40 DAYS STRONG ! > Diocese of Norwich

All Diocesan Articles

40 DAYS STRONG !

Posted on July 25, 2019 in: Events, 40DaysForLife

40 DAYS STRONG !

Are you fed up hearing in the news about radical politicians, state legislatures and governors, and new laws being proposed and implemented for late-term abortions and infanticide? Do you feel compelled to do something about it?

The Norwich 40 Days For Life Team invites you to join us in standing up for life and praying on the sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood facility at 12 Case St. in Norwich for an end to this abomination.

Kickoff

The Norwich 40 Days For Life Campaign will begin with a Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday, September 24, at 7 PM. Bishop Michael R. Cote will be the principal celebrant and Fr. Jeffrey Ellis will be the homilist.

This year, The 40 Days for Life Campaign runs from Wednesday, September 25th through Sunday, November 3rd. It is hoped that you will join Pro-Life people of all faiths by praying, fasting, and signing-up to attend the 40 Days For Live peaceful prayer vigil held outside planned parenthood.

First Time?

There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s not a protest. Here’s what to expect. We recommend parking at Friendly’s, 105 W. Town St. in Norwich (Norwichtown). They gave us permission to park there. (And it’s a nice treat to enjoy a lunch or ice cream after praying with family and friends).

Where is Located?

For a point of reference, Friendly’s and Case St. are best reached by Exit 14 on Rt. 395, the first exit north of Rt. 2. So after parking, one walks a few hundred yards on W. Town St. and makes a right onto Case Street, walks up another hundred yards, and crosses the street to the sidewalk between the two entrances of Planned Parenthood.

What Happens?

Now, outside the facility, we witness for life by our presence, and hold signs, if you wish, that your parish pro-life representative will provide that read “ Praying for an end to abortion.” And we Pray: To change mother’s hearts that might be arriving to consider ending their pregnancy; Praying for an end to abortion; And praying that this Planned Parenthood facility will soon close.

When?

We pray during daylight hours, and really haven’t had any problems over the last few years. You might get an occasional person gives you an unkind hand signal or word out their window, but for the most part, we get a lot of positive honks and thumbs-up! And we never confront anyone should they wish to argue. This is a peaceful, prayerful program exercising our Constitutional freedom, to stand-up for the innocent, praying for the Sanctity and Right to Life.

How Do I Sign Up?

Contact your parish and find out who your Pro-Life representative is. If you’re computer savvy, go to 40DaysForLife.com/Norwich.

Another great new option is to sign-up for the new Diocesan Weekly Newsletter by clicking here. Or if you prefer go to Norwichdiocese.org. The sign-up is at the bottom of the Home Page. There you’ll be kept abreast of 40 Days For Life Activity, as well as many upcoming Diocesan events and happenings.

Most parishes ‘Adopt-A-Day’ and parishioners come out and pray, fast, and participate in this peaceful community outreach to preserve the lives of unborn children alive in their mothers’ wombs. We encourage you to join in.

For further help about how to become involved please contact the Norwich 40 Days For Life Team at:
(860) 875-5770 or 40DaysNorwich@gmail.com

Thank you and may God bless you, your family, and your future children and grandchildren. Amen.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Get Tickets: Oct. 25 Seton Scholarship Dinner & Yeti Cooler Raffle
  Seton Scholarship Dinner October 25, 2026 4:00pm Cocktail Reception 5:00pm Dinner Lake of Isles 1 Clubhouse Dr, North Stonington, CT 06359   Tickets for the Seton Scholarship Dinner and the Yeti Cooler Raffle are now available. Both support scholarships for students in our Catholic schools, and every purchase helps make a difference.     How to Purchase Tickets for both the raffle and the dinner can be purchased using the same link below. To buy raffle tickets, simply choose the 4th option, “Yeti Cooler Raffl...

Read More

40 Days for Life Sidewalk Vigil Comes to New London
It was a momentous day September 23rd, as we prayed our 40 Days For Life sidewalk vigil for the first time at the new Planned Parenthood in New London on 467 Ocean Ave. I was joined by Pat Coventry, Parish pro-life rep from St. Patrick’s in Mystic, and Carolyn Nelson, Parish pro-life rep from Our Lady of Lourdes in Gales Ferry. We prayed Rosaries as we walked back and forth on the sidewalk like we’ve always done in Norwich. But it was much different. As opposed to being a sleepy sidestreet, Ocean Avenue has a tremendous amount of traffic. And the response was...

Read More

Tolton: From Slave to Priest Coming to Manchester

Posted on September 29, 2026 in: Events

571

Tolton: From Slave to Priest Coming to Manchester
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...

Read More

Vigil Mass Opens Diocese of Norwich 40 Days for Life Campaign
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....

Read More

Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference Set for October 10 in Waterbury
Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference 2026 “Rebuild My Church” Saturday, October 10, 2026 Holy Cross Catholic High School · Waterbury, Connecticut Catholic men from the Hartford, Bridgeport and Norwich Dioceses are invited to the Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference 2026, a day centered on faith, fellowship, prayer and spiritual renewal. This year’s theme, “Rebuild My Church,” will be highlighted throughout the conference, which will feature national speakers, Catholic exhibits and ministries, Confession, ...

Read More

The World Mission Rosary Comes to Norwich Oct. 9
Throughout October 2026, the faithful of the Diocese of Norwich can join Catholics around the world in praying the World Mission Rosary each day at 3:00 PM. Even if we cannot gather together physically, imagine the power of thousands of Catholics stopping at the same hour and offering Mary’s Rosary for the missionary work of the Church. This tradition carries on the missionary legacy of Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who had a deep devotion to the missions and encouraged Catholics to unite prayer with support for the Church’s missionary work. Gather...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

 

 

Latest Articles
Get Tickets: Oct. 25 Seton Scholarship Dinner & Yeti Cooler Raffle
The World Mission Rosary Comes to Norwich Oct. 9
Respect Life Month 2026: Mary, Mother of Life
They Went to Help — and Found Their Own Lives Changed
Tolton: From Slave to Priest Coming to Manchester
Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference Set for October 10 in Waterbury
A Day of Pure Joy: Witnessing the Beatification of Fulton Sheen
Athletes for Christ Mass Brings Faith and Sports Together at Cathedral
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Baltic Reliquary
Click to view album: Blessed Fields, Nourishing Gardens (2026)
Click to view album: 2026 Blessing of the Fleet
Click to view album: Corpus Christi Procession 2026
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294