Sister Mary Mercedes Cook, SCMC, entered eternal life on Sunday, January 4, 2026, following a long illness. Her final years were spent at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she received compassionate care. Born Jacqueline Fayre Cook in Hagerstown, Maryland, on December 18, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Garland and Anita (Willis) Cook. Her family later moved to Norwich, Connecticut. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic and entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church in 1958. She professed perpet...

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Young adults ages 18 to 39 are invited to a day of prayer, fellowship, and renewal on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Saint Michael the Archangel Church, 60 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck. Inspired by the witness of the newly canonized Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, the retreat will explore a central question: How can young adults encounter the Eucharist through friendships? Retreat Schedule 9:30 a.m. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Celebrant: Fr. Jeffrey Ellis, Vocation Director) Talk 1: Ethan Roberts, UConn FOCUS Missionary Small-group discussion following the first talk...

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  Diocese of Norwich Appoints Paul F. Dillon Jr., CMA, as New Diocesan Finance Officer The Diocese of Norwich has appointed Paul F. Dillon Jr., CMA, as its new Diocesan Finance Officer, effective January 5, 2026. He succeeds Karen Huffer, who recently retired after many years of dedicated service. Mr. Dillon is a seasoned financial executive with more than 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, treasury, and administration for international and domestic organizations. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Finance for International Game Tec...

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A Parish Without Boundaries When is a picture truly worth a thousand words? According to Father Edmund Nadolny, it’s when the picture is on a highway.   Father Nadolny has been sponsoring bold highway billboards that mix spiritual encouragement with pro-life messages for over 43 years. These signs – funded through his “Good News Fund” – have dotted Connecticut’s roads, carrying religious slogans, calls to prayer, and pleas on behalf of the unborn.  Born in 1933 in New Britain, the priesthood was not on Father Edmun...

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The John P. Holland Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) in New London is inviting the faithful and the broader community to help launch Irish Heritage Month with a special “Green Mass” in honor of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Diocese of Norwich. The Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, with Bishop Richard F. Reidy as celebrant. Regional Irish American organizations are being invited to participate, and Bishop Reidy will then lead those organizations in the No...

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Bishop Reidy Awards Catholic Campaign for Human Development Grants to Local Organizations Serving Those in Need Bishop Richard F. Reidy distributed Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) grants to several local organizations dedicated to serving those in need across the region. Funded through the generosity of parishioners throughout the Diocese of Norwich, these grants help alleviate poverty and support life-changing programs in our communities. The following organizations were awarded CCHD grants for their exceptional service: Birthright of Greater Nor...

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