All Diocesan Articles

Beatification of Fulton Sheen: A Day When There Were No Words, Just Pure Joy! By Father Richard D. Breton Jr. Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Diocese of Norwich Every once in a while, God allows us to experience a moment that touches the soul so deeply that words seem inadequate. The beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on September 24, 2026, was one of those moments for me. As I sat inside the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, surrounded by thousands of Catholics, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the gift of ...

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The Holy Tunic will travel almost four miles from Argenteuil, France, to the pope’s youth vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.   For the first time, a pope will witness an exposition of the Holy Tunic, the garment worn by Christ during his passion, which is preserved in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Argenteuil, France. The special relic is put on display during regular expositions every 50 years, as well as on extraordinary occasions — the most recent being in 2023 — but it has never before been brought before a pope. Pope Leo XIV...

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Your voice matters. Let it be heard.   Beginning in January, a donation to an eligible scholarship-granting organization could help more students access the education that their families choose and that they deserve. The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit can help fund tuition assistance, tutoring, and other educational expenses for public and private school students—but only if the Governor opts in. These are supplemental, private funds that do not replace federal, state, or local funding. This week, the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference ...

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A Peaceful Witness for Life The Diocese of Norwich began its 2026 observance of 40 Days for Life with a Vigil Mass on September 22 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, opening 40 days of prayer, fasting and peaceful witness for the protection of unborn life. In his homily, Bishop Richard F. Reidy called Catholics to continue building a “culture of life,” in which every person, born and unborn, is recognized as a unique gift from God. Bishop Reidy acknowledged that unexpected pregnancies can bring fear, uncertainty, sacrifice and even abandonment....

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A special screening of Tolton: From Slave to Priest will be held Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. at Parkade Cinema in Manchester. The new film from Saint Luke Productions tells the remarkable story of Venerable Augustus Tolton, who was born into slavery and overcame extraordinary racial barriers to become America's first Black Catholic priest. Unable to enter a seminary in the United States because of his race, Tolton eventually traveled to Rome, where he studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 1886. Returning to the United States, he devoted his priesthood t...

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Bishop Richard Reidy encouraged athletes to compete well, value their teammates and remember that the greatest race is the life of faith. Athletes, families and sports fans gathered at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich Sunday afternoon for the Diocese of Norwich’s Athletes for Christ Mass, celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Reidy. The Sept. 27 Mass was created by the Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry as an opportunity to bring together two important parts of many people’s lives — faith and sports. Athletes of all ages had been invited to at...

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