January 1, 2020 is One of Seven Holy Days of Obligation. The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God The title “Mother of God” goes back to the third or fourth century, but the Greek term Theotokos (“The God-bearer”) was officially consecrated as Catholic doctrine at the Council of Ephesus in 431, thus becoming the first Marian dogma. At the end of the Council of Ephesus, crowds of people marched through the streets shouting: “Praised be the Theotokos!” This Catholic doctrine is based on the doctrine of Incarnation, as ex...

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The Office of Faith Events invites everyone to experience the Advent season in a new impactful way. These powerful videos with inspirational information from Priests, from the Diocese of Norwich, demonstrate how God’s hope, peace, joy and love is still with us and can make a lasting impact on all our lives this Advent. This week, hear from Fr. Peter Langiven, Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, as he explains the Advent virtue of Joy. For More Advent Resources Click Here  

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As a Catholic high school, Xavier High School has always been fully powered by The Son. Now it also is fully powered by the sun. There are about 1,300 solar panels on the roof and the side of the school. That’s a big number, but these other numbers, Greenhouse Gas offset statistics, tell more of the story as Xavier is about six months into the solar process: 74.12 tons of methane 150.8 tons of carbon 0.55 kilotons of carbon dioxide. All of that while generating 422.6 megawatt hours of clean power. “Through the Greenhouse Gas offset, 74 to...

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Prayer for Pope Francis who will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Friday, December 13, 2019: Father of mercy, we come before you with gratitude for the fifty years of priesthood of Pope Francis, whom you have made Peter’s successor. Support him with the Spirit’s gifts, so that he can continue to preach the Gospel with priestly zeal and lead the Church with wisdom and strength and courage. May his example of long and faithful service be an inspiration to your priests and to all your faithful. We ask th...

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Pope

This season of Advent is known as one of “Joyful expectation.” In the Church we name the third Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday or “Joyful Sunday” as our waiting for the Savior is almost at an end.  The joy that we highlight this week is the joy that we experience in knowing God is near. Although we know this is a joyful season many people struggle to find joy at Christmas. This is because we, as individuals and as a culture, confuse joy with “feeling good”. As a culture we are inundated with ads that encourage us to fe...

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FCC News Desk Parishioners are invited to a celebration by the St. Joseph Church Religious Eduucation at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 17th at St. Joseph Church in Rockville. "Lights for Christ" will celebrate Jesus' birth with a light procession to the outdoor creche, with a Gospel reading and carols. It's followed by meals and beverages in the church hall, along with more Christmas carols.

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Norwich, Catholic

December 15th at 7:30 PM  The Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich will once again present Lessons and Carols. This festival is a way to recount our Savior's awaited arrival and birth through scripture, prayer, and song. The Norwich Diocesan Choir, Cathedral Choir, Young Choristers and Intergenerational Bells will be leading the music.  Bring your good cheer and voices to help us joyfully sing the hymns! Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Norwich  

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O Holy Night The Advent Season is a Time of Expectation! It is a time of hope! Come and join us at St. Joseph Church on Montauk Avenue in New London, CT on Monday, December 16 from 6-8 P.M.   We are honored to welcome Father John Gordon, Director of Evangelization and Vicar for Pastoral Life for the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ. Fr. Gordon will bring us an exciting and interactive Advent experience.  He will take us on a journey of the heart in preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas and for His second coming which we await.   There ...

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FCC News Desk This Christmas season, Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter, Admirabile signum, on the meaning and importance of nativity scenes, calling for this “wonderful sign” to be more widely displayed in family homes and public places throughout the world. In response, we are asking parishioners, ministries, offices, churches and schools to send us a picture of the nativity scene on display at their location. The photos will be featured in a photo gallery on the NorwichDiocese.org/Advent webpage, along with other Advent resources. Please...

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advent, Catholic

In the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… Loving Father, We ask that you bless this family and all the families who are faithfully trying to build your Kingdom here on earth.  Help them know and experience your love through their interactions with one another.  In turn help them share that love with the people who come into their lives every day searching for hope and peace. Help them to exemplify the virtues of the Holy Family and never lose sight of their significance in our Church.  Like the Holy Family they w...

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