Welcome
Pastor Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
February 25, 2026 Letter from the Diocese
GOSPEL MEDITATION March 8, 2026
3rd Sunday of Lent John 4:5-42
Recently I received a note from a teenager I met years ago. He wrote, “Dear Father Muir, you probably do not remember me, but I wanted to thank you for your inspiring and humorous homilies at the parish. They helped me appreciate the beauty of Catholicism, which I have now embraced in a personal way.” That small note moved me more than he probably imagined. I had no idea my words had taken root in him. I was simply sowing seeds — week by week, Mass by Mass. Someone else — his parents, a youth minister, or God Himself — was doing the deeper work. Now this young man is joyfully reaping a harvest of faith.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers living water to a Samari- tan woman whose life had been full of searching and disappointment. By the end of their encounter, she becomes a bold and joyful evangelist. Then Jesus turns to his disciples and says something easily overlooked: “One sows and another reaps” (John 4:37). He is help- ing them — and us — understand how evangelization works. Often, the one who sows the seeds of faith is not the one who sees the fruit.
This Lent, ask yourself: Are you in a sowing phase or a reaping phase? If you are sowing — raising children, praying for someone, mentoring — be patient. Your work matters. If you are reaping — seeing someone come alive in faith — be grateful. You are standing on sacred ground, tilled and watered by others.
Lenten challenge: Thank someone who once sowed faith into your life. And keep sowing, even when the harvest is unseen.
— Father John Muir ©LPi
STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be held at 5:30 pm on Fridays during Lent except Good Friday and will alternate between St. Paul/St. Bartholomew and St. Theresa/St. Malachy.
SStations continue on Friday, March 6th at St. Paul and St. Theresa and on Friday, March 13th at St. Bartholomew and St. Malachy.
Opportunities for confession:
St. Malachy’s: Saturday afternoon 3:10—3:40 PM & Tuesdays, 6—7 PM (with Adoration)
St. Theresa’s: After these Masses: Sundays at 11 AM; Mondays at 5:30 PM & Wednesdays at 9 AM
St. Bartholomew’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Oct—Mar) & when requested
St. Paul’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Apr—Sept) Sunday, 10:40 AM
The Norwich Community Kitchen is serving dinners on Tuesdays at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Center, 81 East Main St., Norwich. Doors open at 4pm and serving starts at 5:00 pm. ALL ARE WELCOME!
The Knights of Columbus would like you to join them in reciting the Rosary and The Chapel of Divine Mercy at St. Paul’s Church on the first Wednesday of every month from 6—7 pm. Let’s pray for healing for our friends, family and the world.
GOSPEL MEDITATION March 8, 2026
3rd Sunday of Lent John 4:5-42
Recently I received a note from a teenager I met years ago. He wrote, “Dear Father Muir, you probably do not remember me, but I wanted to thank you for your inspiring and humorous homilies at the parish. They helped me appreciate the beauty of Catholicism, which I have now embraced in a personal way.” That small note moved me more than he probably imagined. I had no idea my words had taken root in him. I was simply sowing seeds — week by week, Mass by Mass. Someone else — his parents, a youth minister, or God Himself — was doing the deeper work. Now this young man is joyfully reaping a harvest of faith.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers living water to a Samari- tan woman whose life had been full of searching and disappointment. By the end of their encounter, she becomes a bold and joyful evangelist. Then Jesus turns to his disciples and says something easily overlooked: “One sows and another reaps” (John 4:37). He is help- ing them — and us — understand how evangelization works. Often, the one who sows the seeds of faith is not the one who sees the fruit.
This Lent, ask yourself: Are you in a sowing phase or a reaping phase? If you are sowing — raising children, praying for someone, mentoring — be patient. Your work matters. If you are reaping — seeing someone come alive in faith — be grateful. You are standing on sacred ground, tilled and watered by others.
Lenten challenge: Thank someone who once sowed faith into your life. And keep sowing, even when the harvest is unseen.
— Father John Muir ©LPi
STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be held at 5:30 pm on Fridays during Lent except Good Friday and will alternate between St. Paul/St. Bartholomew and St. Theresa/St. Malachy.
SStations continue on Friday, March 6th at St. Paul and St. Theresa and on Friday, March 13th at St. Bartholomew and St. Malachy.
Opportunities for confession:
St. Malachy’s: Saturday afternoon 3:10—3:40 PM & Tuesdays, 6—7 PM (with Adoration)
St. Theresa’s: After these Masses: Sundays at 11 AM; Mondays at 5:30 PM & Wednesdays at 9 AM
St. Bartholomew’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Oct—Mar) & when requested
St. Paul’s: Saturday 3:15—3:45 PM (Apr—Sept) Sunday, 10:40 AM
The Norwich Community Kitchen is serving dinners on Tuesdays at St. Bartholomew’s Parish Center, 81 East Main St., Norwich. Doors open at 4pm and serving starts at 5:00 pm. ALL ARE WELCOME!
The Knights of Columbus would like you to join them in reciting the Rosary and The Chapel of Divine Mercy at St. Paul’s Church on the first Wednesday of every month from 6—7 pm. Let’s pray for healing for our friends, family and the world.
________________________________ Please Note, Tuesday & Thursday Masses are now at 9:00 AM
Upcoming Events:
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