With the arrival of Autumn, I hope that you get to visit your favorite farm or orchard, enjoy a piece of warm apple cobbler and sip your favorite pumpkin-spiced coffee.

Whether it’s the start of a new school year, a new job or perhaps a residential move, autumn can bring many changes. A journey can be defined as any course or passage from one stage or experience to another. As “One Faith, One Family,” we pray for the members of our diocese and for our Catholic school students as they continue their journey to grow in Christ’s love as the school year begins.

As Pope Francis said, “Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life.” Our diocesan elementary schools continue to work so hard to provide an exemplary education for our students. They have been faced with ongoing challenges over the past year-and-a-half, but our students, teachers and faculty have remained dedicated and resilient.

“Catholic Schools allow me to teach to the whole child,” Mrs. Jennifer Clark from Saint John School, Old Saybrook, said. “Not only the intellectual and emotional, but also the spiritual. It is a privilege to connect with students on a spiritual level.”

Our families are very appreciative of the quality Catholic education their children receive. A parent of a child at Saint Joseph School in Baltic chose the school for its all-day pre-kindergarten. “We fell in love with the teachers, the staff, the school mission and are still enrolled eight grades later,” the parent said. “The greatest gift you can give your children is that of a good education.”

This year we will hold the 11th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner on Nov. 7 at the Riverhouse in Haddam. This important dinner honors three individuals within the Diocese of Norwich who have made a significant contribution to Catholic education: Director of Faith Events Andrea D. Hoisl; Vicar for the Clergy and Pastor of Saint Michael Parish, Pawcatuck, The Very Reverend Dennis Perkins; and Saint Bernard School teacher Frederic S. Smith.

The proceeds from this event help Catholic elementary school students from the diocese with tuition assistance. Our ACA donations continue to be extremely important to help all of our ministries carry out their spiritually-affirming and life-changing missions.

Your generosity through the pandemic has been inspiring and very much appreciated. We still need your help to make our goal.

To make a contribution to our 2021 ACA “One Faith, One Family,” please go online to www.norwichdiocesedevelopment.org or call Heather Harris in the Office of Development at 860-886-1928. If you would like further information about becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets for the 11th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner, please email or call me at gfoster@norwichdiocese.net or 860-886-1928, extension 115. Stay safe and God bless you.

By Gina Foster