All Diocesan Articles

Bishop Richard F. Reidy opens the Blessing of the Farm near the barn at Wehpittituck Farm, its loft doors draped with an American flag. As farmers moved into the heart of the growing and harvest season, members of the Catholic community gathered under a clear summer sky on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for a Blessing of the Farm at Wehpittituck Farm on Cove Road in Stonington. Bishop Richard F. Reidy led the outdoor rite in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology and animals, giving thanks for the land and asking God's continued protection over the farm, its ...

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A Tradition Continues in Pawcatuck Hosted by the St. Michael Maria Assunta Society, this tradition was brought here by the Sicilian Tusani who migrated and settled in Pawcatuck. The beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother was carved in Genoa from wood and shipped from Palermo, Sicily, in 1935. Over the years, the celebration has centered around the tradition of a special Sunday Mass and a procession with the statue of the Blessed Mother through the streets of Pawcatuck, accompanied by a band playing traditional music. Along the route, people stop the procession to ...

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Brothers in Christ: Building Fellowship Through Faith and Prayer   Men throughout the Diocese of Norwich are invited to deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with Christ through Brothers in Christ, a virtual gathering centered on prayer, fellowship and meaningful discussion.   Designed as a place where men can come together to share their faith and personal experiences, Brothers in Christ offers an opportunity to encourage one another in Christian discipleship while growing in their spiritual lives.   The group will hold its f...

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The World Needs God’s Love and Mercy More Than Ever               The world's need for God's love and mercy may explain why the Divine Mercy Ministry to Seniors, a new ministry introduced by the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship, has quickly become one of the most popular new ministries in the Diocese. When the announcement about an informational meeting was released a month ago, the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship was flooded with inquiries about the new ministry and its implementation.  The ...

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Rising to a height of over 180 feet from ground level, the statue of Our Lady of Mercy exceeds in height the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Christ the King statue in Poland.   On Saturday, Aug. 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church in Poland dedicated the largest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Krzysztof Wętkowski of Włocławek. The monument stands 55.6 meters (182 feet) tall from ground level to its highest point. It was built in the town of Konotopie and funded ...

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Discovering the Meaning Behind the Symbols That Tell the Story of Our Catholic Faith The San Damiano Cross Few symbols are more closely associated with St. Francis of Assisi than the San Damiano Cross. More than a beautiful crucifix, it was before this cross that Francis received the call that would shape the rest of his life. While praying in the small, weathered church of San Damiano near Assisi, Francis heard Christ speak the now-famous words: "Francis, go and rebuild My Church, which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." At first, Francis und...

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