Date: Fri 27-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

St-Rose-Rochambeau-history

Full Text:

St Rose Ceremony Marks Newtown's Link To Church History

(with photo)

A dedication ceremony and Mass was celebrated at St Rose Church on November

21, to commemorate the first Mass celebrated in Fairfield County during the

Revolutionary War.

Mass was celebrated by Monsignor George Birge, pastor, followed by the

dedication ceremony and placing of a plaque in the church by the Connecticut

Region Council of Caravans of the International Order of Alhambra.

Joining Msgr Birge in celebrating the Mass were Msgr Stephen DiGiovanni,

Diocese of Bridgeport historian, who is pastor of St John the Evangelist

Church in Stamford; Stanley Koziol, Connecticut region chaplain; Parochial

Vicar Rev Lawrence Larson; and Deacon Kenneth Stroud.

In his homily Msgr Birge spoke on the history of the plaque and how it

translated to giving thanksgiving for religious freedom.

The plaque notes that when Abbe Claude Robin, chaplain of Count de Rochambeau,

passed through Newtown with French forces during the Revolutionary War, the

first Mass was celebrated in the community. In recognition of that event, St

Rose of Lima Church was declared a national historic site by the International

Order of Alhambra.

Msgr DiGiovanni focused on the historical background of the event. He said the

plaque recalls an important struggle of the Catholic Church in America at the

time of the Revolution. He stressed how significant it was to have Mass said

in 1781, during the time that Catholics suffered much discrimination and

persecution in Fairfield County and were required to financially support the

established Congregational Church.

Connecticut Congressman James Maloney noted that Count Rochambeau was on his

way to Yorktown to be part of the victorious end of the Revolutionary War,

thus initiating the freedom enjoyed today.

The plaque was unveiled by Supreme Vizier Robert Edwards. Supreme Commander

Angelo Miele from Detroit presented the plaque to Msgr Birge.

The International Order of Alhambra is a fraternal organization of Catholic

men dedicated to assisting persons developmentally delayed by mental

retardation. The order's mission also is to identify, mark, preserve and

commemorate Catholic historical places, events and persons of international or

regional importance.