NORWALK- All are welcome to join St. Matthew Parish to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Matthew, as well as the installation of Father Frank Hoffmann’s installation as pastor this weekend!
Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano on Saturday, September 23 at 4 pm. Following Mass, Bishop Caggiano will bless the parish’s new playground in honor of Bl. Michael McGivney. A reception will follow.
Our Lady of the Assumption SeptemberFest committee members and volunteers working hard all weekend long! Serving up classics like fried dough and fried Oreos! There’s still plenty of fun to be had Saturday from 1pm to 10:30pm and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm! 545 Stratfield Rd. in Fairfield.
FAIRFIELD- Our Lady of the Assumption Church’s annual SeptemberFest is right around the corner! From Friday, September 15th to Sunday, September 17th, all are welcome to come on down and get in on the fun!
Rides and games will once again demand your attention, while carnival staples and other SeptemberFest favorites will call out to your tastebuds! Hot dogs, burgers, fries, fried dough, fried Oreos, pasta, grinders, porchetta, and liver bacon and onion sandwiches will make up the many delicious offerings at this year’s fest. All the while, the ever-classic bingo will take place in the church hall. But that’s not all! Brace yourselves, for a tremendous raffle drawing that will occur on Sunday, September 17 at 6 pm. A $10,000 grand prize is up for grabs along with a $3,500 1st prize and $1,500 2nd prize. All winners will be notified by phone, so don’t switch off that ringer!
The SeptemberFest is a volunteer led tradition that stems back to 1994. Assumption’s pastor, Father Peter Cipriani had this to say when asked about what the SeptemberFest means to him as leader of the parish. “The Fest means Family! And if there is anything Families need more of today it’s joy…and who better to provide that joy than a Church Family whose generosity with volunteering and donating and organizing is bar none the best!”
Our Lady of the Assumption Church is located at 545 Stratfield Rd in Fairfield.
SeptemberFest hours are as follows:
Friday, September 15 from 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Saturday, September 16 from 1 pm to 10:30 pm
Sunday, September 17 from 1 pm to 6 pm
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the rectory office and will be available for purchase during the entirety of the Fest. Rectory office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm.
The 16th Annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference takes place Saturday, September 23, at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. Click here for more information.
The Children’s Art School at the Georgetown Oratory will have two “Come and See” Class Options on September 16th and 30th. Students may attend either or both sessions.
Ages 5-7 will be 9:30 – 10:45 AM; Ages 8-14 will be 11:15 – 12:45 PM
The cost per student per class is $25 with a 10% discount for siblings. To sign up to attend, please email info@jesusguild.org and let us know which classes you would like to attend.
DANBURY- The Second Annual Danbury San Gennaro Festival, a free 5-day event will be held on the CityCenter Green on Ives Street from August 23 through 27.
Danbury San Gennaro is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Proceeds from this event will benefit local charities, churches, food banks, and youth service organizations. Join us and support the greater Danbury community!
The event begins with a Mass and Grand Procession on Wednesday, August 23 at 4 pm at St. Peter Parish. Mass will be celebrated by Grand Marshal Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.
A full schedule of events is as follows:
Wednesday, August 23rd – 5 pm to 11 pm
Music throughout the day by DJ JR
4 PM | Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank Caggiano
5 PM | Procession down Main Street with 15-piece Italian Processional Band
5:30 PM | Welcome Ceremony at Ives Street on the CityCenter Green
6 PM | Vito Lombardo
8 PM | Crossfire Hurricane (Rolling Stones Tribute)
Thursday, August 24th – 5 pm to 11 pm
Music throughout the day by DJ JR
6 PM | Vito Lombardo
8 PM | Uncle Louie Variety Show
Friday, August 25th – 5 pm to 11 pm
Music throughout the day by DJ JR
7 PM | Vito Lombardo
8-9 PM / 10-11 PM | Phil Engel Band
9-10 PM | Laser Light Show
Saturday, August 26th – 1 pm to 11 pm
Music throughout the day by DJ JR & Vittorio DiCarlo, The Graceful Tenor
8-9 PM / 10-11 PM | The Zoo
9-10 PM | Laser Light Show
Sunday, August 27th – 1 pm to 10 pm
Music throughout the day by DJ JR & Vittorio DiCarlo, The Graceful Tenor
7-8 PM / 9-10 PM | Zac N’ Fried
8-9 PM | Laser Light Show
Do you have a daughter who loves to sing?Would she like to learn more about sacred music?The Rector and Community of the Georgetown Oratory is establishing a brand new choir for girls from 3rd to 12th Grade.Girls will meet up to learn sacred polyphony and Gregorian chant with personal tuition from the Rector, Fr. Michael Clark, and other distinguished teachers. Drawing upon the experience of the English Choral Tradition, the Oratory Girls’ Choir will provide an unrivaled opportunity for girls to participate in the Sacred Liturgy.No previous experience is necessary. Vocal tuition and music theory will be taught through a ‘learning by doing’ approach, where enthusiasm for singing is the only requirement.We will be hosting two Town Hall style Parents’ Meetings in the Pryor-Hubbard Hall for you to learn more and to register your daughter’s interest:Wednesday, August 23rd at 5:00 PMSaturday, August 26th at 11:00 AM
Monthly young adult Masses are being offered for the greater Bridgeport and Fairfield area at St. Margaret Shrine on the third Wednesday of the month, so young adults who live there can gather in faith and fellowship a little closer to home.
When:
August 16, 2023 @ 7:00 pm
Where:
St. Margaret Shrine
2523 Park Ave, Bridgeport CT 06604
NORWALK – The St. Matthew Church Carnival is back August 2-5 with fun for the whole family – exciting rides, games, bingo, burgers, hot dogs, fries, pizza fritte, ice cream, cotton candy, beer & wine, gyros, souvlaki, empanadas and more! Wednesday-Friday: 6-10 pm; Saturday: 2-10 pm; 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT.
Plus, don’t miss our $10,000 Cash First Prize Raffle! You can even go online to buy a chance right now: https:/osvhub.com/stmatthewnorwalk/forms/2023-carnival-raffle. Proceeds to support our community programs.
For those who want to skip the lines, all-day ride bracelets are available for purchase. Admission is free and parking is available at Norwalk Community College, with shuttle bus.
For more information, contact: StMatthewNorwalk.org or 203-838-3788, ext. 120.
After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Carnival of Fun has been re-imagined and is returning this summer! The new carnival will still have plenty of rides, games and traditional Pizza Fritte, and now, a variety of local food vendor tents will be onsite to choose from. We will also have a new nightly 50/50 Cash Prize Raffle!
Where: St. Catherine of Siena-St. Agnes Parish
4 Riverside Avenue, Greenwich
When: Wednesday, July 12th through Saturday, July 15th, 2023
Beginning at 6:00 PM
As in the past, all carnival activities are run by volunteers and we need nearly 200 over 4 days to make it all happen. Please consider volunteering this year by reviewing the available time slots and clicking on your selected time in our SignUp Genius link HERE.
Thank you in advance for your support in bringing back this cherished community event—we look forward to seeing you there!
WESTPORT- Join LymanAID Connecticut for a Ukraine Fundraiser on Sunday, July 9 from 1 to 7 pm for a family-friendly day of celebration and support for Lyman, Ukraine, Westport’s sister city.
The event will be at the Ukrainian American Club, 279 Kings Drive in Southport. To learn more, scan the QR code.
The Office of Safe Environments, Victim-Survivors of abuse and family members will host a special Day of Healing and Recollection on Thursday June 29th, 2023 for anyone who has been wounded within the Church. We hope that any person who has left the Church because of the abuse crisis or for other concerns will consider attending.
St. Margaret Shrine
2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
Feel free to join us at any point in the day. You are welcome! There is no fee to attend.
Schedule (Thursday June 29, 2023)
8:15 Mass and Rosary
9:30 Courageous Conversations with Survivors
10:30 Stations of the Cross –The Way
11:30 Courageous Conversations with Survivors
12:30 Lunch and Closing Prayer
FAQ
If I am not a victim of clergy sexual abuse, is this for me?
Yes! This day is for anyone who has been abused or has been wounded within the Church. We have had participants in our group in the past who were abused by family members, clergy, religious, doctors, coaches, family friends and others. You will not be taking a spot from someone else who needs it, YOU need this and we are here for you.
Will I have to talk about the details of my abuse?
You may share your experiences if you choose in a safe environment, however, this is not required. There will be social workers, members of the clergy, survivors of abuse and family members of victim-survivors who are available to meet or speak with you.
Will I be able to keep my information confidential?
The staff are considered Mandated Reporters which means we will handle your information with a high level of confidentiality at all times however, there are legal limits to confidentiality concerning abuse or risk of harm. You control how much you share in this setting and we can help you make a report to D.C.F. or Police when you feel ready. We encourage everyone to report early concerns and all incidents of abuse to civil authorities.
To register or for more information, please contact Erin Neil, L.C.S.W, Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Coordinator with the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Phone: (203) 416-1406
Cell: (203) 650-3265
Email: eneil@diobpt.org
BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate the holiday of Juneteenth on Monday, June 19 at 6 pm at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 275 Union Ave. in Bridgeport. All are invited to attend.
The evening, sponsored by The Apostolate of Black Catholics of the Diocese of Bridgeport will begin with a Holy Hour from 6 pm to 7 pm. The program and reception will follow from 7 pm to 8 pm in the parish hall.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. In June 2021 President Joe Biden signed legislation that made Juneteenth a Federal Holiday.
Bishop Caggiano will offer a reflection during the program and will be joined by Father Reginald Norman, Episcopal Vicar for Black Catholics, and pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Wilton, and Janie Nneji who will also speak.
Janie Nneji, a member of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield is a convert to Roman Catholicism, having been raised as a daughter of Presbyterian parents. She is an Usher and Greeter, Reader, Hospitality Lead, and member of the Black Catholic postolate and Diocesan Pastoral Council. She and her husband, Dr. Bernard Nneji, are the parents of four children.
“After the death of George Floyd, I dove into learning more about roots of structural racism in our society and within the American Roman Catholic Church and co-facilitated a parish discussion group based on Bishop Emeritus Edward K. Braxton’s pastoral letter, The Racial Divide in the United States: A Reflection for the Word Day of Peace 2015. My favorite mottos are ‘Be Bold, Be Catholic’ and ‘Baking fixes everything!’ she said.
Proclamations from every town in honor of Juneteenth will be presented to Bishop Caggiano during the ceremony.
The program will begin with African Drummers, ancestors dressed in Kente Cloth, a Gospel choir singing a medley of freedom songs, and liturgical dancers.
Juneteenth derives its name from Maj. General Gordon Granger of Texas, who, on June 19, 1865, issued the proclamation announcing that all slaves were free. A few months later, the 13th Amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery in the final four states not subjected to President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation two and a half years earlier.
“The recognition of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is an important step in the continued healing of racial divisions in our country,” Bishop Caggiano said. “We must do all we can to root out the sin of racism and bigotry wherever it can be found. To do that, we must continue to study the causes of racism in all its forms and make a concerted effort to avoid this sin in the future.”
In July 2020, Bishop Caggiano formed a Racial Justice Committee, which continues to meet and offer suggestions to diocesan officials about formation and programming aimed at helping the faithful understand the role we all play in bringing about peace in our homes, our communities, and our country.
The observance is being planned and coordinated by Father Norman; Valerie Bien-Aime, Diversity Program Manager of the Diocese of Bridgeport; and the Black Catholic Apostolate including members Ina Mariano, Arlene Parks, Teri Carson, Debbie Sims, Jackie Soares, John Soares, Janelle Hemming and Karen Soares-Robinson. For more information contact Valerie Bien-Amie: Valerie.Bien-Aime@diobpt.org
DANBURY – Parishioners of Saint Joseph Church and members of the greater Danbury community are welcome to participate in a musically healing remembrance concert for loved ones who have passed.
The concert, “Remembrance: A Concert of Sacred Vocal Masterpieces,” to be held at the Robinson Avenue church on Sunday June 11 at 3 p.m., will feature the musical masterpieces of composer Gabriel Fauré.
“There have been a significant number of funerals here due to the pandemic, in part, but also our central city location has brought many from all over the country to request a Funeral Mass here for their loved ones,” said Pastor Fr. Samuel Scott.
Fr. Scott said he and Music Director and organist Robert Fertitta were meeting regularly to address the needs of people grieving for loved ones and decided to host a concert of remembrance and healing.
“We both sensed the need for our Parish family to be united in our grief and sacred choral music could bring us that unity and peace in healthy and holy ways,” Fr. Scott said.
Registered, active parishioners received invitation letters in the mail to submit the name of loved ones to be remembered at the concert. Additional envelopes for name submissions were available at the side entrance of the church. More than 300 names have been submitted and will be included in the program.
Fertitta has curated the afternoon program that will include 12 vocalists and selections of Fauré’s work including Cantique de Jean Racine (1865), Ave Verum Corpus (1894), Ave Maria (1871) among others and most notably his Requiem (1890), which was composed between 1887 and 1890.
Requiem, often heard at a Catholic Funeral Mass, has seven movements which are said to illustrate the sadness of death of a loved one while also offering hope that after death the deceased had gone on to eternal life with God.
“Heavenly harmony, gorgeous melody, soothing textures are the perfect mood for the words that are being set by this master composer,” Fertitta said, noting how it moves from somber to triumphant.
There is a special connection to Fauré’s music for Fertitta. During his musical studies, as a young 20-something, Fertitta was a student of then 84-year-old Nadia Boulanger, an accomplished French composer and conductor who studied with Fauré.
“She taught the philosophy of life through music,” he said, adding one of her most notable quotes include, “Do not take up music unless you would rather die than not do so.”
Among her many students were important composers, soloists, arrangers, and conductors, including Lennox Berkeley, Aaron Copland and Quincy Jones.
“This memorial concert will include prayer and recognition of all of our deceased relatives and friends through Faure’s soulful modal melodies and colorful harmonic language,” Fr. Scott said.
Fertitta agreed.
“The beauty of all of this music is exquisite,” Fertitta said. “We hope people will walk away with peace, fulfillment, optimism and joy.”
The concert is free. Donations are welcome.
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