Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Former Judo Champion Turned Catholic Priest Spiritually Tends to Athletes at Paris Olympics

Posted on July 30, 2024 in: News

Former Judo Champion Turned Catholic Priest Spiritually Tends to Athletes at Paris Olympics

Father Jason Nioka was ordained a Catholic priest one month ago, and his very first assignment is to spend his summer in Paris in charge of the Catholic contingent of Olympic chaplains — the largest group of chaplains at the Olympics — made up of 40 Catholic priests, religious, and lay faithful.

In an interview with Catherine Hadro on “EWTN News In Depth” on July 26, Nioka, who is from France, called this opportunity a “very wonderful gift from God to be part of this adventure.”

Olympians are invited to gather at the Multifaith Center located in the athletes village in an area for Christian athletes — Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants — where they can read the Bible together, take part in lectio divina, and worship, Nioka explained.  

Daily Mass will also be offered at a nearby Catholic church with liturgies offered in different languages such as French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.  

The former Judo champion turned Catholic priest feels uniquely qualified for this assignment because of his experience as an athlete.

“I think for me it’s a great challenge because I know the sport,” he shared. “The athletes do not need to hear something special. The first mission of the chaplain is just to listen.” 

“First we invite the Holy Spirit to be in charge,” he said. “Some will have success. We know that some will have some difficulty as well, but if we give them the word of hope and strength, maybe this will help them to give [their] best and to be the best athlete during the Olympics.”

Nioka said first and foremost his job “is to pray for them and to look after them as well” and that he considers the role “a grace.”

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

This article was originally published by the Catholic News Agency on July 30, 2024. 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Archbishop Coyne Reflects on the Baptism of the Lord: "Don't Ever Apologize for Being Catholic"
This past Sunday, Archbishop Christopher Coyne, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich, delivered an inspiring homily at the Baptism of the Lord Mass. In his message, he urged the faithful to embrace their identity as Catholics with confidence and joy, reminding them, "Don't ever apologize for being Catholic." Archbishop Coyne drew meaningful connections between the baptism of Jesus and our own call to live as beloved children of God. He reflected on the feast's profound significance, encouraging the community to proclaim the Good News boldly...

Read More

Big Laughs for a Big Cause: 2nd Annual Comedy Night to Benefit Amazing Grace Food Pantry
Four Acclaimed National Comedians to Perform at 2nd Annual “Comedy, Charity, Community” Night at Wesleyan University, Friday, January 24th, to benefit Amazing Grace Food Pantry St. Vincent de Paul Middletown (SVDM) in partnership with Wesleyan University’s Robert F. Schumann Institute of the Bailey College of the Environment is proud to present a night of “Comedy, Charity, Community” on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. at. Wesleyan University’s Fayerweather Building, Beckham Hall, 55 Wyllys Ave, Middletown. Tickets ($69) a...

Read More

80 Years After Auschwitz’s Liberation: ‘I Ask You Only to Remember’
Jan. 27 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Each year, the camp survivors are fewer in number, and as their testimony and witness remain, the importance of Auschwitz endures. In 2024, more than 1.8 million visitors passed through its gates. What is it that brings people here? An obscene charnel of mass murder with all its evil, its inhumanity, its brutality: On the surface, it is a site devoid of hope. But among the ruins and the selection lines, beneath the Arbeit Macht Frei sign, in the preserved block houses, and amid the devastating ex...

Read More

A Dedicated Servant of Faith Takes on a New Role

Posted on January 14, 2025 in: News

294

A Dedicated Servant of Faith Takes on a New Role
The Office of Faith Events is thrilled to welcome Alvania Tejada as its new administrative assistant. Alvania is a familiar face in the Diocese of Norwich, bringing years of devotion, experience and heartfelt service. Originally from the Dominican Republic and a proud mother of two adult children, Alvania has long been a part of our diocesan community, holding numerous ministry roles that have impacted countless lives. Her journey brought her to the U.S. in 1998 and then to Connecticut in 2002, where her story of Faith and service truly began to flourish. For nearly...

Read More

The Transformative Power of Catholic Education
I recently attended a reunion of my high school class. Most of the men I hadn’t seen in over a half-century. We reminisced about our high school experience, the great times, the great and not-so-great teachers, and the good and bad of attending an all-boys high school. But what we all remembered most was the wonderful academic environment created by the Vincentians who administered the school. We attended St. John's Preparatory School, which at the time was located on Lewis Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York. “The Prep” w...

Read More

Be Not Afraid, Because God is Always Near, Pope Says
Pope Francis reflected on Mary's trust in God's plan and presence, prayed for Los Angeles wildfire victims and prayed for peace in Gaza during his general audience at the Vatican.   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God tells Christians not to be afraid because he is always close, accompanying the faithful throughout their lives and through all their challenges, Pope Francis said. "God says 'Do not be afraid' to Abraham, Isaac" and many others in the Bible, but "he says it to us, too. 'Be not afraid,' keep going," because God &q...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
The Four Loves and Our Faith
Witnessing Hope — My First March For Life
Celebrating the Four Loves with Children
CNA Explains: How Are ‘Low-Gluten’ Communion Hosts Made for Mass?
A Month of Compassion: Film Events to Support St. Vincent de Paul Place
Calendar of Events

 

Celebrating 150 Years: St. Joseph School Honors Faith, Family, and Tradition
Religious Icons: Hope & Faith Video Series
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