For Immediate Release
Contact: Maria Zone
Office of Communications
134 Farmington Ave.
Hartford, CT 06105
860-541-6491 or 860-335-0836

The annual Archdiocesan Respect Life Mass will take place on October 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford.

A highlight of the Mass is the presentation by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of the Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Medals, which are given to persons who have demonstrated commitment to the protection of all human life.  This year’s awardees are:

  • The Reverend Lawrence Symolon – He is pastor of St. John of the Cross in Middlebury. Born in New Haven, Fr. Symolon attended public schools and entered St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT, and then Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y.  He was ordained a priest in 1975, and has served in several parishes during his 43 years of priesthood. During his time as pastor of Holy Angels Church in Meriden, he worked closely with the Pro-Life Committee in planning the annual Respect Life Conference, which draws hundreds of people from throughout the state to hear renowned speakers, who address a variety of topics concerning respect life concerns. Fr. Symolon is presently pastor of St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury, CT.

 

  • Virginia Baudinet – As co-founder of Carolyn’s Place Pregnancy Care Center in Waterbury, she has spent the last 13 years on its board of directors, including three years as board chairman. Carolyn’s Place opened in 1992.  She was instrumental in the purchase of a permanent home for Carolyn’s Place. For more than a decade, with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, she has organized the Carolyn’s Place Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, a fundraising celebration for the Carolyn’s Place pro-life mission. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from SUNY Geneseo, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Virginia. She taught special education in New York, Arizona, and Wisconsin. She and her husband, Charlie, raised five children and are members of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Watertown. In addition to her work at Carolyn’s Place, she spends most of her free time on “grandma duty” spending time with her seven grandchildren, including 22-month-old quintuplets.

 

  • Roberta Tuttle – Roberta Tuttle attended Sacred Heart High School in Hamden and Fairfield University, where she majored in psychology with an emphasis in biology. Giving some thought to pre-med, it was a surprise when she pursued a career in journalism. She joined the staff of The Catholic Transcript as a freelancer in 2000. Demonstrating her skill and ability as a proficient writer and communicator, she quickly rose through the ranks becoming the managing editor of the newspaper the following year. In addition, she would become the web editor, as well. Through her work and outreach over the last 17 years at the Transcript, she faithfully presented the mission and pro-life message of the Catholic Church to the people of the Archdiocese of Hartford. She and her husband live in New London and have a son. Mrs. Tuttle recently retired from The Catholic Transcript Magazine on September 30th.

 

Following the presentation of the medals, Archbishop Blair will lead those present in the Cathedral in a pledge to support all human life.  At the conclusion of Mass, anyone representing a parish or regional pro-life committee, may go to the front of the Cathedral and receive a blessed candle from the Pro-Life Ministry.

For more information, call Sister Suzanne Gross, F.S.E., program coordinator of the Pro-Life Ministry at: 203-213-5079.

 About St. Gianna Beretta Molla

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian Roman Catholic pediatrician. She refused both an abortion and a hysterectomy while pregnant with her fourth child, even though she knew that continuing her pregnancy might result in her death. She pursued the pregnancy and died shortly after the birth of her daughter. Molla’s medical career went in tandem with teachings of the Church, which strengthened her resolve to follow her conscience while coming to the aid of others who required assistance.

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