All Diocesan Articles

Sharing the Reason for the Season

Posted on December 05, 2019 in: News, Advent

Sharing the Reason for the Season

"I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also, the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares." 
Pope Francis

Holiday Greetings from the Communications Office,

On the First Sunday of Advent Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter, Admirabile signum, on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful sign” to be more widely displayed in family homes and public places throughout the world.

In response, we are a creating a photo gallery of Christmas crèches from around the diocese which will be included on the NorwichDiocese.org/Advent webpage of along with other Advent Resources, for all to view.

So far, diocesan  ministries, offices, churches and schools have been contributing pictures of the nativity scene on display at their locations.

We are extending this to all readers to participate. 

Please email a picture of your Christmas crèche to editorial@norwichdiocese.net. It will then be shared with the readers of our weekly newsletter and each other as we prepare for the wonderful season of Christmas.

Please name your photo with your family name, location and year photo was taken, for example––  JonesFamily _Willimantic_2019.

If you need help figuring out how to email a photo visit the NorwichDiocese.org/Advent webpage for details and to read Pope Francis’s apostolic letter.

Let us share the joy of the season with each other in this special way.

-- Ye Olde Editor--


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Your Guide to Church Bazaar and Craft Fairs and Other Events
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...

Read More

Celebrate the Season: Festival of Lessons and Carols Returns
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...

Read More

The Humble Servant – A Deacon’s Heart

Posted on December 03, 2025 in: News

476

The Humble Servant – A Deacon’s Heart
  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...

Read More

Bound by Faith: Three Books to Lift the Heart this Christmas Season
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...

Read More

Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: News

332

Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols
  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...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Celebrate the Season: Festival of Lessons and Carols Returns
“The Spirit of Christmas” Offers Delightful Day at McGivney Pilgrimage Center
Your Guide to Church Bazaar and Craft Fairs and Other Events
A Festive Autumn Atmosphere at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner
Blessing of a Christmas Tree
Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols
Bound by Faith: Inspiring Reads— Make Them Yours

 

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