BRIDGEPORT—World Social-Emotional Learning Day is March 26, and the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport is celebrating the event with specially planned activities.

This morning, March 25, Pre-K-3rd grade students had a special Zoom with award-winning children’s musician and yoga and mindfulness expert Kira Willey, who read from her books Breathe Like A Bear and Peaceful Like A Panda. She also taught students new mindfulness techniques and participated in a Q&A. Everyone who participated in the Zoom will receive one of Willey’s books.

On March 26, older students in grades 4-8 will Zoom with mindfulness expert Missy Brown, founder of “Deep Play for Kids,” who will teach SEL techniques and coping strategies. These students will receive the book All Because You Matter.

The Catholic Academy of Bridgeport is especially grateful to the Tauck Family Foundation for helping to make all of this possible!

The Catholic Academy of Bridgeport provides a Christ-centered, academically rigorous learning environment where cultural diversity is welcomed, Catholic values taught and all faiths celebrated. Students are nurtured, encouraged and challenged in preparation for a successful life of leadership and service.

(For more information visit: www.catholicacademybridgeport.org.)

BROOKFIELD—”Be a person of action and follow the example set by St. Joseph,” was the message shared with everyone at the Solemnity of St. Joseph Mass at his patron church in Brookfield.

“Nowhere in the Gospels do we ever hear Joseph say anything but he is a man of action,” said Pastor Father George O’Neill, referring to Joseph’s obedience to take Mary as his wife as the angel instructed him to do.

“Just like God had a plan for Joseph, God has a plan for each one of us,” Father O’Neill said. “He wants us to be upright and righteous. He wants us to follow the law and observe the commandments.”

St. Joseph parish and parishes throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport celebrated Mass concurrently to consecrate the diocese to the protection and intercession of St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church.

“St. Joseph may have been a simple carpenter who did not amount to much during his life but today he is venerated as one of the greatest saints in the church,” Father O’Neill said, encouraging everyone to heed St. Joseph’s example.

“God gives us dreams and he speaks to us through those dreams,” Father O’Neill said, adding that although we may never see the fruits of our labor, it is important to do what is right. He implored the congregation to pray to St. Joseph for guidance.

“Let him guide us and help us open our hearts to God’s plan, God’s will for us in our lives. That we may be upright and righteous. That we may be women and men after God’s will,” O’Neill said.

Parishioner Suzanne Holko was one of the many people who came out to celebrate this special Mass to the parish’s patron saint.

“We can all learn so much about our faith and the only way to do it is to keep coming to church,” she said, adding that the message of the homily, to take action, resonated with her.

“We all need to do our part in reaching out to others and being the Christian God would hope us to be.”

“Let God speak to you in your dreams,” Father O’Neill said, adding and like Joseph, “let us get up and do.”

Deacon Vincent J. Heidenreich of Greenwich passed away on Monday, March 22 at the age of 79.

“It is with great sadness I must inform you of the death of Deacon Heidenreich. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Deacon Vincent and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.

Deacon Vince was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1990 and since that time had been assigned to St. Catherine pastoral staff. He also served as the property manager for St. Catherine.

Vincent J. Heidenreich was born in Pittsburgh on June 15, 1943. His father was a general practitioner and his mother a nurse. He is the eldest of twelve, seven boys and five girls. He was educated in parochial schools, grade, high and at The Catholic University of America.

Deacon Vince spent 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry. One of his earlier promotions to pharmaceutical marketing management prompted the relocation of his family to Greenwich in July 1978, and first joined St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

In 1983, he joined the healthcare division of BBDO on Madison Ave., supervising the development of prescription-drug advertising. His last eleven years in the industry were as advertising head at Bayer Pharmaceutical. He retired from Bayer in November 2000.

Deacon Vince served as director of Religious Education at Notre Dame Parish in Easton from 2001-2011. He was very involved in marriage-preparation work for the diocese and for the parish. Among the joys of his diaconal service, Deacon Heidenreich identified the privilege of presiding at the weddings of his son, Vincent, Jr. and daughter, Beth, the baptizing of grandchildren and his many grandnieces and grandnephews in Pittsburgh.

On Friday, March 26, visitation will take place at St. Catherine of Siena Church located at 4 Riverside Avenue in Riverside from 9:30-10:30 am. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the Celebrant for the Funeral Mass at 11 am following visitation. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and that link will be available on the parish website.

Those interested in attending in-person, please register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094EAFAE2AA4F58-funeral1  

Condolences may be sent to: The Heidenreich Family c/o  St. Catherine of Siena Parish4 Riverside Avenue Riverside, CT 06878.

Click here for Greenwich Time obituary.

BRIDGEPORT—The Diocese of Bridgeport has released its new Parish Administrative Manual, a guide to the key processes and procedures required for use in the day-to-day and long-term operations of parishes.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano formally promulgated the new Parish Administrative Manual in a decree issued on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. The manual was issued ad experimentum, effective for one year.

“I am pleased to present the final Parish Administrative Manual which applies to all parishes and quasi parishes of the Diocese of Bridgeport,” said Bishop Caggiano. “I pray that it will help us become the loving family of God’s people who rejoice not only in our holy work but in the companionship of those who work with us.”

The bishop thanked pastors and administrators who provided valuable input, feedback and changes that have been incorporated within the manual.

In his decree, the bishop states that over the past year the curial offices of the Diocese of Bridgeport have spent much effort to revise the manual “in order to offer necessary enhancement and updates for the best practices need for proper and transparent administration of parish resources.”

The new manual replaces the original Parish Administration and Finance Manual promulgated by Bishop William E. Lori, Fourth Bishop of Bridgeport on February 15, 2008. Since that date, parish administrators have been served by the valuable provisions the manual offered, the bishop said in his decree.

Deacon Patrick Toole, episcopal vicar for administration, who coordinated the effort, said the manual serves as a baseline for administrative processes at the parish which are mandated by the diocese.

The 141-page manual provides parishes with direction and support on several topics including Safe Environments, Employment and Personnel, Sacramental Records, Parish Governance and Legal Administration, Communications, Technology and Development.

Deacon Toole said a general calendar follows the table of contents in section one and provides an overview of key dates. A checklist is also included at the beginning of each section to highlight salient points in the narrative that follows.

Click here to view the new Parish Administrative Manual.

BRIDGEPORT—The new “ARISE” video celebrating the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is now available online.

The four-minute video, captures the faces of the faithful in churches, schools, and social service settings throughout the diocese, and features an impassioned call to action by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano who thanks those who have already given and urges us all to participate.

After a difficult year for the people of the diocese, the bishop begins the video on a note of great hope:

“I come to you, my friends, with real joyful hope because as this pandemic begins to recede, you and I are given this wonderful opportunity, creatively and imaginatively, to set our Church on a path of growth by offering new initiatives and new opportunities to engage our young people,” the bishop says as he was filmed at St. Augustine Cathedral.

In his interview remarks for the video, the bishop said that the ACA is crucial this year, not only because it helps the diocese address the ongoing needs of those most affected by the pandemic, but also because this year’s ACA is providing seed money for many through the “Eucharistic Call to Renewal” initiatives outlined in the Bishop’s recent Pastoral Exhortation, “Let Us Enter the Upper Room with Our Lord.”

The Bishop challenges us all to “become Ambassadors of Christ,” and to join in the renewal underway by engaging in prayer and giving generously to the ACA.

The bishop asks for prayers and describes this year’s ACA, and urges the faithful “not to lose this unique moment to aid our sisters and brothers in need, and place our Church on the path of growth and renewal.”

The video was produced by Brian Russell of Fairfield, Director of Red Shoe Film. Pam Rittman, Director of the Annual Catholic Appeal, served as consultant and coordinated the filming with Red Shoe Film.

Please make your pledge online at www.2021ACABridgeport.com or call 203.416.1470. You may also donate by texting the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849 to make your pledge. Please visit the website to view the 2021 Appeal video and learn more.

BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will consecrate the Diocese of Bridgeport to the protection and intercession of St. Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church, at a Pontifical Mass live-streamed from St. Augustine’s Cathedral in Bridgeport on Friday, March 19, 7 pm.

The consecration Mass will begin at 6:30 pm with a Rosary led by Bishop Caggiano. In addition to the thousands expected to view the live-streamed Mass, the cathedral will allow for limited in-person attendance consistent with social distancing and mask requirements.

The bishop has also invited pastors throughout the diocese to celebrate Mass at the same time in order to link the diocese together in prayer and purpose.

In his recent Pastoral Exhortation, “Let us Enter the Upper Room with the Lord,” the bishop said he chose the Solemnity of St. Joseph to launch the “Call to Renewal” because St. Joseph, the righteous one, is being honored this year throughout the Church.

“For he was a man well acquainted with unexpected change, having his life upended by visits from the Archangel Gabriel and flight into an unknown land. Yet, it was his courage, strength of faith and quiet perseverance that allowed him to overcome the challenges the Holy Family faced. He quietly and faithfully guided and protected the Lord Jesus and our Lady until his death.

The bishop said a plenary indulgence will be available for all those who participate in either the diocesan or parish celebrations. The spiritual requirements needed to receive this extraordinary grace will be published shortly. As we begin this journey of renewal.

“I can think of no better guide and protector to whom we can entrust our journey than St. Joseph. May he help us quietly and faithfully to fulfill the work that lies before us,” the bishop said.

Pope Francis proclaimed the special year in observance of the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being named Patron of the Universal Church by Blessed Pius IX. The pontiff also issued an Apostolic Letter titled Patris corde, (“With a Father’s Heart”) in order “to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.”

The foster-father of the Son of God, Pope Francis says, was “a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father, a father who is creatively courageous, a working father…a father in the shadows.”

The year dedicated to St. Joseph, which runs until March 2022, will have a calendar of events centered on the different titles by which the saint is known, such as Hope of the Sick, Patron of Workers, Comforter of the Afflicted, Protector of the Church, Patron of the Dying, Head of the Holy Family and Protector of Families.

(This pontifical Mass will be live-streamed on our diocesan website homepage: www.bridgeportdiocese.org. The live-stream can also be accessed on our diocesan Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BridgeportDiocese and youtube channel: www.youtube.com/c/BridgeportDiocese.)

TRUMBULL—As Catholics worldwide begin the observance of the Year of St. Joseph, a group of local parishioners gathered weekly in preparation for a special consecration to this Patron of the Universal Church.

Father Terrence Walsh, pastor of Christ the King Church in Trumbull, organized this prayer group around Father Donald H. Calloway’s text “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” with the hope that his participants would grow in their love and devotion to this saint.

“Joseph is our spiritual father, a role model who intercedes for us,” said Father Walsh. “He has a real effect on our lives and helps to orient our spiritual well-being.”

When someone is “consecrated to St. Joseph,” Father Walsh said, they make a special commitment to him, entrusting themselves entirely to his care as he leads them to God. “You have to want that consecration. It’s an act of will. It’s like saying to him, ‘You’re the boss!’” Father Walsh added.

With the Solemnity of St. Joseph falling close to Easter, many participants, including JoAnn Zimmerman, said this prayer group was an ideal Lenten observance and would aid in centering them in their spiritual life. “I decided that this would be a wonderful way to spend this season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter,” said Zimmerman, a parishioner at Christ the King.

To better understand the presence of St. Joseph’s paternal love, the 25 members of this group have followed the “33-Day Preparation” outlined in Father Calloway’s book. This includes short daily readings of commentary from the author, scripture passages, and inspirational words from other saints, ending with the Litany of St. Joseph. During the Monday evening meetings on Zoom, Father Walsh begins by sharing his observations and interpretations of the readings, interspersed with personal anecdotes, and then opens the conversation for participants to offer their own comments, some serious, some emotional but always unique, as every person seems to have their own reason for the saint’s importance in their lives.

“The book reads like a treasure trove of stories surrounding this most silent saint,” Gina Cosgrove, a member of the group, said of the text. “He is the perfect saint to befriend us, whatever our situation. I’m just beginning to appreciate what a marvelous spiritual father we have in St. Joseph.”

Father Walsh said he enjoys the “beautiful camaraderie” the participants have as they look to live out their faith and help one another. “Everyone is interested in growing in their knowledge and love. We could talk for hours!” he said, noting how quickly the 60-minute sessions fly by. “We all have the joy of the same mind and purpose. This group reminds me of coming together and breaking bread as a family.”

The perspective of a “family” emerges in all the readings and discussions as participants come to better see St. Joseph as the head of the Holy Family, the loving foster father of Jesus, and the dignified, virtuous husband of Mary, “a gentleman, a protector, and a man pure of heart,” writes Father Calloway. He tells readers that “now is the time of St. Joseph,” as the world greatly needs him and his role as defender of the family—the foundation of society—with marriage at the heart of creation and redemption.

According to Father Calloway, St. Joseph is also “the Increaser,” having the power to increase the presence of God in one’s life, which then encourages followers to spread the saint’s virtues to others. As a catechist at Christ the King, Zimmerman said she often shares readings from the text with her students. “This helps them better understand Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—the models of a beautiful, loving and humble family that we should all try to emulate,” she said.

“Devotion to St. Joseph has blossomed,” said Father Walsh, “and is now in full bloom. The world is in need, and he is the one to help us.”

BRIDGEPORT—On Saturday, March 13 at St. Augustine Cathedral, Walter Avitabile of Westport, Edward R. Carrillo of Bridgeport and Frank Mantero of Shelton were admitted to candidacy for ordination as deacons by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.

“To you, I am deeply grateful. For despite the challenge we face in our world, you have come forward with generosity, with the love of your families. You have come here seeking true integrity of life and you have done well, you have done much,” he said to the three aspirants during Mass.

In addition to the family, friends and faithful who attended in-person, the Candidacy Mass was live-streamed on the Cathedral website

In his homily, Bishop Caggiano spoke about the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector, which teaches us “the need for humility to avoid the self-righteousness that can easily fall into the lives of anyone, most especially those who have authority, religious authority, and are called to leadership.”

He explained that ostensibly the Pharisees did everything correctly, and yet their intentions, their hearts, their deepest spirit was far from being righteous. The bishop explained that in the time of Jesus, the hypocritical nature of the scribes and the Pharisees was well-known. “People were searching for true guides and they were lost.”

The bishop posed the question, “How different is that from the world in which we live today?”

“We have lived through a terrible time in the life of the church, where the few have done great harm and many in our world question our authenticity. They speak of an authenticity gap, where Christians, especially those in leadership, will say one thing but live something else,” continued the bishop.

The bishop explained that this often deters people from entering a life of faith.

“While it is true that all of us are called to a life of authenticity and integrity before the Lord, it is especially of responsibility for those who are in leadership,” the bishop said. “For if we do not live what we preach, our preaching is empty and it will bring no one to faith.”

The bishop challenged all the faithful, including himself, to go deeper. “To avoid self-righteousness,” said the bishop, “is not only to do the good, but it is also to seek those occasions where we can do more of the good.”

The bishop encouraged those gathered to use these days of Lent remaining to ask themselves what is it that they can do more to be an authentic witness of God’s love in the world.

“If you and I rise to that occasion, my dear friends, there will be no sinner in any of our churches, no person in any place of our Christian life, that will be left alone, sitting in the back of a church, wondering if God forgives him or loves him. For he will know that message by our words and by our witness,” said the bishop.

Deacon Jerry Lambert, director of the diaconate, said that “This Admission to Candidacy for Ordination marked the end of the first year of study for Walter, Edward and Frank. In this past year of aspirancy, these men have participated in monthly formation weekends within our diocese, while also beginning four years of theological study at Saint Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. In addition, their wives participate in the “wives formation,” program designed to support them in their spiritual growth as they accompany their husbands on their continued journeys of discernment.”

The three aspirants who were admitted to candidacy are Walter Avitabile, Edward R. Carrillo and Frank Mantero.

Walter Avitabile is a member of Church of the Assumption, Westport, along with his wife Gracemary and three daughters (28, 26 and 23). He has served as a catechist, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, reader and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Avitabile attended Salesian High School and works as a general construction superintendent in NYC on infrastructure projects. After high school, he started as an apprentice with Plumber’s Local Union #2, working up to become Master Plumber. “I have felt a calling to the diaconate for several years,” explains Avitabile. “The one question I kept asking myself and others was, why am ‘I’ being called to the diaconate? I continued to pray on this for months still resisting in some ways but could not stop feeling the call.”

Avitabile says that he decided to trust in God and complete the application. He reflected on receiving the book The Heart of the Diaconate on the first night of formation. “While reading the book, the following quote struck me; Christ asking, ‘Will you allow me to work my servant mysteries through you?’” Avitabile explains that he was so moved by this, because he recognized this to be God answering what had been his central question since he began discerning. “I began to meditate upon the meaning and enormity of what it truly means to have Christ living His servant mysteries through me. I am now thankful to have the proper focus in my continued discernment throughout my formation,” says Avitabile. “I do believe that with continuous prayer and the grace of God, he will help me grow into the servant that Christ needs in His Church. My discernment and prayer will continue, and I believe God will keep answering my questions as he has already done in this book.  He will lead me to where He wants me to be.”

Edward R. Carrillo and his wife, Glenda, have three married daughters (29, 26 and 23), one son (16), three grandchildren and one on the way! Carrillo is a member of St. George Parish in Bridgeport and has served as director of liturgical music , co-founder of the parish youth group, a catechist and co-founder of the St. George family prayer group. Carrillo earned a bachelor’s degree in computer programming in Guatemala, Central America. Carrillo has worked as a sub-contractor for the Department of Justice as well as an EOIR Interpreter. He is currently self-employed as a general contractor. “Since a very young age I suffered a lot from illness,” shares Carrillo. “These circumstances allowed me to get close in an extraordinary way to the Creator. Carrillo explains that he has always felt the call to serve others and to talk about what Jesus has spoken in the Gospels but he didn’t realize that those are two aspects of the life of a permanent deacon until he participated in his first Diaconate Discovery Evening. The rest, they say, is history.

Frank Mantero is a member of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull, along with his wife, Angela, and their four children Marisa, Francisco, Olivia and Antonio. He has served as deputy grand knight for the Knights of Columbus St. Catherine of Siena Council, is a trustee for the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Edward Halloran Assembly and a member of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. Mantero holds a master’s degree in internal relations from the University of Kentucky, and bachelor’s degrees in both political science and Spanish from the University of Georgia. He is currently the vice president of marketing at Knights of Columbus Supreme Council in New Haven. He was previously head of global communications for Bunge, Ltd, a $40B agribusiness firm. He has also held various roles in the healthcare industry in marketing, public relations and communications, including seven years at GE as director of corporate responsibility. “I want others to experience the joy that comes from growing in faith and how accepting control according to His plan enables peace,” says Mantero. “My entire life, I had always assumed that greater control allows for greater peace of mind. I have learned the opposite is true. This desire to surrender to the calling is more relevant than ever. Jesus is always there:  searching, inviting. We need to look up and accept the invitation, and that is when true revelation begins to happen.”

The Diaconate Formation Program supports the vocation and ministry of the deacon, beginning as inquirer through his journey to ordination and beyond. Through prayer, study and the grace of the Holy Spirit, the candidate undergoes a transformation of heart and mind as he prepares himself to be minister of the word, altar and charity.

Discussions with those interested in knowing more about the diaconate formation program are ongoing. For more information about the permanent diaconate and the formation program, please contact Deacon Jerry Lambert, director of the diaconate at dnlambert@diobpt.org or 203.416.1451.

NORWALK—Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick 4th Assembly #100 has been awarded the Supreme Council’s Star Assembly Award for 2019-2020 fraternal year. The Assembly is comprised of Fourth Degree Knights from various councils in Norwalk, Wilton, New Canaan, Weston and Westport. The Assembly was presented with the award at the Connecticut District Masters meeting which was held at St Pius X Parish Fairfield on March 13.

“As the district master, it was my honor and privilege to award the Supreme Council’s Star Assembly Award to the Bishop Fenwick Assembly #100 from Norwalk. This award is validation of all the good works the Assembly has done in the past fraternal year especially in patriotic and civic programs,” said KofC CT District Master Kevin Donovan.

The Supreme Star Assembly Award is presented as a tribute to the spirit of patriotism and national pride exemplified in the patriotic activities conducted, by excelling in membership recruitment, reporting to the Supreme Council office and keeping their members and others informed of assembly activities.

“Our #1 goal as an Assembly is to promote patriotism, support our veterans and defend our Catholic faith,” said Faithful Navigator George Ribellino, Jr. He went on to say, “I am so proud of all our members for their hard work and support of Bishop Fenwick Assembly #100.”

Assembly #100 is regularly active in such events as Columbus Day festivities, raising money for Veterans’ organizations including Homes for the Brave, American Legion and Fisher House CT, and paying tribute to those men and women who have and still protect our freedoms in the United States. In addition, the Assembly has been assisting the local community during the pandemic by hosting food drives, sending food to the first responders and medical professionals and donating cribs to Malta House. Malta House is the only home for pregnant women above the age of 18 in Fairfield County, and one of a limited number of programs for young mothers experiencing homelessness and their babies. The Assembly assists the youth in the city of Norwalk by donating to the Norwalk Public Safety Cadets.

“The worthy Sir Knights of Bishop Fenwick Assembly #100 have been a remarkable presence at Homes for the Brave all year long. They are very deserving of this recognition as they have done everything from deliver meals to our Veterans on major holidays to donating food and toiletries to contributing to and participating in our fundraising events,” said Homes for the Brave CEO Vince Santilli.

(For more information, go to Assembly100.org.)