Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

40 DAYS STRONG !

Posted on July 25, 2019 in: Events, 40DaysForLife

40 DAYS STRONG !

Are you fed up hearing in the news about radical politicians, state legislatures and governors, and new laws being proposed and implemented for late-term abortions and infanticide? Do you feel compelled to do something about it?

The Norwich 40 Days For Life Team invites you to join us in standing up for life and praying on the sidewalk outside the Planned Parenthood facility at 12 Case St. in Norwich for an end to this abomination.

Kickoff

The Norwich 40 Days For Life Campaign will begin with a Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Tuesday, September 24, at 7 PM. Bishop Michael R. Cote will be the principal celebrant and Fr. Jeffrey Ellis will be the homilist.

This year, The 40 Days for Life Campaign runs from Wednesday, September 25th through Sunday, November 3rd. It is hoped that you will join Pro-Life people of all faiths by praying, fasting, and signing-up to attend the 40 Days For Live peaceful prayer vigil held outside planned parenthood.

First Time?

There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s not a protest. Here’s what to expect. We recommend parking at Friendly’s, 105 W. Town St. in Norwich (Norwichtown). They gave us permission to park there. (And it’s a nice treat to enjoy a lunch or ice cream after praying with family and friends).

Where is Located?

For a point of reference, Friendly’s and Case St. are best reached by Exit 14 on Rt. 395, the first exit north of Rt. 2. So after parking, one walks a few hundred yards on W. Town St. and makes a right onto Case Street, walks up another hundred yards, and crosses the street to the sidewalk between the two entrances of Planned Parenthood.

What Happens?

Now, outside the facility, we witness for life by our presence, and hold signs, if you wish, that your parish pro-life representative will provide that read “ Praying for an end to abortion.” And we Pray: To change mother’s hearts that might be arriving to consider ending their pregnancy; Praying for an end to abortion; And praying that this Planned Parenthood facility will soon close.

When?

We pray during daylight hours, and really haven’t had any problems over the last few years. You might get an occasional person gives you an unkind hand signal or word out their window, but for the most part, we get a lot of positive honks and thumbs-up! And we never confront anyone should they wish to argue. This is a peaceful, prayerful program exercising our Constitutional freedom, to stand-up for the innocent, praying for the Sanctity and Right to Life.

How Do I Sign Up?

Contact your parish and find out who your Pro-Life representative is. If you’re computer savvy, go to 40DaysForLife.com/Norwich.

Another great new option is to sign-up for the new Diocesan Weekly Newsletter by clicking here. Or if you prefer go to Norwichdiocese.org. The sign-up is at the bottom of the Home Page. There you’ll be kept abreast of 40 Days For Life Activity, as well as many upcoming Diocesan events and happenings.

Most parishes ‘Adopt-A-Day’ and parishioners come out and pray, fast, and participate in this peaceful community outreach to preserve the lives of unborn children alive in their mothers’ wombs. We encourage you to join in.

For further help about how to become involved please contact the Norwich 40 Days For Life Team at:
(860) 875-5770 or 40DaysNorwich@gmail.com

Thank you and may God bless you, your family, and your future children and grandchildren. Amen.


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Your Guide to Church Bazaar and Craft Fairs and Other Events
Use the Handy List Below to See Where All the Best Church Bazaars and Craft Fairs are Being Held Throughout the Diocese. You Can Also Add Events to Your Google Calendar from Ours.          Saturday, December 13 Cookie Sale and Basket Raffle Our Lady of La Salette, Brooklyn • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Join us for our annual sale and raffle. This event sells out quickly, so please arrive early.   Saturday, December 13 Christmas Cookie Sale St. Mark Church Hall, Westbrook • 9:00 AM – 12:00 P...

Read More

Celebrate the Season: Festival of Lessons and Carols Returns
To Prepare Your Heart for the Coming of the Lord You are warmly invited to the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 21 at 7:30 PM at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. This traditional service combines scripture readings that recount God’s plan of salvation—from humanity’s fall to the birth of Christ—with choral music, organ accompaniment, and carol singing by the assembly. The evening will include performances by: Norwich Diocesan Choir, featuring selections from Bach and Saint-Saens Cathedral Choir, Bells of Saint Patrick, and Scho...

Read More

Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: News

399

Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols
  When my children were in grade school, we hosted several caroling parties in December. Family and friends would pile into the house, and I’d hand out little songbooks I had put together. After a short practice session in the living room, where I could see the Cathedral from the window, we would set out into the neighborhood. We stopped at houses along the way, including the rectory and the bishop’s house, before ending at Sheltering Arms, a senior residence in Norwich. The night always ended back at home with mugs of hot chocolate and slow cookers f...

Read More

Blessing of a Christmas Tree

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: ADVENT

394

Blessing of a Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree, a newer custom rooted in the “tree of paradise” from medieval plays, reminds us that Christ is the Light of the World. It is set up before Christmas and remains until Epiphany, with lights illuminated after the blessing.A parent or family member may lead the blessing, perhaps during the evening meal on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Opening: Leader: ✝ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace. All: Amen. Leader: As Christ was...

Read More

A Festive Autumn Atmosphere at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner
The trees surrounding the Lake of Isles provided brilliant colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold on October 26, 2025, at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Gail Kingston, Superintendent of Schools, Bishop Reidy, and the Office of Development hosted nearly 160 people on this glorious fall day. This year we honored the commitment of three people who have spent their careers dedicated to our diocesan Catholic school system while enjoying the melodious voices of the Saint Patrick Cathedral Choir as they filled the room singing “God Bless America” and &l...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
A Diocesan Night of Unity: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass in Norwich
Celebrate the Season: Festival of Lessons and Carols Returns
“The Spirit of Christmas” Offers Delightful Day at McGivney Pilgrimage Center
Your Guide to Church Bazaar and Craft Fairs and Other Events
A Festive Autumn Atmosphere at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner
Blessing of a Christmas Tree
Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols
Bound by Faith: Inspiring Reads— Make Them Yours

 

Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Bowling with Bishop Reidy 2025
Click to view album: Ninety-Fifth Anniversary of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Saint Brendan the Navigator Catholic Community
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294