It has been said that one of the hallmarks of good writers is the ability to connect their audience to a story. If this is true, then one of the gifts of Pope Francis’ ministry is his ability to connect each of us with the story the Lord wants us to write with our lives. Last ...

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Pope, FaithSparks

By Andrea Hoisl Every year, as we wrap up our Christmas celebrations, our minds shift to thoughts of the New Year. We contemplate making a resolution we may or may not keep. The thought of a resolution sounds so positive and healthy that we cannot help but get drawn into the idea of changing and...

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Norwich, Catholic, FaithSparks

By Liza Roach Christmas is right around the corner. Do you feel like I do – behind already?  You have to make sure the house is decorated, the crèche is out for all to see, the Christmas tree is up in all its glory, the wreath on the door looks festive and inviting, and let’s not...

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advent, FaithSparks

By Mary-Jo McLaughlin Do you recall as a child viewing commercials of famine-stricken children in Africa while watching Saturday morning cartoons? Seeing those pictures, how many of us were compelled to break open the piggy bank and send money to charities hoping to ease the guilt of having more...

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Norwich, FaithSparks

New Curriculum Involves Accompanying Our Youth by Andrea Hoisl  “Walking with our youth in faith is dependent upon our trust in the Holy Spirit – trusting that it will take us where we need to go – closer to Christ,” said Fr. Frank Donio, director of the Catholic A...

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Fr.FrankDonio, Curriculum, FaithSparks, HolyFamily

By Andrea Hoisl Blessings are words that express gratitude for something or show God’s favor. What does the word “bless” actually mean? In Hebrew, the root means “to increase” or “bring down Divine abundance.” So if I bless you, I am asking God to increas...

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by Mary-Jo McLaughlin Is family prayer a part of your family’s life? I have vivid memories as a child kneeling beside my family as we prayed the Rosary. I would look out the window and see neighborhood children playing in their yards and I longed to be with them. Instead, I was cooped up...

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By Mary-Jo McLaughlin Faith Sparks…. Ignite Your Faith is a new column that the office of Faith Events (OFE) will premier in the August issue of the Four County Catholic to help engage parents, grandparents and families in their faith. “One of the focuses of our new Diocesan faith...

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Norwich