Sometimes, the best stories come from unexpected moments of inspiration. Recently, I had a unique experience attending Mass at St. Columba in Columbia. Originally, I hadn't planned on going there; the church I regularly attend had canceled the early Mass for the summer. At the same time, I was struggling to find a topic for this month's Four County Catholic article. Writer's block had hit me hard, and the deadlines were looming. During the Communion meditation, something remarkable happened. My eyes caught sight of a large plaque on the wall listing the corporal...

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“Sheen is clean.” That’s the message from Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, regarding the status of the cause for beatification of “America’s bishop,” the late televangelist Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. “I think it’s safe to say that I don’t think any cause for beatification has been subjected to more scrutiny than Archbishop Sheen, both ecclesiastically and civilly,” Gray said in an Aug. 24 interview on “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo.&rdqu...

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The Family and Youth Explosion will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. December 3 at Mercy High School in Middletown with speaker, song writer and musician Jesse Manibusan.   Jesse has that knack to build instant rapport, connect to his audience, and create life-giving memories that help deepen faith and cultivate the joy that inspires service, sacrifice and the celebration of life. He works with any and every age group, so everyone is invited to attend!  Tickets will be $5 per Person, $25 for a family or $4 per person for a youth group. For more information...

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For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36).   Pope Francis, in his message for the 2023 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, writes, “These words are a constant admonition to see in the migrant not simply a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself, who knocks at our door.” The Church has celebrated World Day of Migrants and Refu...

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Do you remember the last time you heard a good story? It’s easy to become captivated by a compelling narrative or a fascinating myth. From novels or warm conversations over dinner to movies or even music, stories capture our imagination and shape the way we think about the world. As Catholics, we are confronted by a host of narratives that compete with, and often contradict, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know, however, that God has revealed the true story of the whole world. The story of Christ is, as C.S. Lewis put it, “the true myth.” Jesus isn’t ...

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September 20, 2023 The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D. D., Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointment in the Diocese of Norwich   Reverend Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap., to Saint Pius X Parish, Middletown, Pastor. Effective:  September 1, 2023.      Reverend Peter J. Langevin, Chancellor    

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