All Diocesan Articles

 

 

 

Treasures of the Church

Posted on October 17, 2019 in: News, ProLife, Disability Partnership

Treasures of the Church

Often times hidden, they can be found
in the most unexpected places

By Wayne Gignac

Saint Lawrence, a deacon under Pope Sixtus II during the reign of the Emperor Valerian, was given three days by the Roman Prefect to bring to the imperial palace the treasures of the Church. Quickly Lawrence sold off all the vessels and distributed the money to the widows, the sick and the poor. After three days had elapsed, he returned but he did not return alone.  The imperial forces, greedily expecting to see gold, silver, and precious jewels, were enraged when the humble deacon brought forth the poor, the blind, and the disabled, proclaiming, “You asked for the treasures of the Church. I bring before you the true treasures of the Church!”

So began the homily by Deacon Costa Adamopoulos of the Diocese of Providence, for the Third Annual Pontifical Mass for the Diocesan Partnership on Disability, held on October 6 at St. Andrew Church, Colchester.

Deacon Adamopoulos works in the human services field currently as a job coach for a group of individuals in a supermarket in Mystic. “The words of Saint Lawrence come alive every shift I work,” he said to the nearly full church. “Like all of us, they have their own challenges . . . if we pray for the grace to see with the eyes of faith, those challenges that the disabled face can be vehicles of grace to mold and shape us into the type of disciples that Jesus is calling us to be.”  The deacon went on to explain that disabilities may limit the way we move, think or speak but they will never limit our ability to love.

Following the Mass was a reception in the church hall. Ian Coyne, Xavier graduate and keynote speaker on the  topic of Living with a Disability, said a few words before presenting Bishop Cote with a gift- a polo shirt adorned with the One Heart Ministry logo.

The One Heart Ministry is a partnership for individuals with disabilities and the people who assist them in their daily lives. The group comes together to pray, socialize and work  on a service project-making heart pins that will be distributed to different groups of people, at different stages of life, to let them know someone cares. Every heart pin has a prayer attached so the recipient knows the group is praying for them. Some of the groups that the pins will be distributed to include the disabled, veterans, the elderly, patients in hospice, and the bereaved. The heart not only lets people know that someone cares, it also symbolizes the hope that we hold as Catholics that God‘s love accompanies us through every challenge.

All are welcome to become involved in the One Heart Ministry. Please contact the Office of Faith Events at 860-848-2237 extension 304 or FaithEvents@NorwichDiocese.net

Related Article

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

St. Patrick's Day Lenten Dispensation

Posted on March 16, 2023 in: News, Lent

1148

St. Patrick's Day Lenten Dispensation
Whereas, the disciplinary practice of abstaining from meat on the Fridays in Lent is an important dimension of the penitential nature of the season and applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of fourteen (canons 1251 and 1252); Whereas, this year the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, falls on a Friday in Lent; Now therefore, in accord with canon 87 §1 of the Code of Canon Law, given the many celebrations that occur on this day in commemoration of St. Patrick, Principal Patron of the Diocese of Norwich and titular of the Cathedral, I hereby grant to all Ca...

Read More

Employment Opportunity for an Executive Assistant
Xavier High School in Middletown is looking for the right person to fill the position of Executive Assistant to the Headmaster and Principal. Details can be found HERE.   To view other job opportunities Click Here

Read More

Forgive them-The Video

Posted on March 21, 2023 in: News, Vocations

521

Forgive them-The Video
Here is the video of how a misplaced homily created ripples that went on to work a miracle of God's grace for at least one family. Hopefully, sharing this will lead to more people realizing that life is too short to not forgive. If you haven't read the article in the Winter 2023 issue of the Four County Catholic magazine, we've included it below. The video can be found after the article. Forgive them, they know not what they do The words below are an edited transcript of a sermon given recently in the diocese. Whenever I’m giving a homi...

Read More

Watch: Full Remarks from the 2023 CT March for Life
Full remarks from the second annual Connecticut March for Life, held on March 22, 2023 at the CT State Capitol.  

Read More

The True Sense of Life

Posted on March 15, 2023 in: News, Outreach to Haiti

360

The True Sense of Life
I am Sherley Saintervé, a young woman and medical doctor who is 31 years old. As I have matured and faced the challenges that come with living on this earth, I have learned “the urgent necessity to refocus my life on Jesus.” Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I grew up in the Tabarre Section and lived with my mother Jeanne, my father Syrhilhomme and my two little sisters, Monica and Shlaydine. Growing up, we didn’t have much money because there are limited opportunities in Haiti due in part to earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms and political unrest. M...

Read More

Haiti, Women, hope

Celebrating 10 Years of Pope Francis

Posted on March 12, 2023 in: News

340

Celebrating 10 Years of Pope Francis
  Vatican City - April 5, 2015. Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing (meaning "for the city and for the world") for the city of Rome and the entire world on April 5, 2015 in St. Peter's Basilica. | © L'Osservatore Romano By FAITH Catholic Celebrating 10 years of Pope Francis March 13, 2013-March 13, 2023   Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, then the archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected pontiff on March 13, 2013, on the second day of the conclave following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Francis is the first...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

 

Español

 

 
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


    Recently Added Galleries
    Click to view album: Rite of Election
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination  for Fr. Jacob Ramos
    Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Father Lawrence Barile
    Click to view album: Palm Sunday
    Latest Articles
    We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal
    U.S. Bishops' President Asks Faithful to Pray for Pope Francis' Speedy Recovery
    You Can Make a Difference This Easter Season
    Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra to Give Palm Sunday Concert at the Cathedral
    Three Miles Later
    31 Chances for 31 Prizes - Help Those Facing Food Insecurity
    Holy Week Schedule of Masses - Cathedral of Saint Patrick
    Calendar of Events

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