My Dear Friends,

As I write this bulletin letter, which I always write on Tuesdays, news came in this morning that Archbishop Emeritus Henry Mansell died at the age of 88. He served the Archdiocese of Hartford as the archbishop from 2003-2013.

I first met Archbishop Mansell in the spring of 2006, when he and I sat for a conversation before my ordination to the priesthood. Then on April 28, 2006, twenty years ago this Tuesday, Archbishop Henry Mansell, who was consecrated as a bishop at the hands of Pope St. John Paul II, ordained me to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. What a most beautiful and glorious day that was!!

It was a Friday evening, and afterwards we celebrated with a reception in the cafeteria at Sacred Heart High School. I then celebrated my very first Mass as a priest at the 4:15pm Mass in the very same Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Father John Bevins arranged to have a reception for me and any parishioner or guest that wanted to stay in their parish hall.

Then on Sunday at the 11:00am Mass at St. John the Evangelist parish in Watertown, I celebrated another “first” Mass in the parish in which I received my other sacraments; baptism, reconciliation and first Holy Communion, and confirmation. Father John Cooney arranged to have a reception in their parish hall afterwards.

It was an amazing three days and an inspirational beginning of my priesthood. These last 20 years have been a true blessing and grace-filled experience. It has not always been easy, and I have made mistakes as an assistant pastor and also as a pastor. But with the support of my family and my parishioners and those parishioners who have become my close friends these last 20 years, I can say the words written in the book at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

As Jesus calls His apostles friends, so I call you my friends. May God bless you now and always.

BACK TO LIST