Fr. Andrew M. Greeley, Catholic Priest, Author, Researcher, Social Iconoclast and Philanthropist Dies at 85

Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Greeley
1928-2013

Fr. Andrew M. Greeley was born in Oak Park, IL in 1928 and died Wednesday, May 29, 2013 quietly at his home in Chicago at 85 after being a victim of strokes resulting from an accident leaving a taxi a few years ago. 

His life's work as a parish priest, scholar, researcher, author of books, best selling novels, journalist, sociologist, philanthropist and at times as an iconoclastic critic social critic made him somewhat of a dissenter in the Church, particularly with those in hierarchical places.

Nonetheless, he is widely acclaimed for his significant influence in America, including by Catholics, as a uniquely vocal spokesman for social justice. A self-described "loud-mouthed Irish priest", Greeley once quipped, "May they carve it on my gravestone!" 

Obituaries in magazines and journals across the country today illustrate the different views of this maverick in the church.  An excerpt from the Jesuit weekly magazine, "America", reads as follows: The Rev. Andrew M. Greeley, who died on May 29, was a prolific writer and researcher who published his first article in  America in 1957. He wrote dozens of articles for the magazine over the years, and was presented with the Campion Award by America in 2006. Former editor Thomas J. Reese, S.J., shared this story with us: "When Thurston Davis, S.J., was editor of America, he received a call in the early 1960’s from Jack Egan, an influential Chicago priest, telling him about a young parish priest who just finished his doctorate in sociology. 'You should encourage him to write,' said Egan. Neither recognized that they were opening a floodgate of prose and fiction that would have such a profound impact on the church."

Here's the NYTimesGreeleyStoryToday.

Born in a large Irish-Catholic family in a a suburb of Chicago, the life journey and words of Fr. Andrew M. Greeley have traveled to many places far from his native home. May he R.I.P. 

"Authentic Power is Service" - Pope Francis

“Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the Cross.” – Pope Francis

Pope Francis - His smile is love.

Mustard Seeds - Thought of the day!

This gentle and strong Pope is able to make everyone around him smile ... that is love.

God bless,

Fr Simon

Seniors Play Major Role in Paving the Way for Future Generations

As published in the Southington (CT) Citizen, Friday, May 24, 2013

By E. Richard Fortunato

Foreword

Calendar House Senior Center, Southington, CT.

The members of Southington's Calendar House Senior Center are real people, who are active, staying fit, learning and teaching others more about their own life experiences. They enjoy social interaction, travel, recreation and time to have fun,too. This is a special time in their lives.

Here's their story.

At the May 14th meeting of the Senior Advisory Commission, Town Manager Garry Brumback congratulated the commission  and the seniors who have worked together to forge viable new directions for the Calendar House Senior Center in the past nine months.

Brumback said: “The revitalization of our center is impressive. The enthusiasm of the member citizens and their willingness to volunteer their diverse life experience and skills have been a huge factor in the development of a new road to the future. They have defined specific areas to study and established concrete goals.”

Add captioC. Mark White at Calendar House 

Research gathered by C. Mark White, a Senior Advisory Commissioner and V.P. of Calendar House Membership Association is a part of the view of the term. “The 2010 census reported 13,364 people aged 55+ in Southington, 31% of the total population. Today, in 2013, it’s up to 33% of the town population who now eligible for Calendar House membership”.

Demographic forecasts show that “baby-boomers” will push senior population to 17,470 by end of 2027, or 41% of the town. This means seniors would outnumber parents of the town’s school children! White said: “The coming senior generation is of a different culture, and as it grows, it’s predictable that they will be vocal and have expectations of service as strong as current school parents.”

Peter Freeman, President of
Calendar House Membership Assn.

Peter Freeman, President of CHMA and member of the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission, said: “We’ve made great strides in past months working with the commission since it became an advisory body to Calendar House. A huge benefit is the formation of a Dial-A-Ride Bus Audit Team of Ed Pocock, Jr, Mark White and me. Scheduling transportation for seniors to appointments is more efficient. Office staff does the scheduling rather than bus drivers, freeing them to do what they do best: drive buses. Overtime is reduced and work allocated equitably. Since last August the team continues to meet every six weeks.”

Dial-A-Ride Bus

White added, “We’ve set up an electronic data system combining records of members and bus riders which will enable us to efficiently manage the service. GPS loggers now track bus operations, which will provide invaluable routing data.”

A tour with Secretary Cynthia Gilbert presents the recent updating of the facility’s interior, freshly re-painted with enhanced wall décor, upgrades in restrooms and kitchen and the addition of a warmly decorated new mini-lounge. There are two Internet-accessed computers for the use of seniors and a new electronic bulletin board displayed on a large monitor in the foyer. “Volunteers did the work; material was donated or purchased at deep discounts with minimal costs covered by budget.” Gilbert said, adding that another committee of volunteers has been working with her and Executive Director, Bob Verderame for a few months with an outside vendor on a newly design lively format for the center’s new monthly newsletter. First edition will reach all Southington residences and businesses very soon.

Cliff Snow, a commissioner and CHMA Board member drafted an updated set of by-laws for the Advisory Commission. Program Coordinator, Sharyn Murphy is working with volunteers researching newer ideas for activities and places to go for seniors who like taking such trips.

A most exciting undertaking, proposed by Brumback last fall, is a long term needs study. “We must have a vision that assesses the services and uses of our senior center today along with research that explores projections 5 to 10 years forward and a strategy for getting there and how to fund it. The staff, seeing that they are being held accountable, has stepped up their energy, enthusiasm and productivity in a positive spirit of cooperation with seniors and the commission.”

As the Town Council addresses the status of the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission next week, it is imperative that they understand and consider the outstanding achievements at next Tuesday's council meeting. In collaboration with Calendar House management, staff and the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission, Senior members themselves have energetically contributed to major changes in the past nine months. The results deserve nothing less than their sincere thanks and unanimous and swift action to empower the coalition continue to forge the way for future generations of the 55+ age group without delay!

An SOS on How to Help Tornado Victims of Moore, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Needs Help!

Just in ... article on Southington.Patch this morning... how social action groups, organizations and individuals can help support the folks in Oklahoma damaged by the devastating tornadoes.

Yes, we can help  ...

Click on the following link ...
how-to-help-the-tornado-victims-of-moore-oklahoma

A Vintage Doll House is Magically Transformed to a Sparkling New Doll House for a Little Girl Soon to Receive it as a Gift

Touching the lives of many people in a suburban Connecticut community is a heart-warming true story of a decades old, but much treasured, doll house that had been aging idly without a little girl's care for years. The late Cliff Smith of Pompton Plains, NJ, had designed and constructed the two and a-half story doll house with meticulous care some 40 years ago. His wife, Doris Smith, furnished it and they presented it to their daughter who later passed it on to her daughter.

Eight years ago, Mrs. Smith, now 85, moved from her life-long home in New Jersey to her present home in Highland Hill Condominiums in Plantsville, a friendly village within the Town of Southington, CT. where the doll house continued to age in the solitude of the attic until a few months ago when she was with her neighbor, close friend and companion. Doris told Grace she had taken the doll house down to the garage but get herself to commit it to the trash but instead wondered how it might be cleaned up and given to a little girl who might not be likely to receive a doll house.

Through her neighbor, Janet Mellon, Director of Southington Community Services, was told the story and immediately loved the idea which was taken to local artist Mary DeCroce who was equally excited about redecorating and saving the house from a worse doom. DeCroce came up with another idea of offering it as an art project to the Art Club of Saint Dominic School where she is the art teacher. Principal Patricia M. Tiezzi enthusiastically endorsed the plan as did the 17 students in the Art Club. The doll house had some fixing up to do which was done by Mike Hodgins assisted by Dennis at the Calendar House Senior Center and given to DeCroce so that the refurbishing might be complete.

Five weeks later, on May 14, 2013, the Art Club of St. Dominic School and their art teacher, presented the almost magically transformed vintage doll house to Mellon.

The photo shows the students surrounding the new Magic Doll House with (L. to R.), Mellon and DeCroce standing on the left in the back. On the left, behind the kids are: (L. to R.), Tiezzi, Grace Fortunato and Doris Smith.

Magic Doll House Refurbished by the Art Club of
St. Dominic School
Photography courtesy of Paul Dinnean

The Art Club students listed by grade are:  3rd Grade—Anthony Penisse,  Olivia Textiera, Maddie Napierski, Grinffin Prushinski, Charlene Weavwer and Joshua Zatulski. 4th Grade:  Allison Rembish, Julia Panerella, Katie LaCluyze, Rachel Carbone and Sarah Sisto. 5th Grade: Olivia Bates, Isa Miani, Katie D’Agostino, Kate Hardy and Theresa Cusson.

At the presentation, the children proudly recited the story of the rebirth of the Magic Doll House from start to finish to Mellon and all gathered.

Mellon thanked the children and told them that their gift will be part of a special items auction following the Unique Boutique sale and Dinner on Monday evening, May 20th at the Aqua Turf. All proceeds of the event will be used to help the Southington Food Pantry buy food for our local hungry.

Doris felt joy to see her fairy tale wish come true and she brings a ray of sunshine as a volunteer worker at First Congregational Church, Bread for Life, Church Women United and Calendar House. She also visits shut-ins regularly and is the official Sunshine Lady at Highland Hill Condominiums.

Thanks to photographer Paul Dinnean who volunteered his services for the photos of the event.

Now, can you imagine the look on the face of the little girl who receives this sparkling new Magic Doll House, a gift of so many hearts.

“Love is the Lesson, Life is the School” - A Connecticut Bumper Sticker.

Busy and sometimes stressful times in the lives of parents and kids may open our eyes to the wise lesson of this essay right out of the family book of life.



Deadlines to meet, spring cleaning, change of seasonal wardrobes, school, sports, final exams, projects due, graduations, never ending laundry , meal preparation, messy kitchens, spring allergies and job pressures, the continuing spiral can tax the limits of coping.

Fr. Simon Devereaux,
Legion of Christ
Cheshire, CT

Taking another look, however, it's actually a great time of year to turn these challenges into an opportunity to practice how to love. -Think about it ... "we have one life to get it down!"

Presented today on The Quest for Common Ground with sincere thanks for these thoughts to the"Mustard Seeds" and blessings of Fr Simon Devereaux, Legion of Christ, Cheshire, CT.

A New Presence in the Southington Faith Community: Rev. Sharon Holt

For the past several years, the First Baptist Church of Southington has been without a permanent  pastor since the retirement of Rev. David Strohsahl who had served and inspired the congregation as its pastor for more than twenty years. Interim Pastor, The Rev.Jerrie Matney led the congregation for the next three years.

A few days after Easter Sunday this year, arriving on the scene as the new pastor of the First Baptist Church of Southington, was Rev. Sharon Holt who received a very warm welcome by the members of her new congregation, many of whom have expressed their joy to have her in their midst as their spiritual leader. Longstanding members of the congregation Shirley Mason, Bev Tooley, Robin Michel and Darlene Steele echoed the praises of many who were pleased to say that their new pastor had quickly won their hearts.

Sharon Holt was born in Boston, grew up in Westood, MA and is the youngest of three children. At age 13, she found her way to an American Baptist Church and became active in their Baptist Youth Fellowship. Her journey in faith led her to a commitment to Christ as her Lord and Savior, and her public proclamation of faith through the baptism of believers.

At the young age of 14, Holt received God's call to pastoral ministry and led her to the pre-seminary program at Gordon College, Wenham, MA. Her major study in Philosophy included electives in theology, church history and biblical Greek language. Post graduation, Holt took a position at Harvard College to help repay her student loans. Working in Admissions and Financial Aid, Holt later became an Administrator in a Harvard undergraduate house where she recalls many happy years working with students.

While at Harvard, she was accepted in a university graduate program and earned a Master's in Counseling and Consulting Psychology. She was also active in a variety of leadership positions in several American Baptist Churches in Massachusetts. Sharon Holt was ordained at the North Taunton Baptist Church in 1999. There she served as an Associate Pastor and later at the First Baptist Church of Hingham, later answering God's call to full-time ministry. In 2003, Holt was recognized as an ordained minister by The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts and of the United States. From April 2004 through March 2013 Holt was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Methuen, MA.

With a heart for mission, both domestic and international; Holt has co-directed a faith based homeless shelter in N. Taunton, served at the University Lutheran Shelter in Cambridge, MA, worked in urban area soup kitchens and has been on mission trips to Honduras. Pastor Sharon Holt now lives in Southington with her two cats, Bathsheba & Henry David. She enjoys reading, theater, movies and travel and is a lively conversationalist on a range of topics.

Though Holt's education is sound and she is a structured thinker, her approach to basic life questions seems to be grounded in simplicity rather than philosophically complicated meanderings. For example, asked how she might answer someone who feels disconnected with God and wants to know how to pray, Holt said: "Well, I start my prayer by saying 'Lord,"and then I tell him what is my mind and I end the conversation with "Amen". How would you tell people how to know if God is answering? "God always answers, (in what follows), generally you might say there are four kinds of answers to listen for: 'Yes', 'No', 'Not now, maybe later', or 'I have a better idea!'" Amen to that.

Rev. Sharon Holt eagerly looks forward to working in her new congregation.