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All Diocesan Articles

Father Mike Schmitz to Pro-Life Marchers: 'Every Person Matters'
The popular podcaster and YouTube star Father Mike Schmitz came well-prepared for his speech at the March for Life rally. “The first speech I ever gave in my entire life was in eighth grade. We got a chance to choose any topic, any argument, any position,” he told a large crowd assemb...

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Do Small Things With Great Love at Work - Hope & Faith Video Series
This week on the Hope and Faith Series, Liza Roach, Youth and Young Adult Minister, speaks about doing small things with great love at work.   View previous videos or more articles on Faith by visiting NorwichDiocese.org/FaithSparks

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Giving is a Way of Life at Saint Bernard School 
Giving back to the community is a longstanding tradition at Saint Bernard School. This philosophy of generosity and caring is deeply rooted in the school’s faith and values. This year, students decided to increase the type, duration and amount of their philanthropy.  Listening to Pat V...

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Compelled By Mercy:  Core Value of Mercy Education
Mercy students, in the spirit of their founder Catherine McAuley, are steadfastly determined to take Mercy into an interconnected world. Their shared sense of social consciousness is fortified by universal empathy and a conviction that all are worthy of God’s mercy. This deep awareness and com...

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Six Xavier Juniors, Senior Leader Selected For XBSS Retreat 
When the six members of the Class of 2023 return from the XBSS Junior Retreat in March, they no doubt will experience what Father Joseph MacNeill talked about in his message to the student body at Mass on Jan. 4.  “Each of us can find a practical way to experience a newness, a rebirth ...

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St. John Paul II Regional School Draws from Rich Heritage
This month we focus the spotlight on another one of the outstanding educational institutions in the diocese - Saint Paul II Regional School Catholic education has a rich tradition in Middletown. For more than 100 years, parish Catholic Schools have provided education to students in pre-kindergart...

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New Employment Opportunities in the Diocese of Norwich
Looking for a job? We have a number of open positions that can be found at  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment.   Be sure to keep the link to NorwichDiocese.org/Employment handy

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Catholic Family Services a Constant Resource for Parishes and Families
Winter has always seemed to be a time for me to reflect on the past year. In our household it’s a little less busy than the other seasons. As I look forward to Spring and the warmer weather, I think about the many important people in my life. I am always so grateful for a happy marriage, a kin...

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Love of Family - Hope & Faith Video Series
This week on the Hope and Faith Series, Mary-Jo McLaughlin, Coordinator of Catholic Family Services, speaks about how to do "small things with great love" for our family.   View previous videos or more articles on Faith by visiting NorwichDiocese.org/FaithSpar...

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Bishop's Column: Called to the Joy of Love
February 2022 Four County Catholic Called to the Joy of Love My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, A faithful marriage is a re-creation in time and space of Jesus’ love for His people, the Church. Selfless love, which is the core of the Gospel message, is truly the very heart of mar...

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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...

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Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
    Do you have an upcoming parish or school event that would be of interest to others in the Diocese? These folks do! Around the Diocese Submissions Please provide your event details to your parish administrator for submission. Email submissions are NOT accepted. Descriptions are limited to 30 words. Parish Admin Log-In   Calendar of Events Here's what's happening Around the Diocese!   Upcoming Parish Events   Classes & Formation Wednesday, September 3 – May 13 Certificate P...

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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...

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Join the Diocese on an Overnight Pilgrimage to the 2026 March for Life
Join the Diocese of Norwich for an overnight pilgrimage to the 2026 March for Life in Washington, D.C., January 22–24. The cost is $55 for transportation only ($2 additional fee when paying through VANCO). Our pilgrimage will begin with Mass with our Bishop at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick on Thursday, January 22, at 7:30 PM, with bus departure immediately following. We will begin our return to Norwich in the early evening on Friday, January 23, following the March. To register, visit https://bit.ly/VANCO or email atejada@norwichdiocese.net to speak with Alv...

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Unwrapping the Stories Behind Our Favorite Carols

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: News

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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...

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Blessing of a Christmas Tree

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: ADVENT

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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...

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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

 

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