Stephen
Tufanario (2003), Vern Maxwell (2004) and Don & Jackie Duman (2005).
December 2005
· “Father, I’m 82 years old and I tell you that was the best
Christmas Mass I ever went to.”
Those words sum up the feelings of the majority of people at the
Christmas Masses this year. From the
music, to the homily, to the Kids Pageant, to the spirit present in each
person, it was a time to remember.
November 2005
· Archbishop Mansell grants permission for
the parish to commission the Tapestry called “The Visitation of the Lord,
Saints Francis and Dominic to an ailing Father Vincent Ferrer.”
October 2005
· Judi McKinney is appointed Parish
Minister. She will assist Father
Forsyth in bringing the Blessed Sacrament to parishioners who are
homebound, in nursing homes, and hospitals.
· Deacon Emil undergoes eye surgery to
remove a cataract – and it’s not the laser procedure.
September
2005
· The parking lots on all three levels get
some needed attention: all the cracks are filled in with hot tar sealant at
a cost of $9,600.
August 2005
· The Annual Ferrer
Family Fair and Raffle is another success raising over $30,000. All funds raised remain in the Fair bank
account to be used for future major projects like the repaving of all three
parking levels (which was part of the Capital Campaign but there isn’t
enough money in that account to do the whole job). Building that dream Sacristy in the open
space behind the Sanctuary (now known as the Saint Francis Cement Garden)
is another potential project. We’ve
got plenty to save up for!
· New computers are installed in the
offices at a cost of $11,200.
July 2005
· Joshua St. Onge
is named Youth Minister and Adult Education Coordinator. He is a 2005 graduate of Fairfield University receiving a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Religious Studies and Classical Studies with an overall GPA
of 3.88. A talented singer, he has
served as Cantor at Saint Pius X Church is Fairfield where is also serves as
Director of Religious Education.
· The 5th of July brought a new
addition to the rectory – a 3-year old cocker spaniel named Dakota. Father adopted him from the Bethany
Humane Society. Annie
welcomed him with open paws.
· Kim Petrillo joins the volunteer staff
as our Parish Nurse. She will hold
blood pressure screenings, host blood drives, and perform many other health
duties.
Spring &
Summer 2005
· Projects
underway include the replacement of the old pew kneeler pads with new
cushions and vinyl covers. The roof
of the Continental Room will be repaired and painted “Colonial Red.” And the Tower Skylight of the Church will
be repaired (it’s been leaking).
May 2005
· Youth Minister
Doreen Ryan’s resignation becomes official.
With us since just August 2004, she finds herself running on
empty. She works full time for Pratt
& Whitney in Windsor, and with a daily commute from and to her home in
Waterbury along with being a wife and mother of 3, finding the time to be
Youth Minister and Confirmation Director to us is taking its’ toll. We wish her all the best and thank her
for all her “good works.”
· John William Croce and Keith
Levesque are honored with the Archdiocesan Parish Youth Award in
ceremonies in Newington.
April 2005
· Pope John Paul II dies on the 2nd. The parish holds a Memorial Mass for the
late pontiff on the 15th.
Attended by 150 parishioners, the music and homily are especially
poignant: a fitting remembrance to a saint of the Church.
March 13, 2005
· Marty Rotella
visits our parish today for a presentation in word and song celebrating the
love of God through His Son Jesus, and the Blessed Mother Mary. An enthusiastic crowd of about 250 people
enjoyed his evening performance.
Marty had attended each Mass to sing the Offertory and Mediation
songs. Without a doubt his moving
song “Whisper In The Wind” was the crowd favorite. Our thanks to Jan Ciccarelli for
arranging his visit.
· We have a change in office personnel:
Chanda Pitassi leaves on the 4th and Diana Hejna arrives on the
13th as parish secretary.
March 6, 2005
· Don and Jackie Duman make
Archdiocesan history today when they become the first married couple
to receive the Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation from Archbishop Mansell
in a ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.
Until now, only one person from each parish could be nominated. In September 2004, Father Forsyth wrote
the Archbishop asking that the nominations be expanded to include married
couples. Archbishop Mansell agreed
with Father’s reasons and opened nominations to include married couples. Congratulations to Don & Jackie!
January 2005
· The annual Financial
Report is released showing a net gain of $103,600 for fiscal year
2004. Father Forsyth delivers the
annual State of the Parish Report and outlines future plans. We’ll need a few more years of that kind
of financial gain to complete some needed and “dream” projects. Father has asked Archbishop Mansell for
permission to install new pads on the pew kneelers. It will cost $7,600.
December 3,
2004
· Reg Cram, columnist for the
Hartford Transcript, speaks to parish members about raising a faith-centered
family amidst the challenges of the 21st century.
Autumn 2004
· The rectory
deck, which is also the roof to 4 classrooms and offices, gets a complete
overhaul – it’s been a source of water leaks. The old rotted wooden boards are removed
and new rubber pavers are installed over a new base.
August 25
– 28, 2004
· The annual Ferrer Fair
was a great success this year in part due to wonderful weather. Four beautiful days brought out the
crowds and the four-day event netted over $27,000. The Raffle was also succeeded is raising
over $19,000. Congratulations to
first time Fair Co-Chairs Don & Jackie Duman and Raffle Chair Mary
Chromik, and Advisor Vern Maxwell.
Thanks to all who supported both events, too!
August 30,
2004
· Stephen Kenny
begins as Director of Religious Education effective today. Stephen is an experienced DRE having
served in that capacity from September 1996 through June 2004 at Saint
Anthony Church, Prospect. He has
also served in Saint Augustine, Seymour and Our Lady of the Assumption, Woodbridge. He is a 1974 graduate of Holy Cross
High School, Waterbury
and in 1978 received his B.A. in Religious Studies from Stonehill College,
North Easton, MA.
Welcome, Stephen!
August 27,
2004
· Carol Beebe
resigns as DRE effective today. In
June 2003, Carol received her B.S. degree in History & English
Literature and wants to utilize it in a full time job in secular life. She feels it’s time for her to move
on. She did a great job as our DRE
and we wish her all the best.
August 15,
2004
· Doreen Russo
Ryan begins as our new Youth Minister.
Her office is located in the new Youth Ministry
Center (the former
convent).
August 7, 2004
· Our redesigned and enlarged
website debuts, designed by Robert Bari.
Our Webmaster is Dom Francis.
June 25, 2004
· We welcome
newly ordained deacon Emil Croce as he begins his first assignment here.
June 2004
· The 2004
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal comes to a close. Last year, we reached 45% of our
goal. This year we reached 62% of
our goal – a 17% jump! Thanks to all
who helped us this year.
May 30, 2004
· New American
and Papal flags were presented and blessed at all Masses this weekend. (An anonymous donor).
April 25, 2004
· “The Living Witnesses,” a
musical drama about the Resurrection of Christ, is presented here by the
Saint Joseph Church of Waterbury Players.
They last performed here 16 years ago.
April 8, 2004
· A new Ambry was blessed
during the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper prior to the presentation and
securing of the Sacred Oils blessed by Archbishop Mansell at the annual Chrism Mass. The Ambry was purchased by funds donated
by the Ladies Guild and the Holy Name Society.
March 28, 2004
· Archbishop
Henry J. Mansell presents the 2004 Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation to Vern
Maxwell at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.
Vern is the second parishioner to receive this honor. Last year, Stephen Tufanario was
the first recipient.
February 15,
2004
· Our new bulletin
debuts this weekend, published by Liturgical Publications, Inc. A few new features include a color cover
and a “flap” – a 5th inner column for more information.
December 28, 2003
· On the Feast of
the Holy Family, the original statues of the Holy Family were re-hung next
to the Sanctuary and blessed at all Masses.
December 2003
· Our first
parish website debuts, designed by Tom Jablonowski.
November 22,
2003
· 20th
Anniversary of the dedication of Saint
Vincent Ferrer Church.
November 2,
2003
· The First
Annual All Souls Day Mass of Remembrance for parishioners who died since
All Souls Day 2002 is held and received well.
October 5,
2003
· Bishop Peter
Rosazza installs Father Forsyth as our 5th pastor at the 10:30am
Mass. A reception follows in the Family Center.
September 15,
2003
· Father Kevin Forsyth begins as pastor on
his 47th birthday! He
moves into the rectory with a 12-year old little girl named Annie. She’s part yellow Labrador retriever and
part beagle. ©
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