Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Bishop Richard Reidy's Christmas Message to the Diocese of Norwich
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, During the ordination of a bishop, two deacons hold an open Gospel book over the head of the new bishop as the Ordination prayer is read. By tradition, the new bishop picks a Gospel passage to which the book is opened. I chose, "... Do not be afraid;...

Read More

Monthly Pro-Life Mass to be Held January 3rd
The monthly Diocesan Pro-Life Mass will take place at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich on Saturday, January 3 at 8:30 A.M. Please join our celebrant, Rev. Walter Nagle, at Mass as we pray to end abortion and for the healing for those who have had an abortion. Breakfast and fellowship fo...

Read More

Watch the Replay: Festival of Lessons & Carols at Saint Patrick Cathedral
The Diocese of Norwich invites you to watch the replay of the Festival of Lessons and Carols, held Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy presided over this cherished Advent tradition that weaves together Sacred Scripture and sacre...

Read More

Jennifer Harding named new Executive Director of Outreach to Haiti
Outreach to Haiti has welcomed Jennifer “Jen” Harding as its new Executive Director, succeeding Susan Wallace, who served the ministry since June 2019.   Jen brings extensive experience in international development and a strong commitment to compassionate, community-driven...

Read More

Christmas Creche, Tree Are Signs of Hope, Pope Says
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 hear...

Read More

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...

Read More

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

Page 7 of 197First   Previous   2  3  4  5  6  [7]  8  9  10  11  Next   Last   

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral: “Return to Me… It Is Not Too Late.”
The Diocese of Norwich entered the holy season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, with the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy as celebrant, concelebrated by Father Ted Tumicki and Father Brian Romanowski. In his homily, Bishop Reidy set the tone for Lent with words that were both direct and deeply hopeful. He began by drawing attention to the opening call of the prophet Joel—words the Church places on our lips at the start of the season: “Return to me.” Bishop Reidy reminded the faithful that those words ar...

Read More

Lifeboat: A Radical Reorientation for Catholic Survival
The Cathedral of St. Patrick’s in Norwich, CT is pleased to welcome Fr. Herald Joseph Brock, CFR (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal), for the 2026 Lenten Mission, on March 9–11, 2026, at 6:30 PM each evening. The Mission is open to all—please save the dates and help spread the word. A Lenten Mission is an invitation to “put out into the deep,” embrace deeper conversion, anchor ourselves more firmly in Christ, and rediscover our mission in Him. We look forward to gathering as a diocesan Church for these grace-filled evenings of clarity, e...

Read More

Laugh, Think, Cry, and Pray — Reconnecting with Faith This Lent
An Unforgettable Speech I had the privilege of working at ESPN for 13 years, and during that time, I witnessed some incredible moments that transcended sports. One of the most powerful was Jim Valvano—Jimmy V—delivering his unforgettable speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards. Battling cancer, he spoke about what makes a good day: “Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you lau...

Read More

Bishop Reidy to Celebrate Mass for Life and Lead Bus Trip to Connecticut March for Life
All are invited to take part in a day of prayer and public witness at the Connecticut March for Life on Wednesday, March 18. Mass for Life The day will begin with a Mass for Life at 8:30 a.m. celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Reidy at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich. Cathedral students will be attending, and all parishioners are encouraged to join them in praying for the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. Bus Trip and Schedule Following Mass, participants will depart at 9:30 a.m. on a deluxe DATTCO motorcoach for Har...

Read More

Joyous Rite of Election Welcomes Catechumens and Candidates to the Diocese
Calling it a "cause for great joy," Bishop Richard F. Reidy welcomed 250 people on the road to becoming Catholic or completing their initiation during the Diocese of Norwich's annual Rite of Election.  The Rite of Election on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick was a watershed in several ways for the Diocese of Norwich. This year, the diocese welcomed 98 catechumens, along with 152 candidates, making for the highest combined total for the Diocese of Norwich in 10 years.  This is another step toward their journ...

Read More

Palm Sunday Concert Planned at Cathedral of St. Patrick
On Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., the Cathedral of St. Patrick will resonate with the stirring sounds of sacred music as the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus present a special Palm Sunday concert. Under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada and Chorus Director Daniel McDavitt, the evening promises a moving meditation through music at the threshold of Holy Week. The concert will feature Dan Forrest’s Requiem, a profound and contemporary work known for its striking beauty and emotio...

Read More

 

 

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

 

Latest Articles
Palm Sunday Concert Planned at Cathedral of St. Patrick
Joyous Rite of Election Welcomes Catechumens and Candidates to the Diocese
There's Still Time to Secure Your Spot at Steubenville East, July 24-26
Resources to Help You on Your Lenten Journey
Laugh, Think, Cry, and Pray — Reconnecting with Faith This Lent
God Offers New Possibilities, Not Prohibitions, With His Invitation to Love, Pope Says
Praying the Way of the Cross Through New Eyes This Lent
A Beautiful Act Of Contrition
Recently Added Galleries
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
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Signup for Weekly Newsletter


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