Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

WE HAVE A GREAT NIGHT PLANNED FOR YOU!

This year’s Gala will be a fun-filled evening and a wonderful opportunity to come together. Family and friends celebrate Catholic Education!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What should I wear?
The dress for the evening is cocktail attire.

What to expect?
The cocktail hour begins at 6:00 pm, followed by a student performance, a delicious dinner, engaging student program, and recognition of our honorees, Michael Shea and M&T Bank. We will have an exciting live auction and an opportunity to “Raise Your Paddle” in support of future Leaders of Tomorrow and FIE programs. 

Do I need cash, check or credit card at the event?
We recommend pre-swiping your credit card at registration in order to use your bidder number during the raise the paddle and live auction. You may pay for your auction items at check-out, by credit card, or check.

Do you have any remaining questions about the Gala?
If so, please contact Emily Carriero, at emily@foundationsineducation.org

TRUMBULL—The relic of St. Br. André Bessette will be visiting St. Catherine’s on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 6 & 7!

The Major Reliquary, comprised of a fragment of St. Br. André Bessette’s heart, adorned with a medallion & stone from the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal, symbolizes a divine connection to the miraculous legacy of this extraordinary man.

Born in Canada and orphaned at the age of 10, André worked for three years in the United States as a weaver and manual laborer. After returning to Canada in 1870, he joined the Congregation of the Holy Cross and took final vows in 1874.

He served for the next 40 years as porter of a school and, along the way, gained a reputation as a healer. When students fell ill, they came to Br. André and together they prayed to St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada.

For decades, Br. André humbly served his community near Montreal as doorman, janitor, barber, gardener and infirmarian. With St. Joseph as his model and intercessor, he developed a healing ministry and huge following. In 1904, he moved into Montreal to help build the Oratory of the Holy Cross and remained there for the rest of his life.

When Br. André died in 1937 at the age of 91, an estimated one million people came to pay their respects.

When this “Miracle Man of Montreal” was canonized in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI said he “lived the beatitude of the pure of heart.” He is the patron saint of André House in Phoenix.

Click here to view ad!

Saturday, April 6

• 3:00 pm: Exposition of the Relic, followed by talks about St. Brother André & Eucharistic Adoration
• 4:00 pm & 7:15 pm: Mass in the presence of the Relic, followed by Veneration & Blessing with the Oil of St. Joseph
• Livestream from 3:00 -5:00 pm

Sunday, April 7

• 7:30 am, 9:00 am & 11:00 am: Mass in the presence of the Relic, followed by Veneration & Blessing with the Oil of St. Joseph
• 11:00 am Mass also by Livestream
• 12:00 – 3:00 pm: Silent prayer & veneration
• 1:30 -2:30 pm: Confession
• 3:00 pm: Divine Mercy Service in the presence of the Relic, followed by Veneration & Blessing with the Oil of St. Joseph.
• Also by Livestream

BETHEL – “It’s a great way to start Easter Sunday,” said Eileen Goodrich as she and her husband Don celebrated the Risen Lord at an Easter Sunrise Mass.

The Sunrise Mass hosted by St. Mary Parish in Bethel at Blue Jay Orchards, is a parish tradition that draws more than 100 people, including those from local Catholic churches to celebrate together during the chilly pre-dawn hours.

“We love it when the sun comes up during Mass,” Eileen Goodrich said. Her husband Don agreed, adding that they both enjoy nature and being at the Easter Sunrise Mass and hearing nature wake up with the birds singing and the sun rising is especially beautiful.

St. Mary Pastor Fr. Corey Piccinino celebrated the Easter Sunrise Mass and during his homily compared a chick struggling to break out of the comfort of its shell and enter the uncertainty of the real world to the faithful breaking out of the confines of this world to enter into a life of peace with Christ.

“My life is forever changed because of the Resurrection,” Fr. Piccinino said. He encouraged those gathered to think of how the stone was rolled away from the tomb and how we should remove obstacles that block us from experiencing Christ’s love and mercy.

“Break out of the shell of the things that keep us bound and go out and share the Good News with the world,” he said.

Following the homily Fr. Piccinino led those gathered in the renewal of baptismal promises and then blessed everyone by walking among them and sprinkling Holy Water on them.

Bundled in hats, gloves, scarves and blankets, the faithful, at the conclusion of Mass, gathered their lawn chairs and under the ever-changing morning sky with yellow, orange and lavender streaks across it, left the orchard with plans to return next Easter.

“I don’t want to miss it,” said lifetime St. Mary Parish parishioner Dolly Jennings of the Easter Sunrise Mass. “It’s beautiful but it’s cold.”

At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the women’s section of Rebibbia prison in Rome, Pope Francis reminds us to never tire of asking the Lord for forgiveness and learning to serve as He did.

BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, March 28, at 10 am at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport. All are invited to attend.

More than 300 priests and deacons will process into the cathedral for the yearly Chrism Mass, in which priests renew their priestly promises and the bishop blesses the sacramental oils that are used throughout the year in parishes.

At last year’s Chrism Mass, the bishop urged the clergy gathered to “rise to the challenge of our times and to seek to live radical, fearless, courageous lives of holiness.”

The Chrism Mass traditionally manifests the unity of priests with their bishops and includes a homily in which the bishop directly addresses his brother priests in attendance.

Bishop Caggiano reflected on the fraternity of the priesthood and diaconate at last year’s Mass, saying, “I am deeply grateful to you, my brother priests, for all of your sacrifice, your generosity, your hard work, which oftentimes goes unnoticed and un-thanked. I am privileged to walk in your midst as your spiritual father and as your bishop, for I know you now after all these years and I’m proud of every single one of you.”

During the service, the bishop blesses the Oil of the Catechumens, the Oil of the Infirm and the Holy Chrism (a mixture of olive oil and balsam used in ordinations and Confirmation.)

After Mass, the holy oils that were consecrated on the altar are distributed to priests who will use them in their parishes when blessing the sick and in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

Chrism Masses are traditionally celebrated during Holy Week or on the morning of Holy Thursday. It is a beautiful liturgy that celebrates the communion of the Church.

Bishop Caggiano’s Holy Week Schedule

Sunday, March 24 at 10AM – Palm Sunday Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral

Monday, March 25 at 3PM to 9PM – Reconciliation Monday

Thursday, March 28 at 10 AM – Chrism Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral
Thursday, March 28 at 7PM – Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday, March 29 at 10AM – Bridgeport Procession (St. Mary)
Good Friday, March 29 at 3PM – Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (Notre Dame of Easton)

Saturday, March 30 at 8PM – Easter Vigil Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral
Sunday, March 31 at 10AM – Easter Sunday Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral

Masses at St. Augustine Cathdral will be livestreamed here.

St. Mary’s Parish of Bethel is offering a Lenten One-Day Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, MA

Saturday, March 16, 2024
St. Mary’s Church of Bethel
Tour Bus departs 7:00 AM, estimate return time between 8-9:00 PM

Established by the Marian Fathers in honor of The Divine Mercy and Mary Immaculate, the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy offers pilgrims many opportunities for inspiration and devotion. Our preliminary itinerary includes:

• Tour of the Shrine grounds
• Mass
• Eucharistic adoration with opportunity for Confession
• Devotions including the Stations of the Cross, Rosary, and Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Blessing with a first-class relic of St. Faustina Kowalska
• Visit to the Shrine gift shop!
• 4pm Vigil Mass for 5th Sunday in Lent will celebrated by Fr.Andrew and assisted by Dn. Eric
• Stop for dinner on the return trip

Cost is $80 per person including lunch ordered from a local establishment in Stockbridge, or $ 65 per person if you wish to bring your own bag lunch instead.

Please use the QR CODE at the bottom of this page to be directed to the St.Mary’s of Bethel Online Giving Page. You may pay directly to Dn. Keener or drop it off to the Rectory at your earliest convenience. Checks are made out to St.Mary’s of Bethel. Please RSVP to Deacon Eric by email, text
or phone so that you are on the list.

For additional information, please contact Deacon Eric Keener at (203) 231-4621 or dnkeener@diobpt.org.

We hope you can join us! QR code for your one time online payment: https://osvhub.com/st-mary-bethel/giving/funds/divine-mercy-shrine-tickets

From St. Mary Pastor, Msgr. Kevin T. Royal

Dear St. Mary Friends,

If you’re reading this article Friday March 8, here is a final invitation and encouragement to visit the display of the relics of St. Padre Pio in our church between 12:30 and 6:30 PM today and to attend the Mass in honor of Padre Pio at 7:00 PM. Also, note our monthly parish Holy Hour and Benediction next Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 PM.

To conclude, here are two prayers of Padre Pio:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Who, for the love which You bear towards men, remain in this Sacrament night and day, waiting, calling, and welcoming all who come to visit You:

I believe that You are present in the Sacrament of the Altar; I adore You from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank You for all the graces You have given me, particularly for having given me Yourself in this Sacrament, for having given me Your Most Holy Mother Mary as my Advocate, and for having called me to visit You in this church.

I pay reverence to Your most loving Heart today, and this for three purposes:

• First, in thanksgiving for this great Gift;
• Second, to make reparation for all the outrages You have received from all Your enemies in this Sacrament;
• Third, I intend by this visit to adore You in all the places on earth in which You are present in this Sacrament, and in which You are least honored and most abandoned.

… O, my beloved Savior, I unite all my affections with the affections of Your most loving Heart, and thus united, I offer them to Your Eternal Father, and I beg Him in Your name that for love of You He accepts them and heed them. Amen.”

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You.
You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me Lord, because I am weak, and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my light, and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in Your Company.
Stay with me Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late, and the day is coming to a close, life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile.

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You. Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

Stay with me Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more. With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

TRUMBULL—St. Theresa Parish will host a Respect Life Speaker event on Monday, March 18 at 7 pm. The event will feature Ramona Trevino, a pro-life speaker and outreach director.

Originally from Texas, Trevino worked at a Planned Parenthood abortion referral facility. In 2011, she says God used the prayers and public witness of the 40 Days for Life campaign to move her to leave her job and to reclaim her walk with Christ. Her resignation led the facility to go out of business.

Now, Trevino is an outreach director for 40 Days for Life and has shared the miracle of her conversion and the goodness of Christ’s mercy throughout the U.S. and internationally through speaking engagements as well as print, broadcast and digital media.

MONROE—The Monroe Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration” concert, Saturday, March 9th, 7:30 pm at the Rev. Monsignor John Sabia Social Hall, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT. As in previous years, the event will be cabaret style and feature the songs and humor of the Keltic Kick Band.

Founder and front-man, Billy Donaldson leads this group of musical friends, who have been playing pubs, clubs, weddings, private parties and Irish festivals from Orange County, NY and Block Island, RI to Milford, CT and their hometown, County of Fairfield, CT. Keltic Kick’s traditional Irish music mixed with other acoustic favorites will have you singing, laughing, and dancing the night away. Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase. The event is also BYOB. Tickets are $20.00 per person.

Proceeds from this concert help support the Knights’ various charitable programs for the needy and handicapped throughout the area. All seating is by reservation only. For further information and tickets, please call Bill Davoren 203.521.5445 or Eric Terkildsen 203.241.3141.

BRIDGEPORT – Dove Award winning, singer-songwriter, and contemporary Christian musician Mark Schultz is coming to Connecticut to perform a benefit concert at Fairfield University’s Quick Center on March 15, 2024 at 7 pm. There will be a private Meet & Greet for sponsors from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in the Green room within the Quick Center.

The contemporary Christian music artist has ten #1 hit singles and has sold more than 2 million records in a career that spans two decades. Adopted at two weeks of age and raised by loving parents, Schultz has a passion for sharing his story and being a champion for others. He has done more than 200 concerts to benefit crisis pregnancy centers, orphans and adoption agencies across the country.

The Fairfield concert will benefit Malta House, of Norwalk, which provides a home for pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths. The performance will include two 45-minutes sets with a 20-minute intermission.

“Mark Schulz has crafted a powerful music ministry. His music speaks of faith, family and home and his songs will uplift and inspire all those who attend,” said Deacon Stephen Hodson, of St. Francis Parish, who is helping coordinate the concert for the second year, along with a team of volunteers from Malta House, Saint Francis of Assisi parish, Saint Luke parish, St. Mary’s of Ridgefield and St. Theresa parish“Mark has a remarkable life story that he shares powerfully in song that resonates in so many lives.” Mike O’Rourke and his wife, A.C. raved about Mark’s performance last year: “ I cannot say that I am a big fan of Christian music but Mark’s songs were real and the melodies were easy on the ears. Most importantly, his stories made all the difference because Mark got you engaged before you heard the song. He is an exceptionally talented performer and I thank Steve Hodson for arranging this event again!”

Schultz will be playing new music along with his many hits, which include “He’s My Son,” “I Am,” “Remember Me” and “Everything to Me.” His hit single, “Everything to Me,” is about his life and gratitude to his birth mother.

“I wanted to write a song for birth mothers, so that they could hear how grateful I am to my own birth mom and how she made the choice to give me life,” he said.

Adopted at two weeks of age and raised by loving parents, singer/songwriter Schultz grew up in Colby, Kansas. Although he enjoyed great success in high school sports such as track and football, Schultz’ musical talents outshone his athletic strengths. He soon moved to Nashville; where instead of fulfilling his aspirations of a career in music, Schultz ended up in youth ministry. His position as a youth leader at the First Presbyterian Church inspired the young songwriter to write songs about people in the congregation. Weekly concerts featuring Schultz drew crowds. After continued concerts, including a benefit concert he organized at the Ryman Auditorium, Schultz signed with Myrrh Records and released his self-titled debut album in 2000.

Schultz has garnered accolades like Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Album of the Year and has appeared on ABC’s 20/20, Extreme Home Makeover, and CNN’s Morning Edition. In 2007 Mark partnered with Family Christian Stores and the James Fund to help raise awareness and support for orphans by riding his bicycle across the country from California to Maine, doing 14 concerts along the way and raising $250,000.

“It was the single greatest thing that I’ve done in my career,” said Schultz, “And it awoke a passion in me to share my story and be a champion for others.”

That summer tour has led to Schultz doing more than 200 benefit concerts for crisis pregnancy centers and adoption agencies across the country.

Recently, Mark and his wife Kate, who have two boys, Ryan and Gus, adopted two daughters, Maia Mae and Ebby Lou. “It’s amazing for me to be on this side of adoption,” Schultz said. “This love that I have for my daughters is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. We have a very special bond.”

For more on his music, please visit: https://markschultzmusic.com/.

Tickets cost $50 for general seating and $30 for seniors, veterans, & students. at https://quickcenter.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0F6S00000m1IfXUAU or by phone by calling 203-254-4010.

About Malta House

Malta House is an independent 501c 3 non-profit organization in Norwalk, Conn. committed to promoting the dignity of God-given life by providing a nurturing home environment, support services and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths and their children. It is the only transitional living program in the state where a mom can stay with her baby for long-term support and a “hand-up” as she journeys to independence and hope. Since opening its doors in 1998, Malta House has welcomed over 700 mothers and babies to the home. For more info: https://www.maltahouse.org

Date | Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Time | 7 pm
Location | All Saints School, Norwalk
Lecturer | Reverend Michael Clark, Rector of Sacred Heart Oratory
Topic | Rooted in Light: Gothic Architecture and the Transformation of Culture

To RSVP to a Bishop’s Lecture event, please visit www.bridgeportdiocese.org/bls or email bishopslecture@diobpt.org
_____________________________________________

ABOUT THE LECTURE SERIES

The mission of the Bishop’s Lecture Series is to provide opportunities for compelling adult faith formation regarding catechetical, theological or pastoral issues of contemporary importance. Each year four such lectures will be given in various regions of the Diocese. After an initial period of prayer, the lecturer will present the talk that will be 45 minutes in length. After a short break, there will be a 30 minute period of conversation and dialogue with participants. The evening will begin and end with light refreshments.

ABOUT THE LECTURER

Father Clark is the founding Rector of the Georgetown Oratory and the Guild of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus instituted on March 25, 2022 by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. Father Clark is passionate about evangelization, particularly working with young people and young adults to provide an authentic experience of the Risen Lord. The Guild of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus exists to promote and foster Beauty in the Sacred Arts in the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Father Clark was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in October 2019, at St. Thomas More Church in Darien. Prior to ordination, Father Clark studied at Cambridge University, graduating with a master’s in theology and law in 2005. He studied for and was called to the bar in 2008 and practiced law as a barrister for five years. At the same time he was singing professionally at Exeter Cathedral and later moved to Buckfast
Abbey as director of music, establishing a new professional choir of men and women from scratch. In 2012, Father Clark entered seminary to study philosophy and theology. He received an S.T.B. from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2016 and studied at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute.

On Sunday, January 7 at 4:00pm, Our Lady of Fatima hosts a watch party for The Chosen, a historical drama based on the life of Jesus and those who knew him. Set against the backdrop of Jewish oppression in first-century Israel, the series shares an authentic look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings. Families are encouraged to attend!

FAIRFIELD- Midnight Mass is a treasured tradition in the Catholic Church. And this Christmas, faithful from across the diocese will have the opportunity to celebrate with cloistered Carmelite sisters.

The Carmelite Sisters of Mary Ever Virgin will be present at Midnight Mass on December 25 at St. Emery Church in Fairfield. All are invited to celebrate and welcome the Christ Child to the world.

Looking for homemade cookies for the holidays? Stop by St. Joseph Parish of Shelton’s annual Cookie Walk this weekend, sponsored by the Women’s Devotional Group!

St. Joseph Church (Shelton) Music Ministry proudly presents “A Christmas Prelude”. Please join us in the upper church for our annual Christmas Concert presented by the St. Joseph Church Adult & Children’s Choirs with Nicholas Stampone, Director of Music, and Allison Fay, Adult Choir Director.

Friday, December 24 at 3 PM
St. Joseph Church
50 Fairmont Place, Shelton, CT

Christmas Eve Mass will follow the performance.