Reverend Monsignor Thomas R. Bride February 23, 1940 – June 26, 2019 Norwich – Reverend Monsignor Thomas R. Bride PA, KCHS, of the Diocese of Norwich, was called to eternal rest with the Lord on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Monsignor Bride faithfully served the parishioners of the Diocese in various capacities during his 52 years as a priest. Positions of note include: Director of Vocations for 34 years; Vicar General for 21 Years; Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Quaker Hill and Pastor of Christ the King Church, Old Lyme. Ordained May 4, 1...

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By Mary Ellen Mahoney In the past six weeks I have attended funerals and wakes for six dear people. Each service was uniquely beautiful and inspired me to reflect on how each person had impacted my life. In thinking about June being Legacy Month here in the Diocese, I couldn’t help but also consider how each of these beloved people have left their own legacies here on earth. The last funeral I attended was for Dr. Robert Miller, former president of Quinebaug Valley Community College as well as The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese, to name only two of the le...

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By Ryan Blessing Outreach to Haiti welcomed Susan Wallace as its new executive director and bid a happy retirement to former director Daniel O’Sullivan. Director Wallace, who comes from Cape May, N.J., began her work June 3 at the Outreach to Haiti office in Norwich. Mr. O’Sullivan, who was at the helm for five years, will assist in the transition for the next month. “The Diocese has a 30-year history of involvement with the Haitian ministry,” she said. “I’ve always had a deep love for Haiti.” She was in Haiti in the mid...

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By Dennis Petruzzi The 12th annual “For the Love of a Child Gala” was held on April 27th at A Villa Louisa in Bolton, Connecticut. The gala benefited and celebrated Outreach to Haiti's 30-plus years of Gospel ministry to the people of Haiti. There were about 125 guests at this year’s gala who helped make the event a success. Our thanks to Most Reverend Bishop Cote, our diocesan priests and all our supporters. Our hope is that each guest came away feeling that they are part of the Diocese’s mission in Haiti. The evening showcased ...

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Father Gregory Galvin, Director of Priestly Vocations The Catholic News Agency recently published an article written by Mary Farrow entitled “Who Are the New Priests of 2019”. Below are excerpts which give you a good picture of what is going on in the hearts and minds of the young men being ordained to the priesthood in the United States and what is most likely attracting them into saying yes to our Lord’s call. The article began: “This year, 481 men in the United States will kneel in cathedral churches and be ordained as Catholic priests f...

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By Ryan Blessing The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Norwich distributed more than $300,000 in grant money to diocese schools, ministries, parishes and programs at its grant awards ceremony June 20 in Norwich. Tuition grants for 2019 provided by the Catholic Foundation Educational Endowment Fund and the Seton Scholarship Fund totaled $133,695 and benefited 281 students in elementary schools throughout the diocese. The foundation gave $51,465 in non-tuition grants through its Educational Endowment Fund. The foundation has awarded $302,807 in total funds in ...

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You are cordially invited to attend the Mass of Ordination of Deacon Michael Castiblanco to the priesthood on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. the Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich.

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By Ryan Blessing Saint John Mission Church celebrated the 125th anniversary of its dedication with a special Mass on Sunday, June 16.  Saint John was built in 1893 and dedicated on June 17, 1894. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Mission east of the Mississippi River. Pastoral care of Saint John Mission was entrusted to Saint Andrew Church, Colchester, in 1893 and was transferred to Sacred Heart, Norwichtown, in 1960. The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, celebrated Mass in the small church in the Fitchville section of Bozrah. The B...

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Saint John Mission Church in Bozrah will mark the 125th anniversary of its dedication on June 16. Mass at 9 a.m. will be celebrated by Bishop Michael R. Cote, followed by a brunch at the Moose Club in Bozrah. St. John Church was built in 1893 and dedicated on June 17, 1894.  It is the oldest Roman Catholic mission east of the Mississippi River. Pastoral care of St. John Mission was entrusted to St. Andrew’s Church, Colchester, in 1893 and was transferred to Sacred Heart, Norwichtown, in 1960.

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June 7, 2019 WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2019 Spring General Assembly in Baltimore, June 11-14.   During the assembly, the bishops will discuss and vote on bishop accountability measures to respond to the abuse crisis and will also hear reports from the National Advisory Council and an annual progress report by the National Review Board. The bishops will also discuss and vote on the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (2nd ed...

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