The trees surrounding the Lake of Isles provided brilliant colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold on October 26, 2025, at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Gail Kingston, Superintendent of Schools, Bishop Reidy, and the Office of Development hosted nearly 160 people on this glorious fall day. This year we honored the commitment of three people who have spent their careers dedicated to our diocesan Catholic school system while enjoying the melodious voices of the Saint Patrick Cathedral Choir as they filled the room singing “God Bless America” and “Overflowing with Your Goodness.” Guests were also moved by the heartfelt essay titled “What a Catholic Education Means to Me,” written by Saint John Paul II School student Joslyn DiGrande.
In 2010, the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Award for Contributions to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Norwich was established. The three individuals honored this year for their significant contributions to Catholic education in the Diocese of Norwich were Nicholas Cerreta, President of Xavier High School, Middletown; Sister M. Michele Jascenia, S.C.M.C., Teacher at Saint Joseph School, Baltic; and Mary Ann Manning, Teacher/Vice Principal at Saint Patrick Cathedral School, Norwich. The proceeds from the Seton 
Scholarship Dinner will assist our diocesan elementary school students with tuition assistance. Dr. Kingston noted in her report on the status of the diocesan school system that our Catholic school students have a 100% graduation rate, and 96% continue on to an institution of higher learning. Bishop Reidy expressed his gratitude to those who helped make this event a great success, while emphasizing how the proceeds will help make a Catholic education attainable for students whose families are in financial need.
Before the evening came to a close, Dr. Kingston surprised everyone by presenting Mrs. Mary Ellen Mahoney, Executive Director of the Office of Development, with the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Award for Contributions to Catholic Education in the Diocese, noting her strong development work for the Seton Scholarship Dinner as well as for the Catholic Foundation since coming to the diocese in 2013. Since that time, with the help of the Seton Scholarship Dinner, the Foundation has provided over $1.9 million in tuition assistance to families of students attending Catholic schools in the diocese. Mrs. Mahoney is retiring at the end of November from the Office of Development as well as from her positions as Executive Director of the Annual Catholic Appeal and Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation.
The Office of Development would like to thank our honorees for their commitment to Catholic education. We appreciate the generosity of all those who attended this important event to celebrate our awardees. A special thanks to our sponsors, our volunteers, and those who purchased an ad for our program book or donated a silent auction gift. We look forward to seeing you in 2026.
By Gina Foster, Stewardship Coordinator