"Celebrate Life" Mass for Archdiocese of Hartford

January 12, 2003. Meriden, Connecticut

The Pro-Life Ministry staff of the Archdiocese of Hartford at the Franciscan Life Center coordinated the planning for a "Celebrate Life" Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, January 12, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Families representing many of the 215 parishes in the Archdiocese received a "Choose Life" candle blessed by Archbishop Daniel Cronin during the Mass. The families brought back to their parishes the blessed candle which will be lit during the Eucharist liturgy on Sunday, January 19.

Sister Suzanne Gross, FSE, Pro-Life Ministry Coordinator was very pleased with the large turnout for the Mass. The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist and Canticle Singers of the Franciscan Life Center formed the choirs for the liturgy, accompanied by Teresa Wells, violinist, and the Cathedral organist and trumpeter. Sister Bernardone Rock, FSE, Director of John Duss Memorial Music Conservatory, Duluth, Minnesota, directed the choirs.

The decal on the commemorative candles was designed by Franciscan Graphics & Corporate Services, Houston, Texas.