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

Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

‘Something’s Happening’: Catholic Converts Surge in Many U.S. Dioceses

Posted on March 30, 2026 in: News

795

‘Something’s Happening’: Catholic Converts Surge in Many U.S. Dioceses

As Catholics across the United States prepare to welcome a striking rise in new converts this Easter, the Diocese of Norwich is very much part of that larger story of renewal. The National Catholic Register reports significant growth in dioceses nationwide, and here in Norwich that same momentum is clearly visible, with the Diocese recording a 112% increase and welcoming 98 catechumens and 152 candidates this year—the highest combined total in 10 years. This article offers a timely national perspective on something we are also seeing close to home: people are searchin...

Read More

View the 2026 Chrism Mass and Inspiring Homily by Bishop Reidy

Posted on March 31, 2026 in: News, Lent

715

View the 2026 Chrism Mass and Inspiring Homily by Bishop Reidy

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me." (Is 61:1) The 2026 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, March 31, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the bishop's blessing of the holy oils — used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders — and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy ...

Read More

Bishop Reidy’s 2026 Easter Pastoral Letter

Posted on April 02, 2026 in: News, Vocations

419

Bishop Reidy’s 2026 Easter Pastoral Letter

Easter Pastoral 2026 In his 2026 Easter Pastoral, Bishop Richard F. Reidy reflects on the hope, peace, and joy of the Resurrection, reminding the faithful that Christ’s victory over sin and death remains the foundation of our hope in every trial. Bishop Richard F. Reidy’s Easter Message “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here... He has been raised” (Luke 24:5).The angelic announcement to the women at Jesus’ tomb on Easter forever changed their lives and our world. Laden with spices to anoint the body of the...

Read More

In Case You Missed It: Palm Sunday Mass Video

Posted on March 30, 2026 in: News

337

In Case You Missed It: Palm Sunday Mass Video

Watch Palm Sunday Mass with The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy from the Cathedral of Saint Patrick — his first Palm Sunday Mass and the beginning of his first Holy Week as Bishop of Norwich. What a fickle people we are. What a faithful God we have. Bishop Richard Reidy In the homily, Bishop Reidy reflects on entering more deeply into Holy Week and walking with Christ through His Passion with hearts fixed on the hope of Easter. View the bookmarked homily (40:45) or watch the full Mass.

Read More

Good Friday 2026

Posted on April 03, 2026 in: News

275

The faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich at 3 p.m. on Good Friday for one of the most solemn liturgies of the Church year, commemorating the Passion and death of the Lord. Presided over by Bishop Richard F. Reidy, the service offered a prayerful and moving reflection on Christ’s sacrifice and the hope found in the Cross. See it below.

Read More

Mass of the Lord’s Supper 2026

Posted on April 02, 2026 in: News

236

Bishop Richard F. Reidy celebrated his first Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich on April 2, marking the beginning of the Sacred Triduum in the Diocese of Norwich. In a liturgy rich with reverence and meaning, clergy and faithful gathered to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood, while the washing of the feet offered a moving reminder of Christ’s humility and call to loving service. In his homily, Bishop Reidy invited the faithful to reflect more deeply on the love of Christ made vis...

Read More