Most Rev. Daniel A. Hart

It is with deep sadness that the Diocese of Norwich announces the death of our beloved Bishop Emeritus Daniel A. Hart, D.D. Bishop Hart died Monday morning, Jan. 14, 2008, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham. He had been ailing with cancer for the past six months.
Bishop Hart was born Aug. 24, 1927, in Lawrence, Mass., the son of the late 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, Mass., 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, Mass., in 1972 with a major in Pastoral Counseling.
He was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, on Feb. 2, 1953. He first served as an Associate Pastor in the parishes of Our Lady of the Assumption, Lynnfield; Saint Paul, Wellesley; and Sacred Hearts, Malden, all in the Boston area. In 1964, he was appointed Vice Chancellor, Archdiocese of Boston. From 1970 to1976, he served as an Associate Pastor in St. John Parish, Peabody. In August 1976 he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and Titular Bishop of Tepelta by His Holiness Pope Paul VI.
On Oct. 18, 1976, he was named Vicar General and Regional Bishop-South of the Archdiocese of Boston by Humberto Sousa Cardinal Medeiros.
Sept. 12, 1995, His Holiness Pope John Paul II named him Bishop of Norwich. On Nov. 1, he was installed as the 4th Bishop of Norwich by Metropolitan Archbishop of the Hartford Province, Most Reverend 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, the Response of Faith Campaign that he initiated 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.
Bishop Hart authorized the creation of the first official diocesan website in November, 1998. He also was instrumental in securing a new home for Catholic Charities at 331 Main St., Norwich, Conn., to help this vital ministry serve more of those in need, including the unborn.
On May 14, 2003, His Holiness Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop Hart's letter of retirement, which is required of all bishops upon reaching their 75th birthday. Bishop Hart made his residence at the Cathedral Rectory at 213 Broadway, Norwich. Whenever there was a pastoral need, Bishop Hart responded generously with his priestly ministry such as his willingness to assist in the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Surviving him are his two brothers, Dr. William Hart and his wife Audrey, of Hampstead, N.H., and Leo Hart and his wife Jean, of Windham, N.H.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, 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, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich, Conn. Monsignor Anthony S. Rosaforte, Cathedral Rector, will be the Homilist.
Bishop Cote will celebrate a Memorial Mass on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. Monsignor Thomas R. Bride, Vicar General, will deliver the homily. Bishop Hart's body will lie in state on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and also following Mass until midnight, and again on Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, D.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of the Hartford Province will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Friday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m., in the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich. Bishop Cote will deliver the homily.
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.
The Woyasz & Son Funeral Home, 141 Central Avenue is in charge of arrangements.