Catholic Transcript Online

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford incenses the casket containing the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Steven J. DeLuzio during funeral services on Aug. 30 at St. Paul Church in Glastonbury. Sgt. DeLuzio, 25, was killed in Afghanistan Aug. 22. The Archbishop presided over the Mass of Christian Burial in the packed church. Father George Couturier, Pastor of St. Dunstan Church in Glastonbury, Sgt. DeLuzio's home parish, preached the homily. Mourners included Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, members of Congress and many members of the armed services. Sgt. DeLuzio was a member of the Vermont National Guard. (Photo by Lenora Sumsky)

HARTFORD – Mary Tunison says that helping people get back on sound financial footing can be both scary and rewarding. Scary, because people in need are depending on her. Rewarding, because hundreds of families have been helped by the parish-based program she coordinates, the Emergency Assistance Fund.

Funded entirely through donations to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, the Emergency Assistance Fund helps struggling parishioners and their families with basic human needs, including food, clothing, rental or mortgage assistance, car repairs (for commuting to work), credit counseling, job coaching, employment programs and more.

Dr. Paul Kelly, medical director of Malta House of Care-Waterbury, speaks to the more than 50 people who  attended the blessing of the Malta House of Care van in Waterbury Aug. 23. Check out more photos at http://transcript.smugmug.com.

WATERBURY – Heavy rains drenched much of the state on the night before a new Malta House of Care mobile van was dedicated at Sacred Heart-Sagrado Corazon Parish on Aug. 23. By the time Archbishop Henry J. Mansell blessed the new van, however, only a light drizzle fell on the more than 50 people who attended.

"We do know that water and rain are the universal symbols of rebirth, renewal and regeneration," Archbishop Mansell said. "We speak of rebirth, renewal and regeneration with the establishment and blessing of the [new] Malta House of Care van."

HARTFORD – It has been called one of the first organizations of its kind in the country. The Diocesan Bureau of Social Services – now known as Catholic Charities – was formed 90 years ago this year, and parishes throughout the Archdiocese are celebrating.

The celebrations on Sept. 25 and 26 will coincide with the centennial celebration of Catholic Charities USA, said Rose Alma Senatore, CEO of the archdiocesan organization.

In this still from the new, locally made movie "St. Bernadette of Lourdes," Connecticut children portraying village children of Lourdes, France, ask Francois Soubirous if they can go to a grotto where the Blessed Mother has appeared to his daughter Bernadette. (Photo courtesy of Jim Morlino, Navis Pictures)

NEW HAVEN – When the Knights of Columbus wanted to sponsor a play about their organization’s founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, they turned to Dominican Father Peter John Cameron, a Connecticut-born playwright.

He is also the founding editor-in-chief of the monthly prayer aid, Magnificat. And he also just published his seventh book, Mysteries of the Rosary: Living Our Lady’s Graces, on the importance of Mary as seen through the mysteries and feasts of her life.

ROCKY HILL – For some of the more than 165,000 Connecticut residents looking for work, parish-based training and support groups are providing more help than ever.

Marty Carlson, a facilitator at the Rocky Hill Re-employment Support Group at St. James Parish, started to quote some statistics and was instantly updated at a recent meeting. "More than 40 people," he began.

"Fifty," said Joe Soja, a lay minister at the parish, where he founded the group in February 2009.