Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Posted on December 15, 2018 in: Reflections

The Third Sunday of Advent:  Gaudete Sunday

Rejoice in the Lord, always: again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.

Goal for the Week… Spread Christian JOY!

This is the week to express our joy at the coming of our Savior.  If we truly believe in the “gift of Christmas”- that Christ came into OUR WORLD as a baby-grew up like we did in human form-experienced the joys and sufferings we all do as human beings-then this is the Sunday set aside by the Church for us to express our excitement.  The excitement that comes along with receiving the best gift ever given!

 

*When we receive an amazing gift our first impulse is to tell someone about it!  *Our next impulse is to share that gift with the people we love!

*Our next impulse is to be thankful for that gift and to show that gratitude!

 

This week we rejoice because we know we have received the gift of unconditional love and eternal life for our loving Father.  The gift of his Son, Jesus Christ our brother. 

 

Who are you going to share your joy with this week? Do your family, friends and co-workers know how important your faith is to you?  Will the people you meet in stores and offices this week feel your joy? Will you do something different this week to let God know how grateful you are for the gift of his Son?

Spread Christian joy this week in any way you possibly can!   Be the embodiment of faith, hope and love to everyone you encounter through your word and deeds.  Spreading that joy will change your

week as well as the lives of all the people you encounter. 

What a great gift for you to give to the world.

 

We pray that you have a joyful week full of anticipation and excitement!

Know you are in our prayers…Andrea, Liza, Marianne and Mary-Jo


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Give It a Rest!

Posted on December 10, 2024 in: Reflections, Advent

691

Give It a Rest!
We are all given special talents and gifts from God. One of my special gifts is the ability to rest. I can sit down and fall asleep faster than anyone. At night, my head barely touches the pillow, and I am at rest. I see this as a sign of God’s love. Being able to rest allows us to receive God and receiving Him gives us true rest. As St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” We all need time to rest in our lives. Even God rested on the seventh day of creation. That is why Sunday sho...

Read More

Christmas Pastoral from Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne
Christmas 2024 My friends, I am pleased to share with you this Christmas pastoral letter as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich. Many of you are regular Mass goers.  Some of you come occasionally, once a month or so.  Some come once or twice a year on the major holidays of Christmas or Easter.  For others, this may be the first time you have been in a church for years or maybe even for the first time. To all of you, I say, “Welcome and merry Christmas.” Whatever your relationship with the Church may be, I invite you to c...

Read More

Giving Thanks — An Attitude of Gratitude

Posted on November 22, 2024 in: Reflections

310

Giving Thanks — An Attitude of Gratitude
As we approach Thanksgiving Day, it occurs to me that giving thanks is much more than a one-day event. The Church emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to God as a continual practice in the life of the believer and teaches that thanksgiving should be a pillar of our spirituality. I know this to be true; however, how do you give thanks in the midst of tragedy? As human beings, we are beset by events that can be truly horrendous: the loss of a spouse or a child, the loss of a home by fire, the loss of a job, and events much, much worse — too horrible to even con...

Read More

Finding the Manger

Posted on December 19, 2024 in: Reflections

58

Finding the Manger
The days leading up to Christmas are a blur of to-do lists scribbled on sticky notes, Amazon packages arriving at odd hours, and gifts yet to be wrapped. It's easy for December to feel more like a chaotic sprint than a peaceful journey to Bethlehem. As a mom, I know the pressure to create a “perfect Christmas.” But somewhere between decorating the tree and tackling the next laundry mountain, I feel that tug on my heart reminding me: Slow down. He’s coming. Advent is a gift, a quiet invitation amidst the noise. In these weeks, ...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Santa’s tomb? Coffin of St. Nicholas May Have Been Found — but There’s a Catch
A Life of Faith and Service
Hope Does Not Disappoint: Join the Jubilee Year Mass at the Cathedral
Amid Christmas and Jubilee Preparations, Prepare Your Hearts, Pope Says
Finding the Manger
Christmas Pastoral from Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne
Celebrate the Season: Festival of Lessons and Carols
Schedule of Christmas Masses - Cathedral of St. Patrick
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Fr. Eric Carl Hosmer, Fr. Julian Felipe Cuervo-Lozada and Fr. Alexander James Pandolfe
Click to view album: Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NDCCW) 46th Annual Layette
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

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