A Celebration of Current and Past Leaders of Catholic Education

by: Kathy Gaito

The tradition of celebrating Catholic education in the Diocese of Norwich continues this year with the 9th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner.  The Seton Dinner will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 4:00pm at the Mystic Marriott Hotel, 625 North Road, Groton, Connecticut.  At the dinner, individuals are honored for their contributions to Catholic education and all proceeds from the dinner are distributed by The Catholic Foundation to elementary school students in the form of tuition assistance grants.

The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, announced the recipients of the 2018 Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D. Award for Contributions to Catholic Education in the Diocese of Norwich. This year’s recipients are: Monsignor Robert L. Brown (Posthumously), Reverend Mark D. O’Donnell and Mrs. Doris Messina.

Monsignor Robert L. Brown was ordained a priest on May 3, 1969 and from 1989-2017 he served as Chancellor, Diocese of Norwich until his passing on November 4, 2017. Reverend Mark D. O’Donnell, was ordained a priest on May 25, 1985 and is currently Pastor at Saint Joseph Church, New London, Saint Mary, Star of the Sea Church, New London and Our Lady of Grace Church, Fishers Island.  Father O’Donnell is also Administrator of Saint Paul Church, Waterford and he oversees Saint Joseph School, New London. Mrs. Doris Messina, has taught at St. Michael School, Pawcatuck for 19 years and has been principal at the school for the past 12 years.

This year’s honorees represent both current and past leaders from our Diocese who have devoted much of their lives serving our Catholic schools. Since its inception in 2010, the Seton Scholarship Dinner has raised and distributed over $271,600.00 in scholarships to Catholic elementary school students. Anyone who would like to purchase a sponsorship, program advertisement or tickets to the 9th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner may contact Kathy Gaito, Stewardship Coordinator, Diocese of Norwich Office of Development at 860.886.1928 ext. 15 or kgaito@norwichdiocese.net or Click Here