Mark Houck

EAST HARTFORD – What is it about the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference that every year leads hundreds of men from all over the state to give up an entire Sunday to be away from their homes and families?

"I’ve been to four out of five [conferences]," said Ken Copija of Torrington, one of about 400 men attending the Oct. 27 conference at Goodwin College. "It’s been great. I look forward to it in October to come here and restore my faith, to get a shot in the arm."

Mr. Copija, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Harwinton, said he was moved by the first speaker, Dr. Jorge Valdes, a former Miami drug lord (in the 1970s) who turned his life around after serving time in a federal prison.

HARTFORD – More than 75 people gathered outside the Hartford GYN Center Nov. 4 to celebrate the saving of eight babies spared from abortion there during the just-completed 40 Days for Life campaign in the Archdiocese of Hartford, said Mary Lou Peters, campaign director and assistant coordinator of the archdiocesan Pro-Life Ministry.

The Torrington Cluster of Roman Catholic Parishes kicked off the Christmas season with a living crèche on the night of Nov. 23 in front of St. Francis of Assisi Church on Main Street.

Mary (Natalia Miasek) holds Baby Jesus (3-month-old Brennan O’Reilly) as Joseph (Matt Ahlman) looks on lovingly.

The angel behind Joseph is Ellie Ercoli. Holding the candle is Abby Fragione, standing next to Elizabeth Maryanski. The shepherd to Elizabeth’s left is Julia Traub.

The living crèche was one of many stops along a walking route that included the lighting of two Christmas trees, a preview of the Nutmeg Ballet’s "Nutcracker" and the lighting of the "Christmas House" on Main Street. (Photo by Jack Sheedy)