NORWICH – Parishioners at St. Bartholomew’s and St. Paul’s Catholic Churches in Norwich received a shock this weekend when Father Douglas Cunningham announced he will be resigning at the end of June due to health reasons.

“It’s going to be a terrible loss to this community,” said St. Bartholomew’s Trustee Linda Natoli of Norwich, who said the news came as a “total shock.” The announcement stunned many, she said, when it was made to the congregations of both churches during masses held on Saturday and Sunday.

“I think our ground has been shaken,” said parishioner Frank Speziale, who expressed concern both for the priest’s health and the fate of the local parish.