Bishop's FundCatholic SchoolsCCHDCommission on WomenCommunicationsFamily LifeGifts for the KingdomHoly WeekMarriage IssuesPriest AssignmentsRespect LifeSexual MisconductSpecial MassesVermont Catholic Charities
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Writing Contest
Vermont Youth Invited to Enter Special Essay Contest:
“What is a Christian Marriage?”
All Vermont youth between 5th grade through 12th grade and “after high school youth” between the ages of 17 and 22, whether home-schooled, attending Catholic, Public or Christian schools, are invited to participate in a very special essay contest: “What is a Christian Marriage?”
The statewide event is sponsored by the Marriage, Family, and Respect Life Ministries, Vermont Catholic Charities, Office of Catholic Formation, Office of Catholic Schools, and Worldwide Marriage Encounter. The judges will be looking for essays not more than 300 words in length, and each entry must address the topic and express a positive approach to marriage.
• 1st Prize Winners: $175.00 in each category
• 2nd Prize Winners: $100.00 in each category
• Regional Awards: Gift certificates to local
Businesses
• Honorable Mention: to be determined
Deadline for Submission of Essays: January 5th, 2009
For more information contact:
Margaret Wehrung,
Director, Marriage, Family and Respect Life Ministries
(802) 447-5718
November 10, 2008
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CCHD 2008
Bishop Matano Calls upon Vermont Catholics
To Generously Support the
2008 Campaign for Human Development
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Ninth Bishop of Burlington, is calling upon the generosity of all Vermont Catholics to support this year¡¦s Catholic Campaign for Human Development. CCHD, as it is known, relies mainly on its annual collection at all parishes throughout the United States to fund the fight against poverty and to promote self sufficiency.
In a letter to all Vermont Parishes, Bishop Matano reminds parishioners that:
"The success of the mission of CCHD is not possible
without you. You can stand in solidarity with the
Catholic Campaign for Human Development to make
a difference in your community and all over our nation.
Your generosity and participation are vital if we are to
reach a successful goal."
Bishop Matano also reminded Vermont Catholics that ¡§37 million people in the United States are struggling below the poverty line and 13 million of those are children,¡¨ and that ¡§about 40% of the U.S. population experiences poverty at sometime over a ten-year cycle.¡¨
The CCHD Collection also directly benefits our Vermont communities. 25% of all parish collections remain in the diocese to support local anti-poverty efforts.
The CCHD Collection will be taken up at all Vermont parishes the weekend of November 22-23, 2008.
For Further Information
Please Contact:
Gloria J. Gibson
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1300
GGibson@vermontcatholic.org
11/7/08
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Bereavement Mass
Bishop Matano to Celebrate
Special Mass for Bereaved Parents
The Diocesan Mass for Bereaved Parents will be offered again this year by The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. This annual Mass is especially for the intentions and healing of parents throughout the diocese who have suffered the very painful loss of a beloved child.
Bishop Matano says: “The loss of a child reaches far beyond the effects and the hopes of purely human consolation. This wound needs to be tended to by Jesus Himself. Thus, we come together to offer the Church’s most perfect prayer, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, seeking the healing of the Divine Physician.”
The Mass for Bereaved Parents will be held on November 6th, 2008, 7:00PM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Michele Morin
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
Office of Marriage, Family and Respect Life
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1329
MMorin@vermontcatholic.org
October 21st, 2008
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Bishop's Fund 2008
2008 Bishop’s Fund Exceeds Goal!
Vermont Catholics Donate over $2,950,338!
The Annual Bishop’s Fund Appeal, supported by Vermont Catholics throughout the State, announced Oct. 11, that the campaign exceeded its goal of $2,850,000! Latest contributions to the fund total nearly three million dollars, and donations are still being received from some of the Diocese’s 80 parishes and 44 missions.
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Ninth Bishop of Burlington, is most grateful and appreciative for the generosity and sacrifices of all faithful parishioners, saying:
“Once again our people have demonstrated their love and support for our diocesan outreach to our brothers and sisters in need. The on-going generous contributions of the faithful manifest the commitment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington to fulfill Our Lord’s command: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ We are so grateful for all that our people contribute to the life of the Church by their prayers and support.”
Bishop Matano also expresses heartfelt gratitude to the priests and active parishioners who worked so hard in meeting and surpassing their goals in this year’s Bishop’s Fund.
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David Anderson Assumes Leadership
David Anderson has been named Administrator of St. Joseph Elder Care Home in Burlington, VT, effective October 6, 2008. For the past 10+ years, David has worked in the Social Services Field with Copley Manor, Genesis Elder Care, Lamoille Mental Health and Deer Oaks Behavioral Health.
Mr. Anderson has held numerous positions in the Elder Care Field such as: Director of Admissions, Marketing and Resident Services; staff member and Director of Social Services. David is currently a member of Holy Cross Parish in Morrisville, VT, is a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent DePaul Society. He is looking forward to joining our St. Joseph Elder Care Home, and continuing our mission: “To reach out from the heart to those we serve”.
David is a graduate of Castleton College in Castleton, VT with a degree in Social Work and Sociology. He and his wife Jennifer enjoy their 3 children: a son at Rice High School, and a son and daughter in Grade School.
Mr. Anderson will report to Mr. Lawrence Assell, Director of Vermont Catholic Charities, which serves the entire state of Vermont.
October 8, 2008
For Further Information
Please Contact:
Gloria J. Gibson
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1300
GGibson@vermontcatholic.org
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Media and Public Invited to The Eighth Annual “Recognition of Women in Ministry”
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Ninth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, will preside over the Eighth Annual “Recognition of Women in Ministry” ceremony on October 19th, 2008, 3:00PM, at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Randolph.
Twenty-three deserving honorees who have been selected by their peers in Vermont parishes will be celebrated in this special ceremony to which the public is welcome.
Bishop Matano comments: “This annual event to recognize these very dedicated, talented, and selfless servants of the Church in Vermont is always a joyful occasion. As usual, we invite all friends, neighbors and fellow parishioners of these women to attend the ceremony.”
Everyone is also invited to a reception immediately following the awards in the parish hall.
Reverend John J. McDermott, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese, together with Reverend Peter A. Routhier, Diocesan Vicar General, will be assisting Bishop Matano at the ceremony. Deacon David Brisson of St. Monica Parish in Barre, Mrs. Jessie Baker, Mrs. Joan Goldsworthy, Mrs. Patrice Conard, and Mrs. Llynne Kiernan will also participate in the ceremony.
Public and media are welcome to attend.
For Further Information
Please Contact:
Gloria J. Gibson
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1300
GGibson@vermontcatholic.org
September 17th, 2008
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Gifts for the Kingdom 2008
The Office of Catholic Formation, Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, invites all interested parties, regardless of religion, to attend this year’s Gifts for the Kingdom to be held Saturday, October 11th at St. Michael’s College in Colchester.
Dorothy Barewicz, Diocesan Director of Catholic Formation, says: “The Word of God is for all God’s people, and I would hope that many will come to participate in this day’s events and to celebrate “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.” All are welcome!”
This day begins at 9:00AM with Holy Mass celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington, who will also deliver a special homily.
Mass will be followed by a Keynote Presentation from the Bishop of LaCrosse, Wisconsin: His Excellency Jerome E. Lesticki. The theme for the conference is: “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”
Workshops will be offered in the afternoon, concluding with prayer at 3PM.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
For Further Information
Please Contact:
Gloria J. Gibson
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1300
GGibson@vermontcatholic.org
September 15th, 2008
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Statement by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano
Re: Abuse Trial
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, expressed his reaction to the mistrial at Chittenden County Superior Court in Burlington, saying:
"I first wish to express my deep regret for the hurt endured by the plaintiff, and on behalf of the Diocese I sincerely apologize to him that one chosen to be God's servant betrayed a sacred trust and so wounded him and other victims of abuse. Again I apologize to these victims. I pray one day we will meet and achieve reconciliation.
I hope that this recent outcome will provide the impetus to seek reasonable, just and charitable resolutions in these cases. I reiterate my prayer that I will have the opportunity at some point to speak personally with this plaintiff and others."
The Bishop also noted that as the Shepherd of all the faithful, he is seeking to resolve these matters without negatively impacting upon diocesan charitable agencies and institutions, and with particular concern for our brothers and sisters in need who seek our support.
August 27th, 2008
Gloria J. Gibson
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1300
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Catholic Schools and St. Anthony Parish to Honor Reverend Roland Rivard As A Nominee for the Distinquished Pastor Award
Reverend Roland Rivard was nominated for the prestigious National Catholic Educational Association's Distinguished Pastor Award, and though he may not have won, he sure didn't lose! To the students and staffs at Rice Memorial, Christ the King, St. Joseph, Mater Christi, and St Francis Xavier schools Father Rivard is a true Vermont hero all the way, and he has won the hearts and gratitude of teachers, students and parents as well.
Father Rivard will be honored by all the aforementioned schools during Catholic Schools Week this Friday, February 1st at Rice Memorial High School. A special Mass of Appreciation celebrated by the Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington, will begin the festivities at 9AM.
Superintendent of Vermont Catholic Schools, Sister Marie Kelly, SNDdeN, feels Father Rivard is most deserving of praise for his dedication to Catholic schools, saying:
"Father Rivard is outstanding in his support of and commitment to Catholic school education. We are very grateful for his leadership and all he has done and is doing for our youth."
Father Rivard's curriculum vita includes an impressive listing of educational involvement starting with St. Michael's in Brattleboro (1961-63); Mount St. Joseph in Rutland, (63-64); Central Catholic High School in St. Albans, (64-69); Principal of Marion High School in Barre, (69-72); and Rice High School in South Burlington, on faculty for three years, and then principal from 1975-82.
Media is welcome to attend the Mass and presentation.
It's a Surprise! Please do not use material until after the Mass and Party on Friday, February 1st, 2008 9AM!!
January 30th, 2008
Gloria J. Gibson
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1300
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Catholic High Schools Working Together to Support Tanzanian Water Project
BURLINGTON - Vermont's two Catholic high schools Mount St. Joseph Academy in Rutland and Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington have teamed up to raise funds to provide potable water to people in the Tanzanian Diocese of Rulenge.
Rosemarie Strine of Bondville, a parishioner of Chapel of the Snows at Stratton Mountain, has established a Tanzanian Project through which she hopes to provide equipment to drill wells to help the people of the diocese that is helping the people of the Diocese of Burlington by providing priests to minister here. (See accompanying story.) The two priests currently serving in Vermont could be ministering to their own people; their eastern Africa diocese has only 60 diocesan priests serving 26 parishes with about 450 missions and a Catholic population of more than a half million. But their bishop, Bishop Severine Niwemugizi of the Diocese of Rulenge, is sharing "out of love and the mission spirit."
So in the spirit of gratitude for the ministry of the Tanzanian priests in Vermont, the high school students to raise funds are fund-raising support Strine's efforts to provide a long-term solution to some of the water woes in the Rulenge diocese.
Karen Lavallee, a campus minister at Rice High School, said the Rice students and other members of the school community are giving people. "To be able to give to others and reach out to others to fulfill their needs, which we have the means to fill, is part of our Catholic calling and calling as a world community," she said.
Plans call for members of the freshman class to organize and lead fund-raising and awareness-raising activities for the water project in which the entire school will participate.
At Mount St. Joseph Academy, Director of Campus Ministry Michael R.
Audette a religion teacher, embraced the water project saying it is a good way to help students "get a global perspective" to see that poverty is everywhere. "We're in such a global society," he said. "We do activities for local people, and it is good to see beyond our local area too and see that in some areas people don't have the essentials like water which we take for granted. We get kind of sheltered in Vermont."
One component of the water project Audette would like to see at MSJ is the placement of several 5-gallon water jugs throughout the school in which students can donate their loose change and to serve as a reminder of the project.
He plans to take a multi-disciplinary approach, incorporating the project into science and religion classes as well as into school wide prayer services. "The more people we get involved, the more the kids will see (the project) as an important cause," he said, adding that it is also a way of saying thank you for the Tanzanian priests serving in Vermont.
Between now and the end of October, students in Vermont's two Catholic high schools will be spearheading fund-raising efforts to bring clean water to that area. Then funds will be handed over to the Tanzanian Project.
Parishes, Catholic elementary schools, religious education programs, businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate by sending their donations to one of the schools, checks made payable to Propagation of the Faith. Send checks to Tanzanian Project, c/o Mount St. Joseph Academy, 127 Convent Avenue, Rutland VT 05701 or to Tanzania Project, c/o Rice Memorial High School, 99 Proctor Ave., South Burlington, VT 05403.
For Further Information
Please Contact: Pat Gore, Editor
Vermont Catholic Tribune
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1210
Please Note: Media is welcome to use attached stories, "Love and the Mission Spirit" and "Bondville Woman." Contact Pat Gore for further information.
"Love and the Mission Spirit"
Tanzanian Bishop grateful to share priestly resources
BRATTLEBORO - Bishop Severine Niwemugizi, Bishop of the Diocese of Rulenge in the African country of Tanzania, understands the missionary role of the Church.
"The whole Church is missionary," he said during a recent visit to St.
Michael Parish here. "In principle we are all sent to preach the Gospel, to bring the Good News to all the earth."
His eastern Africa diocese has only 60 diocesan priests serving 26 parishes with about 450 mission "outstations." The largest parish has 43 missions, and some mission stations receive a priest only about once a year. Some of the region's Catholics walk for miles to attend Mass. (See stories on pages 10-11.) Catholics comprise about half of the diocese's 1.2 million people.
Although the need for priests is great in the Diocese of Rulenge, Bishop Niwemugizi is allowing 14 priests to serve outside the diocese - including two in Vermont, where church mergers and closings are becoming a reality because of an increasing clergy shortage.
The Tanzanian priests are serving in Vermont not because their home diocese has so many priests that they can be spared. "It is out of love and the mission spirit," the bishop said. "Christ is sending us all. We share whatever we have."
He spoke of providing priests to a diocese in need of them in altruistic terms: "When you give, you don't give because you have extra. You give because you share."
The first Tanzanian priest to assist in Vermont arrived at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Putney and the West River Missions in 2004. Father Simon Taabu assisted at the parish between studies. Two other priests from his home diocese followed him in service there.
There are currently two priests from the Diocese of Rulenge serving in
Vermont: Father Henry Mlinganisa in Troy, Lowell and North Troy, and Father Sixmund Nyabenda in Brattleboro.
"Their presence has been of invaluable service," said Father John McDermott, chancellor for the Diocese of Burlington. "We do not have sufficient priests to meet all of our ministerial needs. They supplement our native clergy and hopefully will help bridge the gap while we try to work on increasing vocations to the priesthood in Vermont."
The statewide diocese has about 80 active priests for 118,000 Catholics. Though Vermont diocesan priests have served in the missions in the past, currently there are none.
Bishop Niwemugizi, invited to the Diocese of Burlington by His Excellency Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, said some of his neighboring African dioceses have fewer priests than his diocese. In Rwanda, for example, almost all diocesan clergy died in the genocide. The bishop of Rulenge sent two priests to help.
"The law of the Church allows a priest who would like to go to serve somewhere with a greater need to go," the bishop explained. "So that's what happens. He does not lose his incardination in the (home) diocese.
He goes and then comes back."
The bishop said he agreed to allow his two priests to serve in Vermont for four years. After that, he will consider if they will stay or perhaps go home so others can serve in Vermont.
In 2005 the population of Tanzania - which has an area about four times the size of the United Kingdom - was 38.3 million with an annual population growth of 1.8 percent. Life expectancy at birth was 46.3 years.
During an August pastoral visit to Vermont, Bishop Niwemugizi visited Fathers Nyabenda and Mlinganisa. "There has been so much gratitude offered for the priests," he said. "People are working together. I can see this."
Asked if he might send more priests to serve in Vermont, the bishop replied, "That I can't tell," adding, "Next year, God willing, I will be ordaining seven priests. That does not mean I will have enough, but maybe another priest could come and help if possible."
"We have been blessed with their presence," Father McDermott said.
"Their enthusiasm, faithfulness and joy have been a great gift to the people of Vermont."
Vocations
More men seek to enter the seminary in the Diocese of Rulenge than can be accommodated. "We have vocations, but the challenge is how to educate them," Bishop Niwemugizi said.
The diocese has one junior seminary, and there are five major national seminaries and two seminaries for religious orders in other Tanzanian dioceses.
Bishop Niwemugizi said it costs about $900 to educate one seminarian for one year and about $100 more for books, travel expenses, medical needs and clothing.
In the past, Rome provided a subsidy for seminarian training in mission countries, but that subsidy has steadily decreased, requiring a greater contribution from the seminarians for their expenses. But their own poverty is often prohibitive when the diocese lacks funds for seminary education.
The junior seminary in Katoke has 228 seminarians, and every year no fewer than 45 enter. That means there are 200-300 applicants who are not accepted because there is no room for them there. "The facility is not big enough to accommodate all who want to get in," the bishop said. "Yet we need more students to pay the school fees to be able to run the seminary."
The quality of seminary education in Tanzania is so high that many men seek entrance to the seminary for the education it offers, he said. "We are sure not all come because they want to become priests, but we know God will take some to be priests."
Vocations to the priesthood are fostered in Tanzanian families, the bishop said. "Teaching the faith, teaching young people to love God and instilling in them a spirit of self-sacrifice and a willingness to serve others - that comes with faith and love."
He said some countries might face a shortage of vocations because God's call is not fostered within family life. "If the family is strong, if the family is united, if the family cares for (the children's) spiritual and human formation at home, this will contribute to the direction of the children into various vocations."
Vocations must be fostered within the family, and parents have a responsibility to help young persons realize they can be of service to the community and to the Church, Bishop Niwemugizi said. "If the parents are God-loving, God-fearing, their children will learn that. If the parents are about service, their children will learn that."
Bishop Niwemugizi is concerned that many young Tanzanians are leaving their rural villages to find work in more populated areas, and he has concerns about globalization. He worries about the ravages of AIDS and the children orphaned because of the disease. Poverty is a major issue.
But despite all the challenges they face, his people still have hope in God. "This is something that keeps us alive," he said.
A spirit of hope is evident in Bishop Niwemugizi, and so is his spirit of gratitude.
Though Vermonters thank him for providing priests to help alleviate the clergy shortage here, he is grateful for the warm welcome his priests receive. "People have made them happy here and have received them well," the bishop said. "This is great."
Pat Gore, Editor
Vermont Catholic Tribune
(802) 6588-6110, Ext. 1210
*Bondville Woman Working to Provide
"elixir of life" to Tanzanian Poor*
BONDVILLE - Rosemarie Strine believes "water is the elixir of life," so she is working to provide potable water to the poor in a Tanzanian diocese that has loaned priests to the Diocese of Burlington.
Strine recently spent a month in the Diocese of Rulenge, traveling with Father Simon Taabu, a Tanzanian priest who once assisted at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Putney and the West River Missions. One of these is Chapel of the Snows at Stratton Mountain, where Strine is a member.
"It's human to help out. We have so much, and they have nothing," Strine said during an interview in the dining room of her Bondville home. "Every living thing needs water. Without water you don't live."
That's why she is appealing for help in getting wells drilled for the people of the Rulenge area who must drink and wash in tainted water.
Strine showed photos of one source of water that is clogged with vegetation. The pump to move the water is broken, so the people still drink from the small pond. "They have nothing else," she said.
The residents have no money for bottled water, and the only hope they have now for a source of good drinking water is an artesian well. "I'm looking to get a rig to the Diocese of Rulenge to start drilling wells, because the people are dying from water-related illnesses," Strine said.
"The important thing is to get (clean) water."
Strine said she is begging for help from people who have knowledge about well drilling or how to transport drilling rigs to the Rulenge area.
Anyone with information or who wants to help is asked to call her at 297-2902.
September 18th, 2007
Pat Gore, Editor
Vermont Catholic Tribune
(802) 658-6110, Ext. 1210
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