Connecticut Catholics reflect on legacy and impact of late Pope Francis

Published

12 months ago

April 21, 2025

Connecticut Catholics reflect on legacy and impact of late Pope Francis

Catholics all across Connecticut are reflecting on the legacy Pope Francis leaves behind with many praising his commitment to inclusivity and devotion to helping the poor and marginalized.

“He was such an amazing man,” Sydney Crockett, a Southern Connecticut State University sophomore, said.

A man who touched the lives of more than a billion people across the globe, including thousands of Catholics in our state.

Parishioners at St. Joseph Church in New Haven are remembering the late Pope Francis.

“He attracted a larger audience. Especially the poor, the immigrants, and people from Latin America,” Dennis Ortiz, of New Haven, said.

Some looked to his commitment on helping the poor and marginalized while emphasizing humility as a sign of his exemplary moral character.

“Whether we’re materially poor or poor in spirit, we need to have someone tend to that and being the real presence of Jesus to that need,” Martin Wauth, of East Haven, said.

Marc Camille, president of Albertus Magnus College, a Catholic school in New Haven, praised the pope’s vision in combating climate change in the Laudato Si, a letter he wrote to all churches.

“To support a greener Earth, a healthier Earth. It’s not just about us, but it’s about those who will follow us,” Camille said.

Younger Catholics like Crockett praised Pope Francis for his compassionate approach towards the LGBTQ community and allowing more women in church.

“Just go forward with inclusivity and getting more young adults to embrace the Catholic Church, because I think he did an amazing job,” she said.

A job that now sits vacant with a new pope set to be chosen soon. Who that person will be remains to be seen.

“We’ll leave that in the hands of God,” Sister Serasina Viagrande, who was visiting from New York, said.

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WNBA Free Agency: Grading Brittney Griner to Connecticut

Published

26 minutes ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

WNBA Free Agency: Grading Brittney Griner to Connecticut

After the Atlanta Dream made the move to bring Angel Reese in from Chicago, many people wondered what Brittney Griner’s future would look like. The All-Star center moved from Phoenix to Atlanta in 2025 for a new opportunity, and was a big a part of the overhauled team that ended the regular season as the three-seed. Yet, with Brionna Jones and now Reese leading their frontcourt, Griner’s role was about to be significantly reduced.

She’ll now make the move to the Connecticut Sun, joining the franchise for their last season in New England before they make the move to Houston.

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Connecticut

Brittney Griner signs with Connecticut Sun in huge payday

Published

13 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Brittney Griner signs with Connecticut Sun in huge payday

The Connecticut Sun are making a big splash for their final season.

The team has agreed to a seven-figure contract to bring in Britney Griner, according to Sun sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby.

Griner, a nine-time WNBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, is one of the most decorated players in the history of the league and will be playing in her 13th season since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013.

The deal also comes after the WNBA introduced its new collective bargaining agreement, which will — among many other advances — raise players’ salaries, making a select group of them millionaires for the first time since the league’s inception.

The move comes one day following Jackie Young’s reported one-year, $1.19 million agreement to return to the Las Vegas Aces.

Griner, who spent last season with the Atlanta Dream, turned 35 this past October, was a standout on what was a surprising run to the league’s No. 3 seed, with the team finishing 30-14.

The 6-foot-9 center started in her first 25 appearances before being moved to an off-the-bench role.

The Baylor alum came off the bench for her final 14 regular-season showings and all three Dream playoff games.

The Dream were eliminated by the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever in the first round after opening with a 17-point win in Game 1.

Griner finished the 2025 season with career lows of 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Griner spent her first 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, establishing herself as one of the best players in league history, starring on the 2014 WNBA Champion team, also led by Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner.

The six-time All-WNBA honoree is also a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, having played for Team USA in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Summer Games, with two World Cup titles in 2014 and 2018.

She was also named to the W25, a list honoring the WNBA’s top 25 players of all time in celebration of the league’s 25th anniversary in 2021.

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Connecticut

Driver sent to hospital after one-car crash on I-95 in Old Lyme, police say

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Driver sent to hospital after one-car crash on I-95 in Old Lyme, police say

OLD LYME — A driver was injured and taken to the hospital after a one-car crash on Interstate 95 Thursday night in Old Lyme, according to state police.

The state Department of Transportation reported the crash occurred on I-95 north before Exit 71 around 9:40 p.m.

Connecticut State Police said the driver was conscious and alert, and their injuries were not life-threatening.

The crash closed the left lane, according to state police. The incident was cleared around 11:50 p.m., according to the DOT.

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