Norwich — Traffic in the vicinity of the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Broadway is expected to be congested Sunday morning for the annual Red, White and Blue Mass, which this year will focus on the U.S. Coast Guard.

Because of the proximity of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, a higher than normal attendance is expected for the 10:15 a.m. Mass, Diocese of Norwich spokesman Wayne Gignac said.

The Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, bishop of Norwich, will celebrate the annual Red, White and Blue Mass for all service branches: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marines and Coast Guard.

The homily will be delivered by Capt. Daniel L. Mode, a Roman Catholic priest who served in forward operating bases in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From June 2009 to June 2012, Mode was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as the brigade of cadets. Following his Coast Guard duty, he was command chaplain of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.