In the Italian town of Gubbio, some 130 miles north of Rome, sits the church of SanFranciscodellaPace.— the Church of St. Francis “of the Peace.” The church is large and old, and its white stone exterior is nondescript. Walking inside, you’ll find an inscription in the stone above the main entrance. It reads “dedicated to God and Francis, the peace bestower.” Next to the inscription is a carved image of a wolf. The Church is built on the spot where, according to legend, St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226) made a peace pact with a wolf th...

Read More

If you think angels are chubby cheeked, bare-bottomed tots with wings, or maybe golden-haired ladies in white nightgowns playing harps, it’s time to take a look at St. Michael the Archangel, commander of the heavenly army. Leader of Heavenly Forces: Michael, who shares his Sept. 29 feast day with fellow archangels Gabriel and Raphael, is the leader of the heavenly forces in the eternal fight against Satan and the other fallen angels. If you’ve ever seen a picture of an intense looking angel armed with a helmet, sword, and shield, piercing a dragon with a l...

Read More

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope Francis was introduced to the world from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he spoke to the crowd about taking up a journey, "bishop and people," a "journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us." He did not mention the Synod of Bishops in that greeting March 13, 2013, nor did he issue one of his now-frequent appeals to ensure a more "synodal church." But the inspiration behind the assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which opens Oct. 4, can be seen in his very first words as pope and in his ...

Read More

September 20, 2023 The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D. D., Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointment in the Diocese of Norwich   Reverend Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap., to Saint Pius X Parish, Middletown, Pastor. Effective:  September 1, 2023.      Reverend Peter J. Langevin, Chancellor    

Read More

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36).   Pope Francis, in his message for the 2023 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, writes, “These words are a constant admonition to see in the migrant not simply a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself, who knocks at our door.” The Church has celebrated World Day of Migrants and Refu...

Read More

Do you remember the last time you heard a good story? It’s easy to become captivated by a compelling narrative or a fascinating myth. From novels or warm conversations over dinner to movies or even music, stories capture our imagination and shape the way we think about the world. As Catholics, we are confronted by a host of narratives that compete with, and often contradict, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know, however, that God has revealed the true story of the whole world. The story of Christ is, as C.S. Lewis put it, “the true myth.” Jesus isn’t ...

Read More

Sometimes, the best stories come from unexpected moments of inspiration. Recently, I had a unique experience attending Mass at St. Columba in Columbia. Originally, I hadn't planned on going there; the church I regularly attend had canceled the early Mass for the summer. At the same time, I was struggling to find a topic for this month's Four County Catholic article. Writer's block had hit me hard, and the deadlines were looming. During the Communion meditation, something remarkable happened. My eyes caught sight of a large plaque on the wall listing the corporal...

Read More

WASHINGTON - Each year on September 1, the Catholic Church commemorates the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This day of prayer also marks the beginning of a month-long ecumenical awareness initiative known as the “Season of Creation,” which concludes on October 4 with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. The theme chosen for this year’s Season of Creation is “Let Justice and Peace Flow,” and it calls on the faithful to reflect on the relationship between justice and creation. Archbishop Borys ...

Read More

“Sheen is clean.” That’s the message from Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, regarding the status of the cause for beatification of “America’s bishop,” the late televangelist Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. “I think it’s safe to say that I don’t think any cause for beatification has been subjected to more scrutiny than Archbishop Sheen, both ecclesiastically and civilly,” Gray said in an Aug. 24 interview on “The World Over with Raymond Arroyo.&rdqu...

Read More

The Family and Youth Explosion will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. December 3 at Mercy High School in Middletown with speaker, song writer and musician Jesse Manibusan.   Jesse has that knack to build instant rapport, connect to his audience, and create life-giving memories that help deepen faith and cultivate the joy that inspires service, sacrifice and the celebration of life. He works with any and every age group, so everyone is invited to attend!  Tickets will be $5 per Person, $25 for a family or $4 per person for a youth group. For more information...

Read More