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Watch the Replay: Festival of Lessons & Carols at Saint Patrick Cathedral
The Diocese of Norwich invites you to watch the replay of the Festival of Lessons and Carols, held Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy presided over this cherished Advent tradition that weaves together Sacred Scripture and sacre...

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Jennifer Harding named new Executive Director of Outreach to Haiti
Outreach to Haiti has welcomed Jennifer “Jen” Harding as its new Executive Director, succeeding Susan Wallace, who served the ministry since June 2019.   Jen brings extensive experience in international development and a strong commitment to compassionate, community-driven...

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Pope Leo XIV asked Catholics to reflect on the meaning behind Nativity scenes and brightly lit Christmas trees, and to ask God offer the gift of peace and fraternity. He also called for prayers for all those who suffer because of war and violence, saying, "We must eliminate hatred from our hearts."   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Nativity scene and the Christmas tree are signs of ...

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Advent Hope and Haiti’s Faithful Journey- A Season of Waiting and Witness
As we journey through these days of Advent, we are reminded that this is a season filled with hope and expectation—and that our road to the fullness of God’s Kingdom has mountains to climb and valleys to descend before we reach our destination. In this season of preparation, we rememb...

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Blessing of the Christmas Manger

Posted on December 16, 2025 in: ADVENT

Blessing of the Christmas Manger
The beloved custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ began with St. Francis of Assisi, who created the first Christmas crèche on Christmas Eve in 1223. The blessing of the manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas—that is, Christmas Eve—...

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A Question of Faith — What Makes the Star of Bethlehem So Significant To Our Advent Journey?
Father Richard, when I look at the Star of Bethlehem on Christmas cards and crèche displays, I can’t help but wonder—what makes that star so significant to our Advent journey? Advent, from the Latin adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival,” begins the Church&rsqu...

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Faith, Friendship, and Forever: UConn Missionaries Discern Vocation Together
Ethan and Julie Roberts are two of the FOCUS missionaries at UConn, bringing students on campus to Christ through evangelization, outreach, and discipleship. In August, they united in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. I recently sat down with them to discuss their discernment of their vocation to mar...

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A Diocesan Night of Unity: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass in Norwich
On Friday evening, December 12, 2025, hundreds of Catholics filled the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich for the diocesan celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and Star of the New Evangelization. Beginning with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and an oppo...

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A Festive Autumn Atmosphere at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner
The trees surrounding the Lake of Isles provided brilliant colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold on October 26, 2025, at the 15th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Gail Kingston, Superintendent of Schools, Bishop Reidy, and the Office of Development hosted nearly 160 people on this glorious fal...

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Blessing of a Christmas Tree

Posted on December 09, 2025 in: ADVENT

Blessing of a Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree, a newer custom rooted in the “tree of paradise” from medieval plays, reminds us that Christ is the Light of the World. It is set up before Christmas and remains until Epiphany, with lights illuminated after the blessing.A parent or family member may lead the blessing,...

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Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Relic of Christ’s Tunic to be Displayed for Pope Leo in France
The Holy Tunic will travel almost four miles from Argenteuil, France, to the pope’s youth vigil at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.   For the first time, a pope will witness an exposition of the Holy Tunic, the garment worn by Christ during his passion, which is preserved in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Argenteuil, France. The special relic is put on display during regular expositions every 50 years, as well as on extraordinary occasions — the most recent being in 2023 — but it has never before been brought before a pope. Pope Leo XIV...

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Connecticut Catholic Conference Promotes Federal Tax Credit Scholarship
Your voice matters. Let it be heard.   Beginning in January, a donation to an eligible scholarship-granting organization could help more students access the education that their families choose and that they deserve. The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit can help fund tuition assistance, tutoring, and other educational expenses for public and private school students—but only if the Governor opts in. These are supplemental, private funds that do not replace federal, state, or local funding. This week, the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference ...

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40 Days for Life Sidewalk Vigil Comes to New London
It was a momentous day September 23rd, as we prayed our 40 Days For Life sidewalk vigil for the first time at the new Planned Parenthood in New London on 467 Ocean Ave. I was joined by Pat Coventry, Parish pro-life rep from St. Patrick’s in Mystic, and Carolyn Nelson, Parish pro-life rep from Our Lady of Lourdes in Gales Ferry. We prayed Rosaries as we walked back and forth on the sidewalk like we’ve always done in Norwich. But it was much different. As opposed to being a sleepy sidestreet, Ocean Avenue has a tremendous amount of traffic. And the response was...

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Vigil Mass Opens Diocese of Norwich 40 Days for Life Campaign
A Peaceful Witness for Life The Diocese of Norwich began its 2026 observance of 40 Days for Life with a Vigil Mass on September 22 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich, opening 40 days of prayer, fasting and peaceful witness for the protection of unborn life. In his homily, Bishop Richard F. Reidy called Catholics to continue building a “culture of life,” in which every person, born and unborn, is recognized as a unique gift from God. Bishop Reidy acknowledged that unexpected pregnancies can bring fear, uncertainty, sacrifice and even abandonment....

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A Day of Pure Joy: Witnessing the Beatification of Fulton Sheen
Beatification of Fulton Sheen: A Day When There Were No Words, Just Pure Joy! By Father Richard D. Breton Jr. Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Diocese of Norwich Every once in a while, God allows us to experience a moment that touches the soul so deeply that words seem inadequate. The beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on September 24, 2026, was one of those moments for me. As I sat inside the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, surrounded by thousands of Catholics, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the gift of ...

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Join Today: NDCCW Membership Drive for the Month of October
All women in the Diocese of Norwich are invited to join the Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NDCCW). Membership is only $5 per year. The Membership Drive runs through the month of October. NDCCW was started in 1955 by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan, the first Bishop of Norwich. Bishop Flanagan designated the NDCCW as the official women’s organization of the Diocese. The money collected through the Membership Drive is divided up as follows: 60% of all dues collected is given to Catholic Charities; 15% of what is collected in each deanery is k...

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Latest Articles
A Day of Pure Joy: Witnessing the Beatification of Fulton Sheen
Athletes for Christ Mass Brings Faith and Sports Together at Cathedral
Connecticut Catholic Conference Promotes Federal Tax Credit Scholarship
40 Days for Life Sidewalk Vigil Comes to New London
Relic of Christ’s Tunic to be Displayed for Pope Leo in France
Vigil Mass Opens Diocese of Norwich 40 Days for Life Campaign
Join Today: NDCCW Membership Drive for the Month of October
Monthly Pro-Life Mass to be Held October 3
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    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294