Discovering the Meaning Behind the Symbols That Tell the Story of Our Catholic Faith The San Damiano Cross Few symbols are more closely associated with St. Francis of Assisi than the San Damiano Cross. More than a beautiful crucifix, it was before this cross that Francis received the call that would shape the rest of his life. While praying in the small, weathered church of San Damiano near Assisi, Francis heard Christ speak the now-famous words: "Francis, go and rebuild My Church, which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." At first, Francis und...

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The World Needs God’s Love and Mercy More Than Ever               The world's need for God's love and mercy may explain why the Divine Mercy Ministry to Seniors, a new ministry introduced by the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship, has quickly become one of the most popular new ministries in the Diocese. When the announcement about an informational meeting was released a month ago, the Office of Evangelization & Discipleship was flooded with inquiries about the new ministry and its implementation.  The ...

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Rising to a height of over 180 feet from ground level, the statue of Our Lady of Mercy exceeds in height the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Christ the King statue in Poland.   On Saturday, Aug. 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Catholic Church in Poland dedicated the largest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Krzysztof Wętkowski of Włocławek. The monument stands 55.6 meters (182 feet) tall from ground level to its highest point. It was built in the town of Konotopie and funded ...

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Announcement of Position Opening Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti The Diocese of Norwich seeks a full-time Executive Director for Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti. Mission As an expression of our Catholic Faith, Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti, a sponsored ministry of the Diocese of Norwich, is committed to serving the people of Haiti in the spirit and values of the Gospel. While providing sacramental and spiritual support, this ministry offers education, health care, and other services to Haitians in need. Overview of Responsibilities The Exe...

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The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, August 15. While the Assumption is ordinarily a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States, there is no obligation to attend Mass this year because the solemnity falls on a Saturday. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains: “Whenever ... August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption ... falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.” The USCCB’s 2026 liturgical guidance also confirms th...

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The Diocese of Norwich's Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry is currently collecting donations of baskets and is inviting the community to help. Donations may include picnic baskets, wicker baskets, or laundry baskets. Individuals who have baskets they no longer need are encouraged to consider donating them. Baskets may be dropped off at either of the following locations: Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry 331 Main Street, 2nd Floor Norwich, CT 06360 Diocese of Norwich Chancery 201 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 For more information or question...

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If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed something. The Fourth of July comes and goes, the school supplies appear in the stores, and before you know it, people are talking about back-to-school shopping, football season, and pumpkin spice everything. Hold on a minute. It’s only the beginning of August. Summer isn’t over yet. There’s still plenty of time for one more cookout, one more day at the beach, or at least one more excuse to put off raking leaves. We have a tendency to rush through life, always looking ahead to what&rs...

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Ask most Catholics which month belongs to Mary, and they will answer without hesitation: May. They are right. But August has a compelling claim of its own. For while May blossoms with Marian devotion, August shines with Marian glory. This month, the Church celebrates some of the most beautiful mysteries of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Together, they reveal who she is, where she is, and how she leads us to her Son. The Dedication of St. Mary Major On August 5, the Church celebrates the Dedication of St. Mary Major in Rome, the oldest and most important Marian basi...

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NDCCW Day of Reflection to Focus on Being “Anchored in Christ” The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will host its 2026 Day of Reflection, “Anchored in Christ,” on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Church and Hall in Colchester. Teresa Jorgenson will serve as the guest speaker for the day. Bishop Richard Reidy will celebrate Mass and join participants for lunch. Jorgenson is a graduate of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where she majored in history, philosophy and theology. Following colleg...

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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich is committed to making its online resources welcoming and accessible to everyone. One of the easiest ways the website serves a diverse community is through its built-in language selector, conveniently located in the upper-right corner of every page. With just a click, visitors can instantly translate the website into more than a dozen languages, making it easier than ever for individuals and families to access important diocesan news, parish information, ministries, educational resources, and spiritual content in the language they un...

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