Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

'Happy Hour for Couples' Will Enrich Relationships

Posted on September 22, 2022 in: Events

'Happy Hour for Couples' Will Enrich Relationships

Couples, are you looking for a unique date night idea that will enrich both your relationship and your spiritual lives? Grab your favorite beverage and join other couples for an uplifting Couples’ Happy Hour that will inspire you and offer different perspectives about romance, relationships and family life. 

The Diocesan Catholic Family Services Office is sponsoring a virtual Couples’ Happy Hour the second Friday every other month beginning September 9 from 7-8:30 p.m.. Each evening will include a presentation on topics relevant to today’s couples, their relationship and families. Couples will have time to share privately on questions pertinent to the evening’s topic. 

Pat and Mary-Jo McLaughlin will host the program. They have been married for 32 years and have three adult children and two granddaughters. The McLaughlins have given many marriage enrichments and are a presenting team couple for Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME), a Catholic-based marriage enrichment program. 

They have served in various leadership roles within WWME, most recently as the leadership couple for the Connecticut/Albany and Western Massachusetts area and before that as New England regional leaders. Mary-Jo is the current coordinator for Catholic Family Services and Pat is the director of public works for the City of Norwich. They are parishioners of The Holy Spirit Catholic Community at St. Mary Church, Jewett City. 

The Couples’ Happy Hour will take place online via a Webex platform. To register, call Mary-Jo at 860-848-2237, Ext. 312, or email her at mmclaughlin@norwichdiocese.net. A link to the event will be sent out a few days prior to September 9. 

There is no cost to participate, just a desire to spend time enriching your relationship and join other couples in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Don’t forget to bring your favorite beverage.

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Mary, Full of Grace: Honoring the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
On December 8, we celebrate one of the most beautiful truths of our faith: the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast invites us to pause in the midst of Advent and reflect not only on who Mary is, but also on what God is continually doing in the quiet of human history and within the hidden places of our own hearts. The Immaculate Conception does not refer to Jesus’ conception, but to Mary’s. It is God’s loving act of preserving her from original sin from the very first moment of her existence. This miracle is the unmistakable sign...

Read More

Northeastern Connecticut Knights of Columbus and Danielson Elks Announce Final 2025 “Coats for Kids” Distribution in Putnam
Families in need of warm winter clothing are invited to attend the 2025 Free “Coats for Kids” distribution on Tuesday, December 9, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Cargill Council 64 Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 68 Providence Street in Putnam. This annual initiative, jointly organized by the Northeastern Connecticut Knights of Columbus and the Danielson Elks Lodge 1706, provides brand-new winter coats for boys and girls in a range of toddler, youth, and teen sizes. Coats are available in various colors and styles to help children stay warm during the col...

Read More

The Humble Servant – A Deacon’s Heart

Posted on December 03, 2025 in: News

349

The Humble Servant – A Deacon’s Heart
  The permanent deacon is an ordained minister who receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders and is called to a life of service to the People of God in the ministries of the liturgy, the word, and charity. The permanent deacon is called to be a living “image of Christ” (Imago Christi), called to “serve, not to be served.” Diaconate service can only be genuine when it is rooted in humility. Colin D’Amelio is attempting to create a film illustrating the humble heart of a deacon. Colin is the son of Deacon Dan and Kathy D’Amelio, D...

Read More

Candlelight, Kindness, and Cold Ice — Join Bishop Reidy for Two Special Events
This Advent and winter, the Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Norwich Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry invites teens, young adults, families, and parishioners of every age to gather with our new bishop, Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, for two grace-filled events. On Thursday, December 11, we will come together at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Norwich for a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament, an Advent reflection offered by Bishop Reidy, and a simple work of mercy as we write Christmas cards for the guests of St. Vincent de Paul Place. In Jan...

Read More

Bound by Faith: Three Books to Lift the Heart this Christmas Season
As Christmas approaches and we begin to think about gifts that enrich the spirit, we launch Bound by Faith — an occasional feature highlighting books written by authors within our own Diocese of Norwich. This first installment brings together three inspiring works by local writers whose faith and insight offer the perfect spiritual nourishment for the Advent and Christmas seasons. She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood By Suzanne Bilodeau, Christ the King Parish, Old Lyme — Published by Ascension Press I met author Suzanne Bilodeau at a side...

Read More

Join the Diocese on an Overnight Pilgrimage to the 2026 March for Life
Join the Diocese of Norwich for an overnight pilgrimage to the 2026 March for Life in Washington, D.C., January 22–24. The cost is $55 for transportation only ($2 additional fee when paying through VANCO). Our pilgrimage will begin with Mass with our Bishop at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick on Thursday, January 22, at 7:30 PM, with bus departure immediately following. We will begin our return to Norwich in the early evening on Friday, January 23, following the March. To register, visit https://bit.ly/VANCO or email atejada@norwichdiocese.net to speak with Alv...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Bowling with Bishop Reidy 2025
Click to view album: Ninety-Fifth Anniversary of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Saint Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

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