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Faithful Gather for Saint Patrick Mass at the Cathedral
The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy celebrated the Saint Patrick Mass at noon on March 17 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich, drawing the faithful together to honor Ireland’s patron saint and to pray as a Church during the Lenten season. The liturgy was both joyful and prayerful, a fitting celebration of Saint Patrick’s lasting witness to courage, missionary zeal and unwavering trust in God. In his homily, Bishop Reidy pointed to Saint Patrick not simply as a figure from the distant past, but as a living example of what it means to belong completely ...

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St. Joseph - Husband of Mary and Patron of the Universal Church
St. Joseph is honored with feast days throughout the Liturgical Year. This feast encourages us to look at Joseph's role as husband and head of the Holy Family. Most of what we know about the life of St. Joseph comes to us from Scripture and legends that have sprung up regarding his life. Though Joseph is only mentioned by two of the evangelists, he is paid the compliment of being a "just" man. This is a way of saying that Joseph was such a good and holy man that he shares in God's own holiness. In addition, Joseph gives us an example of h...

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Work Beginning on Towers at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick
The scaffolding that's recently gone up near the Cathedral of Saint Patrick's main entrance is the sign of a long awaited project that's taking shape. Work is being performed by the Joseph Gnazzo company of Connecticut to repair the two towers at the front of the cathedral's exterior, taking each tower down stone by stone and then re-building using the same stonework.  The work is expected to last until September, Rev. Msgr. Anthony S. Rosaforte, rector, said. The work will not impact any of the services at the cathedral, and all of the entra...

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Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of March
In a video released on X, the Holy Father posed a question to the faithful: “Would you imagine what a world without wars would be like? A world without the terror of approaching explosions?” Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of March is for disarmament and peace. In a video released on X, the Holy Father posed a question to the faithful: “Would you imagine what a world without wars would be like? A world without the terror of approaching explosions? Without rocket alarms shattering the silence of the night?” “Please j...

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New Papal Envoy Named for the United States
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia as the new Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, giving the Church in this country a new diplomatic representative at an important moment in its life. The appointment was announced March 7. Archbishop Caccia, 68, succeeds Cardinal Christophe Pierre, who has served in the role since 2016. For many Catholics, the title “apostolic nuncio” may sound unfamiliar, but the role is significant. The nuncio serves as the Holy Father’s personal representative to both the Church and the government of...

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Pope Leo XIV Explains the Church’s ‘Human and Divine Dimensions’
Pope Leo XIV leads the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square on March 4, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/EWTN News The pope’s catechesis focused on the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium, one of the pillars of Vatican II. VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday that the Church cannot be understood solely from a human perspective but rather as the fruit of God’s plan of love for humanity realized in Christ. He also emphasized that this does not imply the spiritual superiority of the Church’s members. “An ideal and pure C...

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2026 Annual Catholic Appeal will officially kick off March 7 and 8
Together as One, Through Faith in Action In a world that often feels unsettled, marked by conflict, uncertainty, and voices of division, it would be easy to lose heart. Yet as people of faith, we are called to something deeper: trust. Trust in God’s enduring presence, trust in His Word, and trust that hope remains not only possible, but powerful. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). It is with this spirit of hope that we reflect with grati...

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Why Do the Bones of St. Francis Draw Hundreds of Thousands of Pilgrims?
Eight hundred years after his death, the remains of St. Francis of Assisi were exhumed and placed on public display in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi for a monthlong veneration, highlighting the Catholic tradition of venerating relics as tangible reminders of holiness. ROME (CNS) -- Eight hundred years after his death, the bones of St. Francis of Assisi have been placed on public display for the first extended public viewing in history, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to the hilltop town. Following Pope Leo XIV's approval and blessing...

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Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman’s Voice Needed ‘More Than Ever’
Sister Thea Bowman. Credit: Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi Bowman’s ability to see the dignity of each individual, and embrace all gifts and cultures, is an essential message for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. African American Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman’s ability to bridge divides shines as a witness needed today, according to those who knew her, and her cause for canonization may create a pathway for other African Americans on their ways to sainthood. More than three decades after her death, Bowman should be remembered...

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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...

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