Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Current Articles | Archives | Search

Advent Resources to Help You Prepare for Christmas

Posted on December 05, 2019 in: News, Advent

Advent Resources to Help You Prepare for Christmas

“Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent. This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced to see.”
- St. Charles Borromeo

During the four weeks of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through prayer and reflection. We contemplate the First Coming of Jesus as Savior, and anticipate His promised Second Coming. And amid the flurry of Christmas preparations, we look for practical ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives.

To help with you with this preparation we have gathered various Advent resources into one convenient location. There you will find Pope Francis's apostolic letter, Admirabile signum, on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes,a blessing prayer for an advent wreath or manger, an Advent Calendar, and weekly videos and reflections from ministry staff and clergy of the Diocese of Norwich.

Are you looking to go deeper into your faith-if so, you will find Commentary on the Proper Prayers of Advent from the Roman Missal well as Lectio Divina for Advent.

This will also be where we post the photo gallery of Christmas Creches from around the diocese. You can read more on this here.

Bookmark the link below and visit it often as you prepare for the wonderful season of Christmas

NorwichDiocese.org/Advent

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

All Souls Day: A Time to Remember and Pray

Posted on October 30, 2024 in: News

3241

All Souls Day: A Time to Remember and Pray

Each year, on November 2nd, Catholics observe All Souls Day— a day set aside to remember and pray for our loved ones who have passed away. While we celebrate those already in heaven on All Saints Day, All Souls Day focuses on those who may still be in purgatory, undergoing final purification before entering the fullness of God’s presence. In Catholic tradition, purgatory is a place of hope and mercy. It’s where souls receive the purification needed to be with God, and our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses offered on their behalf can help. This belief is r...

Read More

Reverend Jeffrey Ellis Appointed Diocesan Director of Vocations

Posted on October 31, 2024 in: News, Vocations

967

Reverend Jeffrey Ellis Appointed Diocesan Director of Vocations

October 25, 2024 The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator of Norwich, has made the following clergy appointment: Reverend Jeffrey Ellis, from Parochial Vicar, Saint Michael Parish to Diocesan Director of Vocations while continuing as Defender of the Bond, Diocesan Tribunal Office. ...

Read More

Can Catholics Donate Their Organs? Here’s What the Church Says

Posted on November 06, 2024 in: News

403

Can Catholics Donate Their Organs? Here’s What the Church Says

A recent news report out of Kentucky revealed a slim but pointed risk regarding organ donation, one that underscores a key Church teaching about how the process of gifting one’s organs must play out. Congressional testimony in September revealed a 2021 incident in which a man named TJ Hoover was declared brain dead and a medical team was assembled to harvest his organs. In the operating room, however, Hoover was found to still be alive. Multiple medical officials quit over what they described as a traumatic experience. “Several of us that were e...

Read More

What Is an Apostolic Administrator According to Canon Law?

Posted on November 08, 2024 in: News

343

What Is an Apostolic Administrator According to Canon Law?

As of noon Vatican time on Tuesday, September 3, following the retirement of Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D., Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Christopher Coyne of the Archdiocese of Hartford as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich. There are times in the life of the Church when a diocese lacks a diocesan bishop. During these transitions, the Church appoints an apostolic administrator to temporarily govern the diocese until a new bishop is installed. Canon Law provides specific guidance regarding the role of an Apostolic Administrator and how their pre...

Read More

Unsung Heroes of Catholic Education - High School Campus Ministers

Posted on October 31, 2024 in: News, Reflections

331

Unsung Heroes of Catholic Education - High School Campus Ministers

Before becoming the director of the Office of Faith Events for the diocese, I enjoyed 30 years in Catholic education, three quarters of those years in the nebulous position as director of campus ministry! I not only “lived to tell about it”, but am blessed to have volumes of memories, happy, sad and funny, to show for it. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to accompany the high school students in my care on their spiritual journey. Since Campus Ministry is a subject near and dear to my heart, I would like to introduce you to the directors of high scho...

Read More

Pope Francis: True Devotion to Mary Always ‘Points to Jesus’

Posted on November 16, 2024 in: News

328

Pope Francis: True Devotion to Mary Always ‘Points to Jesus’

Pope Francis told pilgrims present at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday that the Blessed Virgin Mary does not focus on herself but on her son, Jesus. “Mary is always the mother that brings us to Jesus,” the Holy Father said. “Mary does not only point to herself. She points to Jesus.” Continuing his catechesis on the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Church as Jesus’ bride, Pope Francis invited his listeners to reflect on the Mother of God’s presence and special role among Jesus’ apostles....

Read More