Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

In my spiritual reading, I came across the following passage written by Saint John Henry Newman which speaks eloquently of what each of us must consider if we wish to evangelize the world around us:

“He who does one little deed of obedience, whether he denies himself some comfort or forgives an enemy, evinces more true faith than could be shown by the most fluent religious conversation or the most intimate knowledge of Scripture. Yet how many are there who sit still with folded hands, dreaming, thinking they have done everything, when they merely have had these good thoughts which will save no one.”

Given all the challenges that we face, it is time to unfold our hands and commit ourselves to living our faith in action that will speak far louder than any homily, presentation, workshop or video.

The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos.

As the nation reels from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the protests and rioting that have followed, we must once again confront the evil of systemic racism, bigotry, and discrimination in our country.

As people of faith we are outraged to see a video in which an African American man is killed before our eyes—an incident that unfortunately has become all too familiar in the past few years. Such an act calls all people of conscience to work tirelessly for justice and to seek true change, which is badly needed in the face of a recurring pattern of violence that needs to be addressed on multiple institutional levels. The death of George Floyd is the latest wake-up call that we must answer with honesty and a spirit of dialogue and genuine conversion.

The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos.

As our Diocese continues its second phase planning to reopen our church buildings for the public celebration of Mass, it may be helpful to recall the prime reason why the Diocese mandated that such public celebrations be temporarily suspended. Given all the misinformation that exists in the media, we must never forget that the decision was rooted in a commitment to remain faithful to a central tenet of our Catholic faith.

The grave reason that motivated the suspension of public Mass was our commitment to the central Catholic belief in the sanctity of every human life and our common moral obligation to protect human life. When it became clear that the passing of the COVID-19 virus often occurs by asymptomatic persons sharing regular human contact, time was needed to understand how such infections occur, the best ways to avoid passing the contagion, all the while maintaining as much of the public practice of the faith as was prudent and still protecting human life- especially the elderly and sick in our midst. In the last eight weeks, we have made much progress in this regard, allowing us to begin the resumption of public worship in a prudent and gradual manner.

BRIDGEPORT— The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord is the “beginning of a great commissioning to continue his work” on earth, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said in his homily for Ascension Thursday.

“Our work today is precisely to become a witness to him… and to bear witness to his risen life,” the bishop during the Mass, which was live-streamed from the Catholic Center chapel.

He began his homily recalling a moment when he was called to give testimony in a civil legal proceeding and admitted that he was nervous on the way to the courthouse. However, once he completed the oath with the words, “I do,” he remembered feeling relieved.

“Saying , “I do,” make me a sworn witness to the truth, and I had every intention of telling the truth,” he said, noting at as followers of Jesus, Catholics face the same challenge today.

“What does it mean to be a witness to Jesus leads us us into difficult task. For example, to witness Christ is to witness the truth, never mincing our words in proclaiming what is right and just,” he said.

After reading the Gospel of Matthew (28: 16-20), “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” the bishop said we face the same responsibility as the disciples.

“The Ascension reminds of us the task before us and that we are all sinners. How many times by the decisions we’ve made have we stopped to do good in the name of Jesus? And how many time have we lost opportunities to be forgiving, kind, patient or loving—times we failed to say, “I do” to Jesus.”

The bishop said we may be held back by doubts or ambiguous, unnamed attitudes that haunt our hearts and minds,” yet influence what we say and do.”

He urged the faithful to be up to the task of looking in the mirror and “routing these attitudes out if they are not of Christ.”

The bishop said that it is easy for people to become distracted, mesmerized or unaware, but like the disciples, people must be ready to do the work of sharing the good news of Christ.

“In this age in which we live many of us are easily distracted with our ordinary duties and responsibilities. We create a routine where we forget this commission to bear witness to his truth and life.”

Immediately following Mass, the bishop said that he has been praying for the health and well being of all families in the diocese and asked that the faithful also pray for him. He also invited all to join him in the online Rosary being said each evening at 7:30 pm throughout the month of May.

(To find the link to join the online Rosary, please visit www.formationreimagined.org/rosary-for-hope-and-healing. No computer? No problem. If you want to join by phone, call 646.558.8656 or 301.715.8592 and enter this ID number when prompted: 840 8707 1375)

BRIDGEPORT— “In this difficult time we turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and Queen of Peace, to ask that she intercede with her Son for all those who are affected in any way by this pandemic,” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said on Friday as he began the Renewal of Consecration of the United States to Mary, Mother of the Church.

The bishop led the 20-minute prayer service, which was live-streamed from St. Augustine Cathedral at the same time that more than 195 dioceses also live-streamed the re-consecration service to the faithful across the country in an act of unity and prayer.

“As we renew the consecration of our country and of ourselves to the Mother of the God, we implore her maternal care for her children,” the bishop said to begin the service which included a Gospel reading and a brief homily.

The bishop began his homily by asking, “If April brings showers, what does May bring beside flowers?”

“The answer to that question is why we are here,” he said. ‘If showers bring flowers, then May brings hope to all of us, that fragile theological virtue and gift in this part of Spring where the final vestiges of Winter’s end and cold are replaced with a warmth that fills our minds and hearts with hope.”

“Flowers are not enough, so we come here to the house of our Father to turn to the one woman who is the perfect patron saint of hope,” said the bishop noting that “the beauty of flowers are only a small reminder of the beauty of creation and the far greater beauty of re-creation that awaits when we are brought into the presence of the Lord.”

“We come here to re-consecrate this great nation to Our Lady, to set ourselves aside, to strive for sacred life following her example but pleading for her intercession. She is a messenger of hope in a world that is suffering greatly. She is our protector as any good mother is. She will always be beside us.”

“In the time in which we are living, there is not a person among us who does not want to be reassured in hope,” he said.

Reflecting on the Gospel of John (19: 25-27) in which Jesus speaks to Mary at the foot of the Cross, the bishop said that the Blessed Mother is the great gift given to the entire Church by Jesus.

“If ever the world needs the promise of this month and the Lady we honor, it needs it now more than ever.”

After his homily the bishop asked those viewing the live-stream to join him in the fifth sorrowful mystery of the Rosary, the crucifixion and death of Our Lord.

He then led the Prayer of Renewal, which begins: “Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, you are the fairest fruit of God’s redeeming love; you sing of the Father’s mercy and accompany us with a mother’s love. In this time of pandemic we come to you, our sign of sure hope and comfort. Today we renew the act of consecration and entrustment carried out by those who have gone before us.”

The prayer asks God’s blessings on all those who have died, those who are suffering and the many caregivers who are serving the sick.

Every year, the Church seeks the special intercession of the Mother of God during the month of May. This year, Archbishop José Gomez, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urged dioceses across the national to seek the assistance of Our Lady during the global pandemic.

In 1792, the first bishop of the United States, Bishop John Carroll, consecrated the nation to Mary under the title Immaculate Conception, and in 1846, the bishops unanimously chose Mary under that title as the patroness of the nation.

BRIDGEPORT—Reflecting on Luke’s account of Jesus appearing to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus, Bishop Caggiano said there are times in our lives when we’re lost, but the Lord will come and walk with us.

“You and I can understand at this very moment what the disciples were going through… being lost, and going nowhere without a clue about what tomorrow will bring. Our hearts are filled with anxiety, fear and doubt.”

In the Mass for the Third Sunday in Easter, live-streamed from the grotto-like Catholic Center chapel, the bishop said that Jesus walks with his people “through the sharing of scripture and the breaking of bread,” and shows them the way back when they are walking in the wrong direction.

He said that a visit to the Holy Land gave him a greater insight into the Gospel, when he learned that Emmaus means “nowhere,” and that scripture scholars are not certain of where the biblical Emmaus was.

In the Gospel, Jesus finds his two disciples disheartened and frightened after his crucifixion, and he simply accompanies them, though they do not recognize him.

However, in the encounter, “He turned them around, and allowed them to find place and mission,” the bishop said, urging people to pour out their hearts to Jesus in their hour of need, and to establish a relationship so they might always hear the truth.

The bishop said the “encounter with the Lord changes every part of our life when it happens,” and it is available to all those who believe.

“So we think we find ourselves lost and confused, but the Gospel teaches us to keep walking, to keep searching, and when we are at wits end or least expect it, we will turn and discover Jesus was with us every step of the way.”

In moments of doubt, the resurrection leads the way to a new awareness and of Christ’s love and a renewal of life, he said.

“What was once a fire reduced to embers will become burning blaze of love and allow us to go and reclaims the mission that is given to us, to be witnesses of his resurrection, that is alive with you and me. He has conquered sin, suffering and death. No matter what the challenge, we will have victory with him in this life and the life to come.”

Throughout the Mass for the Third Sunday in Easter Bishop Caggiano was accompanied in music and song by Lyndy Toole of Westport, a member of St. Luke’s Parish.

While the bishop has temporarily suspended the celebration of Holy Mass in the presence of the lay faithful, Bishop Caggiano and our priests are all still celebrating Mass every day. In many cases, these Masses are broadcast live or recorded and sent out to the faithful. You can find a complete list of our parishes streaming Mass below.

To learn more about live-streamed Masses, click this link: https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/coronavirus/livestreamed-masses-and-prayers/ or Visit the YouTube Mass Playlist

Yesterday we celebrated the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday. It concludes an extraordinary week in the Church’s annual celebration of the Pascal Mystery of the Lord’s Resurrection. Let us consider its uniqueness and what it can teach us.

There are two interesting facts about the liturgy of last week that we can easily overlook. First, all the days of last week can be considered to be a single day. In other words, the one day of Easter extends over eight days in which to celebrate it! It is for this reason that each of these days is a Solemnity of the Lord, having precedence over every other celebration that would ordinarily fall on these days. In short, the importance of what happened on Easter morning is so great that it needs eight days in which to celebrate the single day of Easter.

The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos.

BRIDGEPORT—On a morning when hundreds of priest, deacons and religious and laity would normally gather for the blessing of oil and renewal of priestly vows, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano celebrated the Chrism Mass in the empty St. Augustine Cathedral as the Covid-19 crisis reaches its apex in Fairfield County.

“It is odd that I come to celebrate the Chrism Mass in an empty Church,” said the bishop of the unease and disconnect that many feel being unable to publicly gather for worship during Holy Week.

“You can say that our unity has been fractured, but the unity of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is more than physical proximity. The Holy Spirit draws us together in a way that transcends time and space. When we pray together, we are also here with all who came before us and no one and nothing could ever break that bond.’

More than 2,500 faithful watched the Mass, which was lived streamed on the diocesan website and Facebook page this morning at 10 am.

St. Augustine Cathedral pastor, Father Michael Novajosky and Father Alex Moronta, parochial vicar, assisted the bishop at the altar. No other priests were present.

St. Augustine choir master Dr. Sam Schmitt provided the solitary singing voice that filled the Cathedral with hymns, many of them in Latin, which has been sung at the liturgy for centuries.

In his homily the bishop noted that oil has been used throughout recorded history as source of energy, to heal wounds, and to anoint those who are chosen to serve God.

“We gather this Holy Thursday morning to do what the Church has done since its beginning—use oil as means for sanctification and blessing.”

The bishop moved from the main altar to bless the three oils used in sacraments throughout the year, “the oil of the sick for gravely ill and dying to receive the consolation of Christ in their hour of need; the oil of Catechumens that prepares our sisters and brothers awakened in faith to receive the fullness of God’s spirit; and those anointed in sacred chrism, who are not simply blessed but consecrated, so that the Holy Spirit can dwell within them and transform them.”

The bishop said that all believers who are consecrated in Baptism and Confirmation are drawn into the great unity of the Church, “made members of the Mystical Body of Christ and given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.” They must become bearers of “glad tidings” to those who are suffering and isolated.

During the Mass the bishop also directly addressed priests and led the Renewal of Priestly Promises with Father Novajosky and Father Moronta providing the responses.

“Today we also rejoice that in midst there are those men called to be consecrated in Chrism so that they might become priests of Jesus Christ,” he said he remembered the oil placed on his hands during the gift of his own ordination when he was consecrated as a priest.

“I ask your prayer of all my brother priests throughout the Church and the world. It is not easy to serve as priest of Jesus in any age, perhaps this more than others. In this most difficult time, I wish to thank my brother priests for their humble and generous service. You have offered your life so that other may have greater life.”

The bishop asked priests not to give into small divisions and the temptation to “see differences as more important than what unites us.”

He said that the isolation that many people feel during the Covid-19 crisis may be an opportunity to reflect on how often have we take the presence of others for granted and fail to be attentive to them.

“Our minds and hearts are somewhere else when they’re with us. When we can be back together in worship and in song, and around the tables of our homes, let us rejoice in the gift that we are to one another.”

He said the great challenge for all believers is to appreciate that when we are consecrated in Baptism and become members of the Body of Christ, “a unity is formed that cannot and should not every be broken.”

“As the sun sets this evening, we will be completing the observance of Lent and beginning the Triduum. We will walk with Jesus to the Upper Room… Let us walk with hope and purpose so that we may be bearers of good tidings and the promise of life in Jesus Christ.”

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), will be distributed to parishes at a later date.

At the end of the Chrism Mass, the Bishop invited all the faithful throughout the diocese to join him in the Triduum liturgies that will be live streamed on the diocesan website (www.bridgeportdiocese.com) beginning tonight with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 pm.

BRIDGEPORT—Thousands went on line yesterday for the live-streamed Palm Sunday Mass of the Lord’s Passion celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at St. Augustine Cathedral, emptied of the faithful because of Covid-19 precautions.

In his homily the Bishop acknowledged the hardship many people feel because they were unable to receive palms, but urged people to

“This year we will live Holy Week in a very different way. We’re separated, but in that quiet isolation we will have the unique opportunity to spend time with Jesus, and allow his words to penetrate deeply into our hearts,” he said.

“Perhaps this year by not receiving palms, the choice is clear; our eyes will be fixed on the one who will free us, grant us recovery, grant us healing and lead us to an empty tomb and one day to everlasting life.

The bishop said that when Jesus “entered into the city of David,” many people misunderstood the source of his power and thought he would be a political liberator who would set them free of Caesar.

“Through his ministry Jesus reveals a Kingdom but not what this world would understand. His love led him freely to the road we are called to walk this week, the road to Calvary,” he said, nothing that true love is self-sacrifice for the good of others.

“This world does not understand that which Christ has come to bring, and in this time of great suffering , when so many of our sister sand brothers are afflicted, you and I can glimpse into the meaning of the Kingdom born on Calvary.”

The bishop praised the “heroic love” of doctors, nurses and rescue workers who are battling the Coronarvirus sacrificially, and “putting their lives at risk so that others may find healing and recovery.”

He also said that the women and men who are working on the front lines of grocery stores, gas stations and supermarkets are “the unspoken heroes who are risking their lives so that we may have food and drink in this time of crisis. They understand what Christ brought to Jerusalem and they are bringing it into our midst now as a sign of hope.”

The bishop said he hopes that palms will be distributed throughout the diocese, “if God wills,” on Pentecost Sunday, the last day of the Easter season, and they are a reminder to pursue the real Kingdom.

“We should remember what palms represent. All the palms will be burned to dust and ashes. However, what seems to be a defeat on Calvary is the true light an d life that will set us free.”

Because the faithful cannot gather in Church for Mass during the crisis, the bishop has invited all to join him online he celebratez Holy Week and Triduum liturgies from Saint Augustine Cathedral. All the liturgies will be live-streamed on the Diocesan website (www.bridgeportdiocese.com):

Chrism Mass: Thursday, April 9 at 10 am
Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Thursday, April 9 at 7 pm
Stations of the Cross: Friday, April 10 at 12 noon
The Passion of the Lord: Friday, April 10 at 3 pm
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night: Saturday, April 11 at 7 pm
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 12 at 8 am

As the coronavirus crisis deepens across the world, allow me to suggest three ways by which we can respond in a way consistent with our Catholic faith. For ease of remembrance, I can call this advice the “three p’s.”

Preparation: It is important that in every aspect of our lives, including our worship together on a daily and weekly basis, we prepare ourselves in every way possible to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe from this virus. Much of what we should do has been explained in great detail by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We need to remember that our preparations (i.e., washing our hands frequently, disinfecting any public area that is touched by many people, etc.) is an act of charity, protecting not simply ourselves but the most vulnerable in our midst, especially the elderly and sick.

Prudence: The definition of prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by use of reason. This means that we should not overreact or give into a sense of panic that can easily be generated by some of the media coverage we hear each day. We need to act reasonably, proportionately and decisively in our preparations and interactions with others. Once again, refraining from unnecessary handshakes, avoiding large crowds at events for which our presence is neither required nor needed, are acts of prudence that are charitable and in service of our neighbor.

Prayer: This is a time when we must offer intercessory prayers for all those who have died from this disease, that they may rest in the Lord’s peace. We must pray for consolation for their families and loved ones during their time of sorrow and grief. Let us also pray for those who have been sickened by the virus, that they will soon recover, and for all those who are quarantined and are living alone and in fear. Finally, let us pray that this emergency may pass and that our love for one another will help us to make the right decisions to keep each other safe.

The previous reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos.

As we prepare for the start of the discipline of Lent, the Ceremonial of Bishops reminds us of the nature of this special season:

“The annual observance of Lent is the special season for the ascent to the holy mountain of Easter. Through its twofold theme of repentance and baptism, the season of Lent disposes both the catechumens (i.e., those preparing to be baptized) and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. Catechumens are led to the sacraments of initiation by means of the Rite of Election, the scrutinies and catechesis. The faithful, listening more intently to the Word of God and devoting themselves to prayer are prepared through a spirit of repentance to renew their baptismal promises.”