The Eastern Connecticut Area celebrated the Feast Day for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist at St. Bernard Church, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Rockville-Vernon, CT. Gina Raymond, DM, Area Membership Chair, hosted the event and invited members of her Parish Council to participate in the Mass and to attend lunch with the Clergy.

Mike O’Keefe, Associate, and Gina provided morning refreshments before a powerful presentation, with scriptural references, given by Sister Maryann Cantlon, CSJ, Restorative Justice (aka Prison Ministry). After hearing the talk on her two decades as Chaplain in the California prison system at their Holy Family Retreat Center weekend, Area Chair Richard Feil, KM, and Howard Quimby, KM, asked Sister to address the Area meeting, where several members and Gina anticipate revitalizing the ministry later this year following the COVID hiatus.

Mass was celebrated by Bishop Cote, DD, ChC, with Concelebrants Pastor Rev. Ricard, and his two parish Associate Vicars, Rev. Barile and Rev. Gulino. Rev. Mr. Pandolfe, who was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on June 3rd, is coincidentally assigned to Gina’s parish for the summer. Gratefully, the new deacon read the Gospel and assisted the Bishop and clergy at the Mass. Parish Deacon Freedman brought up the Offertory gifts to the altar with his wife. The beautiful Liturgy also included Area members: Gina delivered the first reading; Mike, the second; and our new Knight, Sterling Roatch recited the Intercessions. 

The clergy and everyone enjoyed the scrumptious luncheon provided by Gina and Mike. Area leaders highlighted the signature Order, Association, and Area initiatives from the back cover of the Mass Liturgy over a special cake and coffee for Rev. Ricard’s 25th Ordination Jubilee.