Pope Leo XIV urges Catholics to listen more closely to God and others — and to “disarm” their language by fasting from words that wound — in his message for Lent 2026. In his message for Lent 2026, Pope Leo XIV urges Catholics to listen more closely to God and others — and to “disarm” their language by fasting from words that wound. The Lenten season begins Feb. 18 with Ash Wednesday. In the message, released Feb. 13, the pope offers a simple definition of Lent as a time when the Church “invites us to place ...

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Rite of Election All parishioners are invited to attend the Rite of Election on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The liturgy will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich. Your presence is a powerful sign of welcome and encouragement for those preparing to enter or be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. The Rite of Election, celebrated on the First Sunday of Lent, is one of the most moving moments in the Church’s year. During this liturgy, catechumens and candid...

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The Diocese of Norwich entered the holy season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, with the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy as celebrant, concelebrated by Father Ted Tumicki and Father Brian Romanowski. In his homily, Bishop Reidy set the tone for Lent with words that were both direct and deeply hopeful. He began by drawing attention to the opening call of the prophet Joel—words the Church places on our lips at the start of the season: “Return to me.” Bishop Reidy reminded the faithful that those words ar...

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Women of the Diocese are invited to an evening of faith, reflection, and fellowship at the upcoming Women’s Conference, “Dinner with Jesus”, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 5:30–9:00 p.m. at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. The conference will feature guest speaker Jennifer Hubbard, a Sandy Hook mother and author of Finding Sanctuary. Her memoir was named the Catholic Media Association’s #1 Memoir and offers a powerful witness of faith and hope. “Dinner with Jesus” is designed to give women an opportunity to step away from ...

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The Cathedral of St. Patrick’s in Norwich, CT is pleased to welcome Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal), for the 2026 Lenten Mission, on March 9–11, 2026, at 6:30 PM each evening. The Mission is open to all—please save the dates and help spread the word. A Lenten Mission is an invitation to “put out into the deep,” embrace deeper conversion, anchor ourselves more firmly in Christ, and rediscover our mission in Him. We look forward to gathering as a diocesan Church for these grace-filled evenings of clarity, e...

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In the tapestry of Catholic traditions, Lent stands as a profound thread weaving through the fabric of faith, calling families to embark on a transformative journey. It is not merely a season marked by abstinence; rather, Lent is a pilgrimage of the heart, an opportunity for introspection and renewal. At its core, Lent invites families to mirror the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, a period of self-examination, prayer and penance. It serves as a reminder that amid the hustle of contemporary life, there exists a sacred space for reflection and spiritual growth. ...

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