Dear Friends,
As has been the custom, each year every parish in the Archdiocese of Hartford is assigned a religious order that sponsors missionary efforts, usually outside the United States. The religious order sends a delegate who speaks at all (or most of ) the Masses on a given weekend and then a special collection is taken up, the proceeds of which goes to the religious order to help them continue its missionary work.
This year, our parish has been asked to host a representative who will speak on behalf of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, an order with which I am quite familiar since five brothers lived within the boundaries of my previous parish, Sacred Heart in Bloomfield. Several of them worked for the parish. The Brothers of the Sacred Heart sponsor missions in Africa, especially Zimbabwe. From all that I know about them, they do excellent work on behalf of the Gospel and they are worthy of our prayers and support.
Next weekend, Mr. Thomas Indelicato will be with us to speak at most of the Masses at St. Mary’s Church. Deacon John will read the presentation prepared by Mr. Indelicato at all Masses at St. Agnes. Mr Indelicato has been a teacher at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, New Hampshire, for twenty-two years and he and his wife have sponsored a mission trip with some of the students from Bishop Guertin High School to the missions sponsored by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Zimbabwe. Thus, he has seen first-hand the work that the Brothers do in Africa. By way of additional information, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart operate nine high schools in the United States, Bishop Guertin being one of them.
Next weekend, at all Masses in both churches, a second collection will be taken to assist the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the work they do in Africa. Please be generous as you always are, and by way of reminder, one of the precepts of the Church is that we are to pray for and financially assist to the best of our ability the missionary efforts of the Church.
By way of advance notice, we will be having a Parish Picnic on Sunday, September 18, on the grounds of St. Agnes Church. More information will be forthcoming.
Have a good week!