July 10, 2019 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: These past months have been marked by escalating tensions at our southern border.  Most recently we were confronted with the tragic images of the drowning deaths of Óscar Martínez and his 23-month-old daughter, Angie Valeria, who were fleeing the dangers of El Salvador for the safety of the United States.  Other immigrants have crossed the border with their lives, but have been captured and are now detained in overcrowded conditions as a result of political gridlock in our nation’s capital. We, the ...

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immigration, CTBishops, Reform, ImmigrationReform, ICE

Join us at St Patrick Church in Mystic at 6pm on July 18, 2019 as we pray for men to answer the call to be instruments of God’s grace as priests of Jesus Christ. St. Patrick Church 32 E Main St. Mystic, CT 06355

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Vocations, Prayer, Holy Hour, Mystic

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin Faith Sparks…. Ignite Your Faith is a new column that the office of Faith Events (OFE) will premier in the August issue of the Four County Catholic to help engage parents, grandparents and families in their faith. “One of the focuses of our new Diocesan faith formation curriculum is to get adults involved in learning more about their faith along with their children,” said Andrea Hoisl, OFE director. “This new column will help people become more aware of the nuances of their faith so that they in turn may be a living witne...

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Q: How long have you been a member of the Board of Directors at Catholic Charities? A: I have been on Catholic Charities Board of Directors for three years but have been on the New London Advisory Board for 14 years. Q: Why did you become involved with Catholic Charities and what has your involvement looked like during your tenure? A: I became involved because I believe strongly that the Catholic Church must care for our neighbors who are in need. We must see Christ in every person and offer ways for them to improve their situation in life. Q: How would you ch...

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My Dear Friends, Our pre-kindergarten to grade 8 schools and high schools have successfully completed another academic and spiritual year in the Diocese. Our students are self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible, athletic and creative. It is truly a time to celebrate their accomplishments and to thank you for supporting our Catholic schools. Please join me in congratulating and praying for our high school graduates from the class of 2019. I am proud to announce that the extremely high college acceptance rate of our seniors reflects the dedication of the admin...

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Catholic Charities, Providing Help & Creating Hope in New London, Middlesex, Windham & Tolland counties, has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program.  The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.  Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich was selected as a beneficiary of the program by store leadership.  Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich will rec...

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By Eileen Betz Aithanh Nguyen graduated from the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic, Connecticut on June 4, 2019. When first attending the Academy, Aithanh was not sure whether it was the right place for her to develop into the person God wanted her to be. However, these doubts didn’t last long. “The Academy is the place where I truly started caring about my education. I found myself focused on my work, doing well in school, and actually wanting to learn more,” Aithanh said. “The smaller student body size and one-on-one attention helped me t...

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By Kathy Gaito Think about the feeling you have when you set goals and each day you make strides to meet those goals. Sometimes the goals we set are easier to reach with the help of others. Often, when our goals are met, they have a domino effect helping others also achieve something positive in their own lives. The Annual Catholic Appeal has a goal, and yes, it is monetary, but this monetary goal has a domino effect leading to a positive secondary outcome. The money donated to the ACA is used to help our Diocesan ministries keep their vital works flowing throughou...

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A celebration of the ordination to the priesthood of Reverend Michael Castiblanco for service as a priest in the Diocese of Norwich took place June 29, 2019. The Ritual Mass for the Conferral of Holy Orders took place at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, with the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, as the ordaining celebrant. Father Castiblanco is a native of Columbia, and his parents traveled from there to Norwich for the ordination.  For photos from the ordination, click the photo or this link to be taken to a gallery.

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Norwich, Castiblanco, Priest, Connecticut, Ordination, Columbia

Join us for a swing and a prayer on Wednesday, September 18th at the Fox Hopyard Golf Club for Catholic Charities’ 14th Annual Golf Tournament. Catholic Charities has been Providing Help & Creating Hope to those most in need throughout Eastern Connecticut for the last 98 years, serving people of all faith.  Join us for a day of golf at a great course and directly impact those living in our community. Registration begins at 10:30am.  Lunch is served at 11:00am.  Shotgun Start begins at 1:00pm.  Dinner is served and awards are presented at ...

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Reverend Monsignor Thomas R. Bride February 23, 1940 – June 26, 2019 Norwich – Reverend Monsignor Thomas R. Bride PA, KCHS, of the Diocese of Norwich, was called to eternal rest with the Lord on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Monsignor Bride faithfully served the parishioners of the Diocese in various capacities during his 52 years as a priest. Positions of note include: Director of Vocations for 34 years; Vicar General for 21 Years; Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Quaker Hill and Pastor of Christ the King Church, Old Lyme. Ordained May 4, 1...

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By Mary Ellen Mahoney In the past six weeks I have attended funerals and wakes for six dear people. Each service was uniquely beautiful and inspired me to reflect on how each person had impacted my life. In thinking about June being Legacy Month here in the Diocese, I couldn’t help but also consider how each of these beloved people have left their own legacies here on earth. The last funeral I attended was for Dr. Robert Miller, former president of Quinebaug Valley Community College as well as The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese, to name only two of the le...

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By Ryan Blessing Outreach to Haiti welcomed Susan Wallace as its new executive director and bid a happy retirement to former director Daniel O’Sullivan. Director Wallace, who comes from Cape May, N.J., began her work June 3 at the Outreach to Haiti office in Norwich. Mr. O’Sullivan, who was at the helm for five years, will assist in the transition for the next month. “The Diocese has a 30-year history of involvement with the Haitian ministry,” she said. “I’ve always had a deep love for Haiti.” She was in Haiti in the mid...

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By Dennis Petruzzi The 12th annual “For the Love of a Child Gala” was held on April 27th at A Villa Louisa in Bolton, Connecticut. The gala benefited and celebrated Outreach to Haiti's 30-plus years of Gospel ministry to the people of Haiti. There were about 125 guests at this year’s gala who helped make the event a success. Our thanks to Most Reverend Bishop Cote, our diocesan priests and all our supporters. Our hope is that each guest came away feeling that they are part of the Diocese’s mission in Haiti. The evening showcased ...

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Father Gregory Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations The Catholic News Agency recently published an article written by Mary Farrow entitled “Who Are the New Priests of 2019”. Below are excerpts which give you a good picture of what is going on in the hearts and minds of the young men being ordained to the priesthood in the United States and what is most likely attracting them into saying yes to our Lord’s call. The article began: “This year, 481 men in the United States will kneel in cathedral churches and be ordained as Catholic priests f...

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