All Diocesan Articles

Article by Wayne Gignac
Photos by Marie Wynn

“We congratulate you on your openness to God’s work in your life and we thank you for responding to His call with such generosity.” These are the words spoken by Bishop Michael R. Cote, May 24th in a beautiful bilingual ceremony at Saint Mary Church in Norwich, prior to ordaining Michael Castiblanco to the order of Deacon.  Bishop Cote also acknowledged Michael’s mother watching in Columbia via Facebook’s Live Streaming service. Deacon Michael will spend the summer in Groton assisting Father Dariusz K. Dudzik, J.C.L. at Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish and Sacred Heart Parish. Following this assignment, he will return to Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland to complete his final year of study and discernment.

“Let us pray that God will mercifully pour out the grace of His blessing on His servant whom in His kindness He raises to the Holy Order of the Diaconate.”, prays Bishop Cote. The Elect, Michael Castiblanco, lying prostrate as the Litany was sung.

El Obispo Cote reza, "Recemos para que Dios derrame misericordiosamente la gracia de Su bendición sobre Su siervo, quien, por Su bondad, se eleva a la Orden Sagrada del Diaconado". El elegido, Michael Castiblanco, postrado mientras se cantaba la Letanía.

Technology played a large part in the ordination, allowing Michael’s family, especially his mother in Columbia to witness the entire ceremony via Facebook Live.

La tecnología jugó un papel importante en la ordenación, lo que permitió a la familia de Michael en Colombia, especialmente a su madre, presenciar toda la ceremonia en vivo por Facebook.

Imposition of Hands- “This gesture signifies the divine power which is conferred upon you. The gesture indicates that you are being entrusted with an official ministry in the Church as a servant of the Lord.” Bishop Michael Cote

Imposición de manos: "Este gesto significa el poder divino que se te confiere. El gesto indica que se te ha confiado un ministerio oficial en la Iglesia como siervo del Señor ". Obispo Michael Cote.

Investiture with Stole and Dalmatic- Following the prayer of ordination Very Reverend Gregory P. Galvin, Director of Vocations and Reverend Tomasz Albrecht, Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary Church in Norwich assisted vesting the newly ordained Deacon Michael Castiblanco with his diaconal stole and dalmatic. Once vested, Reverend Mr. Michael Castiblanco knelt before the Bishop who placed the Book of the Gospels in his hands saying “Receive the gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

Investidura con estola y dálmatica: Después de la oración de la ordenación, el Padre Gregory P. Galvin, Director de las Vocaciones y el Padre Tomasz Albrecht, Vicario Parroquial de la iglesia Saint Mary en Norwich, ayudaron a investir al recién ordenado diácono Michael Castiblanco con su estola diaconal y dalmática. Una vez investido, el diácono Michael Castiblanco se arrodilló ante el obispo quien colocó en sus manos el Libro de los Evangelios, diciendo: "Recibe el evangelio de Cristo, en cuyo heraldo te has convertido. Cree lo que lees, enseña lo que crees y practica lo que enseñas".

Deacon Michael imparting a blessing.
El Diácono Michael dando una bendición.

Llamado a Servir
El Obispo Ordena a un Diácono

Escrito por Wayne Gignac Fotos de Marie Wynn

"Te felicitamos por tu apertura al trabajo de Dios en tu vida y te agradecemos por responder a su llamado con tanta generosidad”. Estas son las palabras pronunciadas por el obispo Michael R. Cote el 24 de mayo en una hermosa ceremonia bilingüe en la iglesia Saint Mary en Norwich, antes de ordenar a Michael Castiblanco al orden del Diaconado. El obispo Cote también saludó a la madre de Michael quien estaba mirando en Colombia la transmisión en vivo por Facebook.

El Diácono Michael pasará el verano en Groton ayudando al Padre Dariusz K. Dudzik, J.C.L. en la parroquia Saint Mary, Mother of the Reedener y la Parroquia Sacred Heart. Después de esta asignación, regresará al Seminario de Mount Saint Mary en Emmitsburg, Maryland para completar su último año de estudio y discernimiento.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

St. Bartolo Longo Is an Example for Those with Mental Health Struggles, Priest Says
Once an “ordained” Satanic priest, Bartolo Longo underwent one of the most dramatic conversions in recent Church history. He was canonized a saint on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. | Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA   St. Bartolo Longo — a former Satanist “priest” whose remarkable conversion led him to create a Shrine to Our Lady of the Rosary and spread devotion to the prayer — was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 19. In addition to his example of faith and Marian devotion, Bartolo Longo (Bart...

Read More

Special Report on Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation
In his first major document as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has released a powerful call to action for the universal Church. His apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (“On Love for the Poor”), promulgated on October 4, 2025, the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, and released in English five days later, sets forth a vision of the Church centered on compassion, humility, and solidarity with the poor. Building upon the unfinished work of Pope Francis, Dilexi Te weaves together the pastoral wisdom of two shepherds whose lives and ministries have been deeply shaped by Latin Ame...

Read More

The Catholic Medical Association: Upholding the Principles of the Catholic Faith in the Science and Practice of Medicine
The dilemmas are real, and our decisions cut deep. As medical professionals, we struggle to integrate our Catholic values into the practice of medicine. Here is just a sampling of the moral struggles confronted by physicians every day: Many physicians are inundated by requests for birth control prescriptions. Countless young women go to the doctor specifically for that reason, being quite upfront that they want the pills to avoid pregnancy and to “just have fun.” Many medical professionals now know that if they say no, their healthcare organization might disc...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
All Saints, All Souls, and the Hope of Heaven
Location Change for Nov. 1 Pro-Life Mass
Special Report on Pope Leo’s Apostolic Exhortation
The Catholic Medical Association: Upholding the Principles of the Catholic Faith in the Science and Practice of Medicine
St. Bartolo Longo Is an Example for Those with Mental Health Struggles, Priest Says
Faith, Family, and Ravioli — Lessons from Nané’s Kitchen
Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Bowling with Bishop Reidy 2025
Click to view album: Ninety-Fifth Anniversary of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Saint Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

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