In his first major document as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has released a powerful call to action for the universal Church. His apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (“On Love for the Poor”), promulgated on October 4, 2025, the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, and released in English five days later, sets forth a vision of the Church centered on compassion, humility, and solidarity with the poor. Building upon the unfinished work of Pope Francis, Dilexi Te weaves together the pastoral wisdom of two shepherds whose lives and ministries have been deeply shaped by Latin Ame...

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  A Lifetime of Love Jack and Jane Sterry’s life together goes back to when both were just schoolkids living in Portland, Connecticut.  Jack was a senior and Jane an incoming freshman at Portland High School when Jack took one look at Jane and knew she was the one for him. They’ve been together ever since and celebrated 69 years of marriage on June 30th.  “I was lucky with this guy,” Jane said while patting Jack on the arm as both sat in the front pew of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich, waiting for the start of the Si...

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The National Shrine of the North American Martyrs   On Thursday, October 16, a busload of travelers and I accompanied Bishop Reidy on a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs. The day was marked by a pleasant bus ride, prayer, Holy Mass, and the beautiful vistas of the Mohawk Valley. Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs The Shrine, also known as Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, is located in Auriesville / Fultonville, NY. It encompasses the village known as Ossernenon, where Saints Isaac Jogues, René Goupil, and Jean de Lalande were martyred, a...

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Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) has long been admired for his vibrant spirit, devotion to the Eucharist, and tireless service to the poor—qualities now officially recognized by the Church with his canonization.   A Life of Adventure, Prayer, and Service Born into a well-to-do family in Turin, Italy, Pier Giorgio might easily have embraced a life of ease. Instead, he chose a radical path of generosity. Known affectionately—and mischievously—as “the Terror” by peers at the Royal Polytechnic of Turin, his lighthearted p...

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5&2 Studios, the production company behind the hit series “The Chosen,” is releasing its new animated series called “The Chosen Adventures” on Prime Video on Oct. 17.  The new series follows 9-year-old Abby and her best friend Joshua as they navigate life in the city of Capernaum. When the two children meet a wise carpenter — Jesus of Nazareth — he changes the way they see the world.  “The Chosen Adventures” consists of 14 11-minute episodes and features several of the original cast members, including Jonat...

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The faithful filled every pew, and then some, at a special Mass celebrated yesterday by The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, as the relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) were made available for veneration. Arriving a half hour before Mass, visitors already found the parking lots overflowing and nearby streets lined with cars. The main body of the church filled quickly, while hundreds more gathered in the adjoining auditorium to watch a live video feed. The atmosphere was reverent, expectant, and deeply prayerful. The Habit in the Sanctuary ...

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On Sunday, September 7, Pope Leo XIV canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis as saints. Addressing over eighty thousand faithful fillingSaint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father reflected on how these two young Saints exemplify holiness, service, and joy, inviting all of us, especially young people, to direct our lives upwards to God.   I had been somewhat familiar with the boy named Carlo Acutis, and that he was up for canonization. But it wasn’t until I was involved with coordinating an exhibit of Eucharistic miracles for my parish that I came ...

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PUTNAM, Conn. — The Legion of Mary of the Diocese of Norwich held its annual Day of Recollection on October 11 at the Immaculate Conception Center in Putnam. The day offered members an opportunity for prayer, reflection, and renewal as they prepare to embrace the graces of the upcoming Jubilee Year. Pictured above are Junior Legion members from the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic, accompanied by Sister Mary Jane, SCMC. Father Brian Romanowski, Retreat Director for the Legion of Mary, led two conference talks focusing on the Jubilee Year and the Spiritual an...

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  Colchester, Conn.— On Saturday, October 11, parishioners and friends gathered at St. Andrew Church in Colchester for a special Rosary Rally, joining thousands of other prayer groups across the nation in honoring Our Lady and praying for the conversion of America. At noontime, Father George led the opening prayers and the Angelus, setting a reverent tone for the afternoon. The group of about twenty faithful then joined their voices together in reciting the Holy Rosary, uniting their intentions with countless others participating in simultaneous rallies acr...

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If you have been to a Mass when a Deacon was serving, you may have noticed something different. Before proclaiming the Gospel, the Deacon approaches the priest or Bishop, bows, and says quietly, “Your blessing, Father.” What’s going on here? Is the priest giving the Deacon his permission to proclaim the Gospel? Is it just a formality?   First of all, the Gospel is not just read, it is proclaimed. The Gospel is not just words on a page in a book; it is the living voice of Jesus Christ. Therefore, whoever is proclaiming it does so with the help of...

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