Feast Day July 14 Tekakwitha, born in 1656 to a Christian Algonquin mother and Mohawk father, embraced a life of gentle service to others from an early age. She and her family contracted smallpox when she was a child; she was scarred from the disease and lost her family to it. Although her uncle took [...]
Story by Shelley Wolf Synod 2020 might be in the rearview mirror, but the parishioners at St. Stanislaus Parish in Bristol were inspired by the challenge of addressing the needs of the local Church. Ever since the Synod Closing Mass in August 2021, they’ve been finding ways to revitalize their parish community and extend [...]
Archbishop Leonard P. Blair In the Fall of 2021 the Sacrament of Confirmation began to be celebrated seasonally on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford rather than in the parishes. This has made it possible for me and Bishop Betancourt, as Bishops, to confer the [...]
Story and Photos by Karen A. Avitabile “AT TIMES, THE LORD TESTS OUR FAITH BY WAITING AWHILE BEFORE HE ANSWERS. WHEN OUR PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED IMMEDIATELY, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PRAY, PERSEVERE AND ASK HIM QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND TO THE SITUATION NEEDING HEALING. I FOUND I NEEDED [...]
Story by Sheri Wohlfert “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23) Summer arrives with some of God’s great gifts! He gives us longer days with warm sunshine, green grass, beautiful flowers and my favorite summer gift … delicious, colorful, sweet fresh fruit! When we think of [...]
Archbishop Leonard P. Blair June 10/11 is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, “the Body (and Blood) of Christ,” which He Himself gives us in the Eucharist at every Mass. This year’s observance has special significance because it marks the beginning, at the parish level, of what the U.S. Bishops hope will be [...]
Story by Patricia Majher Ever hear the phrase “St. Anthony’s Bread”? If you have, you probably associate it with a poor box found in the back of a church. But the origin of this Franciscan-run charity program actually has something to do with the staple food for which it was named. One legend dates back [...]
This year, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated on June 16. The prayer below was written by Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman. Most Sacred, most loving Heart of Jesus, You are concealed in the Holy Eucharist, And You beat for us still. Now, as then, You say: “With desire I [...]
Story by Sister Ann Shields As I travel around this country speaking in so many parishes and dioceses, and as I participate in large and small conferences bringing Catholics together from all walks of life and nationalities, one of the sad and difficult realizations I have had to face is this: Many do not believe [...]
Feast Day: June 19 Story by Jan Rynearson Claim to fame: Born to Italian nobility, Romuald enjoyed the pleasures of his family’s wealth and position during his early years. His life shifted dramatically, however, after he watched his father kill a relative in a duel over property. Overcome with shame by his father’s actions, Romuald withdrew to [...]