Local Woman Ordained as Episcopal Priest

Print Story | Email Story

LENOX, Mass. — The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, bishop of Western Massachusetts, ordained the Rev. Virginia Vogel-Polizzi to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, June 17, at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Friends, family and the local community gathered to witness and celebrate this ancient rite of the church. After the bishop laid his hands on her head, the new priest was vested with the stole by her husband. The Rev. Janet Whaley Zimmerman, rector of Grace Church, offered the sermon.

Vogel-Polizzi was awarded the master of divinity degree from Andover Newton Seminary. During the final six months of her preparation for priesthood, Vogel-Polizzi served as deacon for Grace Church, an Episcopal community in the Southern Berkshires. Her home parish is St. Helena’s Chapel, Lenox.

St. Helena's encouraged Vogel-Polizzi to prepare for ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. She begins her service in September as Chaplain Resident in the Pastoral Care Department of Albany Medical Center. Concurrently, Vogel-Polizzi will do advanced studies in bioethics.

 


Tags: priesthood,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Ventfort Hall Presents: A Cozy Evening For Children

LENOX, Mass. — On Dec. 15, Ventfort Hall will host a Children's Evening Story Hour the story hour will feature books: "The Hat" by Jan Brett, "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats, and "Katy and the Big Snow" by Virginia Lee Burton.

The event, that starts at 5:30 p.m., features classic winter stories, hot cocoa, snacks, and activities. 

Attendees are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring blankets to the mansion library. Allergy-friendly food options are welcome if brought from home.

On Dec. 29, the story hour will feature these books: "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats, "The Mitten," by Jan Brett, "Polar Express," by Chris Van Allsburg, and "The Tomten," by Astrid Lingren

Ventfort Hall intern, Sarah Briggs, organized the event. Briggs is a local to Berkshire County and currently a senior at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, interning at Ventfort Hall this semester. She is an Arts Management major and Art History minor, pursuing a career in museum programming and education. 

Admission to the reading is free, but reservations are required and limited to 40 total attendees. All children must be supervised by a parent or guardian for the entirety of the evening. Reserve at https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call us at (413) 637-3206.

Ventfort Hall is decorated for the holidays. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.

 

View Full Story

More Lenox Stories