Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Blessing of the Christmas Manger

Posted on December 16, 2025 in: ADVENT

Blessing of the Christmas Manger
The beloved custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ began with St. Francis of Assisi, who created the first Christmas crèche on Christmas Eve in 1223. The blessing of the manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas—that is, Christmas Eve—...

Read More

A Question of Faith — What Makes the Star of Bethlehem So Significant To Our Advent Journey?
Father Richard, when I look at the Star of Bethlehem on Christmas cards and crèche displays, I can’t help but wonder—what makes that star so significant to our Advent journey? Advent, from the Latin adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival,” begins the Church&rsqu...

Read More

Faith, Friendship, and Forever: UConn Missionaries Discern Vocation Together
Ethan and Julie Roberts are two of the FOCUS missionaries at UConn, bringing students on campus to Christ through evangelization, outreach, and discipleship. In August, they united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. I recently sat down with them to discuss their discernment of their vocation to mar...

Read More

A Diocesan Night of Unity: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass in Norwich
On Friday evening, December 12, 2025, hundreds of Catholics filled the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich for the diocesan celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Star of the New Evangelization. Beginning with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and an oppo...

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 fal...

Read More

Blessing of a Christmas Tree

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: ADVENT

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,...

Read More

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 windo...

Read More

Mary, Full of Grace: Honoring the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
On December 8, we celebrate one of the most beautiful truths of our faith: the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast invites us to pause in the midst of Advent and reflect not only on who Mary is, but also on what God is continually doing in the quiet of human history and with...

Read More

Bound by Faith: Three Books to Lift the Heart this Christmas Season
As Christmas approaches and we begin to think about gifts that enrich the spirit, we launch Bound by Faith — an occasional feature highlighting books written by authors within our own Diocese of Norwich. This first installment brings together three inspiring works by local writers whose faith ...

Read More

Page 15 of 201First   Previous   10  11  12  13  14  [15]  16  17  18  19  Next   Last   

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Retiring Saint Bernard Head of School Don Macrino Reflects on his Tenure
The Saint Bernard School community is bidding a happy retirement for its leader of 12 years, Head of School Mr. Don Macrino.  “This is my 52nd year in education,” Mr. Macrino said recently from the office where he’s guided the Catholic co-educational college preparatory school for students in grades 6-12. Mr. Macrino, a New London resident, has been involved with the diocese for many years beyond his time at Saint Bernard, but says he will treasure his experience at the school.  “Eastern Connecticut sorely needs a school like this,...

Read More

Full Text of Magnifica Humanitas: Read Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical
The encyclical sets out the Churchʼs social teaching for the age of artificial intelligence. Download and read the complete document. Pope Leo XIV signed Magnifica Humanitas, the first encyclical of his pontificate, on May 15. The document was released by the Holy See on May 25. The encyclical develops the Churchʼs social teaching in light of artificial intelligence, situating new questions of human dignity, labor, and the common good within the tradition that runs from Rerum Novarum through Centesimus Annus and Laudato Si&#...

Read More

In Memoriam: Rev. Richard Albamonti May 1949 – May 2026
Reverend Richard James Albamonti, Retired Priest of the Diocese of Norwich, Dies at 77 Reverend Richard James Albamonti, a retired priest of the Diocese of Norwich known for his faithful ministry, adventurous spirit and love for the sea, passed away unexpectedly at his home in New London on May 18. Born May 6, 1949, in Norwich, Father Albamonti was the son of the late Dr. Mario Albamonti and Carole Albamonti. He graduated from Villanova University in 1971 before entering St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, to study for the priesthood. Father Alb...

Read More

Pasta with a Purpose: An Evening of Food, Fellowship and Charity Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus Italian Dinner Food, Fellowship and Charity in Colchester The Knights of Columbus Cardinal Spellman Council in Colchester invites parishioners, families and friends to gather for an evening of delicious food, fellowship and charitable giving at its upcoming Italian Dinner on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026 Time: Immediately following the 4 p.m. Mass until 7 p.m. Location: St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church Meeting Hall, Colchester On the Menu Guests will enjoy penne pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs, ga...

Read More

Padre Pio Day of Prayer Set for June 5 in Cromwell
The faithful are invited to a special day of prayer and reflection, “Reflections on the Spirituality of Padre Pio From His Own Writings,” on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Chapel at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, 33 Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell. Presented by the Padre Pio Foundation of America, the day will feature Fr. Pio Mandato, FMHJ, who received his First Holy Communion from Padre Pio, and Sr. Theresa May, CSN. Through personal stories, spiritual insights and reflections drawn from Padre Pio&rsqu...

Read More

Book Signing and Meet & Greet with Susan De Bartoli
The Padre Pio Foundation of America will host a special Book Signing and Meet & Greet with award-winning author Susan De Bartoli on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 463 Main Street in Cromwell. Susan will be signing copies of her new biography, Padre Pio’s American Daughter: The Story of Mary Pyle, an inspiring true story about one of Padre Pio’s closest spiritual daughters. Mary Pyle, whose cause for canonization is in its initial phases, left behind a life of comfort to live near Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, where she became a dev...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

 

 

Recently Added Galleries
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
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
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


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