Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles/Vocations

All Diocesan Articles

Vigil Mass and Supper In memory of Deacon Thomas Lewis

Posted on November 06, 2018 in: News, Vocations

Priests and parishioners gathered in grateful memory of Deacon Tom Lewis, a dear friend and servant of St. Joseph Parish in Norwich. Parishioners and members of the Lewis family gathered at the 4pm.Sunday Vigil Mass to pray for the soul of Deacon Tom and to hang in the entranceway a memorial plaque in his memory. Deacon Tom Lewis died last summer at age 85. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Parish and was the first permanent deacon to serve there. He served as a deacon from 2001-2007. Deacon Tom was revered for his gentleness, steadiness in ministry, and generous love. A Pot Luck Supper in his honor was held at St. Vincent de Paul Place, formerly the cafeteria of St. Joseph School.

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

The Blessing of Easter Baskets: Tradition, Symbolism and Holy Saturday Schedules

Posted on March 23, 2026 in: News

951

The Blessing of Easter Baskets: Tradition, Symbolism and Holy Saturday Schedules

The Blessing of the Easter baskets is a long-cherished tradition in the Catholic faith. Rooted in religious significance and cultural heritage, it has come to hold profound meaning for people of all ethnic backgrounds. Its roots date back to the early 12th century history of Poland, and is now observed by many Eastern European countries, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Many Eastern Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, including Czechs, Croatians, Hungarians, Lithuanians, Russians, Slovaks and Ukrainians, also participate in this holy ritual. On Holy...

Read More

Diocesan Women's Conference Speaker's Journey Inspires

Posted on March 25, 2026 in: News, Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women

359

Diocesan Women's Conference Speaker's Journey Inspires

Jennifer Hubbard was the keynote speaker at this year’s Diocesan Women’s Conference. Jennifer lost her daughter in the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown. One would think that her keynote would be inspiring while at the same time including sad recollections of a terrible low point in her life. But that could not be farther from the truth! Jennifer’s talk was filled of inspirational antidotes from her life as a cradle Catholic- sharing very frankly the ups and downs of her faith journey. She stressed that as a believer she can always count on two facts - ...

Read More

Norwich Diocesan Cemeteries Spring Clean Up

Posted on March 25, 2026 in: News

277

Norwich Diocesan Cemeteries Spring Clean Up

“A Catholic cemetery is consecrated ground, an extension of the Church.” With this understanding, our cemeteries are not simply places of burial, but sacred spaces worthy of the same reverence we give within the walls of our churches. Just as we would carefully consider what is appropriate to place at the altar, so too should we be mindful of what is placed at a gravesite. The Norwich Diocesan Cemeteries serve families throughout the region and include: St. Mary and St. Joseph Cemeteries on Boswell Avenue in Norwich; Sacred Heart Cemeteries in Norwich and Wau...

Read More

‘Something’s Happening’: Catholic Converts Surge in Many U.S. Dioceses

Posted on March 30, 2026 in: News

245

‘Something’s Happening’: Catholic Converts Surge in Many U.S. Dioceses

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...

Read More

View the 2026 Chrism Mass and Inspiring Homily by Bishop Reidy

Posted on March 31, 2026 in: News, Lent

211

View the 2026 Chrism Mass and Inspiring Homily by Bishop Reidy

"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 ...

Read More

A Vocation Within a Vocation

Posted on March 31, 2026 in: Vocations

149

Sometimes, as I go around the diocese talking about the four vocations to which everyone is called (marriage, the generous single life, consecrated/religious life, priesthood), a well-meaning person will stop me after Mass and say something like, “Father, I hear what you are saying, but I have always felt that I had a vocation to be a nurse. From the time that I was little, I knew that God wanted me to do this. Isn’t that my vocation?” Yes. And no. It might be your vocation. But it is not your Vocation. The Four Primary Vocations A vocation is a call...

Read More