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How many days is Christmas? When should you finally take those lights off the porch or remove the tree? Read on for some of the arguments for and against commonly agreed-upon end dates for Christmas. ‘Christmas is one day’ This, of course, is the simplest answer. Christmas is typically celebrated on Dec. 25 for most of the world — or Jan. 7 for churches using the Julian calendar (Jan. 6 for yet another, considerably smaller, part of the world.) On this day, the liturgy celebrated is the feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Priests wear white vestments on...

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The archbishop has asked that you take on the role of director for vocations for the Diocese of Norwich. A Surprising New Role This was not how I imagined my day beginning on the morning of Oct. 22, 2024, the feast day of Pope St. John Paul II. I had just finished morning Mass at St. Michael in Pawcatuck and was updating Father Perkins about my schedule for the day. As I finished, he delivered this request from Archbishop Coyne, which caught me by surprise. The Archbishop’s Vision The archbishop had met with the priests of the diocese earlier in the month....

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This morning, December 29, on the Feast of the Holy Family, the Diocese of Norwich joyfully celebrated the Opening Mass of the Jubilee Year at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick. The liturgy, celebrated by Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, was a profound reminder of the Jubilee theme, “Spes Non Confundit” (Hope Does Not Disappoint), as the Church enters this sacred time of renewal and grace. Bishop Betancourt delivered a homily emphasizing the unity of the Church as one faith, one family in Christ. The celebra...

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From inside the walls of Rome’s largest prison, Christmas hymns rang out as inmates and prison guards together sang “Silent Night” and exchanged the sign of peace during an intimate Mass led by Pope Francis to mark a historic moment — the first opening of a jubilee Holy Door within a prison. The pope’s Thursday Mass in Rome’s Rebibbia Prison Complex on the feast of St. Stephen — the first Christian martyr — marked a profound beginning to the Catholic Church’s Jubilee of Hope, symbolizing redemption and the possibility...

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The Diocese of Norwich proudly announces the Our Lady, Queen of Hope Award, which celebrates the extraordinary contributions of women of faith within our diocesan community. Named after Mary, our Blessed Mother and role model in faith, this award recognizes women who exemplify vision, leadership, and hope in the Catholic Church. Award Details: The recipient will receive an award and a check for $200, made payable to the Catholic charity, parish, or diocesan ministry of her choice. Nominee Criteria: Nominees should embody the following qualities: Strong fai...

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