Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Ash Wednesday, February 18, Marks the Beginning of Lent

Posted on February 10, 2026 in: Lent

Ash Wednesday, February 18, Marks the Beginning of Lent

On February 18, the Church enters the sacred season of Lent with the observance of Ash Wednesday, a day marked by humility, repentance, and hope. As ashes are placed on our foreheads, we are reminded of both our human frailty and God’s enduring mercy— an invitation to turn our hearts back to Him. Ash Wednesday begins forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, calling us to slow down, examine our lives honestly, and prepare our hearts more intentionally for the joy of Easter.

 

Lenten Prayer from the USCCB

Loving God,
As we enter into these days of Lent,
Grant us the grace to draw closer to You,
To seek humility and truth in our lives,
And to turn away from what distracts us
From following Your will.

Open our hearts to repentance,
Fill our minds with Your wisdom,
And strengthen our spirits in Your love.

May we walk faithfully with You
Through these forty days of prayer, fasting,
And almsgiving,
That we may enter into the joy of Easter
With renewed hearts and minds.
Amen.

Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — Lenten Prayers

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

In Memoriam: Father Rene L. Parent, M.S.

Posted on June 22, 2026 in: News

5193

In Memoriam: Father Rene L. Parent, M.S.
Father Rene L. Parent, M.S., 76, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died on Sunday, June 21, 2026. He was born on July 2, 1949, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. In 2023, he was assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. James Parish in Danielson, Connecticut, where he ministered until his passing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at St. James Church in Danielson at 11:00 a.m. The main celebrant will be Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich. Calling hours will be held at St. James Church on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 9:...

Read More

Bishop Reidy Announces Clergy Appointments for the Diocese of Norwich
June 22, 2026 The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, has announced the following clergy appointments for the Diocese of Norwich. These appointments are made in response to the pastoral needs of the Diocese and are effective on the dates indicated below.   Reverend Lawrence Barile, from Parochial Vicar, St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Putnam, Pomfret, Quinebaug, and North Grosvenordale, to Administrator, St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Putnam, Pomfret, Quinebaug, and North Grosvenordale. Effective: July 1, 2026. Reverend Richard Breton, from P...

Read More

Catholic School Employment Opportunities Now Available
There are several current education-related employment opportunities available in Catholic schools across the diocese. These openings include classroom teaching, subject-area teaching, early childhood education and classroom support positions. Current school postings include opportunities at St. Michael School in Pawcatuck, St. Joseph School in New London, Saint Patrick Cathedral School in Norwich, St. James School in Danielson and Saint John Paul II School in Middletown. Recently posted openings include: Part-Time Music Teacher — St. Michael School, Pawcatuc...

Read More

Bishop Reidy Joins Norwich July 4 Freedom Bell Ceremony — Public is Invited to the Free celebration at City Hall.
Bishop Reidy to Offer Prayer at Norwich Freedom Bell Ceremony Public is Invited to the free celebration at City Hall NORWICH, Conn. — The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich, will offer a prayer during the City of Norwich’s Ringing of the Freedom Bell ceremony on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The event will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard, adjacent to Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway, Norwich. The ceremony is part of Norwich’s observance of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independ...

Read More

Padre Pio Statue Appears to Weep Blood in Italian Parish
Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) parish in the small Italian town of Casalba has found itself in the media spotlight after a statue of St. Padre Pio appeared to show a tear of blood trickling down its face. The discovery was made in April, when a parishioner noticed an unusual detail on the face of the saint from Pietrelcina: A reddish tear, resembling blood, appeared to be falling from its left eye. The news quickly reached the parish priest, Father Girolamo Capuano, who went to the church to verify what had happened and attempt, without success, to clean...

Read More

Rediscover the Gift of “Us”: Worldwide Marriage Encounter Experience Coming to West Hartford
This summer, couples are invited to step away from the distractions of everyday life and invest in their relationship by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) Experience at the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut, August 28–30.   More than simply a retreat, the Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience provides a welcoming space for couples to pause, reflect, and reconnect with one another. Through guided presentations, personal reflection, and private dialogue, husbands and wives are given the opportunity to deepen their commun...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

 

 

Latest Articles
Catholic School Employment Opportunities Now Available
Catholic Public Policy Office Celebrates Legislative Wins
Bishop Reidy Joins Norwich July 4 Freedom Bell Ceremony — Public is Invited to the Free celebration at City Hall.
Pope Leo XIV: Writing Is an Act of Humanity That Leads to God
Monthly Pro-Life Mass to be Held July 4
Padre Pio Statue Appears to Weep Blood in Italian Parish
In Memoriam: Father Rene L. Parent, M.S.
Bishop Reidy Announces Clergy Appointments for the Diocese of Norwich
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Corpus Christi Procession 2026
Click to view album: Chrism Mass 2026
Click to view album: 2026 CT March for Life- Hartford, CT
Click to view album: Adventure, Faith and Fellowship with Bishop Reidy
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


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