Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Current Articles | Archives | Search

Bishop's Column: There is a Season

Posted on April 07, 2020 in: News, Reflections

Bishop's Column: There is a Season

April 2020 Four County Catholic

There Is A Season

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, There was a song that I recall from my youth called Turn, Turn, Turn. The lyric will be familiar to you — To every thing, turn, turn, turn there is a season, turn, turn, turn and a time to every purpose under heaven. I realize today that the lyrics were inspired by Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. Its message speaks to the public health crisis we are living through together. A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep... We are living in unprecedented times. As the song tells us and we know all too well, every thing has its time. It is a time for faith, a time for renewal, and yes, a time, paradoxically, for community and communion — even as we are forced to keep our distance. In the last few weeks, we have all heard the phrases and understand the meaning of “social distancing” and “flattening the curve.” Our healthcare experts, government officials and news media have repeated these terms and told us, that this is the way to counteract the spread of the virus. I have acted upon this, as have other Bishops, by suspending all public Masses and postponing other diocesan events for a while. I am reminded of two other phrases, “Be not afraid” and “Do not worry”. Jesus, the Great Healer, spoke these words on more than one occasion. We would do well to include these in our vocabulary as we practice social distancing, hand washing and all the other recommendations that the experts tell us will help flatten the curve. Pope Francis on March 27 graced us with a moving and extraordinary Urbi et Orbi meditation and blessing in response to the coronavirus pandemic. He likened our current plight to that of the disciples in the Gospel, who, while in a boat with Jesus, were frightened by an unexpected and turbulent storm. Pope Francis said, “We have realized that we are in the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.” Pope Francis went on to say that God is “calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing . . . a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is the time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.” I have been impressed with those who, in spite of this pandemic, talk of a time for kindness, a time for grace and a time for generosity. A time to assess what is important in our lives — a time to realize we are blessed with the opportunity to look inward to our faith and to our values. A time to put our faith into action. A time to look after the vulnerable. It is a blessing; it is all grace. This has sparked a time of creativity and the embrace of technology to help us practice our faith. I am grateful for the number of priests, deacons and lay people who are stepping up to make available online, devotions such as the Rosary and Stations of the Cross, as well as, celebrating private Masses for anyone with a smartphone or a computer to see. As you go through the next weeks and months, I encourage you to look for the stories, the many, many wonderful stories of people putting their faith into action during this time of crisis. People stepping forward with heroic acts of service to others. The Holy Father asks us, “How many people every day are exercising patience and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday gestures, how to face up to and navigate a crisis by adjusting their routines, lifting their gaze and fostering prayer. How many are praying, offering and interceding for the good of all. Prayer and quiet service: these are victorious weapons.” As we move forward in the next weeks and months may we see the love of Christ in every sacrifice and act of generosity during this crisis – a crisis that will pass — and make us all the stronger and more appreciative of our love for each other in our shared love of our Savior and Redeemer. Now is the time to invite Jesus into the boats of our lives and welcome His Easter message of hope. Sincerely yours in the healing power of Christ,

Michael R. Cote
Bishop of Norwich

Our Advertisers Support Our Ministries

Please Support Our Advertisers

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

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

Posted on October 12, 2026 in: News, Events

2342

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

Church Fairs, Bazaars & Holiday Events Use the Handy List Below to See Where Church Fairs, Bazaars and Special Seasonal Events Are Being Held Throughout the Diocese. You Can Also Add Events to Your Google Calendar from Ours. Saturday, October 17, 5 PM – 8 PM Annual Polish Dinner St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Middletown Enjoy a homemade Polish dinner, raffle and auction. Takeout will be available. Proceeds support the church. Call the parish office for more information. ...

Read More

The World Mission Rosary Comes to Norwich Oct. 9

Posted on October 08, 2026 in: News, Events, Around the Diocese

1072

The World Mission Rosary Comes to Norwich Oct. 9

Throughout October 2026, the faithful of the Diocese of Norwich can join Catholics around the world in praying the World Mission Rosary each day at 3:00 PM. Even if we cannot gather together physically, imagine the power of thousands of Catholics stopping at the same hour and offering Mary’s Rosary for the missionary work of the Church. This tradition carries on the missionary legacy of Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who had a deep devotion to the missions and encouraged Catholics to unite prayer with support for the Church’s missionary work. Gather...

Read More

Vatican: The Pope's Surgery was Successful

Posted on October 15, 2026 in: News

902

Vatican: The Pope's Surgery was Successful

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- An operation to remove a small nodule from Pope Leo XIV's lung was successful, and he was recovering in his room, according to the Vatican press hall. "The procedure was successful" and went according to schedule and as planned, it said in a Telegram message Oct. 13, adding that the pope had gone back to his hospital room after the surgery. The brief medical report came before 8 p.m. Rome time, about seven hours after he arrived at Rome's Gemelli hospital for the scheduled surgery. The news followed an evening rosary that ...

Read More

Pilgrims invited to Auriesville for the Feast of the North American Martyrs

Posted on October 08, 2026 in: News, Events

675

Pilgrims invited to Auriesville for the Feast of the North American Martyrs

Bishop Richard Reidy and Fr. Brian Maxwell are inviting the faithful to join them on Monday, October 19, for a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, New York, to honor the North American Martyrs on their feast day. Pilgrims will meet at the shrine, at 136 Shrine Road in Fultonville, and join other visitors from across the region in celebrating the feast with a Shrine Mass, a walk through the shrine's historic grounds, and a community lunch with Bishop Reidy. Where three saints gave their lives Auriesville is a well-known place...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV's Video Message for World Mission Sunday, Oct. 18

Posted on October 07, 2026 in: News, Events

667

Pope Leo XIV's Video Message for World Mission Sunday, Oct. 18

World Mission Day was first established by Pope Pius XI, beginning in October 1927. This year the Church celebrates the 100th World Mission Day on Sunday, October 18, 2026. As the Church prepares to celebrate this day, Pope Leo XIV calls us to unity in Christ, love, and renewed missionary commitment "with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit" in his first World Mission Sunday Message: “One in Christ, united in mission."

Read More

Corporal Work of Mercy- Bury the Dead

Posted on October 07, 2026 in: News

520

The Corporal Work of Mercy, Bury the Dead, reminds us of our shared responsibility to honor and care for those who have gone before us. The Norwich Diocesan Cemetery Corporation oversees eight Catholic cemeteries throughout eastern Connecticut, serving families with approximately 450 burials each year. These sacred grounds include St. Joseph Cemetery and St. Mary Cemetery in Norwich; Sacred Heart Cemetery in Norwich; St. Patrick Cemetery in Uncasville; All Hallows Cemetery in Moosup; Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wauregan; St. Mary Cemetery in New London; and Resurrection Cem...

Read More