Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Current Articles | Archives | Search

Bishop's Column: There is a Season

Posted on April 07, 2020 in: News, Reflections

Bishop's Column: There is a Season

April 2020 Four County Catholic

There Is A Season

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, There was a song that I recall from my youth called Turn, Turn, Turn. The lyric will be familiar to you — To every thing, turn, turn, turn there is a season, turn, turn, turn and a time to every purpose under heaven. I realize today that the lyrics were inspired by Ecclesiastes Chapter 3. Its message speaks to the public health crisis we are living through together. A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep... We are living in unprecedented times. As the song tells us and we know all too well, every thing has its time. It is a time for faith, a time for renewal, and yes, a time, paradoxically, for community and communion — even as we are forced to keep our distance. In the last few weeks, we have all heard the phrases and understand the meaning of “social distancing” and “flattening the curve.” Our healthcare experts, government officials and news media have repeated these terms and told us, that this is the way to counteract the spread of the virus. I have acted upon this, as have other Bishops, by suspending all public Masses and postponing other diocesan events for a while. I am reminded of two other phrases, “Be not afraid” and “Do not worry”. Jesus, the Great Healer, spoke these words on more than one occasion. We would do well to include these in our vocabulary as we practice social distancing, hand washing and all the other recommendations that the experts tell us will help flatten the curve. Pope Francis on March 27 graced us with a moving and extraordinary Urbi et Orbi meditation and blessing in response to the coronavirus pandemic. He likened our current plight to that of the disciples in the Gospel, who, while in a boat with Jesus, were frightened by an unexpected and turbulent storm. Pope Francis said, “We have realized that we are in the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.” Pope Francis went on to say that God is “calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing . . . a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is the time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.” I have been impressed with those who, in spite of this pandemic, talk of a time for kindness, a time for grace and a time for generosity. A time to assess what is important in our lives — a time to realize we are blessed with the opportunity to look inward to our faith and to our values. A time to put our faith into action. A time to look after the vulnerable. It is a blessing; it is all grace. This has sparked a time of creativity and the embrace of technology to help us practice our faith. I am grateful for the number of priests, deacons and lay people who are stepping up to make available online, devotions such as the Rosary and Stations of the Cross, as well as, celebrating private Masses for anyone with a smartphone or a computer to see. As you go through the next weeks and months, I encourage you to look for the stories, the many, many wonderful stories of people putting their faith into action during this time of crisis. People stepping forward with heroic acts of service to others. The Holy Father asks us, “How many people every day are exercising patience and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday gestures, how to face up to and navigate a crisis by adjusting their routines, lifting their gaze and fostering prayer. How many are praying, offering and interceding for the good of all. Prayer and quiet service: these are victorious weapons.” As we move forward in the next weeks and months may we see the love of Christ in every sacrifice and act of generosity during this crisis – a crisis that will pass — and make us all the stronger and more appreciative of our love for each other in our shared love of our Savior and Redeemer. Now is the time to invite Jesus into the boats of our lives and welcome His Easter message of hope. Sincerely yours in the healing power of Christ,

Michael R. Cote
Bishop of Norwich

Our Advertisers Support Our Ministries

Please Support Our Advertisers

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Ferrán Torres, the Catholic Forward Who Won the World Cup for Spain

Posted on July 21, 2026 in: News

589

Ferrán Torres, the Catholic Forward Who Won the World Cup for Spain

Torres stands out for his Catholic faith within the Spanish national team, alongside coach Luis de la Fuente. Ferrán Torres is the Catholic forward who secured a 1–0 victory for Spain over Messiʼs Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, played on Sunday, July 19, in New Jersey. “The goal is the least important thing; right now, all I want is to grab that trophy and squeeze it as hard as I can, because I believe it represents the dream of the 47 million people we were representing on the pitch today — because I think we deserved it and we gave it ...

Read More

Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry Seeking Basket Donations

Posted on July 30, 2026 in: News

164

Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry Seeking Basket Donations

The Diocese of Norwich's Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry is currently collecting donations of baskets and is inviting the community to help. Donations may include picnic baskets, wicker baskets, or laundry baskets. Individuals who have baskets they no longer need are encouraged to consider donating them. Baskets may be dropped off at either of the following locations: Evangelization and Discipleship Ministry 331 Main Street, 2nd Floor Norwich, CT 06360 Diocese of Norwich Chancery 201 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 For more information or question...

Read More

Couples Invited to Celebrate Love and Faith at Diocesan Anniversary Mass

Posted on July 30, 2026 in: News, Marriage

162

Couples Invited to Celebrate Love and Faith at Diocesan Anniversary Mass

Couples celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries are invited to gather in thanksgiving for the gift of marriage at the Diocese of Norwich's 2026 Silver and Golden Jubilee Anniversary Mass, to be celebrated by Bishop Richard F. Reidy on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich. The annual celebration honors couples marking 25 years, 50 years, or any other significant wedding anniversary, offering an opportunity to renew their commitment and celebrate the blessings of married life alongside family, friends, and fellow c...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV: Use AI Prudently Because It Can Project ‘An Unreal World’

Posted on July 27, 2026 in: News

151

Pope Leo XIV: Use AI Prudently Because It Can Project ‘An Unreal World’

Addressing a youth festival in Brazil, Pope Leo encouraged young people to use both social media and AI appropriately, keeping Christ at the center, like St. Carlo Acutis. Pope Leo XIV encouraged young people to use social media and artificial intelligence (AI) prudently because “they can immerse us in an unreal world.” In a video message to participants at the 2026 Halleluya Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil, the pontiff proposed St. Carlo Acutis, known for using digital technologies to evangelize, as a model for new generations. “He shows ...

Read More

Explore the Diocese of Norwich Website in Your Preferred Language

Posted on July 30, 2026 in: News

147

Explore the Diocese of Norwich Website in Your Preferred Language

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich is committed to making its online resources welcoming and accessible to everyone. One of the easiest ways the website serves a diverse community is through its built-in language selector, conveniently located in the upper-right corner of every page. With just a click, visitors can instantly translate the website into dozens of languages, making it easier than ever for individuals and families to access important diocesan news, parish information, ministries, educational resources, and spiritual content in the language they understand...

Read More