The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Without the promise of Jesus, we would be nothing at all
It has often been said that we in the United States don’t have much use for history. I believe it was the auto pioneer Henry Ford who said that “history is bunk.” However, there is wisdom to the saying that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. If we fail to learn the lessons of the past, then we are unable to discern where a similar set of circumstances in the present may be leading us. Vigilance and discernment about history’s lessons are necessary for guiding us through life, whether individually or communally, as a nation, a state or a church.
On Nov. 28, 2018, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford will be 175 years old. On that day in 1843 Pope Gregory XVI created the new diocese to include all of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Over the years, with the growth of the Catholic population, other dioceses-- Providence, Norwich and Bridgeport—were carved out of the original territory, and Hartford is now the Archdiocese among them in an ecclesiastic province that includes them all.
As the great Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman put it: “To live is to change; and to be perfect is to have changed often.” History has taught many lessons with the changing times of 175 years. Jesus Christ remains the same, “yesterday, today, and forever,” but the world of 1843 and 2018 are very different. It is interesting and instructive to see how our Church has responded and evolved in Connecticut and still does today.
The constancy of the Church about the Christian creed, sacramental worship, moral life in Christ and prayer remains, but so do the temptations, failures and sins that beset us all individually and corporately in the church, as recent scandals tragically show. Jesus foretold that “there are bound to be causes for stumbling; but woe betide the person through whom they come” (Lk 17:1). Without the promise of Jesus to be with his Church until the end of time, we would be nothing at all.
As we celebrate a milestone in the history of the Archdiocese of Hartford, by the grace of God our Church strives to promote the good of society in Connecticut, and to meet the spiritual, moral and material needs of the people of our state, especially the poor and vulnerable in soul or body, and those in need of education, health care and charitable outreach. This is made possible by the commitment, service and generosity of our Catholic people, in all their diversity over 175 years.
Together we give thanks to God for the past, we ask for healing in the present, and his blessing to continue our mission into the future with faith, hope and love.