All Diocesan Articles

Advent Resources to Help You Prepare for Christmas

Posted on December 05, 2019 in: News, Advent

Advent Resources to Help You Prepare for Christmas

“Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see.”
- St. Charles Borromeo

During the four weeks of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through prayer and reflection. We contemplate the First Coming of Jesus as Savior, and anticipate His promised Second Coming. And amid the flurry of Christmas preparations, we look for practical ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives.

To help with you with this preparation we have gathered various Advent resources into one convenient location. There you will find Pope Francis's apostolic letter, Admirabile signum, on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes,a blessing prayer for an advent wreath or manger, an Advent Calendar, and weekly videos and reflections from ministry staff and clergy of the Diocese of Norwich.

Are you looking to go deeper into your faith-if so, you will find Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal well as Lectio Divina for Advent.

This will also be where we post the photo gallery of Christmas Creches from around the diocese. You can read more on this here.

Bookmark the link below and visit it often as you prepare for the wonderful season of Christmas

NorwichDiocese.org/Advent

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Saint Vincent de Paul Place Norwich Grateful for Mashantucket Pequot Tribe's Gift
The St. Vincent de Paul Place food pantry and kitchen in Norwich was the recipient this week of a generous donation from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe during a visit by tribal and city officials.  "We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation  for their generous donation to help us provide food to our most vulnerable community members through our pantry," St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich posted online.  The donation of $25,000, part of an annual giving campaign, comes during an ongoing disruption to SNAP benefits.&n...

Read More

Meet Our New Youth & Young Adult Minister

Posted on November 05, 2025 in: News

300

Meet Our New Youth & Young Adult Minister
Maria Sweeney Joins Evangelization & Discipleship as Youth and Young Adult Minister The Diocese of Norwich is pleased to welcome Maria Sweeney as our new Youth and Young Adult Minister in the Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry. Maria, a wife and mother of four, and her family are parishioners of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich. Before moving to Connecticut in 2020, she served for many years in parish youth ministry in both the Diocese of Rockville Centre and the Archdiocese of New York, where she led retreats, youth pilgrimages, and parish-based cate...

Read More

CNA Explains: What Does it Mean to Be a Doctor of the Church?
The Vatican on Saturday named St. John Henry Newman a doctor of the Church. The 19th-century English saint — a former Anglican priest who converted to Catholicism — joined 37 other saints who have been given the same honor. Born in London and baptized into the Church of England in 1801, Newman was a popular and respected Anglican priest, theologian, and writer among his peers prior to his conversion to Catholicism in 1845. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1847 and later made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879. As a Catholic, Newman deepened and contri...

Read More

Honoring a Faithful Steward

Posted on October 31, 2025 in: News

167

Honoring a Faithful Steward
Karen Huffer Retires as Diocesan Finance Officer With deep gratitude, the Diocese of Norwich announces the retirement of Karen Huffer, Finance Officer. Known for her professionalism, steady leadership, and deep commitment to the mission of the Church, Karen’s work has touched nearly every aspect of diocesan life—quietly ensuring that the financial foundation of our ministries remains sound and transparent. As Finance Officer, Karen oversaw the budgeting, reporting, and compliance functions that support parishes, schools, and ministries throughout eastern C...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of November
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of November is for the prevention of suicide.  “Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community and be open to the beauty of life,” the pope said in a video released Nov. 4.  According to a press release, this month’s video was made in collaboration with the Diocese of Phoenix.   In the video, Pope Leo recites an original prayer written specifically for this month’s prayer intention...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
A Greater Love: Honoring Veterans through Faith, Sacrifice, and Service
Saint Vincent de Paul Place Norwich Grateful for Mashantucket Pequot Tribe's Gift
Meet Our New Youth & Young Adult Minister
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
CNA Explains: What Does it Mean to Be a Doctor of the Church?
Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of November
We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal.
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