OLF’s Father Reggie is Moving On, Leaving Wilton with a Deep Legacy of Love [PHOTOS]

If there’s a message that Father Reginald ‘Reggie’ Norman wants to impart about life in America at this juncture, it’s that people need to strive to find acceptance with one another and recognize that we’re all really the same.

“We may believe or worship differently, but at the same time we live in the same space and we have to have peace and respect for each other,” he said.

After 12 years, Norman is leaving his post as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, returning to Stratford at the end of January, the town in which he grew up.

President of the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators and an active participant in various interfaith initiatives in Wilton and beyond, Norman planted deep roots within the community and touched the lives of many individuals.

“Talking and communication,” he said. “I think that’s what the world needs now. We get so polarized and we fight, (but) we need to strive for a higher level.”

Next week Norman will begin his time at St. Mark Church in Stratford, which is part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Norman, an only child, is making the move so he can be closer to his mother, Beatrice Pinckney, a single mother who is now 80 and has some challenges with Parkinson’s Disease.

“In our diocese, our bishop assigns you to a place for a term and when that term is up you can renew for another six-year term or transfer,” Norman explained, hoping to share more time with his mother and help her with medical appointments and the like.

“His next location is very lucky to have him,” Nancy O’Connell, bookkeeper at Our Lady of Fatima, said.

“Father Reggie has one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen,” she said. “He is able to connect with so many people of all ages, races and nationalities. His kindness, goodness and sensitivity that he expels is uncanny.”

“I, for one, will miss him terribly,” O’Connell said.

The church’s Director of Religious Education Kathleen Rooney also spoke of the ‘vibrancy’ and love for his parishioners that Norman brought to Our Lady of Fatima parish.

“He… walks with them in good times and bad. Many have benefited from his compassion during a time of need. In addition to his spiritual gifts, Father has a great sense of humor, and he is a marvelous cook who often serves us his culinary delights,” Rooney said, adding “Most of all, he is a friend.”

An emotional farewell ceremony was held on Sunday, Jan. 26, at the church, during which a range of state and local officials, parishioners and friends shared their praise for Norman.

“We’re sad to lose you, obviously,” Selectman Josh Cole said, choking up a bit as he shared.

“Wilton is better because you were here at the center of so many events in town and issues, and have always been a calming force and a voice of reason that comforts people,” Cole said. “So we’re lucky to have had you and wish you all the best in your next journey.”

First Selectman Toni Boucher shared about her personal relationship with Norman and his outreach following her own dark times.

“I know firsthand about this guy and how he cares for all of us, because when my husband passed away, he was the first guy to call and say, ‘Let’s go have dinner,'” she said. “And he does that for all of the folks that need a little extra care, whenever.”

“He is a true man of faith that puts faith into action and cares for his parishioners and the community,” Boucher said.

“Father Reggie is a caring and inspirational man who is always checking in on those most vulnerable, looking out for our seniors and homebound individuals, while listening when they need to be consoled,” she said. 

“He also inspires our youth and works closely with Wilton High School students, understanding their issues and working to help solve them,” she said.

Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, Wilton’s former state representative, was there to praise Norman, along with current State Rep. Savet Constantine and State Sen. Ceci Maher.

“You have been an inspiration and a blessing, not only to your parishioners but to the entire community,” Maher said. “We gather today to thank you for being a guiding hand, a spiritual leader, a tireless advocate and a positive influence on all of the people whose lives you have touched.”

Norman, who was born in North Carolina, was raised as a Baptist growing up in Stratford, but was not a regular church attendee. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1988 with a degree in communications and worked during his early adult years as a salesman in software and computers.

While serving as a volunteer EMT in Stratford, he connected with a friend, a Catholic priest, who inspired him to join the Catholic Church, which he did alongside his mother.

Service drew him further into the church and he became an ordained deacon in 2006, serving and studying more, and ultimately becoming ordained on May 16, 2009.

“You get a calling,” he said of his decision to enter the priesthood. “It’s just a calling that you answer.”

Norman served at Bridgeport’s Blessed Sacrament Parish for several years, during which time he also served on the city’s Police Commission.

He started in Wilton in July 2013.

Along with town officials and other adults from the community, there were also young people who praised Norman’s impact on their lives, including Gavin Rafferty, 14.

“Father Reggie is the most amazing priest that I’ve ever had,” he said. “He is so empowering with his speeches and such an amazing person.”

“It’s gonna be really sad to see him go,” he said, “but I’m so excited for the people that will get to have him next.”

Norman noted he too had mixed feelings about the move.

“I am going to a place where a lot of people know me and that’s good,” he said. “Every assignment is a challenge, and finding and meeting that challenge is what we’re all about.”

But, Norman said, he is “leaving behind a lot of good people.”

“It’s always hard to leave a place because you’re leaving the people you love,” he said, “and that’s a sadness.”

But as Gavin Rafferty’s sister, Keira Rafferty, 16, said, Norman was leaving Wilton with a gift as well, something she realized Father Reggie had done in response to declining numbers of people coming to church after the COVID pandemic.

“I think he spent a lot of his time kind of rejuvenating the spirit of church. And now more people come. There were so many people in church today, and this is what he built,” she said. “It’s really amazing.”