The Quiet Beauty of November November begins with a quiet beauty. The air cools, the leaves fall, and nature itself seems to pause, reminding us that all things, even life, pass through seasons. It is fitting, then, that the Church dedicates this month to remembering the faithful departed, those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, yet still journeying toward the fullness of heaven. We enter this sacred time with two beautiful feasts that frame our hope and our prayer: All Saints’ Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. On...

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Once an “ordained” Satanic priest, Bartolo Longo underwent one of the most dramatic conversions in recent Church history. He was canonized a saint on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA   St. Bartolo Longo — a former Satanist “priest” whose remarkable conversion led him to create a Shrine to Our Lady of the Rosary and spread devotion to the prayer — was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 19. In addition to his example of faith and Marian devotion, Bartolo Longo (Bart...

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In his first major document as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has released a powerful call to action for the universal Church. His apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (“On Love for the Poor”), promulgated on October 4, 2025, the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, and released in English five days later, sets forth a vision of the Church centered on compassion, humility, and solidarity with the poor. Building upon the unfinished work of Pope Francis, Dilexi Te weaves together the pastoral wisdom of two shepherds whose lives and ministries have been deeply shaped by Latin Ame...

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LOCATION CHANGE: First Saturday Pro-Life Mass — Saturday, November 1, 8:30 a.m. Due to a funeral at the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Saturday, November 1, the location has changed. The monthly Diocesan Pro-Life Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church (22 Maple Ave., Uncasville) on Saturday, November 1 at 8:30 a.m. Please join our celebrant, Rev. Brian Maxwell, as we pray to end abortion and for healing for those who have had an abortion. A Rosary for Life will follow the Mass. This Mass will be offered for the Solemnity of All Saints...

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As fall is now upon us, the days grow cooler, and the scent of kitchens fills the air. It is a season that draws us back to family tables, to recipes passed down through generations, and to the warmth that food and fellowship bring. Cooking becomes more than a task; it becomes a way of remembering, of handing on traditions, and of savoring the love that binds families together. It is in that spirit that the following reflection takes shape.   Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah ...

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The dilemmas are real, and our decisions cut deep. As medical professionals, we struggle to integrate our Catholic values into the practice of medicine. Here is just a sampling of the moral struggles confronted by physicians every day: Many physicians are inundated by requests for birth control prescriptions. Countless young women go to the doctor specifically for that reason, being quite upfront that they want the pills to avoid pregnancy and to “just have fun.” Many medical professionals now know that if they say no, their healthcare organization might disc...

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