Welcome
Pastor Rev. Daniel M. Caughey
Letter from the Diocese
IN CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK On January 25, 2026, students will host the 11 am Mass at St. Paul’s Church. Following Mass, please join the Family Life Ministry in the Community Room for donuts, cocoa and coffee. This event is to enrich the religious education program of St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s Churches, aimed at supporting families in teaching their children about faith and community.
January 25, 2026 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 4:12-23 I was 22 years old, lying in bed one night while on a pilgrimage, when I suddenly sensed an idea in my mind: “Go to the seminary.” There was no voice, no vision, but a gentle and unmistakable clarity. I simply prayed, “Lord, if that’s from you, let me find great joy in it.” Three days later, my heart was bursting with joy. I dropped everything and entered the seminary. The older I get, the stranger my rather careless and hasty departure seems to me. I followed not because it made sense, or because I was especially brave. I went because the Lord called me.
Something like this happens in today’s Gospel. Jesus walks by Simon, Andrew, James, and John and says, “Come after me” (Matthew 4:19). And immediately they leave their nets and follow. There’s no explanation, no hesitation … just movement. Why? As St. John says, “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us” (1 John 4:10). They do not leave their nets because his call made perfect, calculable sense. They left them because they were called. And Jesus’ call is powerful.
Take a moment this week to remember when Christ first called you. However small or quiet it was, recall it, and give thanks. The more we marvel that Christ has called us personally, the more passion- ately and freely we will follow him. — Father John Muir ©LPi
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
Christmas Blessings “They fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts.” – Matthew 2:11
Lord Jesus, King of Kings and Prince of Peace, I kneel before You this Christmas morning in adoration and love. You came into the world in humility and grace, choosing a manger instead of a throne. I offer You the gift of my heart — poor and imperfect, but Yours completely.
Let my praise rise to You like the song of angels. Teach me to adore You not only in joy but also in silence, in simplicity, and in service. Fill my soul with the wonder of Bethlehem, and may my life become a hymn of thanksgiving to Your holy name.
Amen.
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!
Mass schedules in Norwich, Sherburne and New Berlin will remain the same, and for the next six weeks or so, Fr. Dan will be celebrating weekend Masses in Norwich and Fr. Tony will celebrate Masses in Sherburne and New Berlin so that they can get to know parishioners in their other parishes.
Spiritual Direction, Explained! Spiritual direction is the practice of seeking counsel from someone who is trustworthy and learned in the faith for the purpose of discerning the will of God in one’s life and for more effectively living out one’s baptismal calling. All Christians are commanded, in a way, to provide spiritual aid to one another (“Go, make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” — Matthew 28:19), but a spiritual director is usually an individual who has received some form of training or formation for this specific purpose. The Catholic Church, however, does not have explicit requirements, professional standards or a formal certification process for spiritual directors. Spiritual directors can be lay, religious or ordained persons. Spiritual direction is not to be confused with the sacrament of Penance, though the latter does usually include some spiritual counsel. ©LPi
“Brother, if you commit a sin and take pleasure in it, the pleasure passes but the sin remains. But if you do something virtuous, even though you are tired, the tiredness passes but the virtue remains.” - Saint Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)
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.
IN CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK On January 25, 2026, students will host the 11 am Mass at St. Paul’s Church. Following Mass, please join the Family Life Ministry in the Community Room for donuts, cocoa and coffee. This event is to enrich the religious education program of St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s Churches, aimed at supporting families in teaching their children about faith and community.
January 25, 2026 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 4:12-23 I was 22 years old, lying in bed one night while on a pilgrimage, when I suddenly sensed an idea in my mind: “Go to the seminary.” There was no voice, no vision, but a gentle and unmistakable clarity. I simply prayed, “Lord, if that’s from you, let me find great joy in it.” Three days later, my heart was bursting with joy. I dropped everything and entered the seminary. The older I get, the stranger my rather careless and hasty departure seems to me. I followed not because it made sense, or because I was especially brave. I went because the Lord called me.
Something like this happens in today’s Gospel. Jesus walks by Simon, Andrew, James, and John and says, “Come after me” (Matthew 4:19). And immediately they leave their nets and follow. There’s no explanation, no hesitation … just movement. Why? As St. John says, “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us” (1 John 4:10). They do not leave their nets because his call made perfect, calculable sense. They left them because they were called. And Jesus’ call is powerful.
Take a moment this week to remember when Christ first called you. However small or quiet it was, recall it, and give thanks. The more we marvel that Christ has called us personally, the more passion- ately and freely we will follow him. — Father John Muir ©LPi
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
Christmas Blessings “They fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts.” – Matthew 2:11
Lord Jesus, King of Kings and Prince of Peace, I kneel before You this Christmas morning in adoration and love. You came into the world in humility and grace, choosing a manger instead of a throne. I offer You the gift of my heart — poor and imperfect, but Yours completely.
Let my praise rise to You like the song of angels. Teach me to adore You not only in joy but also in silence, in simplicity, and in service. Fill my soul with the wonder of Bethlehem, and may my life become a hymn of thanksgiving to Your holy name.
Amen.
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!
Mass schedules in Norwich, Sherburne and New Berlin will remain the same, and for the next six weeks or so, Fr. Dan will be celebrating weekend Masses in Norwich and Fr. Tony will celebrate Masses in Sherburne and New Berlin so that they can get to know parishioners in their other parishes.
Spiritual Direction, Explained! Spiritual direction is the practice of seeking counsel from someone who is trustworthy and learned in the faith for the purpose of discerning the will of God in one’s life and for more effectively living out one’s baptismal calling. All Christians are commanded, in a way, to provide spiritual aid to one another (“Go, make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” — Matthew 28:19), but a spiritual director is usually an individual who has received some form of training or formation for this specific purpose. The Catholic Church, however, does not have explicit requirements, professional standards or a formal certification process for spiritual directors. Spiritual directors can be lay, religious or ordained persons. Spiritual direction is not to be confused with the sacrament of Penance, though the latter does usually include some spiritual counsel. ©LPi
“Brother, if you commit a sin and take pleasure in it, the pleasure passes but the sin remains. But if you do something virtuous, even though you are tired, the tiredness passes but the virtue remains.” - Saint Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)
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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