Story and Photos by Karen A. Avitabile

“AT TIMES, THE LORD TESTS OUR FAITH BY WAITING AWHILE BEFORE HE ANSWERS. WHEN OUR PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED IMMEDIATELY, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PRAY, PERSEVERE AND ASK HIM QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND TO THE SITUATION NEEDING HEALING. I FOUND I NEEDED TO STEP OUT IN FAITH AND TELL HIM HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM, AND THAT NO MATTER HOW THINGS TURNED OUT, I WOULD ALWAYS LOVE HIM.” – Theresa Hahn in her Spiritual Food for Thought column, The Rose & Candle

A special magazine, which serves as an extension of a church bulletin in Granby, allows contributions by anyone who wants to express their “thoughts and feelings” about God, their faith and spiritual ministries.

Titled The Rose & Candle, the quarterly magazine published by St. Therese Parish was the brainchild of a group of parishioners some 20 years ago who wanted to communicate with parishioners in a different way.

“I’ve always liked the idea of communications and being open to others’ thoughts and feelings,” says Deborah H. Klotzman, a founding staff member of the volunteer magazine, who also serves as its graphic designer. “It is an extension of information included in the bulletin.”

The eight-member staff, parishioners and the pastor, Father William Agyemang, usually write content in the 10-page magazine. “It is important that we have input from the pastor,” Klotzman says, adding that the magazine gives him an opportunity to address a particular theme in each issue.

The magazine, which is printed at the parish office, can be picked up at the all entrances of the church and will soon be available online.

The original name of the magazine, St. Theresa Newsletter, was later changed to The Rose & Candle to represent St. Theresa Parish and also St. Bernard Parish, which has since closed and merged into St. Theresa Parish. The Rose & Candle namesake is significant to both parishes.

“St. Teresa of Lisieux is known by roses, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux is the patron saint of candlemakers,” Klotzman says.

As editor of The Rose & Candle, Theresa “Terry” Hahn is able to combine her love of writing with her strong faith background. She has taken courses in spiritual writing and is a past editor of a Marriage Encounter publication.

In her parish, Hahn is a member of the Ladies Guild. She has also served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and was involved in the Charismatic Renewal ministry program.

“I love sharing my faith and showing what the Lord is saying to help their spirituality,” Hahn says. “I like to be active wherever I can possibly be.”

Some regular columns in The Rose & Candle include: the pastor’s column referred to as Father William’s Desk; Children’s Corner; Saint of the Month; and Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Hahn.

“I try to let the Holy Spirit take over,” Hahn says of her column. “What is it Jesus wants us to think about?”

Content in The Rose & Candle often emphasizes stewardship, a parish ministry, recipes, poems, religious quotations and parish calendars.

Copies of The Rose & Candle are available in St. Therese Parish, 120 West Granby Road, Granby, and will be available online soon by visiting stpgranby.org. For more information, call the parish office at 860.653.3371.