Reverend Monsignor Joseph V. King Anniversary Banquet September 29,1979

When Monsignor O'Brien invited me to speak at this One Hundredth Anniversary Dinner, he proposed that I dwell on the first ninety years and he would take care of the last ten. It struck me as an unequal distribution of labor, but I agreed. I rely, however, on the judicial fairness of Judge Moran to see to it that for every nine minutes I occupy this rostrum, Monsignor O'Brien will be allowed one minute. Furthermore, I want it clearly understood that, appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, my memory does not go back to the beginnings of this cathedral. It just seems that way because I have been around this neighborhood a long time. I do have personal recollections that go back almost a third of that time, and I want to share them with you.

Before I do that, it is only right and just that all of us pay tribute to the intrepid band of Catholics who, under the bold leadership of Father Daniel Mullen, marched up Broadway to break ground on this spot. They had dared to purchase land on Broadway, and they proceeded to make an impossible dream come true. It boggles the mind to think about that small band of laborers' families having the audacity, the Imagination and the foresight, to raise against the Norwich sky the soaring towers of this superb and sturdy structure. Certainly among the testaments of faith produced by Catholic immigrants to America, this majestic church can take Its proud place. And, equally astonishing, in a little over thirty years the entire debt for the construction and furnishing was paid off and the church consecrated. It is an incredible story of faith and love.

As time passed the parish grew, and a distinguished series of pastors presided as shepherds, ably assisted by devoted assistants among the clergy and religious.

Incidentally, as long ago as 1904, the Norwich Bulletin carried the news that the Diocese of Hartford was to be divided and St. Patrick's Church was to be the cathedral of the new Diocese of Norwich. Well, as we all know, Rome moves slowly and it took Rome nearly fifty years to catch up to the Norwich Bulletin.

During the pastorate of Monsignor Michael May, the fiftieth anniversary of the church dedication was celebrated, and there are many still alive who remember that happy occasion. My own memory of persons and events goes back to the latter days of Father Alexander Mitchell's pastorate because of my friendship with Father Bernard McGurk, of fond memory to all. Now many a pastor has raised the roof over the bizarre antics of his curates, but Father Mitchell literally raised the roof of the rectory for the benefit of his curates, thus making the third floor a more comfortable and more pleasant home for them. Father Mitchell also did such a good job of remodeling this auditorium that it has stood the test of time for forty years.

Sorrow over the death of Father Mitchell gave way to rejoicing when it was learned that his successor was to be a well loved former curate of the parish, none other than the incomparable Monsignor John Reilly. When Monsignor Reilly was given his first pastoral assignment in 1935 to Saint Ann's in Hamden, I was given my Initial appointment as his first curate. So I had personal reasons for rejoicing that our paths would cross again. I remember the parish reception planned to welcome back Monsignor Reilly. The night of the affair witnessed one of the worst ice storms of the season. Traveling was extremely hazardous, and I debated with myself about making the trip from Voluntown to Norwich. The call of friendship, and the conviction that not many would venture out that evening, prompted me to take the risk. It was a slow trip. Safely arrived, I expected to see a handful of people in this hall; to my surprise and delight there were several hundred. That says something about Monsignor Reilly and about the people of this parish. I remember Monsignor Reilly telling the audience how happy he was to be "back home" and, in his inimitable style, saying that he "loved every stone in this building." With that, he had them in the hollow of his hand, and there they remained for the next dozen years.

Presiding at a liturgical celebration are Monsignor Thomas Mulcahy, Monsignor John J. Reilly, Most Reverend Patrick J. McCormick, Reverend Alfred Driscoll, Reverend Anthony Murphy and Reverend John Shugrue

I remember that during Monsignor Reilly's pastorate there went on a friendly but rather serious controversy between the pastor of St. Patrick Parish and the pastor of St. Mary Parish, the redoubtable Father George Donohue, as to which was the mother parish of Norwich, St. Mary or St. Patrick. Really there was no need of controversy because the facts are clear. There is no doubt but that St. Mary Parish was the first parish in Norwich. History attests to that. And there is no doubt but that Saint Mary Parish gave birth to Saint Patrick Parish. History attests to that. Unfortunately, in giving birth to St. Patrick Parish, St. Mary Parish died in childbirth. Thus the only parish from which other parishes could spring was St. Patrick's. And indeed, some years later, in January of 1898, a new parish was born in the city. It was called St. Mary, out of respect and reverence for its grandmother. Down through the years, St. Patrick Parish has mothered several parishes, including St. Joseph, Sacred Heart of Norwichtown, and SS. Peter and Paul.

I remember well the years when Fathers McGurk and Fox were curates to Monsignor Reilly. I was a frequent visitor. If I happened to be in town I could always get a free lunch at the rectory. I remember Father McGurk for the great CYO program he moderated with the help of Judge Moran, Judge Longo, Judge Driscoll, Attorney McKay, and others like them who faithfully sat at their respective tables in this hall every Monday night. I remember his habit of peering Into the pews as he walked the aisles. He was forever looking for someone he never found. I remember Father Fox sitting here before me tonight for several reasons and one amusing one. One summer evening he was returning to the parish in some haste to keep an appointment. His zeal led him to be unmindful of his speed and he was soon flagged down. The evening was warm and he had loosened his Roman collar which had fallen on his lap. The officer asked for his license, and as he fumbled for his wallet Father Fox said pleadingly, "I'm Father Fox." The officer eyed him askance and said, "I don't care if you're Mother Goose. Let me see your license."

I remember the first major renovation of this church which was underway in 1953 in preparation for the seventy-fifth anniversary of its dedication. In the midst of the extensive work came the gladsome news that Hartford and Bridgeport were being cut off from Norwich. A new diocese for Eastern Connecticut was established, and the Church of St. Patrick in Norwich was designated as the cathedral of the new diocese. Evidently someone in Rome had gotten hold of the 1904 edition of the Norwich Bulletin. So superbly had the renovation plans been envisioned and carried out, that to transform the church into a cathedral nothing more was needed than to add an Episcopal chair in the sanctuary.

I remember, as you do, the great joy that greeted the first bishop of our diocese, Bishop Bernard Flanagan. A boy from the hills of Vermont had made it to Broadway. Bishop Flanagan had the talent and the temperament to guide the infant diocese In its first steps. After an all-too-brief seven years he was transferred to Worcester - their gain, our loss. The diocese again was blessed in the caliber of its second bishop, Bishop Vincent J. Hines. Taking up where Bishop Flanagan left off, Bishop Hines fostered new parishes, new schools, and especially pioneered diocesan secondary education.

The ethereal beauty of the sanctuary is shown here at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan in teh 1950's

Fifteen years of untiring zeal and selfless devotion took their toll and prompted Bishop Hines to retire, as he said with typical humility, "for the good of the diocese." But Providence was still looking after the Diocese of Norwich, Divine Providence, I mean. And Divine Providence looked to the Diocese of Providence to find a new shepherd for our diocese. We are grateful to Providence in each instance. A brisk wind from the east wafted Bishop Daniel Reilly Into our midst, and there has been a gale (Gael) here ever since.

When I came to this parish in 1962 I found that I was inheriting the Boston Store, not the one downtown but the Boston Company of Fathers McNulty and O'Keefe. Outnumbered two to one I had to divide and conquer. I saw to it that Father McNulty's talents were recognized, and he was sent off to graduate school in Social Service; not long after, Father O'Keefe joined the Air Force and wound up in northern Japan. These two able assistants were followed by Fathers Fontaine, Boisvert, Davis, and Bride; all made my ten years here happy ones.

That brings us up to the present. Over a year ago Bishop Reilly formed a committee to oversee the renovation and remodeling of the cathedral according to the liturgical norms of Vatican II. The committee, under the chairmanship of Monsignor O'Brien, met a few times, and the broad outlines of the renovation were agreed upon. But the task of supervising, watching over, worrying over, making spot decisions about the renovations on a day to day basis fell on the shoulders of one man. Luckily, he has broad shoulders. I refer, of course, to your present pastor who put so much of himself into the finished product of which we are all so proud. In his pastoral ministry Monsignor O'Brien has been ably assisted by his devoted associates, Father Sylva LeCours and Father Tony Rosaforte.

Monsignor O'Brien reads from the missal during the centennial Mass of Thanksgiving on September 29, 1979. Father LeCours and Father Rosaforte are concelebrants.

I have mentioned briefly some of the priests who have served this parish, and given a respectful nod to the bishops who have graced this cathedral. Time does not permit recalling all the priests who labored here but I know that they live in your memory.

Neither Is It possible to pay adequate tribute to all the Sisters who over the post one hundred and seven years hove given such devoted service to this parish, beginning with Sister Mary Rose Maher and coming down to the likes of Sister Mary Mercia Cavanaugh over there -- though there have not been too many like her and perhaps it's just as well. About seven years ago I was happy to join with Bishop Hines, Monsignor O'Brien and the parish, in celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the coming of the Sisters of Mercy to Norwich. I remember it as another happy day in parish history.

But, of course, a parish is people, a parish history Is the history of its people, more so than of its priests and religious. The story of this parish is especially the story of the families who have lived within its boundaries for two, three, and four generations. It is recorded that the first sod of earth for the church foundation was turned over by one John Murphy; and down through the years there have been the Murphys and Morans, the Barrys and Brennans, the Driscolls, Donovons, and Duttons, the Englishes and Faheys, the Fannings and Finnegans, the Sheas and Sweeneys and Sullivans.

And so many more.

There have been the Leones and Longos, the Bellones and Perrones and Pedaces, the Jacarusos and Demiccos and Giallambardos, the Ruffos and Tramantozzis.

And so many more.

There have been the Fortins and Lemleuxs, the LaFontaines and St. Germaines, the Mathieus and Prunlers.

And so many more.

There have the Burzickis and Butrymowiczs, the Wisniewskis and Walskis and Kaminskis.

And so many more.

Among them I remember the indomitable Constanza Bellone. With her cohorts Mrs. Bellone ran her part of the parish in her own way, no matter who the pastor was. I remember the elderly William Disco, taking his summer evening stroll down Broadway, pausing to face the church with a gallant bow and doffing his hat in salute to his Lord. I remember the activities of the Italian Junior League, founded by the popular Father Thomas Garrick. The members are not so junior now, but are as lovely as ever.

Over the years this parish has produced more than twenty five vocations to the priesthood, including such outstanding sons as Monsignor Terrence Finnegan, Monsignor Anthony Murphy, and Monsignor Raymond LaFontaine here with us this evening along with another parish son, Father John Fanning. More than fifty young ladies of the parish have entered religious orders, nearly twenty-five joining the Sisters of Mercy.

So many years, so many tears - tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Nowadays we hear the Church referred to as the People of God, the Family of God. Every parish is the whole Church in miniature. Hence every parish is the People of God, the Family of God. I think that the main reason we can look back on happy memories of this parish is that it has always been a family, a happy family. There is no history of dissension or discord in this family, and in my own memory I can attest that the parish rectory has been a happy place, the parish convent has been a joyful house; and between priests and people, Sisters and people, there has always been a happy and warm and loving relationship. This has been a community of faith and a community of love as every family should be.

Looking for some suitable words with which to close this meandering address, I searched the records of other anniversaries to see what bishops and pastors had said. In spite of my natural modesty I discovered that no one else had said anything better than I had on the occasion of the ninetieth anniversary. So I would like to quote me:

As we celebrate joyfully the one hundredth anniversary of this majestic cathedral, let us pray that it will continue to be for generations to come the spiritual home of a happy family whose members will find here what we have found - grace and joy, peace and love, here in this "house of God and gate of heaven," this beautiful and majestic, this lovely and beloved Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick.

Principal celebrant of the Anniversary Mass was Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly, Bishop of Norwich. Concelebrants included Most Reverend Jean Jadot, Apostolic Delegate, Most Reverend Vincent J. Hines, retired Bishop of Norwich, Most Reverend John F. Whealon, Archbishop of Hartford, Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of Bridgeport, Most Reverend Louis E. Gelineau, Bishop of Providence, and Most Reverend Bernard J. Flanagan, Bishop of Worcester