September 21, 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
This past Sunday afternoon I was privileged to attend a wonderful event at MERCY BY THE SEA Retreat and Conference Center. This awesome place is part of the ministries of the Sisters of Mercy. Its location is on a wondrous piece of property right on Long Island Sound in Madison, CT. It is a place of prayer, reflection, quiet and shared insight about the intersection between life and faith. Truly a gem that needs to be shared with the world and all who are searching for meaning and contemplation.
Over the past four years, I have been privileged to be on the Board of Trustees of this sacred space on the Sound. This special event celebrated the transition of leadership at Mercy Center…remembering the awesome servant leadership of Sister Eileen Dooling, RSM for the past eight years and the new leadership of Dr. Cathy Collins.
The beautiful day was marked by a very moving ceremony and service of transition and blessing. Symbolically the following gestures and ritual captured the moment and the powerful grace of the work of the Sisters of Mercy over the decades. At one point the ritual dramatically switched gears with the entrance of one of the senior members of the religious community who then proceeded to the podium with a beautiful walking stick…as if she were on a journey. She stopped at the podium and delivered a powerful message that spoke of the history, vision, and tradition of Mercy Center. She then passed the walking stick onto Sr. Eileen who proceeded to eloquently speak of gratitude and new beginnings. Then Sister Eileen passed on the walking stick to Dr. Cathy who proceeded to then speak of her vision and her hopes for maintaining and building on the ongoing tradition of the retreat center.
For me the walking stick was a powerful image of the strength and wisdom of the tradition being passed on from generation to generation. The walking stick is the help given on the journey when the climb is steep or the path rough. The stick brings stability and the fortitude to carry on in the great tradition of the Mercy Sisters.
As I ponder my 40th anniversary in ministry as a priest, I was greatly moved by this symbolic and insightful ritual witnessed this past Sunday. Over the past 40 years there have been great and moving events and accomplishment as well as challenging and threatening rough days along the journey. I thank God for the ever present “walking stick” of faith, church, family, friends, staff and parishioners that provide the stability and strength along the way. For all this and much more I am grateful. It has been one heck of a great walk and life. I have at least 9 more years, God willing, before retirement…may they be as exciting, gratifying and life/spirit expanding as the past 40 years!
UPDATE ON COVID-19 (Delta) safety:
For the deepest concern and respect for all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair announced and requested on August 7th, that all those attending Masses and other events be encouraged to resume the wearing of masks due to the rise in the virus infections in our state.
Additionally, the Town of Rocky Hill issued a mandate on Friday August 20th that masks be worn while in indoor public spaces.
I personally think this is a wise and prudent decision.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
Pastor
