January 2008

Welcome back,

Well, here we are again at the beginning of a whole new semester. Whether or not you make New Year’s resolutions, this is the perfect opportunity to choose a path for the next 15 weeks. You’ve already done that with the classes and co-curricular activities you’ve chosen. You will undoubtedly have countless other choices to make as the semester unfolds. Perhaps you may decide that you will devote time this semester to strengthening your spiritual life – perhaps through periodic walks in the Arboretum, a commitment to listen more closely to others, or an experiment with new types of prayer?

Speaking of resolutions, Lent arrives early for us this year, February 6. Lent is a call to conversion, a journey we travel together as we recall our baptismal promises and deepen our commitment to Christ. For readings, reflections, a Lent FAQ and even a “radio retreat,” I recommend the Franciscans’ Lent site, www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent.

Our local bishop, Bishop Michael Cote, will visit us on Saturday the 2nd of February to celebrate the Eucharist with us at 5 p.m. in the Harkness Chapel. I hope you will be able to join me in welcoming him. We will all get together for our traditional Mardi Gras supper in the Hood Dining Room of Blaustein immediately after Mass.

On Ash Wednesday and on every Wednesday in Lent we will celebrate Mass in the Chapel at 5 p.m. Ashes will be distributed during Mass on February 6. Our Lenten liturgies will end with Mass on Wednesday, March 5 because of Spring break. Palm Sunday, Holy Week and even Easter will all be celebrated by our community elsewhere because of the break. I will be celebrating in Rome with a group of 22 from the College. We will all be traveling together from the 14th to the 24th of March.

While the weary travelers return to the College I will continue on to Paris and then to Ile Blanche, a retreat and conference center in Locquirec, France to be chaplain to the General Chapter of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, www.fillesstesprit.org/, an international community of religious women founded over 300 years ago in France. The sisters gather every 6 years to elect their leadership and to set the course of the congregation for the next 6 years. I am honored to be the first chaplain to the General Chapter not born in France. In case you’re wondering, my French is only passable … the sisters are very forgiving … and they have translators, rather like the U.N. I expect to return, if the lure of France and religious life are not too great, in time to celebrate Mass with you on April 26. In the meantime Father Tom Ianucci, the Catholic chaplain at the Coast Guard Academy, and Father Greg Galvin, the Diocesan Vocations Director, will be here for Mass on Saturday nights. I know you will welcome them to our liturgies and enjoy their company.

I hope this will be a semester of great spiritual growth and true joy for all of us. I look forward to seeing you around campus.

All the best,

Father Larry

September 2007

A new academic year always feels a bit awkward. The weather is more often talked about as folks who’ve just met try to find topics for easy conversation. Around here the weather always “fills the bill” even if you’re not a pelican. “Of course I’m not a pelican,” you say, “I’m a Camel.”

Getting to feel like you’re part of a community always takes a little time. First-year students sometimes feel a sense of isolation. But honestly, that feeling may occur at any time during your years at Conn.

A junior who remains here while a close friend has gone abroad can feel just as isolated as a first-year student. The Catholic Community at Connecticut College offers many opportunities to form and benefit from a sense of community. You are always welcome to join us for Mass in Harkness Chapel on Saturdays at 5 p.m.

This Saturday, September 15th, we will welcome back Father Charles Sammons, of the class of 1994. Fr. Charles was ordained to the priesthood last Saturday in Yonkers by Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, himself a Capuchin Franciscan. You are invited to join me in welcoming Charles as he returns to Harkness Chapel to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving. Following the Mass I hope you will join in a festive dinner catered by Paul’s Pasta of Groton in the Hood Dining Room of Blaustein. What a great way to get the year off to a fresh start.

Although it seems early to me I’m told that now’s the time to ask if anyone is interested in a Spring Break trip to Rome for Holy Week which, in 2008, coincides with the second week of break (Holy Week starts March 16 with Passion/Palm Sunday). We don’t often get this coincidence of events and there’s a lot more to do and see in Rome than just the Holy Week ceremonies for the religiously and not-so-much religiously inclined. I’m thinking it’s possible to keep the cost around $2,000. That may seem like a lot of money, but with enough lead time it may be possible to find the resources. Let me know soon if you are interested and I’ll keep you informed.

Most people find that at some time in their life, continuing to practice their faith is a challenge. For many, college is one of those times. You are receiving this e-mail because you indicated when you came to Conn that you are Catholic. Whether you are a practicing Catholic or practicing another faith – or no faith at all – I am here to listen, answer your questions and help if I can. If you'd like to see how some Catholics in their 20s and 30s are answering the questions you might have about faith, spirituality and life in the 21st century, go to www.bustedhalo.com.

I look forward to seeing you in Chapel on Saturdays at 5 and around campus. Please let me know of any ideas you have for activities you’d like to see us work on this semester or next. Together there’s little we can’t do.

Devotedly yours,

Fr L.