New England’s Fire Service Heritage: Essex Fire Engine Company Number 1 (CT)

Over the past couple of centuries or so, a number of fire companies were established to protect cities, towns, villages, and other districts throughout this region from the dangers of fire. This was a gradual process, and many times it was an action taken after a serious fire had affected the community

As an example, Essex Fire Engine Company Number 1 was formed in June 1833 to protect the Village of Essex, CT. At the time, most of its members were owners of ship building companies or other businesses in town, and they were concerned about the economic effects a fire would have on the village.

Over the years, the fire company, the area it protected, and its responsibilities grew. It now works to serve the entire town of Essex by providing fire protection, emergency medical services, fire prevention, safety education, and mitigation of other emergency and non-emergency incidents.

For more information about Essex Fire Engine Company Number 1, please visit:

History of Essex Fire Engine Company Number 1

Background information:

Essex Fire Engine Co. #1

Town of Essex

Wikipedia: Essex, Connecticut

Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, Massachusetts

New England is the home of a number of beautiful cathedrals, the cathedrae of the various Roman Catholic dioceses located in this region.

One of these cathedrals is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, Massachusetts. Holy Cross became the seat of the newly created Diocese of Boston in 1808. Construction was begun on the current structure in 1866, and it was dedicated on 8 December 1875.

For more information about the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, please visit:

Cathedral of the Holy Cross

Cathedral of the Holy Cross Photo Gallery

Wikipedia: Holy Cross Church, Boston

Background information:

Archdiocese of Boston

State Flowers of New England

Like each of the states throughout the United States, the New England states each have a number of state symbols. These state symbols include a state flower.

The state flower of Connecticut is the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). For more information, please visit:

Connecticut State Library: The State Flower

The Flower Expert: Connecticut State Flower

The state flower of Maine is the white pine cone and tassel (Pinus strobus). For more information, please visit:

The Flower Expert: Maine State Flower

The state flower of Massachusetts is the mayflower (Epigaea repens). For more information, please visit:

The Flower Expert: Massachusetts State Flower

The state flower of New Hampshire is the common purple lilac (Syringa vulgaris). For more information, please visit:

The Flower Expert: New Hampshire State Flower

The state flower of Rhode Island is the common blue violet (Viola sororia). For more information, please visit:

The Flower Expert: Rhode Island State Flower

The state flower of Vermont is the red clover (Trifolium pratense). For more information, please visit:

The Flower Expert: Vermont State Flower

Jim Nabors: "Old Rugged Cross"

As our Palm Sunday celebration continues and as we begin our observance of Holy Week, I offer Jim Nabors singing "Old Rugged Cross":

G. K. Chesterton: The Donkey

 As we celebrate Palm Sunday, I offer the following poem by  G. K. Chesterton:

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born;

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.

(Thank you, Martin Kochanski, for the tip.)

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Today the Church celebrates Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. The assigned readings are Matthew 21:1-11, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, and Matthew 26:14-27:66. The responsorial psalm is Psalm 22 (Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24).

The first Gospel reading, at the procession of the palms, is as follows:

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: “Say to daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The second Gospel reading is Saint Matthew’s account of the Passion of Jesus.

Some reflection’s on today’s readings:

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: Palm Sunday: The Victory of Humility

The Quiet Corner: The believer who finds courage in God will share in Jesus’ victory (14 APR 11)

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for April 17, 2011: Palm Sunday (16 APR 11)

Dr. Scott Hahn: All Is Fulfilled (April 17th, 2011 - Passion Sunday)

The Lectionary: Like Jesus, we must conform to God’s will (14 APR 11)

Msgr. Charles Pope: See What the End Shall Be – A Meditation on the Gospel of Passion Sunday (16 APR 11)

Crossroads Initiative: St Andrew of Crete: Palm Sunday: He Comes in Humility

The Word Embodied: Betrayal

Reflection Starter from Saint Francis of Assisi

"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - Saint Francis of Assisi

Are Local School Boards Vital in 21st Century America?

On Tuesday, 26 April, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute will be hosting a presentation, “Are Local School Boards Vital in 21st Century America?” The event is designed to be a lively debate about the role of school boards in today’s - and in tomorrow’s - public education system.

Panelists include Anne L. Bryant, Executive Director, National School Boards Association; Christopher S. Barclay, President, Montgomery County Board of Education, Maryland; Chester E. Finn, Jr., President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute; and Gene I. Maeroff, Founding Director, Hechinger Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University and author of School Boards in America: A Flawed Exercise in Democracy.

The event, scheduled to run from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, will be webcast live on the Thomas B. Fordham Institute website.

For more information, please visit:

Thomas B. Fordham Institute: Are Local School Boards Vital in 21st Century America?

Franklin, MA, Five-alarm Fire Hits Former Masonic Temple

An early morning five-alarm blaze heavily damaged the abandoned former Masonic Temple, 25 Dean Avenue in Franklin, MA, on Friday, 15 April.

The Franklin Fire Department was assisted by companies from a number of communities, including Bellingham, Foxborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham.

Media Reports:

Milford Daily News: Fire destroys abandoned Masonic Temple in Franklin (16 APR 11)

Sun Chronicle: Fire strikes old downtown building in Franklin (15 APR 11)

WPRI-TV: 5-alarm fire destroys Masonic Lodge (15 APR 11)

NECN: Massive fire burns in downtown Franklin, Mass. (15 APR 11)

WHDH-TV: 5-alarm fire breaks out in downtown Franklin (15 APR 11)

SNE Fire News: 5 alarm fire rips through former Masonic Temple in Franklin, MA (15 APR 11)

NRI Fire Photos:  5th Alarm Franklin, MA Dean Ave April 15, 2011

Background Information:

Franklin Fire Department

Town of Franklin

Wikipedia: Franklin, Massachusetts

Google Map: 25 Dean Avenue, Franklin, Massachusetts

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

As our Lenten observance continues, I offer the Trinity Methodist Church Penang church choir singing "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" sung to Pachelbel's Canon:

YouTube: Love Divine all loves excelling

Background information:

CyberHymnal: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Reflection Starter from James C. Penney

"It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most." - James C. Penney (businessman and founder of the J.C. Penney stores)

Background information:

Wikipedia: James C. Penney 

State Historical Society of Missouri: Famous Missourians: James Cash Penney (1875–1971)

Music in Vermont: Phish

New England is a treasure house filled with many different types of spiritual, cultural, historical, and other resources. Included in this treasure trove is a rich mixture of music of many different genres, including (but not limited to) religious, classical, folk, Celtic, sea shanties, rock, country and western, bluegrass, and the list goes on and on. New England is home to a number of composers, artists, and venues.

One such artist from Vermont is Phish, a rock band whose music includes elements from a number of genres.

For more information about Phish, please visit:

Phish

Wikipedia: Phish

YouTube: Phish: Birds of a feather on Letterman

YouTube: Phish- Waste