From the desk of Monsignor Bride
Friday, May 4th, was the 40th Anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood. As I celebrate this 40th Anniversary Mass on Saturday, I share with you some thoughts about the day I was ordained and my First Mass. My Mother and Father were present on my Ordination Day.  My Dad died in August 8, 1971 and, you all know my Mother died on December 2, 2005.
The ordination ceremony took place in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. Two other men were ordained with me. It was a beautiful spring day, most of my family had not been to the Cathedral and thus, it was very special. (The diocese was only 14 years old at that time.) The Cathedral is a gorgeous Church and one which has always been special to me. The Most Reverend Vincent J. Hines, the second Bishop of Norwich, was the ordaining prelate and his secretary, Father Richard Fontaine, was the Master of Ceremonies for the Ordination. The Bishop was assisted by Monsignor St. Onge, the Vicar General, and Monsignor King, the Chancellor. All three of these excellent priests would become a very special part of my life in the years that would follow, close personal friends and mentors. The priests’ choir of the Diocese sang the Ordination Mass and there was a large crowd because of three men being ordained.  Following the ordination I spent nearly an hour giving my First Priestly Blessing to all those who came forward. In those days this was done in the upper Church where everyone knelt along the altar rail.  I have an excellent ’home’ movie of these blessings.  Later that night, we had a family dinner in the community center of my parish.
Because I was ordained on Ascension Thursday, I had two private Masses on Friday and Saturday morning before my First Solemn Mass on Sunday. On Friday, I celebrated at the Cenacle Retreat House chapel where my family had been associated for many years. On Saturday, I celebrated Mass at the Mercy High School Convent Chapel and the Sisters of Mercy hosted a family breakfast following the Mass. These were wonderful, prayerful, impressive moments of blessing for my entire family and for me.
Sunday, May 7th, my First Solemn Mass was at noon in my parish Church of Saint John, Middletown.  The Church was filled to overflowing capacity, which was a wonderful experience. The Mass was broadcast live over the local radio station. The Rector of Saint Bernard Seminary in Rochester, New York, Father Joseph Brennan, who had become a personal friend of mine and a wonderful priest, gave the homily. He spent that weekend with us and that was very special for me. That was the weekend that began what I now know as my priestly life. On May 30th, 1967, I was assigned to the Cathedral Parish in Norwich and I remained in Norwich in a variety of different positions until 1998 when I was assigned here to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Quaker Hill, as Pastor.
As I celebrate my 40th Anniversary, I rejoice and thank God for the blessings that have come to me during these years.  I would make the same decision today that I made 49 years ago, when I decided to enter the seminary. I pray that this one priestly life has been a blessing to the Lord and to His Church and I thank him for having given it to me. In these days when we have suffered so much in the Church and in the Priesthood, I reaffirm my own gratitude and commitment to the Call of the Lord and to the work of serving his Church. I pray today that many will respond to the Call of the Lord, especially from OLPH.     Monsignor Bride

Next Sunday is Mothers’ Day
Mothers’ Day Card
Each year we have a novena of Masses for all enrolled Mothers.  If your mother is alive, enroll her in the novena and give her the special card for Mothers’ Day, which will tell her that she is remembered in this (9) Novena of Masses.  There is no greater, no better, no more special gift you can give to your Mom than this.  Please take the time to fill out the  flyer in the back of the church and drop it in the basket anytime between now and Mothers’ Day.
 

Scripture Study in the Morning
Ann Megan wishes to begin a study of scripture one day a week in the morning for women. If interested, telephone Ann at 447-3488.

CRUSADE OF PRAYER ON fRIDAYS
                7:30A.M.   Morning Mass
8:00A.M.   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
                 followed by   Morning Prayer             
8:15 A.M.  to 4:45 P.M. Individual Adoration and
                  Praying for Vocations all day in  Church
4:45 P.M.   Evening Prayer /Benediction/Closing

Family Parish Group will meet on Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 PM.

Outside the Parish
A day of Recollection with Sister Eugenia Brady, SJC “Mary, Woman of Healing and Hope; Teacher and Model of Choice and Choices in our Daily Lives” – Tuesday,  May 15, 2007 at St. Edmund’s Enders Island at Mystic.  Our world today does not always reflect a respect for life.  We, as Christians, need to reverence our own gifts and gift of our life, as well as those of others at all stages.  Mary can and will be our daily guide in making good choices as we reflect on how she chose to deal with the difficulties in her own journey.  Cost. $35 per person.  Please call 860-536-0565 ext. 110 for reservations.

Congratulations to William K. Malinowsky
On Sunday, April 29, 2007, William K. Malinowsky, as a Catholic Scout in B.S. Pack 60,  received his Pavuli Dei “Children of God” emblem presented by Bishop Michael R. Cote at the Catholic Scouting Award Ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich.

Announced Masses

Monday, May 7th    Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.  Intention of Celebrant
 Tuesday, May 8th   Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.  Peter Millaras   (Family)
Wednesday, May 9th   Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.  Philip B. & Frances E. Pasquale  (Estate)
Thursday, May 10th    Easter Weekday
7:30 A.M.   Parishioners of OLPH
Friday, May 11th  Easter Weekday  
7:30 A.M.  Intentions of Lillian Schuh and
                                     Ileana & John Dunn   (Chris Schuh)