Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Cards Spread Hope, Happiness to Shut-ins

Posted on June 26, 2020 in: News

Cards Spread Hope, Happiness to Shut-ins

“Hope and happiness is something we all need now,” said Kathleen Kukish of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Durham. That thought, she said, was the motivation she needed to join an Office of Faith Events (OFE) venture making greeting cards for residents confined to area convalescent homes and health care facilities. “By making cards … I can spread a little happiness to someone at this trying time. It’s the least I can do and it gives me happiness also.”

It began as a simple idea by OFE director Andrea Hoisl. Before the shelter-in-place edict from Governor Ned Lamont, she and other diocesan staff members at the Bishop Flanagan Ministry Center gathered around the lunch table one day and began making the cards for those in convalescent homes. From there it snowballed into an active ministry of 20 people around the diocese who have distributed more than 2,000 cards.

As word about the venture spread, Hoisl received calls from people across the diocese asking how they could help. Some team members design the cards, while others place a hand-written note inside, or use creative computer graphic skills. Each card contains an inspirational message of hope, or promises of prayers to remind recipients that they are not alone, nor forgotten.

The Davis Place, a nursing and rehabilitation center in Danielson, is one of many facilities that received a packet of cards and wrote back to express its gratitude. “Thank you for the beautiful homemade cards. We sincerely appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Our residents are doing well and the cards brought smiles to their faces! Thank you, stay well.”

Mary, a resident at Wadsworth Glen, Middletown, expressed similar thoughts: “Thank you for the lovely card I received. It helped to brighten my day. I have good days and bad days but your card reminded me to smile even on the bad days because God is watching over me. Thank you for your kindness. Please thank the artist who drew the lighthouse on my card; it was beautiful! I have it on my wall so I can see it from every part of my room.”

Chester resident Carol Butler helps create the cards because of her concern for the residents. “Their small piece of the world suddenly became even smaller and may have caused confusion, restlessness, depression or anxiety. It is my hope that this simple outreach on my part opens the doorway of faith to the recipient. The act of receiving a simple cheerful card can lift their mood, brighten their space, give them hope, joy, and the opportunity to share with their family the news that they received a card.”

Tony Jasko, retired athletic director at Xavier High School in Middletown, and his wife Donna, both parishioners at St. Francis Church, Middletown, are also collaborating on the project. “I was brought up and called to do this as a Catholic, but I also wanted to let others know they are thought about and cared for during this difficult time,” Tony said. “I hope the cards can put a smile on peoples’ faces and a good feeling in their hearts during this pandemic.”

His wife Donna echoed those sentiments. “Since I could not go out and do service, I am grateful to reach out through the cards to help others by providing hope, love and some joy,” she said.

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Clergy Appointments

Posted on July 09, 2025 in: News, Vocations

956

Clergy Appointments
July 3, 2025 The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointments in the Diocese of Norwich   DIOCESAN APPOINTMENT Rev. Msgr. Leszek T. Janik, JCL, Vicar General of the Diocese of Norwich, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Norwichtown, and Saint Joseph Church, Norwich. Effective: June 5, 2025. Very Rev. Ted Tumicki, STL, JCL, Judicial Vicar for the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Norwich. Effective: June 5, 2025.   CLERGY APPOINTMENT Reverend Francis Gi...

Read More

5 Ways to Sanctify Your Summer Vacation and Evangelize
With the arrival of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, many people take a vacation, a period of rest away from their routine but also a unique opportunity to reconnect with their faith. A bishop, a mother, and a priest shared some tips from their own experiences for “sanctifying vacations” and evangelizing at vacation spots.   1. Take time to connect with God. Speaking with ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, the bishop of Matamoros-Reynosa in Mexico, Eugenio Lira, emphasized that summer is a time of rest to “recreate&rd...

Read More

Pope Leo Meets with Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain
As the United States celebrated Independence Day last week, Pope Leo XIV received Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore in a private audience at the Vatican. The July 4 audience was the first meeting of the U.S.-born pope with the leader of the Knights of Columbus and the chief shepherd of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which in 1789 became the first diocese in the United States. During their visit, the supreme knight and supreme chaplain pledged the Order’s loyalty to Pope Leo and promised ongoing prayers and support...

Read More

Parishes Need to Launch 'Revolution of Care' for the Elderly, Pope Says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV called on every parish and church group or association to become part of a "revolution" of care and gratitude by regularly visiting older people. "Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are," the pope wrote in his message for World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, a church celebration that will take place July 27. "In this case, it urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which the elderly are entitled,&...

Read More

Looking Forward with Gratitude for What Has Been
Editor’s Note After nearly ten years of ministry with the Diocese of Norwich, our dear colleague Mary-Jo McLaughlin has entered retirement. While she may be stepping away from her day-to-day role, she is not stepping away from us entirely. I’m happy to share that she will continue writing her beloved Marriage Matters column, bringing her insight and compassion to our readers in the months ahead. In the following reflection, Mary-Jo shares her heartfelt gratitude for the journey she’s been on—and the faith that continues to guide her. It’s...

Read More

Notre-Dame Cathedral Welcomes More Than 6 Million Visitors Since Reopening
Notre-Dame de Paris (French for “Our Lady of Paris”), also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. | Credit: Sam valadi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons   Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has become the most visited place in France. Since reopening its doors last December after a 2019 fire, it has welcomed more than 6 million people. On April 15, 2019, the French capital witnessed one of the most devastating tragedies in its recent history. Its iconic cathedral &mdash...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Looking Forward with Gratitude for What Has Been
In Memoriam: Sr. Eileen Smith, DHS (1921–2025)
Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
Notre-Dame Cathedral Welcomes More Than 6 Million Visitors Since Reopening
Bishop Reidy to Take Part in Annual Stonington Blessing of the Fleet
5 Ways to Sanctify Your Summer Vacation and Evangelize
Pope Leo Meets with Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain
Clergy Appointments
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

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