A Season of Spiritual Growth for Many

Introducing Spirituality and Faith 

During the current Christian season of Lent culminating in the early April holy week leading up to Easter, (April 5), and the concomitant high days of the Jewish Passover season, (starting April 3), the faithful of the Christian-Judeo traditions customarily prioritize this season and turn-out in great numbers to celebrate their religious services, masses and various spiritual rites.

In that spirit, Southington Heartbeat is attempting to bring you faith reflections from spiritual leaders of various denominations, beginning with the below post. Hopefully, it is just the first post of others to come during this season. We invite spiritual leaders in Southington to contact us about posting a spiritual reflection of their own which we will attempt to post on an approximately weekly basis.  

The focus of Southington Heartbeat, remains, as stated in the right panel, and summarized in the banner.. a personal journey of discovery of the caring and proud spirit of the people of Southington. 

Coming to St. Dominic Church in March

The St. Dominic Parish of the Future Education Committee has two particularly interesting presentations coming up this month:

Special Lenten Program

A presentation on Thursday, March 12, 2015 from 7 to 8:30 pm, entitled, Standing on Holy Ground, will be held in the St. Dominic Community Learning Center on the school campus.

Kathy M. Irr

Leading the program will be speaker, Kathy M. Irr, an experienced retreat leader, spiritual director and author of Ordinary Awakenings, a book aimed at the discovery of the treasures in personal ordinary experiences. Irr's sense of humor and down to earth approach in life experiences inspires a greater sense of God's presence and spiritual transformation in each person's life. Irr's books, note cards and journals will be available for purchase and she will also sign books.

The St. Dominic Parish of the Future Education unit is a ministry dedicated to bringing interesting speakers, writers, poets, teachers, etc., to the community to inspire, uplift and deepen personal faith and spirituality.  Admission is free and all are welcome.

An Evening of Reflection in Poetry and Song

The evening of Tuesday, March 17th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary of St. Dominic Church in Southington promises to be another of the much appreciated return visits of Fr. Henry C. Frascdore, former pastor of St. Dominic Church (1997-2008). Fr. Henry's selected readings from his just published collection of poetry, entitled Harmony, will be blended with the spiritual vocal interludes of Still Small Voice. 

Dr. Patricia Joyce, a member of the Parish of the Future committee and Still Small Voice said: "Lent opens spiritual reflections on who we are and who we are called to be.  That requires time set apart, a sacred space."

Still Small Voice is a group of six women who use their talents, ministry of music and song together with the poetic readings of Fr. Henry C. Frascadore. "Whether about the gospels or a walk in the park with his dog, Ramsey, the author's work is infused with a profound spirituality that resonates with readers and listeners in a poetry and song presentation that offers praise, thanksgiving, healing and hope.   Copies of Fr. Frascadore's new book will be available for sale following the presentation. He will be pleased to sign them and offer a paw print of Ramsey's as well. A CD of the poet-priests new book will be available for a free will offering. If you wish to pick up an advance copy of the author's latest poetry collection,

Fr. Henry C. Frascadore
A fall walk in the park with Ramsey

Harmony, it is available at the gift shops of the Bradley Campus of The Hospitals of Central Connecticut in Southington, Holy Family Monastery and Retreat House in Farmington and St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. It will be available on Amazon within the next week or so.    

E. Richard Fortunato is a freelance writer, columnist and community service advocate following a professional business career in corporate marketing. e-mail erfortunato@att.net.