STEUBENVILLE EAST July 25 - 27, 2025 Join us for an unforgettable weekend!   The Diocese of Norwich is organizing a trip to Steubenville East, a powerful Catholic youth conference in Springfield, MA for rising 9th through 12th graders. Cost: $300 – Conference, food, and transportation from pick-up points $150 – Housing for two people (2 nights) $75 – Housing for four people (2 nights)   To register, send $100 deposit per person by Feb. 27th to: Office of Faith Events Liza Roach 331 Main St. Fl...

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Jan. 27 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Each year, the camp survivors are fewer in number, and as their testimony and witness remain, the importance of Auschwitz endures. In 2024, more than 1.8 million visitors passed through its gates. What is it that brings people here? An obscene charnel of mass murder with all its evil, its inhumanity, its brutality: On the surface, it is a site devoid of hope. But among the ruins and the selection lines, beneath the Arbeit Macht Frei sign, in the preserved block houses, and amid the devastating ex...

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For those who recognize the value of all life, the early months of the year offer many opportunities to publicly declare the sanctity and dignity of every human person. On Jan. 19, Archbishop Coyne was the main celebrant for a Pro-Life Mass & Baby Shower Collection at St. Mary Church in New Haven, part of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the Mass provided time for prayer and the chance to donate baby items for the Connecticut Pregnancy Resource Centers. Mary, Gate of Heaven Parish hosted a Mass for Life on Jan. 20 at St. Rober...

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ROME (CNS) -- The Holy Doors of the basilicas of Rome, the beautiful churches, the countryside around Assisi, the gelato and the pasta and the daily Masses were just some of the pilgrimage highlights mentioned by Holy Year pilgrims from the Diocese of Cleveland. "It's one thing to see photos online of the Sistine Chapel and another to stand in awe under it with other pilgrims," said Father Dan Schlegel, pastor of the diocese's St. Raphael Parish in Bay Village. Bishop Edward C. Malesic of Cleveland and 90 pilgrims, including two priests and three per...

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Pope Francis reflected on Mary's trust in God's plan and presence, prayed for Los Angeles wildfire victims and prayed for peace in Gaza during his general audience at the Vatican.   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God tells Christians not to be afraid because he is always close, accompanying the faithful throughout their lives and through all their challenges, Pope Francis said. "God says 'Do not be afraid' to Abraham, Isaac" and many others in the Bible, but "he says it to us, too. 'Be not afraid,' keep going," because God &q...

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This past Sunday, Archbishop Christopher Coyne, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich, delivered an inspiring homily at the Baptism of the Lord Mass. In his message, he urged the faithful to embrace their identity as Catholics with confidence and joy, reminding them, "Don't ever apologize for being Catholic." Archbishop Coyne drew meaningful connections between the baptism of Jesus and our own call to live as beloved children of God. He reflected on the feast's profound significance, encouraging the community to proclaim the Good News boldly...

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The Office of Faith Events is thrilled to welcome Alvania Tejada as its new administrative assistant. Alvania is a familiar face in the Diocese of Norwich, bringing years of devotion, experience and heartfelt service. Originally from the Dominican Republic and a proud mother of two adult children, Alvania has long been a part of our diocesan community, holding numerous ministry roles that have impacted countless lives. Her journey brought her to the U.S. in 1998 and then to Connecticut in 2002, where her story of Faith and service truly began to flourish. For nearly...

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"Hope: The Autobiography," written by Pope Francis with the Italian editor Carlo Musso, was published around the world in a dozen languages Jan. 14. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While calling himself an "old man" and saying he never expected to be pope this long, Pope Francis said he still has dreams for the future. "We must not stumble upon tomorrow, we must build it, and we all have the responsibility to do so in a way that responds to the project of God, which is none other than the happiness of mankind, the centrality of mankind, without excludin...

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I recently attended a reunion of my high school class. Most of the men I hadn’t seen in over a half-century. We reminisced about our high school experience, the great times, the great and not-so-great teachers, and the good and bad of attending an all-boys high school. But what we all remembered most was the wonderful academic environment created by the Vincentians who administered the school. We attended St. John's Preparatory School, which at the time was located on Lewis Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York. “The Prep” w...

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Four Acclaimed National Comedians to Perform at 2nd Annual “Comedy, Charity, Community” Night at Wesleyan University, Friday, January 24th, to benefit Amazing Grace Food Pantry St. Vincent de Paul Middletown (SVDM) in partnership with Wesleyan University’s Robert F. Schumann Institute of the Bailey College of the Environment is proud to present a night of “Comedy, Charity, Community” on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. at. Wesleyan University’s Fayerweather Building, Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Ave, Middletown. Tickets ($69) a...

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