Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

RIDGEFIELD – As parishes get ready to resume indoor services, new traditions embraced during recent months will continue.

Volunteers throughout the diocese graciously accepted learning new technology to maintain a crucial link between the church and its community.

“When we started in March, I had never done Facebook streaming before,” said Cynthia Conti, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Seton. Conti has been coming to the church every day to assist the parish in streaming masses on the social network. The masses are also posted to the church website.

“Every day you learn something new to work out the kinks. By the time this is all done, I will be a pro,” Conti said, adding, “I feel honored to bring our shepherd to his flock.”

Indeed, many parishioners appreciate the ability to see the familiar faces of the priests in their parish delivering the mass, as they watch from their homes. Outdoor masses, which started on Ascension Thursday at the Ridgebury Road church, enabled priests to not only see the faces of their parishioners but to interact with them as well.

“Celebrating mass to an empty pew is terrible,” said Pastor Reverend Joseph Prince. “There is no eye contact, so you don’t have (the parishioners) reactions.”

It was evident parishioners were excited to see each other and Father Prince during the outdoor ceremony where colorful lawn chairs and blankets dotted the lawn just across from the entrance of the church. Congregants had to pre-register on the church website for one of about 50 available spots.

“To watch the mass online is great,” said Michele Goodman, a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Seton for 15 years. “To receive actual communion meant the most to me.”

Although, Catholics watching mass at home have been encouraged to receive spiritual communion, Goodman’s sentiment was shared by many.

“It was awesome to be able to be here. It was really awesome to celebrate the mass again and receive the Eucharist,” said Nancy Rafferty, of Danbury.

Cindy Bruno, a parishioner for 40 years said the gathering of people at the outdoor mass, “was a beautiful reminder of our faith and how people longed to be together.”

“Worshipping together and being together,” Bruno said, “has given the mass a whole new meaning now.”

DANBURY – Volunteers at St. Joseph Church gave curbside pick-up a whole new meaning in May.

As vehicles pulled into the entrance of the Main Street church, they popped open the trunk or back door of their car or SUV and volunteers eagerly picked up bagged non-perishable items being donated to those in need.

St. Joseph Church and Catholic Charities partnered for the 3-hour event (May 23) to collect and later distribute food items and other essentials that are in high demand.

“It’s so encouraging to know our parishioners care about those in need,” said Pastor Reverend Samuel Scott, as he stood alongside volunteers, greeting each person with a wave, a smile and a few heartfelt words. “We have a sense of belonging in Danbury and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to help those in need.”

Dozens of cars arrived at the church despite the persistent rain and occasional downpour. They were greeted by cheerful volunteers who were also undeterred by the soggy afternoon.

Bags containing pasta, peanut butter, cereal and other important items such as face masks, hand sanitizer and puzzles and books, filled the Catholic Charities “Morning Glory” van in the parking lot.

“It’s wonderful to see a good turnout like this,” said Heather Ely, Director of Catholic Charities’ New Heights Wellness and Recovery Center.

Ely said there are a lot of people who are at-risk, who need help now more than ever. They are paralyzed by the pandemic with anxiety or stress of isolation. Many cannot go out to the store due to health concerns or they have issues getting transportation to and from the store.

“The need is so great and we are trying to find some small way to fill the gap,” said Sandy Cole, LCSW, Vice President & Senior Director of Catholic Charities. “We wanted to have a collaboration with our parishes and the community.”

Volunteers for Catholic Charities have coordinated efforts to deliver groceries to people who are unable to shop or who cannot come to Catholic Charities to pick up the items.

“We realized we had all these supplies in our pantry (at the beginning of the state shut-down in March) and we didn’t want it to go to waste,” Ely said. “This has challenged us to see what we can do and how we can reach people now.”

Demonstrating the need in the community, as a steady stream of cars arrived at the church to donate goods, there were a few who stopped by seeking to be the recipient of food donations.

“It’s sad how much the need has grown in such a short period of time,” said Michael Donoghue, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.
“We’ve seen a tripling of demand,” he said. “Service workers and hourly workers are really struggling right now to provide food for their family. Although this is a very difficult crises, we’ve really seen an outpouring of support.”

The parish established in 1905 has a vibrant volunteer population participating in different ministries within the church and the surrounding communities.

The food drive was a parish family affair, as multiple members of families took on different roles with young children holding food drive signs at the entrance of the church parking lot and adults unloading cars.

“It works well. People don’t have to get out of their cars. It’s very safe,” Donoghue said of the organized food drive, one of several Catholic Charities has collaborated on with parishes in the area.

The generosity of the community filled the commercial-sized van twice. The opportunity to help others and see familiar faces, such as Reverend David Franklin who offered blessings and bulletins to parishioners and people who stopped by with donations, elicited a sense of joy, as face coverings could not quite conceal the smiles and laughter.

“St. Joseph in the spirit of giving, wanted to make a difference in our community,” said Lynn Smierciak, Director of Religious Education at the Parish, who was volunteering alongside her family. “It is traditionally a very generous parish.”

All it takes is a decent parking lot or green space, some creativity, and a few dedicated volunteers.

As churches around the United States prepare to welcome congregations back after two or three months of coronavirus precautions, many are finding a “halfway” solution by holding services outdoors.

This Sunday, which is Pentecost, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, is having Catholic Mass outside, permitting up to 250 people to be present. Confession will also be available.

In Ridgefield, Connecticut, the Parish of St. Mary began holding Mass in its parking lot on May 24 and plans to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. About 120 people attended the first liturgy, sitting in cars spaced out in the church parking area.

“The spirit of those who came, from the emails I got and from what I could just tell looking through the car windows, the spirit was just beautiful,” said Msgr. Kevin T. Royal, pastor. “A number of people mentioned how powerful and touching it was to see the reverence with which people got out of their cars to come up to receive Communion.”

Asked if he was happy to have a congregation again after the pandemic lockdown led to suspension of public Mass throughout the country, Msgr. Royal exclaimed, “Oh Lord! I keep thinking of the phrase of St. Paul in Philippians, ‘As God is my witness, how I long for you with the affection of Christ.’ I think it’s all of us: we want to be together, to worship, to pray, to receive the Lord.”

So all the preparations to hold Mass outdoors were well worth it, he said. Those preparations included decorating a flatbed truck that a local car company lent the parish for use as a sanctuary area; determining where cars could park; painting lines on the pavement to direct people coming forward to receive Communion, and setting up the technology for transmission of the audio of the Mass to car radios.

“We had a number of parishioners volunteer to drive their cars into the lot a couple of days before in order to see how we were going to space out the cars,” the pastor said. “One purpose was for visuals, to make sure people could see the altar, and secondly, so we knew people would be spaced far enough apart so people could get out of their cars and receive Communion in a safe way.”

A parishioner named Steven Y. Lee, who recently started a local Catholic radio station, Veritas Catholic Radio, arranged for the audio of the Mass to be broadcast to people’s car radios, though people could also tune into that on their phones, as the Mass was also being streamed live on Facebook.

St. Mary’s is among several parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, to hold outdoor Masses, after Bishop Frank Caggiano urged pastors to do so if possible. The diocese offered to get FM transmitters for each parish. But, according to Msgr. Royal, the devices were coming from China and were delayed.

Meanwhile, in Milton, Florida, the Parish of St. Rose of Lima held Mass outside for three weeks in a row, beginning on Mother’s Day, May 10.

“So people could get back to the sacraments, we decided that this was the best way we could do it here, because we have all this property that we use for our annual festival,” said Msgr. Michael V. Reed, pastor.

Between 150 and 200 people came out for each of the three weekend English Masses, in addition to a few dozen who attended the Spanish Mass, which was by then being allowed back into the church itself.

“They were very happy, thrilled, to have Mass again,” said Msgr. Reed, who doubles as chancellor of the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese.

The priests of the parish celebrated Mass on a permanent stage that is used for the parish’s annual festival. Rather than cars, St. Rose invited parishioners to bring lawn chairs and sit in spots that were marked off so that they could maintain a safe distance. The parish rented portable toilets and set up a hand-wash station, in addition to having volunteers offer hand sanitizer at the designated entrances to the fair grounds. It printed disposable song sheets to reduce the risk of virus transmission from multiple people handling books.

“We encouraged people to wear masks; we didn’t require them,” Msgr. Reed said.

But for Pentecost, all the Masses will be going back into the church, as the weather on Florida’s panhandle is getting hot and muggy, and gnats and No-See-Ums are making it “a little bothersome and unpleasant,” Msgr. Reed said.

The church recently got a new air conditioning system, and it comes with an automatic filtration system that will purify the air of any particles that could be hazardous, he added.

With the move indoors, the parish is doubling the number of Masses so that the parish can abide by a current 50% capacity rule and people can maintain the social distancing protocol.

Mother’s Day was also the occasion for outdoor Mass at at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Metairie, Louisiana. A total of 1,300 people filled out the parking lot for three liturgies, celebrated by Fr. Timothy D. Hedrick, pastor. Along with Deacon Don Richard, he presented yellow carnations to mothers in attendance.

But now Mass congregations at St. Catherine’s are back inside again, and since Phase 1 of the local reopening plan allows for 25% occupancy in churches, there can be no more than 250 people at each Mass. So the parish website has a new feature: an RSVP button for those planning to attend one of the six weekend Masses at the Metairie church.

by John Burger   I   Aleteia

BRIDGEPORT— The diocese plans to begin the next school year in September with in-person classes and the ability to make a fluid transition to distance learning if it becomes necessary, Dr. Steven Cheeseman, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, said in a video to parents, teachers and students.

Diocesan plans also call for a blended learning option for students who for any reason are unable or concerned about returning to the classroom, he said.

In the video Dr. Cheeseman said that the diocese is ending the current schools year “in a way that no one could have imagined when it started.”

He said a diocesan “Return to School” taskforce is preparing for a back-to-school season that will be unlike any other,” but that the schools will be ready to provide student-centered learning that focuses on the personal, spiritual and academic development of students.

Dr. Cheeseman said that diocesan schools are prepared to transition from the “crisis distance learning program” they began in March to an improved remote learning process, if it is required at any time in the future.

He thanked all those who participated in recent focus groups and asked parents to participate in a planning survey that will be available within a few days. The information will be used to develop “school-specific plans” that will be shared with parents.

To learn more about Catholic elementary and high schools available throughout Fairfield County, visit: https://www.dioceseofbridgeportcatholicschools.com/find-catholic-school-fairfield-county-ct/

NORWALK—Parishioners at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk celebrated public Mass for the first time since mid-March.  But, this time, instead of being in the church sanctuary, Mass was outside in the open air on the church grounds.

Following the global spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the public celebration of Mass was suspended in dioceses throughout the world. Diocese of Bridgeport Bishop Frank J. Caggiano mandated that all public Masses celebrated in the presence of the lay faithful were suspended in the Diocese of Bridgeport effective March 16.

On May 11, working in tandem with state and local health departments, Bishop Caggiano announced General Guidelines for Resumption of Public Worship beginning May 21, the celebration of Ascension Thursday. This first phase of the plan gives parishes the option of offering outdoor Masses with a limit of 50 people, including priests and other ministers, or a parking lot Mass with a limit of the number of vehicles to be determined by the size of the parking lot.

These Guidelines establish protocols and procedures making sure the safety and health of our faithful and clergy is of the highest importance in whatever parish plan is created. Adherence to appropriate health safety precautions for all who attend is required, including limiting the number of faithful present and maintaining social distancing standards.

The principal celebrant of the outdoor Mass at St. Matthew was parochial vicar Father Sunil Pereira, I.M.S., and concelebrated by pastor Monsignor Walter C. Orlowski, V.F., KCHS.
According to Msgr. Orlowski, “God is good to us, to allow us to gather and worship him.

“People are excited, but they remain cautious. Yet the people of St. Matthew are people of great faith. This is a time for all of us to decide what is our personal comfort zones. Safety is first. Then this allows us the opportunity to come to Mass and getting back to into doing what we must do—not only worshipping together—but putting our faith into action.”

Gene Mensching and Joan Walsh are long-time parishioners at St Matthew. They attended the first outdoor Mass on Ascension Thursday.  During the outdoor Mass, parishioners bring lawn chairs and maintain social distancing protocols during Mass and while receiving Holy Communion.

“This is fantastic,” Mensching said.

“It’s the perfect way to come back for the first time,” Walsh added.

“We are very anxious to be here and receive Holy Communion and to be with all the people we haven’t seen in a long time.”

Liz Reid from Stamford attended the afternoon parking lot Mass.  For the parking lot Mass, worshipers remain in their vehicles and listen to the Mass broadcast on FM radio. Again, social distancing is maintained with regards to how the vehicles are parked and as the faithful leave their vehicles to receive Holy Communion.

“Monsignor and Father Sunil have worked tirelessly to keep faith in everyone’s mind and heart.

“It’s a beautiful day.  I am thankful to God and looking familiar to celebrating Mass with familiar faces, people that I have enjoyed celebrating Mass with over the years,” Reid added. “Most importantly, I was anticipating receiving the Holy Eucharist.

“My mom, Dodi McCollem, came with me to Mass today.  We originally lived across the pond from St. Matthew, but my mom has lived in Florida for the past several years before recently moving back to Connecticut.

“As we approached the church today, she had tears in her eyes.”

The outdoor public celebration of Mass remains optional at the discretion of the local pastor, and is subject to such elements as inclement weather.  Local parishes should be contacted for specifics on the resumption of public Masses.

For more information on the General Guidelines for Resumption of Public Worship, please click here.

NEW FAIRFIELD—The parking lot of St. Edward the Confessor resembled a drive-in movie theater from years ago as Catholics gathered to worship at an outdoor Mass.

The well-orchestrated first mass of its kind at the church offered an opportunity for disciples of Christ to participate in Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time in more than two months since the state was shuttered due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I haven’t seen you guys in so long,” Rev. Nick Cirillo said. “I’m so happy to see you all now,” he exclaimed as he stood under the awning of the church entryway to shelter from the persistent rain and occasional downpour. About 60 cars were lined up in the parking lot facing the entry of the church.

Church goers were given a list of instructions when they arrived at the church, walking them through the new procedures including tuning into 87.9 FM to hear the Mass in their cars, how Holy Communion would be distributed and a reminder to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“My friends these are crazy days,” Father Cirillo said. “When we are willing to do what it takes to be in the presence of Christ, we rejoice that we can be together in this way,” he said.

Just as Father Cirillo was saying the blessings over the gifts, the sun began breaking through the clouds.

When it was time to offer a sign of peace, people waved to each other through their car windows and bigger than the enthusiastic waves were the smiles on everyone’s faces; an expression of the undeniable happiness to see one another and participate in the Mass together.

St. Edward’s was the first parish to be founded after the Bridgeport Diocese was established in 1953 and is one of the first to offer drive-in Masses for its parishioners.

Ushers walked through the row of cars indicating an opportunity for people to leave their cars with a face covering on and approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. Communion was brought to cars for the handicapped or infirm as denoted by a yellow magnetic flag placed on the hood of the car upon arrival.

“Because it is Memorial Day Weekend, we want to pray for all those who have died defending our country all over the world,” Father Cirillo said.

At the conclusion of Mass and as the congregants started to drive away, as orderly as they entered, Father Cirillo and Deacon Patrick Shevlin waved to the people in their cars and over the exit hymn playing on the radio, Father Cirillo said, “Many blessings and safety to you all.”

By Kathy-Ann Gobin

BRIDGEPORT—The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t pressing pause on people’s generosity, as many tuned-in to the McGivney Community Center’s virtual fundraiser “The Passport to Come and Grow.”

The fundraiser took place to raise support for McGivney’s after school and summer camp programs.

DJ Allan Lamberti from WEBE 108 was the emcee for the evening, providing a fun and interactive environment. Viewers enjoyed trivia, and recipes for food and drink from around the world.

Those who tuned-in were able to donate by texting their desired amount to a number provided, and donations streamed in throughout the live-stream.

Witnesses to the McGivney Center’s success spoke about the truth behind the center’s tagline: “Kids at McGivney don’t come and go, they come and grow.”

“The McGivney Center is not only a place for my child to learn and grow but it also provides job stability,” said Leslie Carter, a McGivney family member who explained that her family is benefitting from the online resources the center is sending, as well as the weekly family meals being provided.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the McGivney Center has been working to ensure that they are providing for their families and the community.

The center has been able to offer dinner prepared by Vazzy’s, Calise’s Food Market and Layla’s Falafel by social-distancing curb-side pick-up Tuesdays-Fridays through Wednesday, June 3. The center has also been sending online after-school resources to families and has provided WIFI hotspot busses parked at convenient locations for families who need internet access.

“We are doing everything we can to keep our families strong and kids healthy,” said board member Anne McCrory, who spoke about how although McGivney is closed due to COVID-19, they are still providing resources to their families. “These kids step out of their everyday lives and they walk stronger, more confidently and with greater purpose toward something that could show every bit of potential that they have,” McCrory said.

“The McGivney Center provides hope in a very practical and regular way to the people they serve,” said Tom Matthews, board member.

“The McGivney Center is a wonderful example of the mission of the Church hard at work in the city of Bridgeport,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in a video message. “Even in this time of great challenge, the McGivney Center is providing meals and free WIFI for our families and young people. I come to you with great gratitude in this time—you are truly heroes on the frontline of helping our young people to move forward in confidence and hope,” the bishop addressed those who tuned in.

The McGivney Community Center’s mission for youth is to provide stimulating and enriching programs that foster academic success and self-esteem.

Executive Director Lorraine Gibbons thanked everyone who participated “from the bottom of her heart.”

Donations will help kids attend summer camp, provide healthy snacks, camp activities and supplies. By the end of the night, a goal of $50,000 was reached, with more donations projected to pour in over the following 48 hours!

(For more information on the McGivney Center, to watch the video of the virtual fundraiser, or to donate visit: mcgivneycenter.wixsite.com.)

TRUMBULL—On a glorious Sunday morning, hundreds of parishioners gathered in their cars outside St. Theresa Church in Trumbull for an opportunity they had not had in over two months: the ability to attend public Mass and receive Holy Communion. After weeks of logistical planning to meet the directives of the diocese, Father Brian Gannon said people had a great desire to return to Mass.

“The interest level has been so high. It’s very inspiring to see so many people here. And the glory of God is shining upon us!” said St. Theresa’s pastor with his hands outstretched to the mid-morning sun. “What a beautiful day that God has given us!”

Though many parishioners routinely watched Sunday Mass through the church’s livestreamed service, the joy of celebrating the Eucharist in community is like no other. Mary Wolpiuk, a longtime parishioner who attended Sunday’s 10 am service, felt privileged to be there. “I have really had a lot of communion with God during this absence [of public Mass],” she said, “but nothing can replace the opportunity to receive Holy Communion.”

In preparation for this opening, nearly 30 volunteers from the parish worked to create the outdoor sanctuary. A storage container atop two flatbed trucks served as the altar with a crucifix hanging in the center and photographs of patron saint Therese of Lisieux on either side. The reconfigured parking lot allowed for scores of cars to face the sanctuary and enable the priests to maintain social distancing while distributing Holy Communion. Though parishioners were required to remain in their vehicles, they could tune into Mass via their car radios through FM 90.9, dubbed by Father Gannon as the “station for salvation!”

As St. Theresa’s adjusts to outdoor celebrations, only three Masses each weekend will be held—a 4:30 pm Saturday Vigil as well as a 10 am and 12 noon service on Sunday. To guarantee a parking space, reservations are made on a week-to-week basis, with priority given to registered parishioners.

During his homily on this Sunday of Memorial Day, Father Gannon often alluded to these challenging times that the Catholic Church and indeed the entire world has faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the very reason for celebrating outdoors.

“God’s greatest message is one of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope,” he said, as leaves rustled above the makeshift sanctuary and car engines hummed up and down the rows. “During the time of this virus, we have been in a period of waiting, and we ask ourselves, ‘Have I prayed more? Or have I used it as an excuse not to?’”

“Wherever we say Mass,” he added, “there are people who desire communion with God—whether it is in St. Peter’s Square, the back of an army Jeep, or outside in a parking lot.”

While some procedures during the Mass varied slightly from the traditional indoor service, Father Gannon and Father Flavian Bejan, associate pastor, took great care to preserve the sacred distribution of Holy Communion, with parishioners receiving just outside their vehicles or reverently at the foot of the sanctuary.

Social distancing protocol prevented friends from greeting each other or offering the Sign of Peace, but for many, just being there was enough. “Seeing the community all together was very special, particularly during these times,” said 16-year-old Kate Barton who attended the noon Mass with her family. “It was an amazing feeling.”

As Mass ended and parishioners exited the lot, Father Gannon waved and chatted briefly with them all. And in thanksgiving for all soldiers on this Memorial Day weekend, the cantor’s chords of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” reaffirmed to everyone in attendance that despite any struggle we face “His truth is marching on.”

By Emily Clark

TRUMBULL—The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena will host another in a series of contact-free drive-through food drives to support area food pantries.  This food drive is timed specifically to meet the increased demand for services always present during summer, together with emergency needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The drive-through food drive will take place in the parking lot of the church on Saturday, May 16, from 9 am until 12 noon. All donations of food will be delivered directly to the Trumbull Food Pantry, as well as the following organizations in inner-city Bridgeport: Blessed Sacrament Parish, Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Saint Mary’s Parish, The Convent of Mary Immaculate, The Thomas Merton Center, The Missionaries of Charity. Demand for services at area organizations has skyrocketed since the COVID-19 crisis began. Social distancing guidelines will be followed at all times to protect the health of our donors and volunteers.

Previous events sponsored by St. Catherine’s have been very successful. To date, the parish has delivered more than 150 linear feet of food and more than $7,000 in cash to area food banks. Father Skip of Blessed Sacrament Parish reflects, “We all know that we should try to keep our social distance, but the clients of our food pantry simply cannot resist the temptation to linger after collecting their groceries. For a brief moment, everything looks and sounds normal. From within the safety of our parish house, I hear only laughter and normal conversation. There is joy in being able to provide food for the hungry. God bless you and thank you for that brief moment of joy!”

The food banks’ greatest needs include: soap, toilet tissue, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, pasta, pasta sauce, canned pasta (ex: Chef Boyardee), rice, beans, oil, coffee, sugar, tuna fish, mac & cheese, peanut butter, canned fruit, canned soups, bread, granola bars, energy bars, pop tarts, apple sauce, small cereal boxes, Gatorade, bottled water, juice boxes, etc.  Additionally, the Convent of Mary Immaculate cares for very young children, and is in need of baby food, diapers and formula. (Please no corn, green beans, gravy or stuffing.)

Here’s how it will work: Before leaving home, place food donations in bags in your trunk. Pull up to the front of the Family Center, where food will be collected. No need to leave your car!  Open your trunk from the inside of your car.  (If your car is not equipped with a means to open your trunk from inside the car, kindly step outside the car to open your trunk.)  Volunteers wearing masks and gloves and maintaining social distancing will remove the bag(s) of food donations.

You may also offer a monetary donation for this purpose. In this case, the Social Justice and Charitable Outreach Committee will use all financial donations to buy food which will be divided equally among the three food banks.  Please make any checks for this purpose payable to St. Catherine of Siena, and write FOOD BANKS in the memo line.

The drive-through food drive is organized by St. Catherine’s Social Justice and Charitable Outreach team, led by Salvatore Spadaccino. Other initiatives that the Social Justice & Charitable Outreach Team has worked on include: toiletry drive, school backpack drive, Thanksgiving food drive, annual Parish giving tree, pro-life baby shower and more.

(For more information on the Social Justice and Charitable Outreach ministry at St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull, contact Salvatore Spadaccino, coordinator for Social Justice and Charitable Outreach, at caritas@stcatherinetrumbull.com.)

REDDING – The St. Patrick Church parking lot, filled with 50 chairs, was a welcome sight to congregants attending the first outdoor mass at the parish.

“Welcome! It’s so good to see all of you,” Rev. Joseph Cervero M.Div, exuberantly greeted parishioners at the beginning of mass to which they responded in kind with a round of applause.

The mass is one of many being held throughout the Bridgeport Diocese to offer Catholics an opportunity to receive the Eucharist.

Parishioners were appreciative of the opportunity to attend mass in-person instead of the alternative of watching a live-stream of it in their homes, which most have been doing since March.

“I’m grateful to come back to church,” said Diane Riccelli, one of the many parishioners attending the outdoor mass. “Things that you took for granted before you really appreciate now.”

The altar for the outdoor mass, which was situated in front of the two-car garage at the rectory with a statue of Mary flanked by potted plants, was the original altar from the 1879 church that is currently undergoing renovations. “It represents the presence of our parish from the very beginning,” Father Cervero told the congregation.

Father Cervero said prayer is the answer to fear and uncertainty, “When we are feeling uncertain or anxious go to God in prayer.”

Prayers were specifically offered for all those affected by the Coronavirus that they may find comfort and healing.

“We needed that,” Al Garavito said as he and his young family were leaving mass.

“It’s time to come to church to see something positive,” his wife Danielle, added. She and her husband are both paramedics and they said the community church service was a respite from their daily work lives.

The chairs at the service were spaced six feet apart to adhere to social distancing, although families could cluster the chairs to sit closer together during the service.

“It was very nice to be able to participate in mass,” Danielle Garavito said. “It’s still important to come together as a town.”

The brilliant morning sun and calm breezes punctuated the service as the sounds of chirping birds accompanied the musical ministry.

“It was so good to see them (the parishioners),” Father Cervero said, adding that many people told him they were overjoyed to be able to receive the Eucharist. “Together as a community, is the best way to get through all of this. Let us return to prayer always; on this journey we are never alone.”

FAIRFIELD—Fairfield University student volunteers celebrated the 50-day milestone of their community outreach project last week by announcing the donation of their 1,000^th piece of custom-designed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). More than halfway to their GoFundMe page fundraising goal, they hope to continue production through the summer.

FAIRFIELD—Ali Famiglietti discovered spiritual direction during her senior year at Fairfield University in Connecticut. She needed course credit to fulfill her religious studies requirement, so she enrolled in “Students’ Ten-Week Ignatian Experience,” offered by the Murphy Center for Ignation Spirituality. The semester-long course provided an overview of the Spiritual Exercises and included spiritual direction.

Six years later, Famiglietti has resumed spiritual direction at the Murphy Center. She’s now a graduate student at Fairfield, studying for a master’s degree in secondary education to teach Italian. Famiglietti has tried to explain spiritual direction to her friends — she describes it as a “spiritual therapy” — but she finds that her peers usually don’t get it. In the midst of tumult caused by COVID-19, though, Famiglietti says she’s especially grateful to have this spiritual foundation, and to be able to continue spiritual direction virtually.

“Covid felt like everything was torn asunder,” Famiglietti says. “Spiritual direction has given me structure and a way to evaluate what I’m really feeling. Just knowing that and cultivating that sense of self-awareness makes me feel like the world is not going to fall apart every second.”

Separate from campus ministry, the center offers programming that invites the students, faculty and staff at Fairfield into a deeper understanding of Ignatian spirituality. They offer retreats, diocesan programs and spiritual direction for 200 to 300 people at any given time, including 50 to 75 students. The center is currently working with Bridgeport Hospital to respond to the pandemic by offering spiritual direction and spiritual care to health care professionals virtually and free of charge.

In this time of COVID-19, the offerings have expanded even further. While the center’s leadership long wanted to offer digital programming, the shelter-in-place order spurred them to finally start.

“The closing down of programs within the diocese and on campus led us to do something we knew we were needing to do for a long time — that is, to offer programs in digital forms,” Jesuit Fr. Gerry Blaszczak, Fairfield’s vice president of mission and ministry, told NCR.

Blaszczak worked with Marcy Dolan Haley, assistant director of the Murphy Center, to construct an eight-week Ignatian Pilgrimage Virtual Retreat. Originally planned to be a diocesan program, the virtual retreat opened instead to the wider public: From March 24 through May 12, participants met on Zoom for one hour each week on Tuesday afternoons. Only Haley and one priest were present in the physical building of the Murphy Center to respect social distancing rules.

The format of the retreat was straightforward: They opened with prayer, a Jesuit offered a 30-minute teaching on an element of Ignatian spirituality, and then Haley led a 10-minute prayer practice. Topics included contemplation, love of God, freedom and attachment, and magis, a Jesuit concept of doing more for Christ and others. Prayer experiences covered suscipe, an Ignatian formulation of radical self-giving, and other contemplative practices such as centering prayer, imagining prayer, and lectio divina, a way to reflect on the Scriptures.

Participants attended with their devices muted and their cameras off until the end when they had the option to unmute their devices and share with the larger group.

Attendees flooded in — 150 people registered, and around 75 devices (with couples behind some of them) logged on each week from Connecticut, California, Florida and even Italy and Ireland.

“Not least now in the pandemic, people are searching for an immediate, direct experience of God’s presence,” said Blaszczak. “The hunger is immense. The response that we have had affirms the importance of paying attention to this deep spiritual hunger. We don’t claim to have esoteric knowledge. We don’t have a magic key. But our programs focus on the reality that God is already present in and acting in people’s lives.”

For Lyn Brignoli of Greenwich, Connecticut, the virtual retreat has been a space of equal parts community and spiritual nourishment. At 75, Brignoli lives alone; her adult children and grandchildren live with their families out of state. Aside from an aide who comes to help her run errands, texts from her friends in Ghana, and FaceTime chats with her grandchildren, Brignoli is largely in solitude.

Most of the time, she doesn’t mind. She’s a writer by nature, and she considers herself a contemplative. However, when she received the invitation to the retreat, she immediately subscribed even though she had never been to a program at the Murphy Center before.

“It was a knee-jerk response, I didn’t have to think about it,” Brignoli said.

Brignoli misses her church on Sunday mornings, filled with people and colored with beams of light streaming through the stained glass windows. As she attended the eight sessions of the retreat, she felt herself transported from her home.

“When you connect virtually, there are limitless possibilities,” said Brignoli. “It takes me beyond just my little neighborhood here. Now I’m in Fairfield!”

Although Brignoli is a convert to Catholicism and only vaguely knew about St. Ignatius and the Spiritual Exercises, she said that she found the “very deep and very exquisite” retreat to be a not-too-technical introduction.

“The whole experience was one of feeling very connected,” Brignoli added. “We were all feeling something very deep together.”

William Deigan, also 75, found the retreat to be a meaningful experience of delving deeper into his own spirituality. Deigan and his wife, who live in Fairfield, also attended all eight sessions. Before COVID-19, the pair attended weekly Mass at Fairfield University’s Egan Chapel.

Deigan first learned about the Murphy Center from pamphlets in the back of the chapel, but he hadn’t participated in any programs before the retreat.

“The thing that made it very relevant was the theme of the presence of God, that God is very present with us particularly in this time [of the pandemic],” Deigan said. “God is present everywhere; he’s present within us, around us, in individuals, and in nature. In that presence is the presence of love.”

For Deigan, being more aware of this presence meant acknowledging others in the grocery store, extending grace to those who seem to be in a rush, and appreciating nature around him while he’s on morning runs in a nearby park.

The university’s study abroad office is housed in the David J. Dolan House, the same building as the Murphy Center, but Maddux wasn’t able to participate in programming that was held there in-person. When she saw that the Ignatian retreat was offered online, she thrilled at the opportunity to attend.

“I can actually do that,” she said. “It’s on Zoom!”

“That was very helpful given the repercussions of the pandemic,” Deigan added. “When you think about living in the present moment, you value each day.”

For Joanne Maddux, program director of the Fairfield University Florence study abroad program, the retreat launched at just the right time. The first wave of COVID-19 had just hit in Italy where she has lived since 1991. She was experiencing family issues. And she had been yearning to deepen her faith for the past few years.

Maddux has been employed by Fairfield University since 1997, and she has felt very connected to Fairfield University’s Connecticut community during her tenure there.

“It felt very much like an invitation, which made me feel very comfortable,” Maddux said. “It wasn’t necessarily sitting down to doctrine. It was a very good balance between moments of prayer and reading and brief explanations. I found it very inclusive.”

The first installment of the Ignatian Pilgrimage Virtual Retreat ended on May 12, and Haley initiated a second Ignatian retreat with new content. Its first session May 19 had Jesuit Fr. Tom Fitzpatrick offering a Zoom presentation on sexuality and prayer. This current retreat pilgrimage lasts through June 30. (People can sign up for one or all remaining sessions here.)

Moreover, the Murphy Center has ambitions beyond the Tuesday afternoon series. Haley dreams of bringing the Ignatian Pilgrimage Virtual Retreat to people in assisted living facilities and rehabilitation centers.

“Wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to provide this to people who are not able to leave their rooms, and yet desire to have a deeper connection with others and with God,” Haley said. “That’s a real opportunity for us. This is something that we see that really works.”

As Haley wrote in an email to participants, “We began this virtual adventure not knowing if or how it would work but we knew God was calling us to be creative and reach out.” Eight weeks later, with high attendance and rave reviews, Haley feels that the program was successful.

“We are a ministry that thrives on being in person with each other, and this has been an opportunity for us to see if God could break through isolation and see if God could meet us in our own homes,” Haley said. “We discovered that God transcends physical place and time.”

For anyone who’s interested in joining from anywhere in the world, Haley says that the virtual door of the Murphy Center is open.

“I hope people realize that you’re not alone out there,” Haley said. “We’ll find you. We’ll get you connected.”

by Gina Ciliberto | National Catholic Reporter

NORWALK — At the end of Sunday’s 11 a.m. outdoor Mass at St. Matthew Church, Msgr. Walter C. Orlowski reached out to the many parishioners who were watching by live-streaming and could not join the 50 people who had gathered on the church lawn with their chairs.

“For those of you at home, who are watching this Mass streamed live — and we’re grateful to God for your presence with us, which is in the thousands streaming live — if you want to come to the church and receive the Eucharist today at 12:15, I will give you Communion.”

Many accepted his offer. It was a simple service. They drove up, and he gave them Communion, reverently, with no conversation. He wanted them to have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist on Memorial Day Weekend, especially since the Saturday 4:30 car Mass had been cancelled because of rain.

He encouraged them after receiving the Eucharist to pull up on the church property or drive a short distance to St. John’s Cemetery to say prayers of thanksgiving.

He told his parishioners, “I am grateful to God for the opportunity for us to have Mass with you, for you to worship and receive Communion.”

And the faithful were equally grateful, especially to receive the Eucharist, which they had not done since March 14, when the coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings were instituted.

Father Sunil Pereira, parochial vicar, was the main celebrant at the 11 a.m. outdoor chair Mass, which was concelebrated with Monsignor Orlowski, pastor and dean.

In his homily Father Pereira said, “Growing up as a little kid, I always had to introduce myself as the son of someone.” He lived in a close community where everyone was connected in some way.

“We identify by our relationships to each other,” he said. “We are all interconnected or related some way or the other.”

Father said that even when he goes grocery shopping at Shop Rite and sees someone from the parish, they immediately connect as being members of the family of St. Matthew Church.

“We are connected, interlinked some way or another… even though we live in a world where we do not have so much interaction in person,” he said.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus tries to explain his relationship with the Father, when he says, “The Father and I are one.” It is there that he reveals himself as the Son of the Father in the Triune God.

At the same time, Father Pereira said, “Jesus also wants each of us to be related, to be connected to him….If everyone is my brother and sister, then I have an obligation to the other person. The person sitting next to me is no stranger.”

Father said that we can glorify God through the good things we do for others.

“During this time of pandemic, we can see so many beautiful examples of kindness generosity and charity,” he said, pointing to the charitable works he has witnessed by parishioners of St. Matthew, which glorify God.

He told the story of a man who offered to have business cards printed for St. Mother Teresa, but she did not want her name or the name of her community on the card. What she requested were these words: “The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace.

“When we reach out in love and kindness, we do service to humanity and share God’s love with others,” Father Pereira said. “We are called to glorify God by our service and our acts of kindness.”

On Ascension Thursday, which marked the beginning of public Masses, Monsignor told the faithful, who were sitting in their cars in the church parking lot and listening on St. Matthew Radio, WSTM 103.3 FM: “It is a GREAT day — a BEAUTIFUL day — as Phase One of our reopening has begun….The first time you have the opportunity to receive the Body of Christ — there’s so much to be thankful for on this Feast of the Ascension. God is so good to us on this beautiful day, under a blue sky, where you and I gather as a family of faith to worship the one true God and to understand that we are not alone. We thank God for each other because we are a family of faith: the people of St. Matthew, called to follow the Lord, not only in our prayer, but in our care and concern for each other. Thanks be to God. How wonderful it is to see you! We look forward to seeing you again soon. In the meantime, stay healthy. Stay well.”

FAIRFIELD — Parishioners at Our Lady of the Assumption gathered Sunday in their cars for a drive-in Mass to honor the “brave men and women who have given their lives in the cause of freedom, along with heroes in the invisible war against coronavirus COVID-19.”

“Our service today recognizes the servicemen and women who have proudly served our nation and answered the call to arms to defend and protect us in wars spanning our country’s history,” Father Peter Cipriani said in his remarks. “Globally in 2020, answering the call was again repeated. Essential workers in healthcare and related fields came forward to assist and save us, risking their own lives in the process.”

More than 30 cars were neatly arranged in the church parking lot as Father Cipriani and Deacon Robert McLaughlin mounted a small stage to a portable altar, situated at the back of the church between two trees. Behind them was a small tabernacle and above them a crucifix hung from the stonework of the church.

The entrance hymn, “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee),” was broadcast from inside the church to the sound system outside as the American flag and the American Legion flag fluttered in the breeze. On one side of the altar was a statue of St. Michael the Archangel and on the other, Our Lady of Fatima.

“Although continually troubled by this disease, we have become more acutely aware of our need for one another and certainly our need for God,” Father Cipriani told the faithful, reminding them that “As excited as you may be being here to receive Communion, don’t forget there’s nobody who is more excited than Jesus to be able to have you receive him again.”

The Mass was celebrated under a cloudless blue sky. At Communion, Father and Deacon walked among the parked cars, as parishioners wearing masks stood in front of them, waiting to receive the Eucharist. Several knelt on the pavement in prayer. Many expressed their gratitude and joy to be able to receive the Body of Christ again after several months when restrictions on public gatherings prevented them from attending Mass.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Father and Deacon, led by a Knights of Columbus honor guard, processed to the front of the church, along with representatives of American Legion Post 143, to lay a wreath at the foot of a cross flanked by American flags.

Tom Quinn, a Vietnam era veteran and commander of Post 143 and member of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, talked about the significance of the memorial Mass and said: “This is for all the comrades we left behind — 58,000 in Vietnam alone. We’re here to pay honor to all the dead veterans and to the frontline workers under attack during the coronavirus pandemic. This is no different than any war.” He was joined by his wife Grace, the mother of six sons, his son Jim and his grandsons Charlie, and Henry, an altar server at Assumption.

In his homily, Father Cipriani talked about the significance and power of names, especially the Holy Name of Jesus.

“When a baby is born and the couple speaks their child’s name out loud and in person for the first time, it is more than a word borne on their lips,” he said. “That name, that spoken name is like a magic spell that brings fortune and health. That name will echo forever in their souls, adding love to love there.”

Adam named all the animals in the garden, not because he was their master, but because naming them implied a responsibility.

“The naming indicates a being responsible for the one named,” Father said. “It is a responsibility that implies caring, providing for, protecting, defending, teaching and sacrificing for, as parents try to do. And this, too, is God’s attitude toward us.”

“When I think of the significance of names, I invariably think about sports,” Father said, referencing the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at the U.S. Winter Olympics.

“To this day, no one can quite pinpoint how a roster of 20 guys right out of college, all from different areas, all with different stories and backgrounds, defeated the world’s Number One hockey team at Lake Placid with men almost twice the experience of the U.S. players, and twice as strong, who had been playing together for many years,” Father said. “The answer is quite simple: Those 20 hockey players made a decision that the sum was more important than the parts. They put the team before the individual player….Being part of a team is something greater than anything you could achieve or accomplish on your own.”

He recalled that coach Herb Brooks scolded his team, who up to that point had been self-serving players: “When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the name on the back.” The players, in turn, made the decision to play for their country rather than play for their individual selves.

“Some names when spoken are of the greatest significance,” Father said. “More than a person’s name, the name Jesus Christ is also a function or exercise of power, the greatest in fact — the power to save because that is what the name Jesus means, ‘God saves.’” Quoting St. Paul, he said, “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

He urged parishioners to “Keep ‘Christ’ in ‘Christian’ by keeping Christ in our lives, our hearts and in our homes.”

He said, “When receiving the Holy Eucharist, we literally keep Christ within us by way of Holy Communion. More significant than our last name, our first name, our confirmation name is the name ‘Christian,’ which implies we are responsible for contributing to the success of something, or rather someone, greater than ourselves — the Body of Christ.”

Being part of Team Christian, Team Church and Team Christ will lead us to the greatest success story in all human history, which is Redemption, he said.

In an interview before the Mass, Father said, “There is no greater connection a Catholic has to God and other Catholics than the Eucharist and having this suspension in place made people feel a disconnect, but at the same time it also challenged us to think outside the box and figure out ways to remain connected to Christ.” At Assumption, the church was open every day for private prayer, and there was live-streaming of Masses, rosaries and prayer services.

“On Ascension Thursday, the opportunity to distribute Holy Communion again to the people was tremendous, and there was such a joy, such a relief,” Father said. “It was a beautiful day, and everything seemed to be right as rain in the world. It was almost like a graduation. We made it, we’ve arrived at this point. Everything went very smoothly and people were so grateful. At the end of Mass, I stood by the exit as they were leaving, honking their horns and saying, ‘Thank you, thank you. This was great.’”

Father also expressed his gratitude to those who have assisted in preparing the outdoor Masses, including facilities manager Josh Orosz, his mother Irene and brother Sal, along with Jim Guzzi, the sound system expert.

Irene Orosz, a parishioner 25 years who was helping set up and direct traffic on Sunday, said, “When they first closed the church, it broke my heart.” Looking up at the blue sky, she said, “Father must know somebody upstairs because the weather has been great. I’m so glad we’re back. It’s nice to see people gather again to worship God. You can see the joy on their faces when they pull up. We are so blessed to have Father Peter.”

Her older son Josh, who with his brother graduated from Assumption School, has been responsible for implementing some of the worship ideas that Father conceived, such as Eucharistic adoration on the garage roof.

“It’s been fun to get him set up, and we’ve had a good turnout,” he said. “But it makes you wonder if everything will go back to normal. I just hope everyone will be a little kinder to one another after this is over.”

His brother Sal Orosz, who assisted in setting up the altar and directing traffic is discerning a vocation to the priesthood. A recent graduate of St. Joseph High School, he plans to enter St. John Fisher Seminary at the end of the summer.

“I really loved St. Joe’s and found a family there. It’s kind of bittersweet to leave it behind,” he said. He was pleased to see the church getting back to normal and said, “On Ascension Thursday, I saw one family receive the Eucharist, and they knelt down and were weeping. It was beautiful. Words fall short when you try to describe it.”

Thompson Okumodi, a parishioner for 20 years, who was directing traffic, said, “This is a way to help us start to get back to normal. This time has been a wake-up call for people to realize there is a God and that there is a hidden enemy we are fighting. I’m so glad people are here and that they are coming out again.”

He praised Father Cipriani and Assumption School and said that his son Michael, who graduated from Assumption, went on to Fairfield Prep and is now a sophomore at Rochester Institute of Technology, studying computer engineering.

Jeff Thompson, Grand Knight of Our Lady of Assumption Council 11077, helped with traffic control and said he was eager to get back into the church and return to his routine.

“I usually go daily Mass,” he said. “I’m a crossing guard, so I go to 7:30 Mass and I can be out at my crossing at 8 a.m. I’m really looking forward to doing that again.”

STRATFORD — After weeks of being separated from the Eucharist, parishioners from St. James Church came in their cars to a “drive-in” Mass on the Feast of the Ascension, which Father Peter J. Adamski celebrated on the roof of the sacristy, 18 feet off the ground at an altar borrowed from a mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

It was the first public Mass for the parish since March 15 when the coronavirus restrictions began. As Father stepped to the altar, situated in front of a window with an image of the Holy Spirit, he raised his arms in exultation and proclaimed, “Praise God!”

To get to the altar, he and Deacon Joe Koletar ascended and descended on a scissor lift at the side of the church, or as Father described it, “I ascended on the Ascension.”

When the liturgy began, they looked out at a parking lot of 50 cars. Drivers had turned their radios to WSJR (91.5 FM), “Radio Free St. James — the Home of the Holy Spirit” and could hear members of the music ministry singing the entrance hymn.

Above the celebrants was a cloudless blue sky. The altar linens fluttered in the gentle breeze, and Father held the pages of the Roman Missal in place with clips. A news crew from NBC taped the Mass, while pedestrians paused to watch. Across the street, two young girls were seated on chairs and observed the celebration with their father.

In his homily, Father said, “The work of salvation is not done until everyone has an opportunity to be saved…Like the disciples, we are awaiting the Lord’s return in glory, but we also know that in ascending to heaven, he is not just sitting up there on his hands, seated at the right hand of the Father. He and the Father are preparing to send the Holy Spirit to the Church…. Christ’s mission did not end with his Ascension, but rather the Apostles’ mission, and hence our mission as adopted sons and daughters of Jesus Christ, begins with Pentecost and continues to this day.”

Father also adjured the faithful to rejoice in the blessings they have received.

“I know some of you may find it a little difficult to rejoice during this pandemic, but if you stop and truly reflect on these past days and open your hearts and minds to those grace-filled moments we have all experienced as a result of this COVID-19 scourge, you will find things to rejoice in….If you don’t feel you’ve received any special blessings this Lent and Easter, it may be that you are not looking hard enough.”

Then, Father, a former corporate executive and CEO, urged his parishioners to “pray to the Man in Charge like you have never prayed before.”

“Usually when you have a problem that involves customer service, there are layers and layers of intermediaries running interference for the man in charge,” he said. “Every call is screened to see if it can be resolved by someone lower down on the ‘food chain’ of responsibility.”

He said that many companies hope people won’t even try to contact a human being and urge callers to “read the instructions” or “search the knowledge base” while they struggle with a phone system that is “a seemingly endless maze.”

“With our Lord, you have the Man in Charge entirely at your disposal, 24/7, with an infinite attention span because He is God,” Father said. “He is in complete unity with the Father, so there’s no risk of interference whatsoever. The only catch is that you must listen. You may not get the answer you want, but you know it is always the right answer.”

At Communion, parishioners wearing masks came forth from their cars, one at a time, directed by the volunteer ushers, and walked across the parking lot while maintaining the appropriate social distance. Father and Deacon were wearing clear plastic face shields and distributing Communion.

They paused six feet away as Father said, “Body of Christ” and then they responded, “Amen,” and releasing one side of the mask, took the Eucharist in their hands and stepped aside and put it in their mouths.

Photos by Amy Mortensen

At the conclusion of Mass, Father stood at the edge of the roof, and said, “Oh my friends, God bless you all! My heart is full right now, seeing you out of your homes being physically with me on this Ascension Thursday.”

Drivers honked their horns in appreciation, and Father responded, “Praise be to Jesus Christ!” Responses of “Now and forever!” could be heard from the cars.

“My friends, this has been an arduous journey from the middle of March, and here we are on May 21 being able to gather for the first time together and receive physically the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.”

“This isn’t over yet, and we are far from out of the woods,” he said. “We need to continue to pray fervently so that scientists and medical researchers can come up with a vaccine that will save us and the world.”

He thanked them for their continued support during the crisis and said, “Know that I love you all deeply, and I pray for each of you every day. I so look forward to the day when this will be behind us. We’ll be back in that church shoulder-to-shoulder, filling that church, God willing. We’ll throw open the doors, lift up the windows and let the breath of the Holy Spirit flow amongst us, between us and in us.”

Commenting on the celebration, Deacon Koletar said, “It’s a perfect day for Ascension Thursday. Father is trying to appeal to the masses, you could say. We really miss our parishioners. Live-streaming Mass in an empty church is just not the same, and it was heartbreaking at Easter.

Father Adamski said, “What a grace-filled day. My heart was pounding at the beginning of that service just looking out at that parking lot full of cars, knowing there were souls in those cars who have been yearning to be present as a community and to be able to receive the Holy Eucharist. It was palpable for me and I was so nervous making sure I had a good grip on Jesus as I held him up because at our rehearsals this week, there were 30 mph wind gusts up there. The paten I had the host in had Saran Wrap on top so there was no chance of a gust of wind coming along and having Jesus go flying.”

He also expressed his appreciation to those who provided music for the Mass, John J. Masi Jr., organist and director of the Music Ministry, along with cantors Kate Gloss and Dante DiFederico.

Jim Travers, a volunteer usher who has been a parishioner since 1988, said, “Father Peter is brand new, and he has been phenomenal. He and Deacon Joe have been keeping the boat afloat these past few months. This Mass was amazing. We all had a room with a view. I was so hungry for the Eucharist, and that is what I was looking forward to the most.”

Elaine Sansonetti happened upon the Mass and decided to stay. She was visiting the church to drop off items for the food pantry. “I wasn’t going to be coming today,” she said. “But then I said, ‘I’m here anyway, and I’d rather be here in person.’ I am so thankful to Father Peter for what he does.”

Madeline Anderson, a lifelong parishioner, said, “This is amazing. I never thought we could do anything like this. I give Father Peter a lot of credit for keeping the parish going these past few months. This is a wonderful parish, and I’m so glad I belong to it.”

Debbie Griffin, who was baptized at St. James and a lifelong parishioner, said, “I am a devout Catholic. I watch Mass on TV, but it is nothing like being here in person. This was just wonderful.”