All Diocesan Articles

Use the Handy List Below to See Where All the Best Church Bazaars and Craft Fairs are Being Held Throughout the Diocese. You Can Also Add Events to Your Google Calendar from Ours.          Saturday, December 13 Cookie Sale and Basket Raffle Our Lady of La Salette, Brooklyn • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Join us for our annual sale and raffle. This event sells out quickly, so please arrive early.   Saturday, December 13 Christmas Cookie Sale St. Mark Church Hall, Westbrook • 9:00 AM – 12:00 P...

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To Prepare Your Heart for the Coming of the Lord You are warmly invited to the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 21 at 7:30 PM at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. This traditional service combines scripture readings that recount God’s plan of salvation—from humanity’s fall to the birth of Christ—with choral music, organ accompaniment, and carol singing by the assembly. The evening will include performances by: Norwich Diocesan Choir, featuring selections from Bach and Saint-Saens Cathedral Choir, Bells of Saint Patrick, and Scho...

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  The permanent deacon is an ordained minister who receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders and is called to a life of service to the People of God in the ministries of the liturgy, the word, and charity. The permanent deacon is called to be a living “image of Christ” (Imago Christi), called to “serve, not to be served.” Diaconate service can only be genuine when it is rooted in humility. Colin D’Amelio is attempting to create a film illustrating the humble heart of a deacon. Colin is the son of Deacon Dan and Kathy D’Amelio, D...

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This Advent and winter, the Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Norwich Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry invites teens, young adults, families, and parishioners of every age to gather with our new bishop, Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, for two grace-filled events. On Thursday, December 11, we will come together at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Norwich for a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament, an Advent reflection offered by Bishop Reidy, and a simple work of mercy as we write Christmas cards for the guests of St. Vincent de Paul Place. In Jan...

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As Christmas approaches and we begin to think about gifts that enrich the spirit, we launch Bound by Faith — an occasional feature highlighting books written by authors within our own Diocese of Norwich. This first installment brings together three inspiring works by local writers whose faith and insight offer the perfect spiritual nourishment for the Advent and Christmas seasons. She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood By Suzanne Bilodeau, Christ the King Parish, Old Lyme — Published by Ascension Press I met author Suzanne Bilodeau at a side...

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  When my children were in grade school, we hosted several caroling parties in December. Family and friends would pile into the house, and I’d hand out little songbooks I had put together. After a short practice session in the living room, where I could see the Cathedral from the window, we would set out into the neighborhood. We stopped at houses along the way, including the rectory and the bishop’s house, before ending at Sheltering Arms, a senior residence in Norwich. The night always ended back at home with mugs of hot chocolate and slow cookers f...

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