Office of Religious - Archdiocese of Hartford

12/02/2020

The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in Meriden (CT) will have their Christmas Fair but it will be online! From November 21 – December 20, 2020 the sisters will share the spirit of Christmas with you through a Living Crèche video, and a Christmas Store where you can purchase Christmas wreaths, centerpieces, pottery, handmade miniature reindeer, hand rolled beeswax candles, Merry Miscellaneous items, Holy Land pieces and more. The fabulous Basket Raffle will be available to all our loyal fairgoers. You can make an appointment for your child to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus live from the North Pole.

Visit franciscanchristmasfair.org for all your Christmas shopping!

This is a major fundraising event for the nonprofit services of the Franciscan Life Center and Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care, operated by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Meriden.

12/02/2020

The Little Sisters of the Poor are located at St. Joseph Residence in Enfield (CT). Their online Christmas raffle to support their ministry continues thru to December 21.

Here are the details: The auction is hosted by GiveSmart It’s online now: https://LSPChristmas.givesmart.com Click on the provided link, register for the event, view the items and begin BIDDING & Buying Raffle Tickets After you register you will get a welcome text message. There are 3 ways to bid:

12/02/2020

Special thanks to Sr. Maureen Faenza, CSJ and Sr. Theresa Fonti, CSJ, founders and co-directors of the House of Bread, ministering to our needy brothers and sisters in Hartford's North Side since 1980. Together with their team, they are keeping things going throughout COVID and now as the cold winter season is upon us.

Feeding the hungry to over 200 clients daily is only one of the services that House of Bread provides. If you're interested in learning more about what food items are needed, visit https://www.hobread.org/?p=28 that gives a listing of items as well as phone number and address for dropoff.

Learn more about their story from this segment in Crossroads Magazine (courtesy of ORTV) (fast forward to 11:50 on the time counter)
https://storage.helnix.com/e837c58c/8ab4eab2b2.mp4

12/02/2020

Now that the cold weather is upon us, there is that beautiful smell in the air coming from homes that are now lighting their fireplaces. The Benedictine nuns at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem (CT) have firewood for sale...

ABBEY FIREWOOD FOR SALE—SEASONED MIXED HARDWOODS!
$190/cord split; $150/cord unsplit.
Customer must be able to pick up.
273 Flanders Rd.
Bethlehem, CT 06751
203-266-7727
Call for appointment.

12/02/2020

Belated congratulations to Mother Noella Marcellino, OSB who was recently appointed as the new Prioress for the Benedictine community at Our Lady of the Rock Monastery on Shaw Island in Washington. We will certainly miss Mother Noella who has been with the community at the Abbey of Regina Laudis here in Bethlehem (CT) since 1973! Many got to know of Mother Noella's expertise in cheese-making from which she has been affectionately known as "The Cheese Nun"! That is coupled with her love of Gregorian Chant and Benedictine spirituality.

Godspeed, Mother Noella!

Here is a short video in which Mother Noella speaks to the science and the spirituality of cheesemaking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiiucJ4TW60

12/02/2020

Thanks to the Paulists for always having something creative to offer.

"Our preparations for Christmas often overwhelm us with occasions for waiting. We wait in line at stores. We wait for Christmas bonuses, traveling relatives, the mail carrier, the cookies in the oven to finish baking, and Santa. Waiting is not, however, a passive action. It’s dynamic and transformative! This virtual retreat will help you reflect on ways to grow in faith, hope, and love while we wait for the coming of Christ this Advent."

Our preparations for Christmas often overwhelm us with occasions for waiting. We wait in line at stores. We wait for Christmas bonuses, traveling relatives, the…

12/02/2020

I've been in communication with religious from around our Archdiocese looking for resources for the Advent season, especially those for when we can't be physically present to each other. I'll be sharing some things which may be helpful, as well as hyperlinks to meaningful things on Internet. Happy continuation of your Advent journeys, everyone! Sr. Mariette

12/02/2020

Bishops who want to establish a religious order must first obtain the written permission of the Holy See, Pope Francis said, announcing a change in canon law.

12/02/2020

In the Apostolic Letter "Authenticum charismatis," issued motu proprio, Pope Francis amends canon law to require the Holy See's approval for the valid ...

07/20/2020

The National Religious Vocation Conference is an organization that serves the needs of Catholic religious vocation directors who seek new members to join their unique and fulfilling way of life.

07/20/2020

NRVC's VISION Vocation Network is encouraging all religious communities that are offering prayer, scripture study, worship, tours, or other types of web-based activities to post their opportunities on its free calendar. See the calendar at vocationnetwork.org/en/events.
Post to the calendar.
Or send your event to VISION by email.

Find Catholic discernment events in your area, visit religious communities, and meet people on a similar path.

07/20/2020

The NRVC (National Religious Vocation Conference) offers a wealth of resources for vocational promotion and discernment. Thanks to Fr. Mark David Janus, C.S.P. for the latest resource:

This 99-page, easy-to-read book, Your One Wild and Precious Life: Thoughts on Vocation, by Father Mark David Janus, C.S.P. (Paulist, 2018) is perfect for inquirers, high school and college graduates, confirmation candidates, serious discerners, etc. Its 34 short chapters examine calling and vocations to religious life, ordained life, marriage and single life. $15 non-members; $10 members.
Let young adults know you care about them and their prayerful discernment.