All Diocesan Articles

As Catholics across the United States prepare to welcome a striking rise in new converts this Easter, the Diocese of Norwich is very much part of that larger story of renewal. The National Catholic Register reports significant growth in dioceses nationwide, and here in Norwich that same momentum is clearly visible, with the Diocese recording a 112% increase and welcoming 98 catechumens and 152 candidates this year—the highest combined total in 10 years. This article offers a timely national perspective on something we are also seeing close to home: people are searchin...

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"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me." (Is 61:1) The 2026 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, March 31, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the bishop's blessing of the holy oils — used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders — and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy ...

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Jennifer Hubbard was the keynote speaker at this year’s Diocesan Women’s Conference. Jennifer lost her daughter in the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown. One would think that her keynote would be inspiring while at the same time including sad recollections of a terrible low point in her life. But that could not be farther from the truth! Jennifer’s talk was filled of inspirational antidotes from her life as a cradle Catholic- sharing very frankly the ups and downs of her faith journey. She stressed that as a believer she can always count on two facts - ...

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“A Catholic cemetery is consecrated ground, an extension of the Church.” With this understanding, our cemeteries are not simply places of burial, but sacred spaces worthy of the same reverence we give within the walls of our churches. Just as we would carefully consider what is appropriate to place at the altar, so too should we be mindful of what is placed at a gravesite. The Norwich Diocesan Cemeteries serve families throughout the region and include: St. Mary and St. Joseph Cemeteries on Boswell Avenue in Norwich; Sacred Heart Cemeteries in Norwich and Wau...

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Watch Palm Sunday Mass with The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy from the Cathedral of Saint Patrick — his first Palm Sunday Mass and the beginning of his first Holy Week as Bishop of Norwich. What a fickle people we are. What a faithful God we have. Bishop Richard Reidy In the homily, Bishop Reidy reflects on entering more deeply into Holy Week and walking with Christ through His Passion with hearts fixed on the hope of Easter. View the bookmarked homily (40:45) or watch the full Mass.  

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Easter Pastoral 2026 In his 2026 Easter Pastoral, Bishop Richard F. Reidy reflects on the hope, peace, and joy of the Resurrection, reminding the faithful that Christ’s victory over sin and death remains the foundation of our hope in every trial. Bishop Richard F. Reidy’s Easter Message “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here... He has been raised” (Luke 24:5).The angelic announcement to the women at Jesus’ tomb on Easter forever changed their lives and our world. Laden with spices to anoint the body of the...

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