All Diocesan Articles

As Catholics across the United States prepare to welcome a striking rise in new converts this Easter, the Diocese of Norwich is very much part of that larger story of renewal. The National Catholic Register reports significant growth in dioceses nationwide, and here in Norwich that same momentum is clearly visible, with the Diocese recording a 112% increase and welcoming 98 catechumens and 152 candidates this year—the highest combined total in 10 years. This article offers a timely national perspective on something we are also seeing close to home: people are searchin...

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"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me." (Is 61:1) The 2026 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, March 31, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the bishop's blessing of the holy oils — used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders — and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy ...

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Easter Pastoral 2026 In his 2026 Easter Pastoral, Bishop Richard F. Reidy reflects on the hope, peace, and joy of the Resurrection, reminding the faithful that Christ’s victory over sin and death remains the foundation of our hope in every trial. Bishop Richard F. Reidy’s Easter Message “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here... He has been raised” (Luke 24:5).The angelic announcement to the women at Jesus’ tomb on Easter forever changed their lives and our world. Laden with spices to anoint the body of the...

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The faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich at 3 p.m. on Good Friday for one of the most solemn liturgies of the Church year, commemorating the Passion and death of the Lord. Presided over by Bishop Richard F. Reidy, the service offered a prayerful and moving reflection on Christ’s sacrifice and the hope found in the Cross. See it below.  

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Bishop Richard F. Reidy celebrated his first Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich on April 2, marking the beginning of the Sacred Triduum in the Diocese of Norwich. In a liturgy rich with reverence and meaning, clergy and faithful gathered to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood, while the washing of the feet offered a moving reminder of Christ’s humility and call to loving service. In his homily, Bishop Reidy invited the faithful to reflect more deeply on the love of Christ made vis...

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Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost. Catholics recognize Easter — when Jesus Christ rose from the dead after sacrificing his life for all of humanity — as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. But, as it turns out, they can continue saying “Happy Easter” into May or, in some years, into June. Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, Mary, and the first followers of C...

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