Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

A common question that runs in Chrisitan circles is: “Are you a Martha or a Mary?” I have attended many talks centered around the idea that we all need a little bit of both. Both a serving heart and a loving heart are necessary.

Personally, I tend to lean more toward the contemplative nature of Mary but I recognize that the importance of striving to be a Martha is necessary to properly serve God and His people. And it is so important. We always need to recognize those who serve, especially those who serve with the utmost humility.

Around the holiday season, I am increasingly reminded of the story of Mary and Martha in the Gospel. Martha grows impatient with her sister as she bustles around the kitchen, preparing food and making things nice for her guests. Meanwhile, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to what He says, being near to Him, loving Him.

In our modern world, especially around the holidays, being a Martha seems to be held to a higher esteem, or at least the more “practical” option. The one with the spectacular Thanksgiving menu, flawless decorations and Instagram-worthy spread are considered the “goal” of the holiday season.

But while Martha’s breathe a sigh of relief while they dry the last dish, Mary’s memories of the holidays are a bit different.

Is it about the serving, or is it something else that makes holiday memories stand out?

Being with one another, talking, conversing, sharing. A laugh and a piece of pumpkin pie….and maybe while drying the last dish, together.

As we gather around the table to give thanks, let us remember that amidst all the serving, the hustle, and bustle, we must also take time to sit, dwell and be present to those we love.

By: Elizabeth Clyons, Communications Associate for the Diocese of Bridgeport

Those of us who are focused on spending eternity with God in heaven realize the importance of a close personal relationship with Jesus.  However, our efforts to enhance our relationship with Him often stagnate and grow stale. We go to Mass, but our minds wander. We say our prayers, but we recite them from memory and we don’t take the time to listen. We don’t pause during our day to realize God’s presence in our lives.

Especially during this season of gift giving and receiving let me suggest we all invigorate our relationship with Jesus by consciously offering various gifts to him. We must realize God doesn’t need our gifts. As Bishop Robert Barron often says, “God needs nothing. He is God.” However, through His infinite love for us He always multiplies our gifts and returns them thousand-fold. We need to pray for the grace to be able to receive His gifts.

There are countless things we can offer to give our Lord. Most of all, we need to give him more of our time, a precious commodity. Finding time in our busy lives is hard to do, so it is crucial to make a commitment to spend extra time with Jesus after thoughtful prayer. Pick gifts you can offer lovingly and consistently within the extra time you commit to devote. The key to undertaking the gift exchange process is to talk out loud directly to Jesus and let Him know what you want to offer Him. It is easier to follow through once you have promised Him.

Some ideas of gifts we can consider include taking more time to relax and listen to Him during our prayer time. Spend some time saying a Rosary once or twice a week, even daily if you can. Attending a daily Mass at least once a week is a good idea. Read the Bible on a regular basis. Find a daily devotion online and use it each day. Spend some time in an adoration chapel. Read up on, and put into practice, St. Ignatius’ The Daily Examen whereby by we prayerfully go through the pluses and minuses of our day. Put together a list of half a dozen religious books and read them.

Of course, there are other more creative things we can gift to God. We can offer him our talents to use in his service each day. Look for that random act of kindness and offer that to him.  Volunteering to help the poor, the elderly or kids always pleases the Lord. Keep a diary during the holiday and offer your innermost thoughts as a gift to your creator.

Here’s a good thing to do; offer God this season your troubles and your sins. Give them over to him completely. Speak with him out loud. Go to Reconciliation and offer that up and a special gift of humility; tell him your problems out loud and surrender to his will. Ask Him for what you need. Offer him five minutes a day of relaxation to him by calming yourself, slowing your breathing and using the phrase “Christ have mercy on me” as you meditate. I can imagine God would love for you to devote your relaxation time to him. Spending more time with God is a beautiful gift, however you decide to do it.

God’s gifts will begin to flow back to you in bunches. There are times He will answer your prayers of petition directly. A friend will get well. A family member will get a job promotion they had been working toward. He won’t solve all your problems, but His grace will ensure you make it through. In fact, most of the time His shower of gifts will come through grace and mercy. His loving presence will be noticeable in our lives. His love for you will overflow so that you can share with it others.

He will also make the gifts we receive through the Holy Spirit at confirmation more obvious to us. Wisdom will grow. Understanding will become deeper. Our courage will strengthen. Of course, a closer relationship with Jesus will increase our piety…. and so on.

We can deepen and strengthen our relationship with our Savior through a specific program of gift giving and receiving. We will know Him better. We will love Him more. We will be happier, and our lives will be marked with His peace and joy. Then once we do make it through to the end of this life here on earth, we can be confident we will see His face and enjoy His presence in heaven forever.

By: Brad Bushell

Brad Bushell is a Eucharistic Minister and RCIA Director at St. John in Darien.

“There’s a cemetery in my backyard!” was a typical anecdote I would tell my peers growing up.

Technically, this cemetery is not directly in my backyard, it’s over a stone wall and to the left…but to a fourth grader “in my backyard” sounded much cooler.

Growing up this close to a burial ground, it never really phased me much, nor did I really think about it. Although, I would play it up when I thought other people thought it was creepy…one Halloween, we even had a scavenger hunt to find the scariest name in the graveyard, but that’s another story…

As I’ve grown older, I have a new appreciation for this cemetery, and the significance of it being there has changed from a spooky anecdote to something much more meaningful. Over the years, we’ve appreciated being able to visit our friends and neighbors who are buried there, just a short walk away. Often we would place flowers or a small statue in remembrance.

Across many different times and cultures, people have always found a way to honor their loved ones who have passed on.

All Souls Day is a holy day set aside for praying for the faithful departed. The day is primarily celebrated in the Catholic Church, but it is also celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and a few other denominations of Christianity.

According to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The intermediate option is purgatory, which is thought to be where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go.

Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. There is scriptural basis for this belief. The primary reference is in 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. “Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out… Thus made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin.”

Additional references are found in Zechariah, Sirach, and the Gospel of Matthew. Jewish tradition also reinforces this belief as well as the tradition and teaching of the Church, which has been affirmed throughout history.

Consistent with these teachings and traditions, Catholics believe that through the prayers of the faithful on Earth, the dead are cleansed of their sins so they may enter into heaven.

And so we pray for our loved ones…the faithful departed.

It’s almost comforting to think that our deceased loved ones still need us here on Earth. They need our prayers.

And although that’s something we would like to think we would remember to do every day…it is a reality that sometimes life gets in the way.

And so we have this day as a reminder.

To remember and pray for those who might not just be a short walk away.

May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

By: Elizabeth Clyons, Communications Associate for the Diocese of Bridgeport

As I read and reflected upon Bishop Caggiano’s homily at the Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, I was reminded of one of my favorite passages in Luke’s gospel.

Luke Chapter 13:10-17 tells the story of a woman who was burdened by a disabling spirit for eighteen years, so much so that she was physically bent over.

We don’t know much about this woman. We know that she was a woman of faith, for she was at the synagogue on the Sabbath. We don’t know exactly what her disabling spirit was, we just know that it manifested itself in a physical way, as “She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself” (Luke 13:11b).

Jesus saw her and called out to her. So also to us. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

At a time when both women and those with disabilities were outcasts, He called her over to Him. Our infirmities are never too disabling or too many that He would not call out to us, bring us to Himself, lay His hands on us, heal us.

For He is the divine physician.

He said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability” (Luke 13:12b). “He laid His hands on her and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God” (Luke 13:13).

She was made straight. She glorified Him. So must we, in all that we do, so that others may also know His healing love.

Bishop Caggiano said, “For Christ alone is the Divine Physician who can truly heal us with His love. It is Christ who is the face of Mercy Himself. It is His gift of loving mercy, offered not as object to be received but a share in His very life, that can enlighten our minds, comfort us in our doubts, give consolation in our suffering and forgive the burden of our sins.”

One of the topics being discussed during the Synod is how youth and young adults are searching for a sense of belonging. To be loved, affirmed, and accepted for who they are. Their hearts are yearning for the unconditional, healing love that only God can give.

And He offers it to us with open arms. He offers us healing, just as He did to the woman with the disabling spirit.

At a time when many in our Church are broken-hearted, we can turn to the divine physician.

“My friends, we cannot truly heal anyone on our own. Only Christ brings authentic and lasting healing. Luke understood this and lived his life serving as a simple channel of Christ’s mercy. As a true physician, Luke healed broken hearts not by anything he did on his own but by allowing the Lord’s mercy to flow through all that he did,” Bishop Caggiano explained in his homily.

But we can show others the true path to healing. We can lead them to the Lord, the divine physician who heals the brokenhearted.

“St. Luke challenges us to offer our feet, eyes, hands, talents and knowledge to be channels of God’s mercy, so that broken hearts can be healed,” bishop said.

Bishop Caggiano implored his brother bishops gathered at the Synod with him, “Let us bring God’s mercy into the world, one broken heart at a time.”

I feel that this is a challenge for us all. Let us accept God’s healing love for us and think of who we can invite into the joy of His mercy.

By: Elizabeth Clyons, Communications Associate for the Diocese of Bridgeport

Thomas Aquinas 8th Grade Learns to Model Christ’s Love and Service in the Community

Throughout the St. Thomas Aquinas School 8th grade retreat, hosted by Father Sam Kachuba, there was one constant scripture passage reiterated throughout the day: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7: 24-27). Those in attendance heard these words echoed during Eucharistic Adoration, and again in Father Sam’s closing message to the students. In the days that have passed since the retreat, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the analogy used to convey Father Sam’s message: storms. Storms are often unexpected; they can roll through with little warning, darken our skies, and flatten us entirely. We can resign ourselves to being left irreparably damaged by the harsh winds of elements out of our control, or we can use our faith to heal and rebuild. Whether we endure storms in our own lives, encounter them by accident, or even cause them for others, we are called to make faith the foundation upon which we stand, trusting the fact that God has a plan for each of us. God’s plan for us does not promise a lifetime of perfection, but rather, a divinely blessed chaos that allows us to grow closer to Him and His love, and spread that love to others.

When asking the students what their takeaways were of the retreat, the responses were overwhelming. Grace Patrignelli, an 8th grader at St. Thomas Aquinas School, explained, “Father Sam gave a little speech which really touched my heart and soul. He said ‘You can either be the storm in someone’s life, or you can help someone in their storm.’ Those very few words left me in tears when we left the building.” The students were uplifted by Father Sam’s words, internalizing them as a call to action rather than simply a sermon. We often fail to consider how we sometimes cause storms, both large and small, in the lives of others. By adjusting our perception of those around us, we can evaluate our own words and actions through the lens of Christ, seeking to serve and love them during their times of turmoil rather than add to their distress.

Nellie Kiernan, another 8th grader from St. Thomas Aquinas School, describes the retreat as a positive, empowering experience. “From the retreat, I realized that God is always guiding us to where he wants us to be, and guiding us to be good, but he gave us the gift of free will, so if we want to, we can stray off the path that God is leading us on. I believe that if we stay on God’s path to the right place, he will show us how to lead others there, too.” The importance of leadership was also a focus of the retreat day. For adolescents today, being leaders and serving others isn’t always easy, especially when some inaccurately believe that being “cool” takes precedence over doing what’s right. That being said, the St. Thomas Aquinas class of 2019 was called by Father Sam on the morning of September 21st to be the leaders the world needs; to be respectful, be kind, and put goodness into a world that so desperately needs it.

The core of Father Sam’s message can be summarized by the observation of 8th grader Joshua Dixon. “Father Sam used the word “storm” for someone going through hard times. He said that if you are a true friend or family member, you would walk through the storm with them, rather than watching from afar. The same thing goes for people who have little or nothing, or for people that society looks down upon.” The students and teachers were inspired to take an active role in serving others in God’s love, rather than watching passively from the sidelines. Student Andrew Cimmino also reflected that “The retreat was a calling for me to become more devoted to my leadership position [in Student Council], and use it as a way to connect with others and find how I can help them past their struggles.” Regardless of whether it is a family member or stranger, a friend or an adversary, the lowest in society or the highest, we as members of Christ’s loving community are responsible for helping them navigate their storms.  The St. Thomas Students have begun so boldly, putting this into action with the beginning of their community service projects for the year, including their annual leaf raking trip to help elderly members of the local community tend to their yards and a school-wide breast cancer awareness fundraiser organized with the help of the St. Thomas Aquinas faculty and staff.

As Catholics, we are called to meet a higher standard of love and service, something that can be difficult for adolescents to internalize. Nevertheless, thanks to the wisdom and guidance imparted on the future graduates of St. Thomas Aquinas School by Father Sam, these students have willingly accepted this responsibility, resolving to act as God’s forces of nature in the world in a time where storms are so common.

By: Ashley Woodworth

As I get older, I realize that struggles, however uncomfortable they may be, are truly a means to sanctification. Challenges teach us to let go of our desire for control, to surrender our will to God’s, and to trust that God’s plan for our lives is infinitely better than we could imagine. Admittedly, it’s probably not something I would have believed if everything had always panned out the way I would have liked (God definitely knows what He’s doing!). So next time you’re tempted to jealousy or despair, try to focus instead on loving God – really loving Him and being present to the graces He wants to bestow on you in your current circumstances. Go to confession, pray the rosary, read the bible/the Catechism/the stories of the saints. Doing these things will change your life…it’s slowly changing mine. Grace is real. The Sacraments are real. God’s love is real. And you’re never too young or old to begin your faith journey in the Catholic Church.

Eternity is forever, so don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today. Rest in the knowledge that you are God’s precious child, that he desires to be in relationship with you, and that He will give you the strength to carry (peacefully) whatever crosses come your way. God knows and loves us in spite of our imperfections, will never abandon us, and wants us to be with Him forever in Heaven –so much so that he would have died for each of us on the cross even if we were the only ones in the world (what an amazing thought!).

Diane Kremheller is an Assurance Manager at PwC in Stamford and co-founder of Catholic Adventures Stamford.

I remember hearing from my pastor, twenty-something years ago, after playing a round of golf, something that changed the ‘course’ of my life.  He said to my Dad, “Jim, in ten years Tim is going to be one of my deacons!”  Hearing what he said gave me thoughts of instant denial and total rejection of the idea.  “Who me? I could never do that!  So I tried not to think about it anymore. Well, here I am, some eleven plus years ordained a deacon in the diocese, and I cannot imagine my life any other way.

Becoming a deacon has been transformative in ways that I could never have imagined.  Immersing myself in study and learning about our rich, Catholic tradition has led me to post-graduate work, board certification in hospital chaplaincy, certification as a spiritual director and integrating my faith and my profession daily. Working in hospital ministry at St. Vincent’s Medical Center are things I would never have dreamed for myself.  Diaconate opened up all these possibilities for me and who knows what the future holds?

Part of the future is being asked by Bishop Caggiano to serve in the capacity as the Coordinator of Diaconate Vocations.  He missioned me to “Go out and build my diaconate!”  Has a priest, a deacon, or someone else in your life suggested it to you?  Have you ever wondered about it yourself?  Do you love to serve others?  Are you contemplating integrating your Catholic faith and your actions together in a meaningful way?  Maybe diaconate is something you may want to explore?  It may take your life in a direction that you could never have imagined. Our Church needs men like you who are willing to contemplate, imagine and wonder if they too are being called to serve.

Deacon Tim Bolton, Coordinator of Diaconate Vocations

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…” will be spoken, per the request of Bishop Caggiano, at the end of every Mass said in the Diocese. In the Book of Revelation, it is written, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven…” (Rev. 12:7-8).

Saint Michael led the battle against Satan and his followers. After the expulsion of Satan and his demons from the Kingdom of God, it was the Evil One’s mission for our fate to be the same as his: to live eternity outside the presence of God.

Spiritual warfare began in the Garden of Eden where our first parents fell into the Satan’s trap. The success of Satan’s temptations can be seen all throughout the Bible. An examination of conscience would show how easily we fall into temptation. Christ may have won the victory on the Cross, but that is not an excuse to passively participate in it.

We must fight against evil by living a life of heroic virtue and praying heroically. Until the day of final judgment, as there will be no end to the mercy of God, there will be no end to the tricks of the devil. By imploring the intercession of the Archangel, we are aided in the spiritual battle which will lead to the renewal of the Church and of our souls.

Colin Lomnitzer is a seminarian for the Diocese of Bridgeport studying theology at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY.

During my first week on the streets with Christ in the City, I was very much getting used to everything: new surroundings, a new ministry, new people, a new team, and a very new dynamic.

On our second day, we met a new friend named Jeremy. As we spoke, the conversation very quickly turned to faith. Jeremy, it turns out, is a Bible nut; He began to preach to us and I found myself annoyed, uninterested, and judgmental. As he was speaking about the Bible and his personal interpretations, all I could think was that this man was crazy and all I wanted was to get away, but my team continued the conversation.

We spoke for a while, until Jeremy asked us what we were doing for the rest of the day. We said that we were just walking around and seeing who we found. He asked if he could come with us and before I could come up with a polite way to say no, my team agreed. So Jeremy ended up showing us to Christ’s Body, a day shelter for the homeless not far from our route.

When we got there, I found myself talking with Jeremy and two of the members of my street team. Again, I was uninterested and wanted to be somewhere else. I was caught up in myself and in my own image of “success” in ministry. But God flipped the script on me big-time. In that conversation with Jeremy, I found myself lightening up. As God was softening my heart, Jeremy made a comment that struck me to the core: “Man, I’m just so lonely. . . . Well, not right now, though, because I’m here talking with you guys.”

Seeing his demeanor deflate like a popped balloon as he began that sentence, only to see him come back to life at the end, I realized that I was far too concerned with myself throughout that whole encounter. I realized that I missed the mark, that I failed to be completely present to my new friend Jeremy. God flipped the script on me to show me that my new ministry was not about quotas, was not about “success,” conversions, or life-changing moments. On the contrary, my new ministry is all about the little moments done with great love, in which God is present, in which He bestows His grace.

What an incredible realization this was. And how beautiful it would have been on it’s own. But God kept going.

From 850, as Christ’s Body is known among our friends, we all went to Mass – including Jeremy. Mind you, Jeremy is not Catholic and had just met us, but he wanted to come with us, so he did! While we sat in the beautiful little church waiting for the noon Mass, we took a moment in the quiet to recollect and pray. As I was sitting and praying in front of the tabernacle, I was overpowered by the powerful scent wafting from my friend Jeremy. I was trying to make do, to put up with the smell when I remembered Pope Francis’ exhortation to “smell like the sheep.” I silently prayed in a bit of defiance, because I didn’t want to smell bad, nor did I want to be smelling such powerful aromas!

In the midst of my interior prayer and argument, I was convicted by Christ’s presence. Yes, in the Eucharist within the tabernacle in front of me, but also in my new friend Jeremy. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 came to mind and I was pierced by his presence in the poor among us, in my friend Jeremy. Absolutely, Christ was present in front of me, in the tabernacle, but he was also present sitting on my right.

Yet again, God flipped the script on me. This day, this ministry, was not about me. It was about my friend Jeremy. It was about seeing Christ in him; indeed, it was about seeing Christ in each and every moment and every person along my route that day and every day. Jesus was calling me, was inviting me to draw nearer to Him and to “love until it hurts,” reaching out to his beloved poor as His hands and feet. Thank God for this realization, which came so early in my ministry! Thank God that these grace-filled epiphanies broke through my hardened heart, my preconceptions, reservations, and misgivings.

This past month has not been perfect; it’s been difficult with so many opportunities for growth. Even still, it has been beautiful beyond belief. Please continue to pray for me, my street team, our new friends, and all my fellow missionaries and those we serve!

By: André Escaleira, missionary at Christ in the City

I have been trying to make sense of this abuse crisis in the Church right now and I am finding there really aren’t words. What does a writer do when there really aren’t words? Working in communications, I have watched as my office has tried our best to convey some sort of message of hope to the Faithful.

The readings for this weekend really stood out to me, in light of everything that has been going on. It seems as if they were almost written directly to the hurting Church as we try to grapple with this scandal. And if you think about it…they were written directly to us. Such is the Living, Active Word.

“Decide today whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15).

In all this pain, in all this hurt, it is important to remember that the clergy are fallible and human. It is also important to remember that we have been blessed by so many good and faithful clergy who have inspired us in their life of service.

“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

The fallible clergy isn’t the reason we’re here…

It is important to remember that although the Church is run by humans, it was instituted by Christ. He’s the reason we’re here…

And if we haven’t left yet, no amount of scandal brought on by the enemy is going to make us go anywhere.

I recently came across a prayer card I acquired during Holy Week. It was a picture of Jesus weeping. That is the way I picture Him right now…weeping along with us.

This weekend’s responsorial psalm reads, “The Lord has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.” 

When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,

And from all their distress He rescues them.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

And those who are crushed in spirit He saves

(Psalm 34). 

Let those words sink in for a minute. Let them permeate your heart.

He hears their cry.

He confronts the evildoers and destroys their remembrance from the earth.

He saves the crushed in spirit.

He is why we are here.

He is why we will remain. 

Though our hearts are crushed.

At the end of this weekend’s Gospel, we see that, after hearing Jesus’ controversial proclamation of His true Body and Blood in the Eucharist, people left in droves.

Jesus asks His disciples, “Do you also want to leave?” (John 6:67). 

Peter, the first Pope, the rock of the Church, answers, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68). 

To whom shall we go? 

To whom shall we go?

I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that the victims feel. But I also know that that same loving God who has been with the Church through all it has been through before continues to walk with Her today.

Let His words be a lamp unto your feet. A comfort in times of trouble.

Elizabeth Clyons is a graduate student working toward her masters in Catechetics and Evangelization and working as a Communications Associate in the Diocese of Bridgeport.  

When Pope Francis recently declared that the death penalty is “inadmissible” for consideration in any criminal case, some of us actively involved in the anti-death penalty movement were intrigued by the initial responses from many of our Catholic friends and casual supporters of abolition. The directive which allegedly “changed” Catholic Church teaching on the issue of capital punishment was characterized by some as primarily a warning to other countries who actively practice executions for them to end their barbaric, wanton use of the death penalty.  Upon closer examination, however, the “new” teaching concerning the use of the death penalty must be seen as a call directed as much to Catholics living in the United States as it is to those living in other, more “barbaric” countries. There are a number of reasons that the Catholic community at large must understand the history and significance of the Pope’s declaration, which is now part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), #2267. That section of the catechism now will read:

“Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.

Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.

Consequently, the church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.”

Worldwide, it should be noted by definition, includes right here in the United States. Perhaps some Catholics are not aware that the death penalty is currently authorized for use in 31 states. Although there has been support in recent years by death penalty abolitionists to successfully mitigate and even end the use of the death penalty in some states, it remains an option for consideration for judges and juries in criminal cases in most states, primarily for the crime of murder.  Although the number of executions carried out nationwide has decreased in recent years, some states have recently renewed their desire to execute many more of those on death row, and with greater frequency.

Why is this all of this important for Catholics to be aware of, and how should it affect our viewpoint and opinion on the use of the death penalty?  More importantly, perhaps, is the question of what this change in teaching means for all Catholics and how it needs to inform our deeply held, core belief in the value and dignity of all life, from conception to natural death.

In consideration of Pope Francis’ effort to raise our awareness of the importance of the renewed Catholic teaching on the death penalty, here are some practical considerations regarding the change that he made, how this change occurred, and what it should mean for all of us.

The first consideration is that the new teaching concerning the death penalty should heighten our awareness of certain biblical references and how they are improperly used to support the death penalty.  Many Christian supporters of the death penalty quote biblical passages such as “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life” as biblical support for the death penalty. Even judges and prosecutors in criminal cases refer to this particular passage as justification for a sentence of death. Biblical scholars, however, many of them Catholic, have written that these scriptural verses must be read in the entire context in which they are written, and with a more informed knowledge of biblical law and tradition.  The biblical phrase noted above was written at a time intended to actually limit revenge; at a time when vigilante justice was the norm, and because victims of crime were left helpless after the fact.  The phrase was actually a call for the restoration of victims to be made whole, and not at all retributive.

The renewed teaching also provides for a more thorough understanding of the true value of and dignity of all life. Historically, the value and dignity of life in Christian doctrine was primarily focused on the protection of innocent life, and far less on the life of a murderer who may have taken an innocent life.  In fact, the CCC (#2267), until this change, allowed for the imposition of the death penalty, but only under the most restrictive condition, “if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor….. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the…… common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person.”

It is important to note here that the issue of the death penalty in Catholic teaching has evolved consistently over time. From the days when St. Thomas Aquinas wrote in support of the death penalty (although he wavered on his position for his entire life) to Pope Francis’ latest policy change, the death penalty issue has consistently moved over time to where we now stand today.  The church doctrine noted above that accepted the death penalty if it was “the only practical way” to defend lives, left an opening that some Catholics took as license to support capital punishment in many cases. But many Catholics are not aware that modern debate on the death penalty in the Church actually started in the 1980’s, and has worked its way to where we are today through continued evolution and development concerning the dignity and value of human life. The Catechism’s paragraph on capital punishment had been updated by St. John Paul II in 1997 to strengthen its skepticism about the need to use the death penalty in the modern world and, particularly, to affirm the importance of protecting all human life. St. John Paul, retired Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis had all spoken out against capital punishment and appealed for clemency for death-row inmates on numerous occasions. Along with this line, John Paul II affirmed: “Not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, and God himself pledges to guarantee this.” More recently, Pope Francis specifically requested this change to the Catechism in October 2017, during a speech at the Vatican commemorating the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s II promulgation noted above. The death penalty, no matter how it is carried out, “is, in itself, contrary to the Gospel, because a decision is voluntarily made to suppress a human life, which is always sacred in the eyes of the Creator and of whom, in the last analysis, only God can be the true judge and guarantor.”

With this new provision, there can no longer be a bright-line distinction made between the protections of life for those who are guilty of a crime as compared to those who are innocent. Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said, “The new text, following in the footsteps of the teaching of John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, affirms that ending the life of a criminal as punishment for a crime is inadmissible because it attacks the dignity of the person, a dignity that is not lost even after having committed the most serious crimes.” This perspective attempts to remove our own reliance on vengeance for justice and removes allowance for “prudential judgment” based primarily on our personal feelings regarding the heinousness/seriousness/dangerousness of the crime and criminal to justify the death penalty.

As a result of this renewed call to recognize the dignity of all life, all Catholic Justices, judges, governors, lawmakers and prosecutors should dispense their duties in conformity with the Catechism on the issue of the death penalty.  Leaders in our Church, as well as in our government, are all now held to a higher level of accountability because of this important declaration, and should recognize how this change can help us to be more cognizant and supportive not only for the explicit protection of the lives of the unborn; our government will now be held accountable on all “right-to-life” issues. But our elected and appointed leaders are not to be left alone in tackling this issue. All Catholics need to consider their own views and need to support governmental leaders who respect all life without distinction.  This teaching is a call for all Catholics who might be “on the fence” on right-to-life issues to greater accountability. Practically speaking, this renewed teaching is designed to restore, and unify all Catholics on all right-to-life issues rather than leaving room for fragmentation through the use of loopholes and special conditions. Church communities can now stand strong and in unity. If we are called to be a witness to the truth, we can do so as we stand together, empowered through our vehement objection to the death penalty. Acceptance of and reflection on of this teaching can therefore actually serve as a catalyst to strengthen and intensify our worldwide call to end abortion and euthanasia as well.

Another benefit of this renewed teaching is that it allows for a renewed focus on the surviving victims family members, for the purposes of offering restoration rather than merely for demanding retribution. The Hebrew and Christion Scriptures are full of references for the need to bring healing and comfort to victims of injustice.  For too long, the death penalty has been used by politicians and criminal justice practitioners as a platform for “victim’s rights” and to call for the use of the death penalty as justice for victims.  Citizen groups such as Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation have emerged and have made public disclosures standing in opposition to the use of the death penalty. One of their founding principles is that having a death penalty does not bring “closure” to family members such as themselves who have been victimized by murder. In fact, they claim that in most cases, having the death penalty on the table in their own specific cases actually created more pain for them and delayed the healing and emotional restoration that they needed.  Catholic leaders need to unify and strengthen their desire to create a healing environment for victims to achieve true justice and to not exacerbate the pain and suffering that victims have already suffered, through the continued calls for execution of offenders. Pope Francis wrote a letter in 2015 to the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, and characterized capital punishment as “cruel, inhumane and degrading” and said it “does not bring justice to the victims, but only foments revenge.”

Many Catholics are directly involved in prison ministry to incarcerated offenders, as well as specifically ministering to death row inmates awaiting execution in those states that have a death penalty. The renewed teaching against the use of the death penalty in all cases now provides spiritual and emotional relief for prisoners under a sentence of death, as well as providing their prison chaplain spiritual advisors with firm conviction to emphatically support that inmates lives have true value and meaning in spite of what crime they might have committed. Many death row inmates have been subjected to cruel treatment by correctional staff who have attempted to convince inmates not only that their lives are not worth living, but that they simply need to resign themselves to the “truth” that their death sentence is a sign that God wishes for them to be executed for the crimes that they committed. Catholic chaplains around the world are now provided with church teaching that affirms their dignity and places value on their lives.

In closing, where does all of this leave us, as Catholics, today?  Some will most certainly defy the Pope’s declaration as being out of touch with the will of the people and claim that this issue is and should remain under governmental authority that should not be disturbed by the Church.  Such declarations are now more clearly inconsistent with Church teaching. Of the new formulation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Ladaria, said it “desires to give energy to a movement toward a decisive commitment to favor a mentality that recognizes the dignity of every human life and, in respectful dialogue with civil authorities, to encourage the creation of conditions that allow for the elimination of the death penalty where it is still in effect.”

Sadly, it remains in effect right here in the United States. The question is, armed with this renewed call to respect all life, what will we do to change this?

George F. Kain, Ph.D. is Police Commissioner, Town of Ridgefield, CT, is Professor and Chairman, Division of Justice and Law Administration Program at Western CT State University.  He has worked for the last 20 years to abolish the death penalty by serving as President of the CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty, and testifying in various state legislature around the US to continue abolition. He also serves as a volunteer consultant with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops in Tallahassee FL, working to abolish the death penalty there. He is presently in the Diaconate Formation program for the Diocese of Bridgeport and a Parishioner at St. Mary, Ridgefield, where he is involved in ministries including Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Cantor, Knights of Columbus, weekly Men’s Ministry, Disciples for Life Parish retreat team, Homebound Eucharistic Minister for the sick.

“The future is in your hearts and in your hands.   God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with Him in the building of the civilization of love”[i] – Saint John Paul II

In today’s society, the flow of information and opportunities for pursuing almost any interest are readily available to everyone, especially our young people. We live in a time where children can access information and socialize with the simple click or swipe of their device. This is nothing new, as the increasing amount of personal technology has been ever growing over the past few decades. What is important to realize is that while technology, sports, school, and clubs do fill up the slots of their planner (or smartphone calendar as the case may be), there is still time for our young people to know and love Jesus Christ. To find this time doesn’t necessarily require the cancelation of other things on the child’s calendar, rather it can be looked at more holistically, through the love of the family and nurturing of the grace that was provided to our young people in the sacraments

The statistics are alarming, to say the least. A study conducted by Georgetown University comparing participation statistics from 1965 until 2017 show a steady and consistent decline in participation in the sacraments, vocations and lay participation.[ii] The number of young Catholics who go through the sacraments only to then exit the Church, whether officially or unofficially, is a growing concern, but one that can be addressed both in the local parishes and, most of all, by the family at home.

In today’s society, young people are suffering from a lacking of spiritual support from the family, which is a void that they then seek from other sources, whether good or bad. Young people are looking for relationships with trusted peers and adults to show their witness, bring them to the Church and to show them how to pray. The most basic unit for forming these relationships is within one’s own family. Reflecting on this statement, the importance of the family unit in the spiritual development of a person’s life is brought front and center.

There are varying degrees with regard to the extent of participation a family takes in exposing our young people to the teachings of Jesus Christ. When it comes down to it, through Baptism, there is an inner desire to learn more about our faith and to partake in the sacraments and worship our Lord. It is nourishing and cultivating of that grace and desire that needs to take place in the home – and it doesn’t take a formally trained catechist to do so. It requires a loving and supportive family who is willing to expose their child to the teachings of the Lord. It requires families to be open and honest in answering questions and when the answers are unknown, seeking out the answers together. There is no need to force or even ‘drag’ young people to mass every Sunday. Rather explaining the importance and igniting the desire within the young people to partake in the blessings that are the sacraments is of chief importance, which in turn will cause them to seek the sacraments on their own regularly as prescribed by the Church. Having an encouraging, loving, caring and open family with regard to our Lord will aid in nourishing our young people and opening them up to the blessings that our Lord, through His Church, will provide a medium to bring these young souls to Jesus.

The family is the most important aspect of cultivating young people to be faithful members of the Church, yet the family is not alone in the process of evangelizing our young people. Catechetical training, partaking in the sacraments and sharing in the celebrations of our Church with the fellow members of the faithful is very important. It needs to be understood that all children desire and deserve to be taught the catechism in a manner that suits their learning style and reinforces the desire for an understanding of each individual. Some children will understand teachings better than others, but it is important to realize that it should not be a confrontational environment. All children should feel welcome and all should be provided with opportunities to learn about their faith in ways that speaks to them. This can be very challenging for many catechists, but it is of great importance for the betterment of the student and for the lifelong membership of that child in our Church, practicing our faith and following Jesus to eternal salvation. Having trusted mentors is vital.

Once the three sacraments of initiation have been completed, it is then very important to provide opportunities for young people to take an active role in the Church. This can come in many forms: Youth Groups, Catholic Clubs and Societies, College Organizations, Lay Ministries and simple encouragement and welcoming of young people to be a part of the community of the parish that is their home. I am reminded of a priest, Father Bill Kennedy, who was assigned to my childhood parish as a parochial vicar. Father Kennedy always took the time to talk to the young people, serving as the Confirmation advisor for the parish and then following up with the young people as they entered high school and went on to college. If a kid was interested in a sport or a hobby, he would make sure to ask him or her about it and would take a genuine interest. Father Kennedy would encourage people to partake in the lay ministries and would go to events in support of the young people’s interest. In doing this, young people would then come to mass and partake in the sacraments because they knew that Father Kennedy would be there.  This fostering of an open environment and genuine interest in the life of the young people in his parish is the type of relational ministry that supports our young people in their lives, fostering an environment for them to become closer to Jesus and take up their role as a member of the body of the Church.

What really needs to happen? Our young people need to be enabled to own the experience for themselves!   They need the support of the Church, they need the grace that is given to them through the sacraments, the encounter that is found in the liturgy and most of all they need the support of their family’s!  This support allows them to fully embrace the faith in the manner that was intended by our savior and in turn, will develop our young people into their rightful place as the future of our Holy Mother Church.  Once they own the experience, they will be changed for life.

By Michael Wellington

About the Author

Michael currently serves as the Director of Youth Ministries at St. John Parish in Darien and as the Chairman of the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Committee on Scouting. Michael holds a masters degree in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Northeastern University.   Michael can be reached at mwellington@diobpt.org

[i] St. John Paul II at World Youth Day in 2002

[ii] Georgetown University CARA Stats http://cara.georgetown.edu/frequently-requested-church-statistics/

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to know, love, and serve the poor, the homeless, the vulnerable.

It’s funny how God works sometimes. On my spring break this past year, I went out to Denver, Colorado to visit a friend of mine who was a missionary with Christ in the City, a missionary organization that serves the poor. While there, I was struck by the beauty of the mountains, the community, and the mission. I returned to Connecticut with a sense of peace and joy that could only be from the Holy Spirit. This peace and joy remained with me for weeks, through the humdrum moments and the tough days.

That permanent sense of peace and joy made me nervous, though. What did it mean? Why was it sticking around? Was this something that the Lord was asking me to do? I started thinking and sure enough, things started to fall into place. Next thing I knew, I was applying for a year of service with CIC, fundraising, and preparing to move to Denver for a year!

But how incredible it is to take a moment to reflect back on these past few months in which the Lord made Himself so very present through His Spirit, in the large moments as well as the small, minute details. How amazing it is to think that the Lord of the universe – the Creator of Heaven and Earth, omnipotent, omniscient – would be involved in my small life on such a large scale. How amazing is it to think that God is involved in each and every one of our lives in such an intimate and personal way?

This same God has created you and me for a purpose, for a mission. For me, that mission lies in Denver, as I strive to know, love, and serve the poor. In my new ministry, I hope to bring the love of God to others in this wounded world – a mission in which we are all called to participate. I hope to do my part in this mission by helping those I serve to discover that they are loved, seen, known, and accompanied before anything else. I’ve been blessed to see the merciful, loving, healing presence of the Lord in my own life and I want others to experience that too.

I am humbled by the unexpected mission that God has created for me. With the grace of the Holy Spirit and the help of some very spiritually wise mentors, I was able to see the path of loving service that God presented to me. He’s created you for one too. Let us pray together for the wisdom and openness to accept it!

By: André Escaleira