To coincide with the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Office of the Archdiocesan Archives is preparing a time capsule that will contain memorabilia from each of the 128 parishes of the archdiocese as well as from various Catholic organizations.

Parish representatives were asked to bring two sets of parish memorabilia to the special Mass held Nov. 27 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph to celebrate the anniversary.

According to Bridgett Woodall, archdiocesan archivist, the archdiocese is in the process of inventorying the many items. They include: photographs, programs, parish bulletins, newsletters, anniversary books, pictorial directories, plaques and history publications.

Some parishes took pains to document before and after altar restorations. Others sent in photos of their old and new parish names.

One set will remain in the archives to build up its collection on parishes for future research.

The second set of memorabilia will be placed in a time capsule specially designed for archival materials and buried on the property of the cathedral in Hartford this summer.

When the capsule is unearthed 100 years from now by future Catholics, here are just a few of the more novel items they will discover:

  • A hot pink knitted and blessed pocket prayer square from St. Therese Parish in Granby “for encouragement, comfort and strength.” “I’d love to meet the ladies who made this,” said Nicole Besseghir, the new archives assistant, who is overseeing the inventory.
  • Pewter Christmas ornaments from St. Dunstan Parish in Glastonbury, St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church in Derby, St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Bristol and St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Oakville.
  • A blue and white wooden plaque from East Catholic High School in Manchester.
  • A blue and gold T-shirt from St. Anthony Parish in New Haven.
  • A reproduction of the original dedication program from St. Patrick’s Church in Farmington dated June 11, 1922.
  • A wooden replica of a 1913 ambulance from St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford.
  • A book from Laurelton Hall in Milford with its motto “Empowering Women for Life.”
  • A 50th anniversary pictorial church directory from St. Christopher Church in East Hartford in which many parishioners posed for serious portraits with their beloved pets.