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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After years of excavation work, the leader of an archeological expedition at the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, Turkey, announced this week that her team has found a sarcophagus that may contain the body of St. Nick — a discovery that could muddy the conventional wisdom about the true resting place of the saint’s relics, which is currently believed to be Italy. In a recent interview, the leader of the expedition, Professor Ebru Fatma Fındık, said that sources point to Turkey’s southern Antalya Province as Nichol...

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Merry Christmas! The beauty of the cathedral can be experienced year-round and will remain fully decorated until the Solemnity of the Epiphany on January 6, 2025. Masses are daily 7 AM and noon.

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Archbishop Christopher Coyne, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich, shares a heartfelt message this Christmas. He reflects on the blessings of the season and the anticipation of a new chapter for the Diocese. He acknowledges this time of transition, encouraging prayers and preparation as we await the appointment of a new bishop. Highlighting the importance of peace, Archbishop Coyne calls on the faithful to remember those affected by conflict and war. "Pray for peace, especially in places of Africa where war is raging, the Holy Land and Ukraine," h...

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The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God On January 1, Catholics honor Mary’s unique role in salvation history with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation. This feast underscores Mary’s title as Theotokos, or “God-bearer,” a doctrine officially declared at the Council of Ephesus in 431. At the close of the council, the faithful filled the streets, joyfully proclaiming, “Praised be the Theotokos!” Mary’s title as “Mother of God” is rooted in the Incarnation, where, as St. Paul teaches: “...

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The 45th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols was held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. One of the most festive ways to enjoy the beauty of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, the event featured readings of sections of the Christmas story, choir music, and the singing of carols appropriate to the season. The evening began with a musical procession down the center aisle, setting the tone for a truly memorable celebration. Prayers were offered by Father Julian Cuervo-Lozada, Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral. Readings were proclaimed by The Cat...

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Pope Francis had a full weekend with regular audiences and a consistory to create new cardinals Dec. 7 and a Mass with the new cardinals the next morning. But he did not miss his traditional visit to the center of Rome to pay homage to Mary and her Immaculate Conception. ROME (CNS) -- With the city of Rome presenting a gauntlet of major roadworks and construction projects ahead of the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis used the disruptions as an opportunity to encourage people to do some spiritual renovation before the jubilee. On a cloudy afternoon with the ...

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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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Servant of God Michelle Duppong. | Credit: FOCUS Catholic Servant of God Michelle Duppong was 31 years old when she died from cancer on Dec. 25, 2015. A young woman filled with joy and a fire for the Lord, she was born in Colorado and grew up on her family farm in North Dakota, after which she served as a Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary before becoming the director of adult faith formation for the Diocese of Bismarck. Duppong’s inspiring life has now been documented in a film which can be viewed at EWTN On Demand for Free by clic...

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To Prepare Your Heart for the Coming of the Lord On a crisp December morning in Rome, a group of women gathered not for their usual Bible study but to bring Christmas gifts to a homeless shelter run by the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta, also known as Mother Teresa. The women were greeted at the door by a petite Indian sister dressed in the familiar white sari trimmed with blue. With a gentle smile, she welcomed them inside and led them through the modest shelter into a small chapel. At the center was a simple tabernacle, flanked ...

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