Catholic Transcript Online

A variety of chorales, choirs and orchestras and dancers stretches across the sanctuary of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford on June 6  for "Song for Haiti," a concert to raise money to support the rebuilding of the New Victorian School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was destroyed by the earthquake there in January. (Photo by Bob Mullen/The Catholic Photographer. This and additional photos may be found in a gallery at http://www.catholicphotographer.com/Archdiocese-of-Hartford/Song-for-Haiti-Jun-6-2010/12465506_LnBYF#893027536_vd2sT)

HARTFORD – More than 1,000 music-lovers were on hand at the Cathedral of St. Joseph on June 6 for a benefit concert that included artists from chorales, choirs, orchestras and dance ensembles, all dedicating their time and talent to help rebuild a school in Haiti.

The concert was a fund-raiser to support the rebuilding of the New Victorian School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Pope Benedict XVI greets priests at the end of a Mass concluding the Year for Priests on June 11. (CMS photo/Paul Haring)

BLOOMFIELD – Seven priests from the Archdiocese of Hartford and at least two order priests from Connecticut were among the 15,000 priests concelebrating, with Pope Benedict XVI, the Mass in St. Peter’s Square that closed the Year for Priests on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, June 11.

Msgr. Gerard G. Schmitz, vicar for priests, recalled the experience as one of the highlights of his priesthood.

Parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford greet Msgr. David Q. Liptak, left, and Father Collins Anaeche at a luncheon in their honor on June 13 marking the ending of the Year for Priests. Also getting hearty thanks were Msgr. John J. McCarthy, chancellor; Father Daniel Akho and Father Lawrence Wrenn, who also minister at the cathedral. The reception followed a Mass of thanksgiving. (Photo by Bob Mullen)

TORRINGTON – As Sacred Heart Parish’s seventh pastor since its founding 100 years ago, Father Christopher M. Tiano is looking forward to the Slovak parish’s second century.

"We’ll continue to grow and build our parishes," he said, referring to the Torrington Cluster of Parishes that includes Sacred Heart, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Peter and St. Mary. "Because of the cluster, there are so many great things that can go on in our parish communities," he said.

An attendee talks to Bishop Peter A. Rosazza. (Photo by Mary Chalupsky)

BRISTOL – Enthusiasm ran high at the inaugural Bishop Peter Rosazza Social Justice Conference, where 250 parish leaders from throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford immersed themselves in Catholic social teaching, while also honoring the bishop for his service, passion and commitment to Catholic social justice.

"We wanted to honor Bishop Peter on the occasion of his 75th birthday, while promoting the work of our office to help parishes engaged in social justice ministry," said Cori Thibodeau, executive director of the Archdiocesan Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry, the event’s sponsor. "Today is an opportunity to provide them with the skills and tools to do that."

WASHINGTON (CNS) – Requiring personnel in military hospitals to perform or participate in abortions would place "a very heavy burden" on those in the armed forces who value human life, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services told U.S. senators.

"The United States is one of the few nations in the world based on self-evident principles: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," the archbishop said in a June 17 letter. "Constraining the very men and women committed to defending those principles for the rest of the country to act against their consciences violates the foundation of this republic."