A beloved Worcester “Block Mom,” a Harvard-educated convert, and one of the most compelling pro-life voices of her generation — could she also be a future saint? The Vatican has now approved the next step in the cause of Ruth Pakaluk, a former parishioner of Bishop Richard F. Reidy when he served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester. In this article by Matt McDonald for the National Catholic Register, you’ll discover how her remarkable journey from atheism to Catholicism, her tireless pro-life witness, and her heroic serenity in suffer...

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, Catholic Schools Week is a celebration which began in 1974. This is a yearly celebration of Catholic Education throughout the United States. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week for 2026 is: “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Catholic Schools educate the whole person mind, body and soul. It is based on Pope Francis’s words, “Christ is alive and He wants you to be alive.” Catholic Schools Week is celebrated from January 25 - January 31, 2026. The companion to National Catholic ...

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In our very busy world, it’s easy to feel stretched thin or spiritually scattered. This Advent, come renew your heart and rediscover the gifts God longs to give you.   Join us for a three-week Virtual Advent Mission as we reflect on how Patience, Perseverance, and Peace can take root in our lives through prayer and grace. Join us on Tuesdays: December 2, 9, & 16 from 7PM – 8PM.  To register contact Alvania at atejada@norwichdiocese.net or 860-848-2237 ext. 304. Come prepare your heart for Christ this Advent season.     ...

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I love the Advent Season. I love it not just for what it leads to – the joyful celebration of Christ’s birth at Bethlehem. I love Advent for itself: a season of longing, expectation, and hope. I think that, in a way, the entirety of life is like Advent. There is, deep within us, a longing for God and, as Saint Augustine says, our hearts are restless until they rest in God. That longing and restlessness will not be entirely satisfied until we reach Heaven. Until then, in this life, many things compete for our attention. Those things variously attract us, distr...

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*Padre Pio and the Humble Mystery of the Incarnation* For Padre Pio, the heart of December was never noise or celebration—it was wonder. He was profoundly moved by the mystery of the Incarnation, the moment when God chose to enter the world in the smallest and simplest of forms. The humility of the Christ Child touched him deeply. Witnesses often noted that even the mention of the Infant Jesus brought a tenderness to his face and a quiet reverence to his voice. Though Padre Pio did not write extensively about the liturgical days leading up to Christmas, th...

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As the Advent season approaches and our hearts turn toward the light of Christ, the Diocesan Evangelization and Discipleship team is inviting the faithful to take part in a simple yet meaningful act of charity. This year, the team is collecting unused Christmas cards that will be lovingly written out by the youth of our diocese and delivered to the patrons of St. Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich. It is a small gesture with the power to bring comfort, dignity, and joy to those who may be struggling during the holidays. Each card becomes more than a greeting— it bec...

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