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Pope Leo XIV asked Catholics to reflect on the meaning behind Nativity scenes and brightly lit Christmas trees, and to ask God offer the gift of peace and fraternity. He also called for prayers for all those who suffer because of war and violence, saying, "We must eliminate hatred from our hearts."   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are signs of ...

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Advent Hope and Haiti’s Faithful Journey- A Season of Waiting and Witness
As we journey through these days of Advent, we are reminded that this is a season filled with hope and expectation—and that our road to the fullness of God’s Kingdom has mountains to climb and valleys to descend before we reach our destination. In this season of preparation, we rememb...

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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—...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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 windo...

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Liturgy of the Hours Workshop - Register Today!
Discovering the Gift of the Liturgy of the Hours With the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours arriving next year, this workshop invites our lay brothers and sisters to discover — or rediscover — the gift and beauty of this prayer of the Church. Presenter Sister Rosemary Esseff, O.P. Sister Rosemary, a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tennessee, holds a Ph.D. in Composition from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome. Since entering the community in 1993, she has continued her musical studies, earning advanced degrees in...

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71st Annual Blessing of the Fleet Remembers Local Fishermen, Offers Prayers for Crews
A prayerful remembrance of local fishermen lost to the sea, sadly including this past year, attracted a large crowd to Saint Mary Church and the town fishing dock on Sunday, July 26, in Stonington Borough.  The gatherings were part of the 71st annual Blessing of the Fleet, and offered Bishop Richard Reidy of the Diocese of Norwich the opportunity to meet with captains and crews of the local fishery and confer blessings on them for a safe season, and a bountiful catch. The tradition is well-woven into the Stonington Borough fishing community, which over the past y...

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Catholic Charities Launches Back-to-School School Supply Drive
As summer begins to wind down, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Norwich is inviting the community to help local children start the new school year with confidence by donating new school supplies.   Each year, many families throughout eastern Connecticut struggle to afford the basic supplies students need for a successful school year. Through this annual Back-to-School School Supply Drive, Catholic Charities hopes to ease that burden by providing children with the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive in the classroom.   Donations of new school...

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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...

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Catholic Charities to Honor Tony Sheridan at 2026 Appreciation Dinner
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Norwich will honor longtime community leader Tony Sheridan during its 2026 Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. at La Luna Ristorante in New London. The evening will celebrate Sheridan's many years of dedicated service to the businesses, communities, and families of eastern Connecticut.   Hosted by Catholic Charities, the annual appreciation dinner serves as both a celebration of an individual whose leadership has strengthened the region and a fundraiser supporting the agency's mission of servin...

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Couples Invited to Celebrate Love and Faith at Diocesan Anniversary Mass
Couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries are invited to gather in thanksgiving for the gift of marriage at the Diocese of Norwich's 2026 Silver and Golden Jubilee Anniversary Mass, to be celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Reidy on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich.   The annual celebration honors couples marking 25 years, 50 years, or any other significant wedding anniversary, offering an opportunity to renew their commitment and celebrate the blessings of married life alongside family, friends, and fellow c...

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