Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

This Year’s Seton Honorees Announced

Posted on March 26, 2025 in: News, Events

This Year’s Seton Honorees Announced

Celebrating 15 Years of Honoring Catholic Educators

This year will mark the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner, titled respectively after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton who is known as a founder of this country’s parochial school system, established this nation’s first all-girls Catholic School in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Elizabeth was born on August 28, 1774, and originally raised Episcopalian before converting to Catholicism. She was married to William Seton, and they had five children.

The Legacy of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Elizabeth Ann Seton was the founder of the Sisters of Charity in 1809 in Emmitsburg Maryland, and approximately three years later converted to Catholicism. Saint Elizabeth Seton was canonized by Pope Paul IV in 1974. She was the first person born in the United States to be canonized, and her good works continue to live on in our diocese daily.

“Faith lifts the staggering soul on one side, Hope supports it on the other, Experience says it must be and love says let it be.” (Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, from Collected Writings Volume II, page 117).

 

Catholic Educators Carrying the Torch

Today our diocesan high school and elementary school teachers work hard on a daily basis providing our students with a traditional and diverse education to include, the teachings of Jesus Christ, a sense of community and comradery and open lines of communication with parents. We are excited to honor and recognize three educators highlighting their dedication and service,

  • Nicholas Cerreta, Xavier High School, Middletown
  • Sister M. Michele Jascenia S.C.M.C., Saint Joseph School, Baltic
  • Mary Ann Manning, Saint Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich

 

 

 

Honoree: Nicholas Cerreta – Xavier High School, Middletown

Nick Cerreta has been a part of Xavier High School for over 20 years.  A 2001 graduate of Xavier, Mr. Cerreta has dedicated his entire professional career to his alma mater. He joined the faculty in 2005 as an English and Leadership teacher and later served as Dean of Students from 2007 to 2023. From 2023-2024 he served as Associate President for School & Community Growth. In January of 2025 he was named President of Xavier High School.

Honoree: Sister M. Michele Jascenia, S.C.M.C. – Saint Joseph School, Baltic

Sister M. Michele Jascenia S.C.M.C., of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church in Baltic, CT has been teaching for approximately thirty years; most of these years have been at Saint Joseph School in Baltic, spent teaching in the third and fourth grades, then for the past ten years or so teaching History and Religion in the upper grades. Sister earned her B.A. at Eastern Connecticut State University, in Willimantic, CT, and an M.A. in Moral Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, CT. Sister also had the opportunity for additional spiritual and educational classes throughout the years at Holy Family Mother-House in Baltic, CT.

Honoree: Mary Ann Manning – Saint Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich

Mary Ann Manning has been a middle school teacher in the diocese for over 35 years.  She began her teaching career at All Hallows School, then Plainfield Catholic in Moosup. Presently, she holds the positions of Middle School Math and Social Studies teacher and Vice Principal at St. Patrick Cathedral School in Norwich.  Catholic education has always been an integral part of Mary Ann’s life, beginning with her elementary years at St. Mary’s in Jewett City, St. Bernard’s High School, College of the Holy Cross, and Sacred Heart University, where she received her MA in teaching.  Along with her teaching duties, Mary Ann directs the Middle School Nativity play, organizes the school Adopt-a-family program at Christmas, which benefits families in need in Northeastern Connecticut, and has evaluated schools on numerous NEASC teams.  In her spare time, she sings with the Contemporary Choir in her church, and the Griswold Players Community Chorus, and serves on the Slater Library Board of Directors and the Griswold Zoning Board of Appeals.

Join Us in Celebration

The 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner will take place on October 26, 2025 at Lake of Isles, Stonington, CT. If you have any questions about ways, you can support the 15th Seton Scholarship Dinner, sponsorship opportunities or need more information about one of our four devoted Catholic High Schools or nine dedicated Elementary schools in your area, please contact Gina Foster, Stewardship Coordinator, at 860-886-1928 x115 or via email: gfoster@norwichdiocese.net.

By Gina Foster
Stewardship Coordinator


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Calendar of Events

Posted on April 11, 2025 in: Events, Around the Diocese

29431

Watch the 2025 Chrism Mass and Homily by Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne
The 2025 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 16th, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the blessing of the holy oils—used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders—and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy of the Diocese. We invite you to watch the video of the full Mass, especiall...

Read More

Faithful Invited to Witness a Joyous Moment in Diocesan History — Parish Tickets and Livestream Offered
The Diocese of Norwich joyfully awaits the ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Richard F. Reidy as the sixth bishop of Norwich, to be held on Tuesday, April 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich. Due to the limited capacity of the Cathedral, each parish in the diocese has received an allotment of just four tickets per church to distribute. Anyone interested in attending in person must contact their parish office directly. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate ticket requests through the diocesan office. The ordination and installati...

Read More

2025 Kicks off with ACA Leadership Meeting

Posted on March 26, 2025 in: News, ACA

950

2025 Kicks off with ACA Leadership Meeting
  The 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal, One Faith One Family, Leadership Meeting and Dinner took place on February 26, 2025, at St. Maurice Church in Bolton, CT. Bishop-Elect Reidy was in attendance and heartfully thanked all of the priests, chairpeople and administrative assistants for their hard work on last year’s appeal. Executive Director, Mary Ellen Mahoney also expressed her gratitude to the attendees, noting that they never would have ended the year so close to goal without everyone’s dedication and sacrifice. Father Richard Breton hosted the even...

Read More

This Year’s Seton Honorees Announced

Posted on March 26, 2025 in: News, Events

780

This Year’s Seton Honorees Announced
Celebrating 15 Years of Honoring Catholic Educators This year will mark the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner, titled respectively after Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton who is known as a founder of this country’s parochial school system, established this nation’s first all-girls Catholic School in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Elizabeth was born on August 28, 1774, and originally raised Episcopalian before converting to Catholicism. She was married to William Seton, and they had five children. The Legacy of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Elizabeth Ann Seton was the fou...

Read More

A Tradition of Giving: 47th Annual Layette Event to Support Mothers and Babies in Need
The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invites all women of the diocese to join in a heartfelt tradition of compassion and service at the 47th Annual Layette Event. Hosted by the Saint Pio Parish Ladies Guild and Father Hussion Columbiettes, the event will take place on Sunday, May 18th from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Saint John School Gym, located at 161 Main Street in Old Saybrook. Women attending are encouraged to bring baby items such as newborn to toddler size 3 clothing, diapers (especially large sizes), wipes, crib blankets, formula, and baby food. All donations ...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Fr. Eric Carl Hosmer, Fr. Julian Felipe Cuervo-Lozada and Fr. Alexander James Pandolfe
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294