'Happy Hour for Couples' Will Enrich Relationships > Diocese of Norwich
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

The Bishop’s Column: Remembering Our Beloved Dead Through Prayer and Love
Remembering Our Beloved Dead: The Gift of Prayer and Purgatory “We have loved them in life, let us not forget them in death...” — Saint Ambrose November is the last month of the Church's liturgical year. It is a time in which the readings at Mass and the observances of the liturgical calendar call to mind the Last Things. The Solemnity of All Saints (November 1) reminds us of Heaven, the goal of us all. The Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time (November 15) reminds us of death, the fate of us all. The Feast of Christ the King (November 22) rem...

Read More

Seton Scholarship Dinner Honors Catholic Educators
A stunning fall day at the Lake of Isles Golf Course in North Stonington provided brilliant colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold on October 25, 2026, for the 16th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Gail Kingston, Superintendent of Schools, Bishop Richard Reidy, and the Office of Development hosted more than 100 guests. Named in honor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the dinner recognizes the lasting impact of Catholic education and honors educators whose service reflects the mission of Catholic schools throughout the diocese. Bishop Richard Reidy (left) stands wit...

Read More

Brothers in Christ with Deacon Peter Gil is November 12
Brothers in Christ is a gathering of men who come together to share faith, personal experiences, and meaningful discussion. Virtual fellowship meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. The guest speaker will be Deacon Peter Gil, who will speak about St. Vincent de Paul Place. The meeting will take place virtually via Webex. If you are interested in joining this session and building fellowship and discipleship with other men devoted to Christ, please register by contactin...

Read More

'Houston, We Have a Problem' — Help us get more Good News to You
Donate to the Four County Catholic   If you're old enough to remember the Apollo 13 mission, you'll remember the famous words: "Houston, we have a problem." While things at the Four County Catholic are thankfully much less dramatic, we do have a problem of our own. We simply have more good news than we have room to print. Every two months, our editorial team faces the same challenge. We gather inspiring stories from our ministries and parishes across Eastern Connecticut — people serving the poor, young people growing in faith, famili...

Read More

Students Cheer Cyclists as Ride for Haiti Stops at Norwich Cathedral
Part of the 12th Annual Ride for Haiti (approx. 337 miles across CT & MA) On a mild September morning, the 2026 Ride for Haiti made a heartfelt stop at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich, where a lively group of students from Saint Patrick School greeted riders Jim Hubert, Tom Campbell and Ron Paine. The welcome was warm — filled with smiles, applause, and prayers for the cyclists continuing their 337-mile journey across New England. They were greeted at the Cathedral by the entire Cathedral school, the principal, and several friends....

Read More

National Vocation Awareness Week Is a Reminder of the Beautiful Witness of Those Who Have Responded to God’s Call
WASHINGTON – The Catholic Church in the United States will observe National Vocation Awareness Week from November 1 to 7. Each year, national Catholic organizations, dioceses, schools, and parishes host events and provide resources that raise awareness of vocations and support those discerning God’s call, particularly to ordained ministry or consecrated life. “As we draw near the busiest time of the year, a season marked by thanksgiving and joy, National Vocation Awareness Week reminds us of the beautiful witness of those who have responded to God&rsquo...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

 

 

Latest Articles
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: 2026 Anniversary Mass Couples
Click to view album: Baltic Reliquary
Click to view album: Blessed Fields, Nourishing Gardens (2026)
Click to view album: 2026 Blessing of the Fleet
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


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