CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NORWICH MOURNS DEATH OF
BISHOP EMERITUS DANIEL A. HART, D.D.
“The two words that keep coming to mind as I think of Bishop Hart are kindness and service. This was Bishop Hart. This was his nature. Bishop Hart lived these words. It was always amazing to me to witness his incredible attention to the sick and those in need. He had the true heart of a pastor.” Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich
January 14, 2008
It is with deep sadness that the Diocese of Norwich announces the death of our beloved Bishop Emeritus, Most Reverend Daniel A. Hart, D.D. Bishop Hart died the morning of January 14, 2008 at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, Connecticut, after a six month illness.
Bishop Hart was named Bishop of Norwich by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on September 12, 1995, and was installed on November 1 of that year. He succeeded Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, D.D.
Previously, Bishop Hart served as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston and Regional Bishop of the South Region since his Consecration as Bishop there on October 18, 1976. Prior to his ordination as Bishop, he had served as Pastor and Vice Chancellor in the Boston Archdiocese. It was in Boston that he earned degrees in Theology, Business Administration and education.
Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop Hart’s retirement resignation on March 11, 2003. Bishop Hart was succeeded by His Excellency Michael R. Cote, D.D. as the 5th and residing Bishop of Norwich.
“Bishop Hart was a man of deep faith in God and commitment to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist,” said Bishop Cote. “He was a strong and courageous spiritual leader for the Catholic faithful. As priest and shepherd, Bishop Hart personified the motto on his coat of arms, ‘Do not be afraid.”
Bishop Hart leaves a distinguished and compassionate legacy of service to the people of the Norwich Diocese. He was a leader and administrator of considerable vision and foresight. In many ways a pioneer. He recognized the need to evaluate the parish structure of the Diocese -- given the availability of fewer priests, the resource constraints in a tightening economy, population shifts, school coverage issues and the plight of the marginalized in need of vital ministry support.
Bishop Hart combined the responsibilities of careful stewardship, active evangelism, and forward thinking as manifest in originating a diocesan website and other innovative measures at the time. He anticipated the spiritual and financial challenges that would and have now arrived. Monsignor Thomas R. Bride, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Norwich, noted that “Bishop Hart’s educational training in business administration, theology and pastoral counseling prepared him in a unique way to shepherd the Diocese into the new millennium. We are forever grateful for his astute leadership and his fearless yet holy presence.”
Bishop Emeritus Daniel A. Hart, at age 80, has entered into eternal rest with our Lord and Savior, to whom he remained ever faithful.
BISHOP EMERITUS DANIEL A. HART, D.D
| Obituary of MOST REV. DANIEL A. HART, D.D.
BISHOP EMERITUS, DIOCESE OF NORWICH
Daniel A. Hart was born August 24, 1927, in Lawrence, MA, the son of John J. Jr. and Susan Marie (Tierney) Hart. He attended St. Patrick School and Central Catholic High School, both in Lawrence.
He graduated from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A), and attended St. John Seminary, Brighton, Mass, receiving a Master of Divinity degree in 1953. Bishop Hart was also awarded a Master of Education degree from Boston State University, Boston, MA in 1972 with a major in Pastoral Counseling.
He was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston on February 2, 1953. He first served as a parish priest in Lynnfield, Wellesley and Malden, all in the Boston area. In 1964, he was appointed Vice Chancellor, Archdiocese of Boston. From 1970 -1976, he served as Associate Pastor, St. John Parish in Peabody. In August 1976 he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and Titular Bishop of Tepelta by His Holiness Pope Paul VI.
On October 18, 1976, he was named Regional Bishop of the South Region of the Archdiocese of Boston by Cardinal Medeiros. In that appointment, he also served as Vicar General.
September 12, 1995, His Holiness Pope John Paul II named him Bishop of Norwich. On November 1, he was installed as the 4th Bishop of Norwich by Metropolitan Archbishop of the Hartford Province Daniel A. Cronin, a classmate of Bishop Hart, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich, Connecticut.
Early on in his appointment, Bishop Hart began the process of evaluating diocesan ministries, and set in motion procedures for the best use of pastoral and financial resources. In 1998, his Response of Faith Campaign raised over $15 million to support and sustain important services for the Diocese for years to come. That campaign established The Catholic Foundation that continues to disburse substantial grants each year to parishes, schools and ministries.
In 1997, Bishop Hart demonstrated further foresight as he initiated the Parish Futures Project to assess the parish structure across the Diocese in light of available priests, population shifts, school coverage and finances. He also authorized the creation of the first official diocesan website in November, 1998.
Bishop Hart was instrumental in securing a new home for Catholic Charities at 331 Main Street, Norwich CT, to help this vital ministry serve more in need, including the unborn.
Bishop Hart served on many boards and committees. Among them: President of the Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation, ex officio President of other Roman Catholic related corporations in the Diocese, Publisher of the Diocesan newspaper, Chancellor of Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Catholic Conference and the Christian Conference of Connecticut.
Bishop Hart retired on May 14, 2003, and made his residence at the Cathedral Rectory at 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT. In his retirement, he accepted invitations from priests throughout the Diocese of Norwich to celebrate weekday, weekend, and special masses. Whenever there was a pastoral need, Bishop Hart responded generously with his priestly ministry. He accepted the invitation of Bishop William Lori to assist in the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Surviving him are his two brothers, Dr. William Hart, Hampstead, N.H., Leo Hart of Windham, N.H.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother John J. Hart, III, Joseph Hart, Francis Hart and Paul Hart;
Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich will preside at the Reception of the Body of Most Reverend Daniel A. Hart on Thursday, January 17, at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich, CT.
Bishop Cote will celebrate a Memorial Mass on Thursday, January 17, at 7:00 p.m. Vicar General, Monsignor Thomas R. Bride will deliver the homily.
Bishop Hart’s body to lie in state on Thursday from 3:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and also following Mass until 9:00 p.m.
Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, D.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of the Hartford Province will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Friday, January 18, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich, CT. Bishop Cote will deliver the homily.
Memorials
In lieu of flowers, Bishop Hart’s memory can be honored through gifts in his name, sent to Bishop Hart Endowment Fund for the Homeless, The Catholic Foundation, 197 Broadway, Norwich, CT, 06360.
**Funeral Arrangements by Woyasz Funeral Home, 141 Central Avenue, Norwich, CT 06360.
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