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Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene
    In its present form, the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche or manger for Christmas Eve of 1223. The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the ...

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Hand-made Hats and Scarves Make Tree Warm and Toasty
A warm and toasty Christmas tree designed by the Diocesan Office of Faith Events (OFE) will not only bring joy to those who see it but warmth from winter’s cold for all those who benefit from it. Called ‘The Warm and Toasty Tree,’ it is filled with 150 knit and crocheted hats an...

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5 Things to Know and Share about St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated on Dec. 6, is well known as possibly the real-life inspiration for the beloved Christmas character of Santa Claus. Not a lot is known about the historical Nicholas, who was bishop of Myra, a Greek city in modern-day Turkey, during the fourth century A.D. ...

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Pope Francis: Like Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mothers can be Great Evangelizers Today
Our Lady of Guadalupe proclaimed the Gospel in “mother tongue,” Pope Francis said in a message that highlighted the important role mothers play in passing on the faith to the next generation. The pope spoke about how the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 helped to spread the...

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Emulating the Holy Family: A Path to a Meaningful Christmas
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisper, the season of Advent beckons Catholic families to prepare their hearts and homes for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In this busy world, where commercialism often overshadows the true meaning of Christmas, there is no better time to t...

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Bethlehem Welcomes Advent 2023 with Quieter Procession, Still with Hope
JERUSALEM - On Dec. 2, like every evening before Advent, the city where Jesus was born welcomed the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, and the Franciscan friars for their annual procession into the city of Bethlehem. This year, however, due to the ongoing conflict, the solemnity of...

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What are the Precepts of the Church?

Posted on November 30, 2023 in: Reflections

What are the Precepts of the Church?
Have you ever questioned or wondered about some aspect of the Catholic faith? Well now is your chance to do just that! Four County Catholic Magazine is introducing a new column entitled A QUESTION OF FAITH. Every edition will offer our readers’ the opportunity to ask and have their questions a...

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Preparing Heart and Home: Meaningful Advent Activities for Families
Beyond the glittering lights and festive decorations, the holy season of Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and homes to welcome the birth of Jesus Christ. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, there are numerous activities that families can engage in to make this season more meaningful and spi...

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COP 28: U.S. Bishops Call for International Climate Policies that Promote Justice
WASHINGTON – The United Nations will convene their annual meeting on climate, COP28, on November 30. In advance of the meeting, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on&n...

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Where has the Reverence Gone? 

Posted on November 28, 2023 in: Reflections

Where has the Reverence Gone? 
As I begin writing this piece, I am suddenly aware of the fact that this will raise some eyebrows, but here goes: Where has the awe and devotion gone at Mass? A picture is worth a thousand words, but as Jesus well understood, a story can often get one’s point across very effectively. My sto...

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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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A Greater Love: Honoring Veterans through Faith, Sacrifice, and Service
As November brings us closer to Veterans Day, it offers a poignant reminder of the men and women who have answered the call to serve— a call that demanded courage, resilience, and sacrifice. Veterans Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a sacred invitation to pause, to honor, and to reflect deeply on the lives of those who chose duty over self, who placed neighbor and nation above their own comforts, safety, and often, above their own dreams. In our Catholic faith, we hold dear the teaching that every human life has inherent dignity and worth. Thi...

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Saint Vincent de Paul Place Norwich Grateful for Mashantucket Pequot Tribe's Gift
The St. Vincent de Paul Place food pantry and kitchen in Norwich was the recipient this week of a generous donation from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe during a visit by tribal and city officials.  "We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation  for their generous donation to help us provide food to our most vulnerable community members through our pantry," St. Vincent de Paul Place Norwich posted online.  The donation of $25,000, part of an annual giving campaign, comes during an ongoing disruption to SNAP benefits.&n...

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Meet Our New Youth & Young Adult Minister

Posted on November 05, 2025 in: News

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Meet Our New Youth & Young Adult Minister
Maria Sweeney Joins Evangelization & Discipleship as Youth and Young Adult Minister The Diocese of Norwich is pleased to welcome Maria Sweeney as our new Youth and Young Adult Minister in the Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry. Maria, a wife and mother of four, and her family are parishioners of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich. Before moving to Connecticut in 2020, she served for many years in parish youth ministry in both the Diocese of Rockville Centre and the Archdiocese of New York, where she led retreats, youth pilgrimages, and parish-based cate...

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Former Parishioner of Bishop Reidy Moves Closer to Sainthood
A beloved Worcester “Block Mom,” a Harvard-educated convert, and one of the most compelling pro-life voices of her generation — could she also be a future saint? The Vatican has now approved the next step in the cause of Ruth Pakaluk, a former parishioner of Bishop Richard F. Reidy when he served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester. In this article by Matt McDonald for the National Catholic Register, you’ll discover how her remarkable journey from atheism to Catholicism, her tireless pro-life witness, and her heroic serenity in suffer...

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Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference Releases 2025 Annual Abortion Report
    The Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference (CTCPAC)— the public policy office of Connecticut’s Catholic bishops— serves as the Church’s voice on issues of life, justice, and moral concern at the state Capitol. Each year, the Conference publishes its Annual Abortion Report, compiling official data from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to provide a clear picture of abortion trends across the state. The newly released 2025 report reveals a sobering reality: abortion numbers in Connecticut have continued to rise sha...

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Latest Articles
Former Parishioner of Bishop Reidy Moves Closer to Sainthood
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U.S. Bishops to Consecrate Nation to Sacred Heart of Jesus
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Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference Releases 2025 Annual Abortion Report
Calendar of Parish Events from Around the Diocese
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    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
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    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294