I am happy to welcome you today as we commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. Together we gather to celebrate a milestone in the life of Norwich and the diocese, and in the lives of each one of us who attend this beautiful edifice. We have also come to celebrate the future of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, for the past is as surely tied up with the future. Our history, which forms us, is a connection we cannot forget.

Edmund Burke once wrote, "People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors." We remember today not our works so much as the faith, works, and love of those who came before us. They honored God, His Son Jesus, our Blessed Mother, His saints, and all the fullest riches of our Catholic traditions.

We cannot but admire this majestic church, which is a jewel in Connecticut's crown. It had its beginning in the heart, soul, mind and dreams of Norwich's first Catholic priest, Father James Fitton in 1835. Inspired by his ideals and aspirations, the parishioners of Saint Mary Church in the Greenville section of Norwich gave the church a wonderful birthday on April 7, 1871. Since its beginnings, St. Patrick's has been a refuge and a haven for Catholics in eastern Connecticut.

Beginning in 1953, we have had five bishops at Saint Patrick's, each one indelibly stamping his personality and spirituality on the building, the congregation, and the entire population of the diocese.

Our first bishop was Bernard Flanagan. When he came to Norwich, St. Patrick's Church was elevated to the status of a cathedral. Things changed, but this stayed the same: that the Catholic laity was faithful, remaining ardent in their love of Christ, passionate in their desire to serve the Lord, and open to the new ways, while always reserving the right to speak their minds respectfully. The core strength in Saint Patrick's is the faith that holds true to our Creator, our Savior, the Holy Spirit, and our Blessed Mother. We turn to Saint Patrick with our prayers for his intercession and care for us all. That has not changed over the years.

When Bishop Vincent Hines came to Saint Patrick's he little knew what changes he would face. There was turmoil in America, and it reached every corner of this diocese, as it did throughout the United States: Vietnam, civil rights marches, and feminism. Changes also came to the Church through Vatican II. The priest turned to face the people and Mass was said in a strange language -- English!

All the changes had different levels of importance, but all these changes needed to be addressed, especially in a country where the media were thrusting microphones and cameras into everyone's faces and much of the world's business took place front and center on TV. Through it all Bishop Hines was an optimist. He trusted in God to handle, straighten out, and lead with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He did face the many difficulties, which would arise, but he also initiated a new springtime for the faithful. His pride and joy was his participation in Vatican II's deliberations.

Following Bishop Hines, Monsignor Paul St. Ornge was administrator of the diocese until Bishop Daniel Reilly was appointed as the Shepherd of the Norwich Diocese. Bishop Reilly had unending enthusiasm and energy, and loved to see the Church on the move. Ministries were formed and the program, which we know as the Annual Bishop's Appeal, was initiated. Through this annual collection, millions of dollars have been raised for the ministries and charities so necessary for helping others in the Diocese. The success of this venture was due primarily to Bishop Reilly's concern for the poor. Bishop Reilly also signed the Covenant among the Episcopalian Lutheran Roman Catholic Church to encourage unity and pray for one another.

The dedicated members of religious orders and the wonderful blend of parishioners and friends of Saint Patrick's formed the life of this cathedral parish. The Diocesan Synod, the Four County Catholic newspaper and many other ministries and works enabled the mother church of the diocese to move forward.

Monsignor Thomas Bride administered the work of the diocese until Bishop Daniel Hart arrived to shepherd us. Bishop Hart was tall, and he spoke with a very strange accent -- Bostonian! He won the hearts of the people with his pastoral leadership and obvious devotion to Christ and to His Church.

What an incredible blessing was given when Bishop Hart received the proclamation when Saint Patrick's Cathedral was designated as a Jubilee 2000 church, a place where the faithful could visit and receive the indulgence of the Holy Year. Did we ever dress this beautiful building in elegance and spiritual humility and to receive the pilgrims who traveled here! God's grace filled this cathedral and we were blessed that we could participate in that Jubilee year in such a fashion. Bishop Hart also signed a covenant with the Archdiocese of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. His support of the immigrant Haitians in Norwich is an example of Christian love, which is an inspiration to others.

Now we are at the present day, here in Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Our Bishop, some still say "our new Bishop," Bishop Michael Cote arrived in the year of our Lord, 2003. He is a bishop dedicated to the rights of all people: young, old, unborn, ill or disenfranchised in any way. He is a Bishop who wants to see evangelization among the Church's members, as well as among others who seek the truth and need a stronger hope filled belief in God.

Bishop Cote is leading us through new growth and change but the message is the same: love God and love others. His outreach exposes many other people to the liveliness and the contemporary nature of the Church, yet always holding true to the doctrine and the teaching, which are always unchanging and unchangeable. Bishop Cote seems to have unlimited energy and is interested in every aspect of the diocese. His obvious care for the people of the parish -- St. Patrick and the whole diocese, is evident through his concern for all the issues, which face us today. He appeals to all: the young and the old and addresses their concerns through meetings, pastoral letters and primarily through the preaching of the Word and celebration of the Eucharist. As we read Bishop Cote's motto: "Above All Charity" we see in it the man who has come to lead us in this new millennium with compassion and grace.

I have mentioned some people who have made this cathedral and this diocese into a strong representation of Catholic faith and works. Every generation has had many people who worked and served to make this place holy and welcoming. It is these men, women and children, religious and laity, leaders and teachers, congregation and visitors to this Cathedral who have made it strong and have weathered the variety of changes that have occurred over the past 125 years. We realize that this structure as lovely as it is, is not the Church. The people themselves are the Church -- the Body of Christ. We are strong and we are celebrating an important anniversary because we have the help of Christ every step of the way. He blesses us.

Let us all share in this celebration. Happy 125^th anniversary St. Patrick's and may God bless you with many, many more!