Lent

A Parish Mission led by the Sisters of Life will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick next Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:30 PM.  ALL are invited to this Lenten Evening of Hope and Mercy -- come and encounter Him! WHAT WILL THE EVENING ENTAIL? A Lenten reflection offered by Sr. Antoniana Maria will be followed by time of Adoration with music led by the Sisters of Life. Priests from around the diocese will be available for confession. A social gathering in the parish hall will follow Benediction. WHO WILL BE LEADING THE MISSIO...

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Each Lent I am reminded of what St. Peter wrote, “With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Pt 3:8). St. Peter affirms that God's perspective on time is holistic and all-encompassing. God sees and acts within the entire scope of time at once. So, I thought, if God comprehends all time at once, then God sees my entire life as one event – what does He see? The Church teaches that Lent is a time for Christians to engage in deeper reflection on their faith, to repent from sin and to renew their commitment ...

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On Sunday, March 9, the First Sunday of Lent, the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich was filled with faith and anticipation as catechumens from across the diocese gathered for the Rite of Election. This significant step in their journey toward full initiation into the Catholic Church marks their formal enrollment in the Book of the Elect, bringing them one step closer to the Easter sacraments. With our diocese still awaiting the appointment of a new bishop, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford presided over the celebration, offering words of encouragemen...

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Lent is a sacred season, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It mirrors Jesus' forty days in the desert, calling us to turn away from sin and deepen our relationship with God. During this time, the Church invites us to embrace three spiritual pillars—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—each offering a pathway to spiritual growth. Prayer strengthens our connection with God, fasting teaches us discipline and self-control, and almsgiving allows us to put our faith into action by caring for those in need. Of these three pillars, almsgiving is perhaps t...

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On March 5, 2025, the faithful of St. Andrew Church in Colchester, Connecticut, gathered to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the commencement of the Lenten season. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Mark Masnicki.  In his homily, Fr. Masnicki emphasized the significance of Lent as a period for personal reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. He encouraged parishioners to engage in prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, aligning with the Church’s teachings during this sacred time. The imposition of ashes, a central rite of the service, saw con...

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In his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of living one’s life as a constant journey of conversion, choosing to walk in peace and hope aside one’s fellow humans. “May the hope that does not disappoint, the central message of the jubilee, be the focus of our Lenten journey toward the victory of Easter,” the pope said in the message, released Tuesday.  He also quoted St. Paul’s exclamation in the first letter to the Corinthians: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? W...

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Ash Wednesday is the first day of the 40 days of Lent dedicated to prayer, fasting, and reflection in preparation for the great celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum. We pray that this day marks the beginning of your spiritual renewal.  Bookmark the link below and visit it often as you observe the wonderful season of Lent!  Feel free to share this link on social media NorwichDiocese.org/Lent

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The Way of the Cross The Diocesan Office of Faith Events invites you to join us virtually Friday nights during Lent as we pray together the Stations of the Cross with a different focus/lens each week.   ❖ March 7: Through the eyes of social justice ❖ March 14: Through the eyes of the suffering, ill and disabled ❖March 21: Through the eyes of immigrants, refugees ❖ March 28: Through the eyes of seniors ❖ April 4: Through the eyes of the bereaved ❖ Aprill 11: Through the eyes of Mary ❖ April 18: Through the eyes of Jesus The stations will begin at...

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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...

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A special mission at a Derby parish will include veneration of a first-class relic of St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.  The relic, an arm bone of St. Jude’s right hand, can be venerated during the “St. Jude Mission, Mass and Veneration” from March 10 to 12 at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church, part of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish.  Born around the year 5 A.D., St. Jude is venerated as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations. His intercessions have inspired devotions for centur...

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