Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

A Season of Giving

Posted on October 26, 2020 in: Catholic Charities News

A Season of Giving

‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
                                                                                                                                     Mt 25:40

Among this tumultuous time of COVID-19, Catholic Charities is assisting anyone who comes to us in need. Although the giving season is year-round for us, this is that special time of year when Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the minds of our families and friends. During this time of the pandemic, more families than ever need our help, and as the holiday season nears, many people are beginning to worry. Families are starting to wonder how they will be able to manage putting food on the table for Thanksgiving, but also how their children will be able to enjoy Christmas.

As we gather a little differently this year for Thanksgiving and Christmas, we still are grateful for all of the gifts and blessings God has given to us. Catholic Charities would like to help families in need during this holiday season by providing food, Christmas toys and gift cards for those who are struggling and who need a helping hand. We are seeking donations of nonperishable food items for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner such as boxed stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, gravy, canned vegetables and macaroni and cheese, or a grocery gift card. For our families with children, we are requesting donations of unwrapped toys and gift cards for boys and girls of all ages.

While we are all attempting to navigate through these trying times, Catholic Charities is hoping to create a stable and traditional time of Christmas celebrations, especially for the children. This is an important goal for our agency this year, and we know we would not be able to assist those individuals and families who come to us in crisis without your help. As witnessed by a client last year, your donations make a huge impact:

“Christmas can be a very stressful time of year for anyone. This year was very different for our family due to some financial obstacles, unemployment because of illness, and finding out we were expecting another member to our family. We had never needed assistance but this year we could not have had a Christmas without seeking out help from Catholic Charities. I could not be more grateful for the support this program provided for my family. Everyone involved was welcoming and made us feel like we were worth it! My six-year-old boy will wake up on Christmas morning with a smile on his face because of everything Catholic Charities has done for us.”- R.R.

Catholic Charities would like to thank you for being a light in a dark and difficult time for so many, and we wish you all a very blessed, healthy and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.

By Laura Malone


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
      Do you have an upcoming parish or school event that would be of interest to others in the Diocese? These folks do! Around the Diocese Submissions Please provide your event details to your parish administrator for submission. Email submissions are NOT accepted. Descriptions are limited to 30 words. Parish Admin Log-In   Calendar of Events Here's what's happening Around the Diocese!   Upcoming Events Saturday, June 20 Knights of Columbus Pasta Dinner The Knights of Columbus Cardina...

Read More

Eagle Scout Candidate Seeks Community Support in Effort to Collect One Ton of Food for Catholic Charities
A local Scout’s commitment to serving others is already making a meaningful impact—and there is still time to help.   Anthony DePaola, a member of Boy Scout Troop 13 in Colchester, has launched a food drive benefiting Catholic Charities of Norwich as his Eagle Scout service project. His ambitious goal is to collect one ton (2,000 pounds) of non-perishable food to help support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity throughout the Diocese of Norwich. Thanks to the generosity of parishioners and community members, the first collection d...

Read More

A Prayer for Father's Day

Posted on June 17, 2026 in: News

416

A Prayer for Father's Day
Dear God, Thank you for loving us with your perfect heart of a father. We ask you this Father's Day and always to guide and protect the hearts of all men in fatherly roles who are striving to love with your heart and do your work. Give them pure, chaste, courageous, and creative hearts like Saint Joseph. Give them hearts that never tire of serving those they are called to love. Give them hearts that seek out their loved ones and gently turn their gaze to see You, who is Love.  And we ask you, Father, to bless them abundantly today....

Read More

Cherish What is Simple; Be in Awe of What Is Great
In a recent homily, my pastor said something that made an impression on me and which I have tried to remember as I go about my daily life – ‘Joy is our response to God’s love!’ With so much turmoil in the world, rising costs of everything, and depressing news cycles, it is easy to lose sight of the ordinary sparks of joy that surround us daily and succumb to negativity and pessimism. In doing so, we also miss the chance to respond to the goodness of God’s love for us. I recall a book I discovered during the height of the pandemic by Christop...

Read More

In Memoriam: Sr. Patricia Blais, DHS

Posted on June 17, 2026 in: News

307

In Memoriam: Sr. Patricia Blais, DHS
Sr. Patricia Blais, DHS, 100, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Thursday, June 11, 2026, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham. Born Fleurette Patricia Marie Blais on March 17, 1926, in Lewiston, Maine, she was the daughter of Joseph Stanislas Blais and Marie Stella Goulette Blais. At 19, she attended the Boston Ritter School of Floral Design in preparation to manage her family’s flower shop. In 1961, she entered the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and was known as Sr. Marie Stella. Sr. Patricia began teaching first grade in Burlington, Vermont, w...

Read More

Eagle Scout Candidate Nears One-Ton Goal, Seeks Final Push for Catholic Charities
A local Scout’s commitment to serving others is making a remarkable impact— and there is still one final opportunity to help!   Anthony DePaola, a member of Boy Scout Troop 13 in Colchester, launched a food drive benefiting Catholic Charities of Norwich as his Eagle Scout service project. His ambitious goal is to collect one ton (2,000 pounds) of non-perishable food to help support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity throughout eastern Connecticut. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of parishioners and community members, the p...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

 

 

Latest Articles
Pope Leo XIV Prays for Parents Who Have Suffered the Loss of a Baby
Rediscover the Gift of “Us”: Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience Coming to West Hartford
In Memoriam: Sr. Patricia Blais, DHS
A Prayer for Father's Day
Eagle Scout Candidate Nears One-Ton Goal, Seeks Final Push for Catholic Charities
Patriotic Sing-A-Long to Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary
Pasta with a Purpose: An Evening of Food, Fellowship and Charity Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Corpus Christi Procession 2026
Click to view album: Chrism Mass 2026
Click to view album: 2026 CT March for Life- Hartford, CT
Click to view album: Adventure, Faith and Fellowship with Bishop Reidy
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


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