All Diocesan Articles

DONATIONS FOR WADSWORTH CHRISTMAS TREES The Office of Faith Events is seeking donations of new children’s books and new gloves or mittens for their Annual Wadsworth Christmas Trees. These trees will be displayed at Wadsworth Atheneum’s 50th Annual Festival of Trees and Tradition, happening from December 5th to December 15th.    Please drop off books, gloves and mittens at 331 Main St., Norwich (2nd floor of Catholic Charities building). For questions or to arrange pick-ups, call (860) 848-2237 ext. 304. Donations are needed by Friday Nov. 15, 2024...

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Blessed Carlo Acutis (left) and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati | Credit: Diocese of Assisi/Public domain via Wikimedia Commons   Pope Francis announced Wednesday that Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, two young Catholics beloved for their vibrant faith and witness to holiness, will be canonized during two major jubilee celebrations dedicated to young people. The surprise announcement came at the conclusion of the pope’s weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square as Francis celebrated World Children’s Day.  Vati...

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A recent news report out of Kentucky revealed a slim but pointed risk regarding organ donation, one that underscores a key Church teaching about how the process of gifting one’s organs must play out.  Congressional testimony in September revealed a 2021 incident in which a man named TJ Hoover was declared brain dead and a medical team was assembled to harvest his organs. In the operating room, however, Hoover was found to still be alive. Multiple medical officials quit over what they described as a traumatic experience. “Several of us that were e...

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Pope Francis told pilgrims present at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday that the Blessed Virgin Mary does not focus on herself but on her son, Jesus. “Mary is always the mother that brings us to Jesus,” the Holy Father said. “Mary does not only point to herself. She points to Jesus.” Continuing his catechesis on the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Church as Jesus’ bride, Pope Francis invited his listeners to reflect on the Mother of God’s presence and special role among Jesus’ apostles....

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As of noon Vatican time on Tuesday, September 3, following the retirement of Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D., Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Christopher Coyne of the Archdiocese of Hartford as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich. There are times in the life of the Church when a diocese lacks a diocesan bishop. During these transitions, the Church appoints an apostolic administrator to temporarily govern the diocese until a new bishop is installed. Canon Law provides specific guidance regarding the role of an Apostolic Administrator and how their pre...

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  When I was very small, my mother’s sister Patricia died at a very young age. I don’t remember as I was still an infant when her death occurred. What I do remember is that for many years after, my whole family would drive to my grandparents’ church and join with them and my aunts and uncles and cousins on the Saturday closest to “Aunt Pat’s” anniversary for a memorial Mass. It was usually in the lower church, the organist and cantor would sing the Requiem Mass parts, and the priest would wear black (later on white). This would al...

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