Remembering Bishop Connolly

Bishop Connolly preaching at the Cathedral in Baker City in 2008

Bishop Emeritus Thomas Connolly died today at Beaverton, Oregon at the age of 93. He served as the fourth Bishop of the Baker Diocese from 1971 to 2000. He was born in Tonopah, Nevada in 1922.

His funeral Mass will be held at the new St Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Bend on Thursday April 30 at 11 AM. A Vigil Service will be held at the same church on Wednesday April 29 at 5 PM. Another Funeral Mass will be held at the Cathedral in Baker City, where he will also be buried at Mount Hope cemetery. May God grant him eternal rest.

Thomas Joseph Connolly was born on July 18, 1922, in Tonopah, Nevada.  He attended St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Mt. View, California and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park.  After ordination on April 8, 1947, Fr. Connolly served briefly as an associate pastor and a high school teacher before his appointment in 1949 as secretary to Bishop Gorman.  Studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and at the Lateran University in Rome prepared him for a doctorate degree in 1952.  For the next 20 years he served as pastor at the Cathedral in Reno and of churches in Elko and Carson City.  Appointed to succeed Bishop Leipzig, he was ordained the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Baker on June 20, 1971.

Bishop Connolly's greatest challenge would be the earth-shaking changes in the Church brought on by the Second Vatican Council.  The establishment of a Priests' Council, an annual Presbyteral Assembly, a Sisters' Council and a Diocesan Pastoral Council with lay participation revealed the Bishop's accord with the Council's new view of the Church. 

Compared with Bishop Leipzig's era, the 70s were not to see extensive church construction in the Diocese.  Major building was replaced by renovation projects to bring the churches into compliance with the requisites of the liturgy and other renewal initiated by the Council.  Altars were turned around to make the Eucharist as a meal as well as a sacrifice more recognizable.  Confessionals were remodeled to allow face-to-face Reconciliation.  Interfaith Centers were created in a new spirit of openness to other Christian denominations.  Under his direction and that of Fr. Richard Groves, the DeSales Catholic Adult Education Video Program was produced and used in over 7,000 parishes in the country and internationally.  The program was rated the best Catholic Adult Program for 5 years.

From 1981 to 1993, church construction resumed, initiated by an extensive refurbishing of the Cathedral to bring it into accord with the liturgical directives of Vatican Council II.  Rededication ceremonies took place on April 28, 1981.  Seven new churches and halls were built within the Diocese.  In 1972, the Bishop established the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) as an instrument through which the laity, religious and clergy on its seven committees exercised their ministry against the backdrop of his belief in the need for shared responsibility among all the Diocese.  After strengthening the education of parents requesting the Baptism of their children, mandating a three month preparation for marriage, encouraging evangelization and suggesting that every parish establish a Parish Council, the DPC focused its energies on the development of lay ministry.

Bishop Connolly was deeply devoted to the promotion of family life, was deeply conscious of youth as the future of the Church, welcomed the "Latino" flock by scheduling regular Masses in Spanish, and establishing a program to assist undocumented immigrants to apply for citizenship, and ordained the first married permanent deacon for the Diocese which grew to 13 men in this office by 2003.

Maintaining to the end his vision of shared responsibility coupled with committed leadership and clarity of roles, Bishop Connolly left office in 1999, holding that the best mode of operation for the success of Christ's ministry is love.  He had succeeded in unifying the Diocese during a time of dire challenge and change.  It is estimated that he traveled more than a million miles by car, visiting parishes and missions.

During his tenure, he sought to solve problems through the introduction of innovative programs. Under his guidance, a major renovation of the Cathedral was accomplished, and the Chancery offices were moved to Bend on October 7, 1987.  Bishop Connolly served 29 years as the Bishop of Baker.

Stations around Town

12th Station - By McMenimans - the Old St Francis School

The Stations of the Cross were held around the town of Bend on March 31st.Here are some photos as well a the prayers I created for each station......please check also Fr Julian's blog at www.fatherjulian.blogspot.com for more photos.

1st Station – Inside the new Church – 27th street
Heavenly Father, as we start this walk with you, we remember here the many people who contributed to see this church being built between 2008 and 2009. We are grateful that through the sacrifice of so many, the people of Bend can finally attend in a spacious church where they can pray and attend Sunday Mass, besides other functions. We remember especially this year Fr Joe Reinig who coordinated its construction, and all those who contributed for half of its expense. Now we pray that the people will continue to help us pay the other half, through Christ our Lord.

2nd Station – At the Trinity Lutheran church.
Loving Father, we pray here as our neighbors at the Trinity Lutheran church gather with us to reflect on the unity of our Christian churches. Remind us to help and support one another in our Christian perspective of our faith, and as we collaborate with schools, community services and worship, may we reach out to those most in need in our community. We pray for all students in Christian schools that they will be role models for other students, and never feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about their faith.

3rd Station – On Route 97, close to Hobby Lobby
We pray here for all those people who come and browse and shop in these shopping centers, especially here at Hobby Lobby, where many come to search for items to add to their hobbies, crafts and other talents they have. We thank all those who are creative with their hands and minds, and as they share their talents and gifts, may we enjoy relaxing moments while improving our hobbies and pastimes.

4rd Station – Pregnancy Resource Center
We pray here for the many young women who come for advice as they carry a child and hope they can continue with their pregnancy, giving birth to a beautiful baby. We pray today for the millions of babies killed by abortion, and for their parents. We pray for those who are trying to conceive and have a child, and for children who yearn to have loving parents, as well as for those who have no one to love them. We pray in gratitude for the Knights of Columbus who raised the money to buy the sonogram machine a year ago.

5th Station - St Vincent de Paul Society
We pray here for the St Vincent de Paul Society and the benevolent work they do in our community.  We thank all those who volunteer their precious time to help out in this generous and giving place. We also pray for the many families and individuals who come here for help, for food, for any assistance, for comfort, for hope.

6th Station - Mount Bachelor Memory Care Center
We pray in one of our many Assisted Living and Nursing Homes in Bend, where many of our seniors retire after a long hard-working life. We thank all the dedicated nurses and caregivers who assist the elderly. As we appreciate the many years of hard work they gave to society, we cherish their wisdom and insight and experience. We remember all our elderly who are in other Nursing Homes, as well as the many veterans who have served our country for so many years.

7th Station - Red Cross & Blood Bank, at Old Mill District
We pray here at the Red Cross of Bend, where many people come to donate blood. We pray for the phlebotomists who draw blood and who travel to different places to organize blood drives, including in our own Community Center on December 31. And we pray for all the stores and cinema that serve so many people and visitors in this old Mill District. May everyone enjoy the views, sights and sounds.

8th Station - by the Episcopalian church

8th Station - Episcopalian Church
We pray here with our fellow Christian community, the Episcopal church, and as we continue to pray for church unity in our nation and our state, we hope that this is realized also here in Bend. As we support our Christian endeavor to help the needy and those lost in their own world, those still searching for God and those who deny Him. May we be true examples of a living faith that reaches out to them with kindness, compassion and love.

9th Station - By the Bend Public Library
We pray here by the Public Library where people come to browse through books, documents, the Internet and exchange books to read at home. As the use of books is diminishing with the invention of IPads, and Kindles etc, we pray in gratitude for all the authors that gave us these books over the years. May we show respect to all those who keep our libraries running smoothly, for the priceless service they give us in finding  a sought-after book, newspaper or document that may be out-of-print. Our gratitude goes to all the Librarians who keep everything in order so that we can always enjoy this important service.

10th Station - By Tower Theatre
We pray here where many people come for entertainment and shows, with family and friends. May the many performers, singers and actors present morally sound performances, as people attend to enjoy themselves and relax. We pray for the owners of the many stores in downtown Bend as they welcome visitors from other towns, states and countries. May we work together to preserve the quaint appearance of this historic area, and be welcoming to visitors and families who stop by to visit these stores.

11th Station - By City Hall

11th Station - By Bend City Hall
We pause now to pray for all the people who work in these important offices that control everything that our town plans and executes. As so many rules and regulations are implemented here, we hope and pray that people will always respect order and obey new laws imposed on them. We pray for the many city officials who work from here and the many others who keep order in our town, and may they always find collaboration and cooperation form all the city people.

12th Station - By McMenimans
We pray here where for over 70 years, many of our students were educated and formed.  As historic as this place is, we cherish and reminisce the many years that this place served to educate our future citizens of Bend and the state of Oregon.  And as it turned to McMenimans, we hope that people who visit and stay here will be treated with kindness while cherishing many happy memories of the school that it was.

13th Station - By the Rectory

13th Station - By the Rectory
We pray here before entering our historic church, and we pray for the two priests who live here, at least at night. We pray for all those who have lived here in the past, Friars and Capuchins as well as Sisters who ran the St Francis School over the past 80 years. We pray for those who visit the rectory, either for counseling or for any other type of help. And as the priests relax here, enjoying some free time, doing watercolors, or oil painting, checking e-mails and preparing homilies and talks, as well as cooking Maltese and Indian food, may they enjoy each other’s company and feel refreshed to serve their parishioners all throughout the year.

14th Station - Inside the historic church

14th Station - In the historic church
We pray in this church, built in 1920, celebrating its centennial within the next 5 years. We pray as we conclude the Stations around Town today, in the same church where the Blessed Sacrament is adored every day from Monday to Friday. We pray where daily Mass is twice celebrated here, and we thank all the faithful parishioners who rain or shine or snow, are here every day to worship and pray. After visiting the various landmarks in our ever growing town, we end here as prepare for the Holy Triduum, praying for the new converts, those to be received into full communion, and those to be baptized. We adore you o Christ and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Thank you all for joining us – Father Julian Cassar