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...

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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...

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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, ...

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