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Sharing the Reason for the Season - Your Nativity Crèche Photos Wanted
Holiday Greetings from the Communications Office!     In 2023, the world commemorates the 800th anniversary of a timeless Christmas tradition— the Nativity scene, or Christmas crèche. In the year 1223, St. Francis of Assisi brought the Nativity to life in Grec...

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An Advent Family Blessing

Posted on November 23, 2023 in: ADVENT

An Advent Family Blessing
An Advent Family Blessing   In the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…   Loving Father,   We ask that you bless this family and all the families who are faithfully trying to build your Kingdom here on earth.    Help t...

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Welcoming the Stranger: Archbishop Kevin S. Randall Embraces Diversity, Service in Bangladesh as Church's new Apostolic Nuncio
Archbishop Kevin S. Randall had the opportunity recently to celebrate Mass with members of Connecticut’s Bangladeshi community, a tight-knit group of about 600 worshipers based in Manchester.  A well-traveled man who has served in Roman Catholic diplomatic posts on four continents, Arc...

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Bishop's Column -  Glory to God in the Highest
November/December 2023 Four County Catholic "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."   My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As we approach Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas I am reminded of the above verse from the Gospel of Luke which ...

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Bishop
U.S. Bishops Mark Thirty Years Since Release of “Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish”
  WASHINGTON - On November 17, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the statement, “Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish.” This landmark statement continues to serve as the guiding document for ...

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Spiritual Solidarity: Parishioners Unite to Pray the Rosary
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)           In a powerful and uplifting display of unity and faith, over 80 parishioners from St...

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Blessing of a Christmas Tree

Posted on November 20, 2023 in: ADVENT

Blessing of a Christmas Tree
Blessing of a Christmas Tree   The day after Thanksgiving, many people eagerly embrace the tradition of setting up Christmas trees. Families gather to transform their homes into festive wonderlands, adorned with twinkling lights, ornaments, and cherished decorations. The scent of pine and...

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‘Mass of a Lifetime’ Reminds Elderly ‘Their Community has not Forgotten Them’
“Twenty-nine days a month I watch Catholic Mass on this iPad of mine and one day per month, we get to have a weekday Mass here at the residence.” These were the words of a 95-year-old woman named Rita who inspired 32-year-old Amanda Achtman to organize what she calls a “Mass of ...

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A Prayer of Thanksgiving - 2023

Posted on November 16, 2023 in: News, Reflections

A Prayer of Thanksgiving - 2023
Heavenly Creator, In this season of gratitude and abundance, we give You thanks for our many blessings as we pray for all who struggle with hunger and want. Be with them in the dark of night, when all hope seems lost. Keep their faith strong as they await relief. Let Your goodness flow thr...

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U.S. Bishops Affirm Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Paulist Priest
      At their annual November Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the United States held a canonical consultation on the cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Isaac Thomas Hecker. BALTIMORE - At their annual November Plenary Assembly, the bishops of t...

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Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

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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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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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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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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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 fall day. This year we honored the commitment of three people who have spent their careers dedicated to our diocesan Catholic school system while enjoying the melodious voices of the Saint Patrick Cathedral Choir as they filled the room singing “God Bless America” and &l...

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