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Notices for Parishes

Fr. John R. Fortin, O.S.B. to Serve as Superintendent of Catholic Schools

We are pleased to announce that Bishop Peter A. Libasci has appointed Fr. John R. Fortin, O.S.B. to serve as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Manchester. Fr. John will join the diocesan staff on Monday, June 3, 2013.

Fr. John professed vows as a monk of Saint Anselm Abbey in 1970. He graduated with a degree in philosophy from Saint Anselm College and pursued theological studies at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, MA, prior to his ordination to the priesthood in 1976. Fr. John holds a master's degree in the Great Books from St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM and a master's degree and a doctorate in medieval studies from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.

Following his ordination, he was assigned to Woodside Priory School in California, where he was a teacher and then served as headmaster. Since 1981, he has served at Saint Anselm College in many capacities: on the Campus Ministry staff, on the Residential Life staff, as Dean of Students, as a member of the Governing Board and Board of Trustees, and as a member of numerous college committees and task forces. He served on the Diocese of Manchester Presbyteral Council, chaired the Diocesan Task Force on Education and Formation in 2003-04, served as a member of the Diocesan School Board, and served on the Board of Advisors for Trinity High School. He is the founding director of the Institute for Saint Anselm Studies at Saint Anselm College and is a professor in the Philosophy Department. He has published several books and articles in scholarly journals, and given presentations at professional conferences on a variety of medieval subjects. He also preaches retreats and days of recollection for clergy, religious communities, schools, and parishes.

We wish to express our deep gratitude to Very Rev. Dennis J. Audet, VF, who has served as Interim Superintendent of Schools since August 2012, in addition to his many other responsibilities as Dean of the Lakes Region Deanery and as pastor of St. Charles Parish. Fr. Dennis has been a passionate and devoted supporter and leader of Catholic schools for many years and has generously offered his time and his talents to promote Catholic education.

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Mary Ellen Mahon Appointed Cabinet Secretary for Catholic Formation

We are pleased to announce that Bishop Peter A. Libasci has appointed Mary Ellen Mahon to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Catholic Formation. Mary Ellen has been serving as an Interim Cabinet Secretary since June 2012.

The Secretariat for Catholic Formation serves to encourage, promote, support, and strengthen the goals and objectives of the Secretariat for Formation and its responsibility to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of God in the Diocese of Manchester through Christian formation. Specifically, the Cabinet Secretary supervises and directs all departments of the Secretariat for Formation, including lay ministry formation, adult spirituality and devotional life, Catholic lay movements, catechumenate, marriage ministry, young adult ministry, ecumenical/interreligious affairs, pastoral associates and pastoral ministers, religious education (through grade 12), parish directors and coordinators of religious education, youth ministry, campus ministry (high school and college), Catholic Youth Organization, Catholic scouting, and diocesan camps. The position also serves as a liaison to the Catholic home school community and a board member of the diocesan camps and Aquinas at Dartmouth, Inc.

Mary Ellen’s appointment is effective February 25, 2013.

In Memory of Jack Bolieau

Long-time member of the diocesan family, Jack Bolieau, passed away on Tuesday, February 19. Jack recently celebrated his 40th anniversary at the diocese, having served under five bishops. In addition to his work in maintenance, most recently as maintenance coordinator, Jack was a storehouse of knowledge about the diocese and its buildings.

Jack is survived by his wife, Maggie. Jack is also survived by his father, Amos, his step-mother, Mary, and several brothers and sisters. Amos worked many years at St. Joseph Cathedral parish. Calling hours will be at McHugh Funeral Home, corner of Hanover and Beech Streets, Manchester, on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Bishop John B. McCormack will celebrate a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral Parish on Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Rev. John S. Sledziona, CM Appointed 
Cabinet Secretary for Ordained Ministry and Liturgical Worship

We are pleased to announce that Bishop Peter A. Libasci has appointed Rev. John S. Sledziona, CM to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Ordained Ministry and Liturgical Worship. 

The Secretariat for Ordained Ministry and Liturgical Worship is responsible for overseeing the formation of those men preparing for ordained ministry and the continuing formation and support of those serving in ordained ministry in the diocese. Specifically, the Cabinet Secretary supervises and directs all departments of the Secretariat for Ordained Ministry and Liturgical Worship, including Priestly Life and Ministry, Vocations, Office of Permanent Diaconate, Seminary Formation, Permanent Diaconate Formation, and Office of Worship. The Cabinet Secretary also oversees Institutional Ministries and works with the Vicar for Clergy who assists in identifying and obtaining the necessary background screening and canonical documents for priests to serve in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.

Father Sledziona’s appointment is effective January 7, 2013. 

Central Administration Announcement

The Diocese of Manchester announces a restructuring of its central administration to integrate its risk management function from a separate, discrete function, to an indistinguishable part of our work and ministry. Under this new approach, risk assessment is a continuous activity, and everyone who works or volunteers for the Church is involved in avoiding, anticipating, and preventing unavoidable risk. READ MORE.