My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Again we have dedicated the May issue of the Four County Catholic to the particular vocation of the diocesan priesthood. I just had the honor recently of ordaining one of our seminarians, Henry Agudelo to the Holy Order of Deacon and I presently look forward to later this month on May 29, 2010, when I will ordain Rev. Mr. Christopher Feeney to the Holy Priesthood for service here in the Diocese of Norwich.
Rev. Mr. Henry Agudelo will continue his studies at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell as he prepares for his final year of study at the seminary. Rev. Mr. Christopher Feeney graduated earlier this month from Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland where he has been studying during the past four years. The monies collected during this particular appeal collection assist the diocese greatly in paying the formal education of the men who are being prepared to serve as your priests.
This coming fall the Diocese of Norwich will have three men entering their first year of major seminary studies: Mr. Michael Salerno from Mystic, Connecticut, Mr. Ian Bothur from Columbia Connecticut, and Mr. Jonathan Ficara from Moodus, Connecticut. Beginning his second year of major seminary studies at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, will be Mr. Brian Maxwell who is originally from Maine. Just recently accepted to be sponsored by the diocese for studies and beginning his Pre-Theology studies at Mount St. Mary seminary in Emmitsburg Maryland will be Mr. Jeffery Ellis who is originally from Willimantic Connecticut. Therefore, we once again will have six men studying, praying, and preparing to be your future priests here in Eastern Connecticut.
With gratitude for the many sacrifices you have made on behalf of the diocese in the past and continue to make because of the depth of your faith, I again ask each of you to help in making the formation and education process for those men mentioned above more affordable for our diocesan family.
We as the family of God in the Norwich Diocese continue to be blessed with the need to educate and form the men who are responding to Christ’s call to priesthood. This May 22nd and 23rd I ask you to give what you can to the annual Seminary Education Fund Appeal. If you find yourself in a position of not being able to offer something financially during these difficult times, please continue with the favor of praying for a continuing increase of vocations to the diocesan priesthood and the religious life.
With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the gift of your faith, I thank you all for your prayers and whatever assistance you are able to give to this appeal.
Sincerely yours in Christ,