A fervent long-time supporter of the Traditional Mass and, until very recently, a member of St. Mary Church, Norwalk, Barbara Rickman passed away suddenly on Wednesday, August 21. A Solemn Requiem Mass will be offered on Thursday, August 29 at 11 am at the Oratory of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Bridegport, CT. Fr. Richard Cipolla will be celebrant. David Hughes will direct the music.

A resident of Naugatuck, Barbara made the long journey to attend the Traditional Mass at St. Mary Norwalk from the time it was first on the schedule in 2007. Prior to that, she attended the Traditional Mass when it was at St. Mary, Stamford. A woman with a deep knowledge and love of Catholic Tradition and a strong prayer life, Barbara’s last words, at least to me, were about prayer. She wrote in an email on the morning of her death that she would be praying for St. Mary’s Church along with a rosary group that would meet that evening, even though she could not attend in person. “I shall do what Our Lord has asked me to do and that is pray for all of your efforts tonight at the Parish Council meeting.” I  am sure that she did pray.

We extend our sympathy to her husband of 35 years, Robert Rickman, her father Euga Jackson, and her two sons Chris and Brian.

—Jill Chessman

From the Island of Mauritius to Manhattan Island – Canon Jean Marie Moreau of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest returns to Holy Innocents parish Wednesday evening.

Please join us for a Holy Hour August 31st at 8 am, following 7:30 Mass at St Ladislaus in Hempstead, NY. The Holy Hour will feature traditional Exposition and Benediction during Adoration, along with a short reflection by Fr Mariusz and confessions. A reception will follow–all are welcome!

Viri Galilaei, an ensemble of Catholic men from the tristate area, are delighted to sing Vespers at 7 pm on Wednesday, August 21st at St. Pius X Church, Fairfield, CT. August 21st is the feast of St. Pius X in the new calendar, and St. Jane Frances de Chantal in the traditional calendar. Vespers is the evening prayer in the Divine Office of the Church, sung every night the world over. It consists of five psalms, a hymn, and the Magnificat, the canticle of Our Lady. Please join us!

A special thanks for Fathers Kachuba and Iannacone for hosting Viri Galilaei. We would not want to see this wonderful group disappear. They have done so much to promote the singing of chant at many churches in the area and up to now have sung vespers at St. Mary Norwalk every first Sunday of the month.