By Kathy-Ann Gobin
STAMFORD – A provocative conversation and an invitation to reignite the Catholic faith through evangelization was led by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano during a meeting with readers, lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in Stamford.
“It’s a path that will require tremendous patience from you and me,” Bishop Caggiano said to the hundreds gathered at the Mater Salvatoris College Preparatory School for the meeting. This was one of several meetings the Bishop is hosting in the diocese to kickstart revitalization efforts in parish communities, the Diocese of Bridgeport and beyond.
“We have not been able to pass on the faith effectively to the second generation, and we are on the cusp of the third,” he said, while thanking the attendees for their ministerial work and acknowledging that more must be done.
The bishop, who celebrates 10 years this fall as the leader of the Diocese of Bridgeport, is also leading a nationwide effort of the St. Paul Evangelization Society, in this quest to evangelize and bring people back to the Church.
“This is an urgent and critical issue,” Bishop Caggiano said. “I believe the challenge is far greater than anyone parish or individual.”
The bishop also acknowledged the Church has more work to do in its healing for those who have been hurt through the sex abuse scandal, or other missteps or potential misunderstandings. During the meeting, Bishop Caggiano shared many stories of his family life including how his own father did not go to church for years because of something a priest said, but did return to the Church shortly before Bishop Caggiano was ordained a priest.
“The ultimate place to encounter Christ is at Mass,” Bishop Caggiano said.
He said the Church’s revitalization will focus on being transformative by identifying one priority; a new culture in our faith that fosters a deep desire for Christ for the younger generations to embrace.
“The One” priority is to rebuild the faith-filled culture to effectively proclaim the Gospel and renewal and revitalization of our parishes and schools, which are the places of encounter and engagement that transform lives.
Part of that transformational change is underway with initiatives such as the Seton Collaborative, where efforts are being made to streamline processes in order to allow priests to minister and educators to teach.
The bishop said by improving efficiencies throughout the diocese, parishes and schools can afford to hire top talent and provide competitive incentives that allow people to work and live their faith within the diocese. His remarks were met with applause.
Bishop Caggiano challenged those gathered to search their hearts and reflect on their own lives to reveal, “When did you fall in love with Jesus?” and accompany others to do the same.
That question resonated with Fainole Zapata, a parishioner from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Danbury, who said she was very moved by the Bishop’s words and plans to be more in tune with her children’s faith-filled life journey.
“How will I help my son, my daughter, fall in love with God?” she asked
The bishop also encouraged those in attendance to start with their parish and arrange a meeting with readers, lectors and/or EMHCs to pray together or share a meal together to get to know each other better.
“One of those people could be the conduit of God’s grace in your life,” he said.
Jan Hebert of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield agreed with the bishop that people need to sow the seeds that will help the faith flourish.
“I feel inspired that the Church wants to move forward,” Herbert said. “We do need each other. I don’t think people realize they need that but he’s right, we can’t do it alone. We are meant to be together.”
The Bishop said he hopes to continue these meetings next year, hosting one in each deanery in the diocese.
“I know in my heart of hearts this is what we should have been doing all along,” Bishop Caggiano said. “You and I are vessels the Lord will use to pass on the faith.”
