Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

‘A New Beginning’: Rite of Election is ‘Experience of Conversion and Grace’ 

Posted on March 04, 2020 in: News

‘A New Beginning’: Rite of Election is ‘Experience of Conversion and Grace’ 

By Ryan Blessing

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion Ceremony held Sunday, March 1 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick was a significant event for the 30 catechumens and 60 candidates preparing to enter the Catholic Church. 

“By accepting new members for the Church, we carry out the command of the Lord to proclaim the Good News to all of creation,” the Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich, told them. “I rejoice with you, our catechumens and candidates. I welcome you, your godparents and sponsors, your family and friends and all those along with you on this journey. Let this day be a further experience of conversion and grace in your life.”

The catechumens, who have not been baptized, stood with their sponsors in the Cathedral of St. Patrick. In an act of recognition and admission, the bishop welcomed them to become members of the elect and be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the Easter Vigil.
One such catechumen on the path is 22-year-old Kyle Doucette, a Willimantic resident.

Kyle said that his father’s grandfather, before he passed away, made a request of Kyle.

“He said he wanted me to get baptized,” Kyle said while standing next to his sponsor, his uncle Rick Boisvert of Lebanon. “But I’m also doing it for myself.”

Kyle was interested in attending Mass from the time he was a young boy, his uncle said. Kyle would go to Mass when visiting his uncle and aunt, Kim Boisvert. The Rite of Election was important not only to Kyle, but his uncle and aunt as well. 

“It’s very exciting. When he first came to me and said he wanted to do it, I was overwhelmed but very honored,” Rick said. “Honored and happy for him.” 

Joining the family in the cathedral hall for refreshments after the service were the dozens of fellow catechumens as well as candidates, who have been baptized but have not received further sacraments.

In his homily, Bishop Cote referred to the gospel reading about Jesus’ journey alone into the desert for 40 days of fasting and prayer. Deserts, he said, are places of testing, encounter and renewal. 

“It was the will of the Father that Jesus undergo this period of trial as an example for us, and what we might experience in life,” he said. 
The catechumens and candidates have also undergone a period of preparation and trial.

“While not necessarily a desert experience, this time has been an exercise in purification. A time to study the faith, a time of prayer,” he said. “However, your reception into the Church will not be the end of your journey of faith. But rather, this reception is a beginning. A new beginning.” 
 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, Events

1607

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!
Middle School and High School youth are invited to a special hike with Bishop Reidy on Saturday, July 19th at 10:00 A.M. at Hurd State Park in East Hampton. Hurd State Park provides the perfect backdrop for a meaningful outdoor adventure, blending fun, exercise, scenic views, and moments of spiritual reflection. The park's flexible trails, peaceful riverside spots, and stunning overlooks make it an ideal place to connect with nature and one another. What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and a picnic lunch. Parents are welcome, and Youth Groups are encoura...

Read More

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, School News

1192

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators
There are several current job openings for educators in our diocese.  The positions are updated weekly, so be sure to bookmark this page in your browser-  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment Click Here to See the Current Open Positions  All candidates must complete the official professional application to be considered for a teaching position or principal position and submit it to the Diocesan School Office. Applications are available on the employment page of the website. Visit NorwichDiocese.org/Employment to view all of the open jobs in the di...

Read More

Prayer for Our Nation

Posted on July 03, 2025 in: News

1057

Prayer for Our Nation
  Prayer for Our Nation   God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people. Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is r...

Read More

Pray for the Pope: Join the Sacred Heart Novena June 19–27
Knights of Columbus Launches Sacred Heart Novena for Pope Leo XIV New Haven, Conn. — The Knights of Columbus have announced a special novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the intention of Pope Leo XIV, beginning June 19—his anniversary of priestly ordination—and concluding June 27, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is encouraging Knights, their families, and all people of goodwill to participate in the novena and to submit personal prayer intentions, which he will personally bring to Rome later this Jubilee Year. P...

Read More

Clergy Appointments

Posted on July 09, 2025 in: News, Vocations

766

Clergy Appointments
July 3, 2025 The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, has made the following clergy and diocesan appointments in the Diocese of Norwich   DIOCESAN APPOINTMENT Rev. Msgr. Leszek T. Janik, JCL, Vicar General of the Diocese of Norwich, while continuing as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Norwichtown, and Saint Joseph Church, Norwich. Effective: June 5, 2025. Very Rev. Ted Tumicki, STL, JCL, Judicial Vicar for the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Norwich. Effective: June 5, 2025.   CLERGY APPOINTMENT Reverend Francis Gi...

Read More

St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich Celebrates New Elevator
On June 24, St. Vincent de Paul Place (SVdPP) in Norwich held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new elevator, enhancing accessibility for clients and streamlining the movement of donations. Bishop Richard F. Reidy, at right, blessed the elevator and attendees, and SVdPP Executive Director Jill Corbin emphasized the project as a shared commitment to “accessibility and dignity.” The $3.3 million project, which began over two years ago, was funded through a combination of state support, in the form of $1.7 million from Connecticut’s Department ...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Bishop Reidy to Take Part in Annual Stonington Blessing of the Fleet
5 Ways to Sanctify Your Summer Vacation and Evangelize
Pope Leo Meets with Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain
Clergy Appointments
Parishes Need to Launch 'Revolution of Care' for the Elderly, Pope Says
The Role of Spirituality in a Caregiver’s Life
Saints — Men and Women of Holiness
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