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MASS
CORPS OF FIRE CHAPLAINS
BANQUET
AND ANNUAL MEETING
6:00, May
16, 2006
Calvary
Retreat House, Shrewsbury, MA
Presentation of Colors
Deputy Chief
Chaplain Rev. Dr. Dick Martino,
Opening
Prayer
Deputy Chief
Chaplain The Rev. Gary Blume
Dinner
Welcome
and Opening Remarks
Chief
Chaplain The Rev Larry Provenzano
The Secretary’s report, by the Rev.
Don Milligan, Winthrop F.D., It was a great report, as always, and was
accepted as presented.
The Treasurer’s report, by the Rev. Jim
Tilbe, Raynham F.D. It was accepted as presented.
In relation to the Treasurer’s Report, Jim took the
opportunity to announce the gift from the Charitable Society of over
$27,875.
Election and Swearing in of Officers & District Representatives
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Presented by: The Rev. Susan Suchocki-Brown,
Leominster Fire Dept. and The Rev. Jim Tilbe, Raynham Fire Dept. All
Names in bold are to be voted on.
Executive Board:
Chief Chaplain The Rev. Larry Provenzano, for
a 2-year Term (He was filling an unexpired term).
Deputy Chief Chaplain, West: The Rev. Richard
Martino, Northborough F.D.
Deputy Chief Chaplain, East: The Rev. Rich Monroe,
Kingston, F.D.
Secretary: The Rev. Don Milligan, Winthrop FD.
Treasurer: The Rev. Jim Tilbe, Raynham F.D. new term
for 2 years. He was filling an unexpired term.
DISTRICT DIRECTORS
Group A. Until May, 2008
District 1 The Rev. Mr. David Akin,
Dennis F.D.
District 2 The Rev. Don Remick,
Hanove F.D.
District 3 The Rev. Marc Tremblay,
Norton F.D.
District 4 The Rev. John McLaughlin,
Foxboro F.D.
District 5 The Rev. Mr. Norman La
Pointe, Salem F.D.
Group B, May 2009
District 6 The Rev. Dennis Bailey,
Billerica F.D.
District 7 The Rev. Ralph DiCharra,
Webster F.D.
District 8 The Rev. Susan Suchocki
Brown, Leominster F.D.
District 9/10 The Rev. Bruce Arbour,
Amherst F.D.
Group C, May 2007
District 11 & 12 The Rev. Patrick
McMahon, Granville F.D.
District 13 The Rev. Richard
Deveer, Weymouth F.D.
District 4 The Rev. Mr. Richard Martino,
Northborough F.D.
District 14. The Rev. Craig Lister,
Southboro F.D.
District 15, The Rev. Robert Hagopian,
Rowley F.D., filling unexpired term)
The Slate was moved and seconded.
The Deputy Fire Marshall, Tom Leonard, swore in the
new Chief Chaplains, the Officers and the Board.
Recognition of
New Members
Doug Geeze,
Auburn Fire Dept.
Dwight
Hoeberechts, Lowell Fire Dept
Peter Rotando,
Princeton Fire Dept.
Report of the
Chief Chaplain
Larry told us how
much he appreciated serving us and representing us throughout the
Commonwealth.
He congratulated
us on the work that we do, especially the work that we do in keeping Fire
Chaplains safe on the Fire Ground.
We participated
with Public Safety people in getting our word about bird flu, carbon
monoxide.
We assisted in
mutual aide to other Fire Departments in the Commonwealth.
Presentation of
Citations and Awards
Larry presented
award to The Rev. Peter Prebble and the Rev. Jim Tilbe for their work
representing the Commonwealth in the Gulf Coast.
Presentation of the First Annual “Mychal Judge Awards”
Based on the
Annual Firefighter of the Year Award, last year, Chief Larry created the
Chaplain of the Year Award named
“The Mychal Judge Awards.”
He said
that Fr. Michael Judge was an eternal presence both in New York City, and
now with all of us. The names of every recipient will be listed on the
Master Board which hangs in the Firefighting Academy in Stow.
The Mychal Judge Award is to be
“given each year to a fire
department chaplain whose selfless dedication and sacrifice promotes the
creed of the Corps of Fire Chaplains—Serving Those Who Serve.
The Award reads “In grateful
acknowledgement of the time, energy and faithfulness given to the men and
women of the Fire Service, this award is presented to _____________”
Previous
Recipients:
1.
David Akin, Dennis F.D.,
2.
Susan Suchocki—Brown, Leominster F.D.
This years awards
go to the Rev Craig Lister and the Rev. Monsignor Tom Harrington: In
every way Craig and Tom exemplify the MCFC Motto:
“To Serve Who Serve.”
The Corps honored
The Rev. Msgr Tom Harrington for serving the men and women of the Fall
River Fire Dept for many, many years, often above and beyond the call of
duty, recently escorting people to safety out of a burning building.
The Corps also
honored Craig Lister for his work with the Southboro Fire Department, who
honored him for his actions on Oct 13, 2005, at a motor vehicle accident,
staying with two families for some time, while his men saved lives. At
this incident, Craig was not aware of where his daughter was. She was
presumed to have been in the car with one of the deceased girls. It
turned out she was not.
Don Milligan made
presentations to Chief Dan Harris, who helped found the Mass Corp of Fire
Chaplains and for whom the annual conference is named. Dan recounted how
he recently had the opportunity to bless some amazing quilts made for the
families firefighters who died at Ground Zero. As it turns out, Larry and
Dan were at Ground Zero at the time and prayed over the body of one of
those fallen firefighters. God brought them together at that moment.
To Tom Leonard,
the Deputy Fire Marshal, who has always been present for the firefighters
and the chaplains of the Commonwealth, whose son is about to graduate from
seminary.
Deputy Fire Marshal’s Remarks,
Tom Leonard
(The Fire
Marshall was absent due to illness.)
Tom expressed his gratitude for the Corps, and his
delight in being with us tonight and every time, and the mission that we
have to the firefighters and people of the Commonwealth. The Deputy
thanked us for being at fire grounds and doing the work we did. He
recognized both for their awards. Again he thanked us for being who we
are, and for inviting him to be here with us.
The Deputy announced that the project to expand the
Fire Academy as announced last year, is underway. Hopefully the water
main will be in the ground by August, and will be finished in 32 months.
This new building will allow the staff and faculty to be housed in a
2-story office building, attached by a Cafeteria to the existing building
which will be renovated. It will also host a 9-bay Fire Station.
Tom said that in 1999, Fr. Dan lit the torch for us,
and now Fr. Larry carries on the torch, and has ministered to the Fire
Fighters in the Commonwealth, and he has also ministered to his whole
family.
The Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the State House
is in the process of becoming a reality.
The Memorial will show the tools of the trade: orange
light (fire), and water, symbolizing what Firefighters do in the course of
their duties, in the community, and as family persons. In the “Buy
A Brick” campaign, the MCFC has bought a slab for $2,500.
Closing
Prayer
Our appreciation for Chief Larry was announced from
the floor. We all showed our approval with a round of applause.
Finally, Chief Larry called for a motion to adjourn.
It was seconded. And Larry ended with prayer.
The Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains,
Inc.
2006 Chaplains’ Fire Academy
The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
Stow, Massachusetts
Tuesday, June 13th
Classroom
instruction – Role of the FD Chaplain on the fire ground. We will
participate as chaplains with the recruit class as they do phase 4 fires
with rappelling & confined space training.
Chaplains bring full turnout gear
Thursday, June 15th
Chaplains who are
able will do the maze with the use of SCBA. Each chaplain should bring
his or her own SCBA Mask and full turnout gear.
On both days chaplains should dress in FD
work clothes and be prepared for both classroom & outdoor instruction.
This training is designed to help the
chaplain become more familiar with fire ground procedure and safety and to
allow the chaplain to gain first hand experience in an environment that is
safe. There is no cost for this training for members of the MCFC.
Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains, Inc.
Schedule for 2006 - 2007
Schedule of Board Meetings
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Wednesday, February 7,2007
All meetings will begin at 10A.M. and will
be held at the Calvary Retreat Center in
Sbrewsbury. Lunch is included and we will
plan to finish by 2 p.m.
Proposed Schedule for General Meetings of
the Corps.
Tuesday, June 13 & Thursday, June 15, 2006
Chaplains' Fire Academy in Stow
Chiefs & Chaplains Gathering in September:
Date - TBA
Wednesday, October 11 2006
Hosted by District 14
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Hosted by Districts 15
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Hosted by District 1
Fire Ground Training - Dates - TBA
Annual Meeting and Harris Conference
May 15 & 16, 2007 |
