Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

“Witnesses to Hope” is the Theme of Religious Freedom Week 2025, June 22-29

Posted on June 16, 2025 in: News

“Witnesses to Hope” is the Theme of Religious Freedom Week 2025, June 22-29

WASHINGTON - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commemorates  Religious Freedom Week from June 22–29. This year’s theme, “Witnesses to Hope,” builds on the annual report released earlier this year by the Conference’s Committee for Religious Liberty that highlights the impact of political polarization on religious freedom. In addition to issues such as mandates for in vitro fertilization, and threats to Catholic ministries serving migrants, Religious Freedom Week also highlights crucial policy positions such as parental choice in education during a time when the faithful are urged to contact their Senators to express support for educational choice in the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill.

The USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Catholic Education and Our Sunday Visitor Institute, hosted a religious liberty essay contest. The top essays from the competition will be published during Religious Freedom Week.

Through prayer, education, and public action during Religious Freedom Week, the faithful can promote the essential right of religious freedom for Catholics and those of all faiths. For the latest information from the USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, please visit the Religious Liberty webpage and sign up for the First Freedom News monthly newsletter.

 

The above article was published by USCCB.org on June 18th, 2025.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

The Diocese of Norwich Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with Confirmation of Reorganization Plan
Hartford, CT—On Wednesday, the United States Bankruptcy Court in Hartford confirmed the Diocese of Norwich’s Joint Plan of Reorganization, marking the official emergence of The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation from chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Honorable Judge James J. Tancredi presided over the confirmation hearing, held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., and approved the plan on the record at the hearing, subject to entry of an order confirming the plan to be submitted by the parties. The confirmed Joint Plan was proposed by the Norwich Roma...

Read More

Bishop Reidy Thanks the Faithful and Invites All to Pray a Pentecost Novena
My dear friends in Christ, Thank you all very much for your very warm welcome of me as your new Bishop.  As I meet with priests, deacons, and parishioners and make my way around the Diocese to parish Masses, Confirmations, school visits, Holy Hours, and dinner events, I am reminded how fortunate I am to be with you in our diocese.  Thank you for all you do. I am also acutely aware that all the good I hope to do together with you for God and His people depends utterly on God's grace. To that end, I am endeavoring to keep in mind the necessity of prayer...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of June
Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica, May 31, 2025. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA   In his first prayer intention video of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has asked the faithful to pray that the world might grow in compassion during the month of June. “Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his heart, learn to have compassion on the world,” the pope said in a video released June 3. The video also includes an original prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to which the m...

Read More

Bishop Reidy Shares a Significant Moment in the Diocese
May 22, 2025 Letter from the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich to Parishioners, Survivors, Families, and Friends of the Diocese of Norwich My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today marks a solemn and significant moment in the history of the Diocese of Norwich. After nearly four years of prayer, perseverance, and painstaking effort, the United States Bankruptcy Court in Hartford has approved the Diocese’s Joint Plan of Reorganization—subject to entry of an order confirming the plan to be submitted by the parties, bringing our chapt...

Read More

Knights of Columbus Council 6107 Supports Local Special Needs Programs with $2,000 Donation
Deputy Grand Knight Brian Dec (left) presents a check to Tim Wrinn (right) for the Colchester Special Olympics.   The Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Spellman Council No. 6107 has completed their Tootsie Roll fund drive for this fraternal year. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the CT State Special Olympics and local organizations ministering to people with intellectual disabilities. The funds were collected from the generous donations made by residents of Colchester and the surrounding area. This year, the council has contributed $400 to the CT State Spec...

Read More

Parish Bulletins Remain Relevant in the Digital Age
  Kristyn Figbie, communications coordinator for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Britain, designs a Sunday bulletin that takes a more graphic approach to information with browsable tables and photos that capture the vitality of the parish community. Photo by Shelley Wolf   Parishes within the archdiocese are always looking for better ways to engage parishioners. To meet parishioners’ information needs and grab their attention, two parishes recently overhauled their Sunday bulletins with fresh new designs, more graphics and photos, and enhanc...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Bishop Reidy's Pastoral on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!
Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators
“Witnesses to Hope” is the Theme of Religious Freedom Week 2025, June 22-29
Academy of the Holy Family Graduation 2025
Full Text of Pope Leo XIV’s Address to Catholics in Chicago
Pray for the Pope: Join the Sacred Heart Novena June 19–27
Calendar of Events

 

Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

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