The faithful filled every pew, and then some, at a special Mass celebrated yesterday by The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, as the relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) were made available for veneration. Arriving a half hour before Mass, visitors already found the parking lots overflowing and nearby streets lined with cars. The main body of the church filled quickly, while hundreds more gathered in the adjoining auditorium to watch a live video feed. The atmosphere was reverent, expectant, and deeply prayerful. The Habit in the Sanctuary ...

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On Sunday, September 7, Pope Leo XIV canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis as saints. Addressing over eighty thousand faithful fillingSaint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father reflected on how these two young Saints exemplify holiness, service, and joy, inviting all of us, especially young people, to direct our lives upwards to God.   I had been somewhat familiar with the boy named Carlo Acutis, and that he was up for canonization. But it wasn’t until I was involved with coordinating an exhibit of Eucharistic miracles for my parish that I came ...

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  A Lifetime of Love Jack and Jane Sterry’s life together goes back to when both were just schoolkids living in Portland, Connecticut.  Jack was a senior and Jane an incoming freshman at Portland High School when Jack took one look at Jane and knew she was the one for him. They’ve been together ever since and celebrated 69 years of marriage on June 30th.  “I was lucky with this guy,” Jane said while patting Jack on the arm as both sat in the front pew of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich, waiting for the start of the Si...

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5&2 Studios, the production company behind the hit series “The Chosen,” is releasing its new animated series called “The Chosen Adventures” on Prime Video on Oct. 17.  The new series follows 9-year-old Abby and her best friend Joshua as they navigate life in the city of Capernaum. When the two children meet a wise carpenter — Jesus of Nazareth — he changes the way they see the world.  “The Chosen Adventures” consists of 14 11-minute episodes and features several of the original cast members, including Jonat...

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The National Shrine of the North American Martyrs   On Thursday, October 16, a busload of travelers and I accompanied Bishop Reidy on a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs. The day was marked by a pleasant bus ride, prayer, Holy Mass, and the beautiful vistas of the Mohawk Valley. Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs The Shrine, also known as Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, is located in Auriesville / Fultonville, NY. It encompasses the village known as Ossernenon, where Saints Isaac Jogues, René Goupil, and Jean de Lalande were martyred, a...

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Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) has long been admired for his vibrant spirit, devotion to the Eucharist, and tireless service to the poor—qualities now officially recognized by the Church with his canonization.   A Life of Adventure, Prayer, and Service Born into a well-to-do family in Turin, Italy, Pier Giorgio might easily have embraced a life of ease. Instead, he chose a radical path of generosity. Known affectionately—and mischievously—as “the Terror” by peers at the Royal Polytechnic of Turin, his lighthearted p...

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