Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost. Catholics recognize Easter — when Jesus Christ rose from the dead after sacrificing his life for all of humanity — as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. But, as it turns out, they can continue saying “Happy Easter” into May or, in some years, into June. Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, Mary, and the first followers of C...

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Illuminated by the glow of the Paschal candle, Bishop Richard Reidy commenced The Liturgy of Light (Lucernarium) to start the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick on Holy Saturday, April 4th.  "Sanctify this fire, we pray, and grant that, by these Paschal celebrations, we may be so inflamed with Heavenly desires, that with minds made pure, we may attain festivities of unending splendor through Christ, Our Lord," the bishop intoned before blessing the Paschal candle.  Father Brian Romanowski then carried the lighted candle down t...

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Divine Mercy Sunday: A Day of Extraordinary Grace On Sunday, April 12, Divine Mercy Sunday draws the faithful into the boundless mercy of God and His desire to bring every soul back to Himself. Divine Mercy Sunday falls on the Second Sunday of Easter, emphasizing that Christ’s victory over sin and death is inseparable from His mercy. Through St. Faustina, Jesus revealed His deep longing to pour out graces upon souls, especially those who trust in His mercy. The Church teaches that extraordinary graces are available on this day. Those who go to Confession with...

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Diocese of Norwich Outreach to Haiti Now Hiring: U.S. Education Coordinator A meaningful part-time opportunity to support Catholic education and strengthen lives in Haiti. Outreach to Haiti is seeking a part-time U.S. Education Coordinator to oversee the U.S.-based work of its Education Program from the Norwich office. This position works closely with the Executive Director, Connecticut staff, and the Education Director in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to help support students, sponsors, and the mission of the program. Responsibilities include sponsor corresponde...

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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.  

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Sometimes, as I go around the diocese talking about the four vocations to which everyone is called (marriage, the generous single life, consecrated/religious life, priesthood), a well-meaning person will stop me after Mass and say something like, “Father, I hear what you are saying, but I have always felt that I had a vocation to be a nurse. From the time that I was little, I knew that God wanted me to do this. Isn’t that my vocation?” Yes. And no. It might be your vocation. But it is not your Vocation. The Four Primary Vocations A vocation is a call...

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