Sister Mary Mercedes Cook, SCMC, entered eternal life on Sunday, January 4, 2026, following a long illness. Her final years were spent at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she received compassionate care. Born Jacqueline Fayre Cook in Hagerstown, Maryland, on December 18, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Garland and Anita (Willis) Cook. Her family later moved to Norwich, Connecticut. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Family in Baltic and entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady, Mother of the Church in 1958. She professed perpet...

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Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence. This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See. Until Jan. 10 of next year, the faithful can obtain this grace under t...

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The Diocese of Norwich is inviting families and individuals of all ages to reach new heights— literally— at a free indoor rock climbing event on Saturday, February 7, at Central Rock Gym in Glastonbury. Adding to the excitement, Bishop Richard Reidy will be in attendance, offering participants a special opportunity to share in an evening of fellowship, encouragement, and fun with the diocesan shepherd. Designed as a welcoming experience for beginners and seasoned climbers alike, the event will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and provides a safe, supervised...

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Young adults from throughout the Diocese of Norwich are invited to gather for Mass with Bishop Richard F. Reidy on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs. A reception will follow Mass. Event Details What: Mass for Young Adults with Bishop Richard F. Reidy When: Sunday, February 1, 2026  |  7:00 p.m. Where: St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel (UConn campus), Storrs, CT 06268 After Mass: Reception to follow  

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The Diocese of Norwich invites you to join us for Mass on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich, as we prepare in prayer for the March for Life in Washington, D.C. All are welcome—whether you are traveling to Washington or remaining here at home. Let us unite around the Eucharist and entrust this witness to the Lord. Bus Departure (Registered Pilgrims) For those who are registered for the bus trip, the bus will depart for Washington, D.C. immediately following Mass. Please plan to arrive early to allow for an on-...

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When the Lord first called me to the priesthood, I had no idea how one got ready. I knew that priests studied at a seminary, but I had no concept of what that would entail. Only through searching the internet did I first learn what priestly preparation looked like. One of the most important documents to come from the Vatican in recent memory is Pastores Dabo Vobis. Pope St. John Paul II released this apostolic exhortation in 1992, at the conclusion of a synod where the bishops had been discussing the formation of priests. Recognizing that the universal Church did not hav...

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