Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

These past three days, Brother Michael Moran visited our Parish on an Advent Mission themed Walking Through The Gospels and Through Life. Hear his spiritual and inspirational words in this highlight reel.

BRIDGEPORT—Over 700 people gathered at St. Augustine Cathedral on Sunday, November 17 to celebrate the Memorial of the Vietnamese Martyrs and the 30th anniversary of the founding of eponymous Vietnamese Catholic community in the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano was the principal celebrant of the Mass. He was assisted by Father Augustine Nguyen, episcopal vicar for Vietnamese Catholics in the Diocese of Bridgeport, and Father Philip Lành Phan, administrator of Holy Vietnamese Martyrs  Quasi-Parish, as well as other priests and clergy.

Vietnamese immigrants were joined by their children, grandchildren and friends and dignitaries, including Mayor of Bridgeport Joseph P. Ganim, to mark this joyous occasion.

“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Holy Vietnamese Martyrs Parish, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the tremendous faith, resilience, and unity of this vibrant community,” Bishop Caggiano said. “A blessing to our diocese, this parish has served as a wonderful spiritual home for many individuals, especially our brothers and sisters from Vietnam.”

Following the Mass was a reception that included a traditional Vietnamese celebration with music, dancing and, of course, a variety of Vietnamese foods and treats.

According to Father Nguyen, there were about 20 Vietnamese Catholic families in the city of Bridgeport in 1991.

“First, they came together to St. Peter Church in Bridgeport and attended English Mass,” Father Nguyen said. “Later on, their numbers increased to about 40 families and it was time for have Mass in Vietnamese once a month.”

Due to the continued increase in numbers and need for additional space, the ministry eventually moved to St. Augustine Cathedral.

The Vietnamese Catholic Community was established in 1994 and the only Vietnamese priest available was Father Alphongus Dong Tran from Springfield, Mass., who would come to Bridgeport to celebrate Mass once a week.

Since then, the Vietnamese community has spread to all parts of Fairfield County.

“They come to Mass from all over the diocese, as well as from other places such as New York, Waterbury, New Haven, etc.” Father Nguyen said. “On special occasions like (Lunar) New Year or Feast of the Vietnamese Martyrs, we get over 1,000 Vietnamese Catholics to come to Mass.”

When Father Nguyen was ordained in 2012, he was the first Vietnamese priest to be ordained in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Since then, Father Phan and Father Anh Vu have been ordained into the diocese as priests of Jesus Christ.

In addition, the Vietnamese Community has several smaller ministries including a Vietnamese language program, a vibrant youth group, men’s and women’s groups, teen and adult choirs, a Catholic mother’s group, a Cursillo program and a couples enrichment program.

Regarding the feast day, it is estimated that between 130,000 and 300,000 Christians were martyred in Vietnam during years of 1630 to 1886—all victims of persecution and various campaigns against Catholics during this time period. St. John Paul II canonized 117 of these martyrs (96 Vietnamese, 11 Spanish Dominicans, and 10 French members of the Paris Foreign Missions Society (Missions Etrangères de Paris)) in 1988.

The feast day for St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and his companion martyrs was established as November 24, and the martyrs are considered the patron saints of Vietnam.

For more information on the Vietnamese Catholic Community, visit www.bridgeportdiocese.org/office-of-multicultural-ministry/vietnamese-catholic-community.

GREENWICH — Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Bridgeport will once again light a Remembrance Tree during the Christmas season in honor of loved ones who have died.

The annual tree lighting and blessing on December 5 from 5 to 7 pm regularly brings several hundred people to St. Mary-Putnam Cemetery and has been described as an occasion of sadness and joy.

All families in the community who have experienced the loss of loved ones are invited to the lighting of the 12-foot-tall tree, so they can be honored during the holiday season. For those who do not bring ornaments, complimentary ones are provided.

“The Tree of Remembrance has quickly become an event that families look forward to each year as part of their holiday tradition,” said Family Advisor Jenine Berardesca. “It is an opportunity for them to recognize and honor their loved ones during what can be a very difficult time of year. When we planted the tree, we did not realize how much it would come to mean to families, and the real surprise was we did not know how much the event would mean to all of us. We anticipated the tears. What we did not anticipate was the joy of the event.”

“Each year I look forward to this beautiful event,” said Carolyn Killian, Director of Bereavement. “The energy is so positive and uplifting. I have tried to figure it out, and I would stop and ask, ‘How can this be? A few hundred people come together on a dark December night in a cemetery, and we are somehow lifted up.’ I realize that Christ wants us to heal, and so do our loved ones, waiting for us on the other side.”

She said that coming together in this sacred place to hang an ornament on a blessed tree in memory of someone we dearly loved and lost is a healing and life-affirming experience.

Berardesca said that the lighting will take place at 6 pm. Caffe Bon of Greenwich will provide refreshments, and there will be music. The event is open to the public and people of all denominations are invited. Also, the person being remembered with an ornament does not have to be buried at St. Mary-Putnam.

“We will have ornaments available at the cemetery office starting in November for those who would like to come in before the event and make an ornament ahead of time or who cannot come in person,” Berardesca said. “Families are welcome to bring their own ornaments as well, but we ask that it is nothing of sentimental or financial value because the ornaments are not returned.”

The tree, which will stay up throughout the Christmas season, gives the community an opportunity to acknowledge their loved ones during a time of year that is especially difficult for those who have a loss, she said.

Berardesca, who conceived of the idea, said the tree was donated in 2021 by Carla Pereira after the loss of her husband Dino. This is the third observance, and Carla and her daughter Mandy have volunteered every year, assisting families with making ornaments.

All her friends say Carolyn Killian gives the best birthday gift ever. The best, and that’s no overstatement.

Not an Amazon gift card. Nothing from Saks. Not even Nordstrom.

She prays the Rosary for their intentions, and that’s a birthday gift money can’t buy. A birthday gift with rewards you’ll never fully appreciate until the next life.

And when they tell her it’s a great gift, Carolyn responds, “Yes, it’s the best gift that you didn’t even know you needed.” Plus, it opens their eyes to what is truly important in life.

The Blessed Virgin, herself, urged us to recite the Rosary during her apparitions at Lourdes and Fatima, where she told thousands of people, who gathered on October 13, 1917: “I am the Lady of the Rosary. I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask for pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord anymore, for he is already too grievously offended by the sins of men. People must say the Rosary. Let them continue saying it every day.”

The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary is October 7, and during this month, Catholics should make an extra effort to say the Rosary faithfully because the Blessed Mother never hesitates in answering our prayers, and there’s historical proof.

On October 7, 1571, a Catholic alliance of warships confronted the Islamic empire off the western coast of Greece in the Battle of Lepanto.

The night before the naval battle that would determine the future of Christian Europe, sailors knelt in prayer to the Blessed Mother, in union with the faithful throughout Christendom.

Dominican Pope Pius V believed Our Lady’s spiritual assistance was their only hope in a fight where the fleet of the Holy League, from Christian maritime kingdoms, was gravely outnumbered. A loss would let the Ottoman Turks take over European territories, including Rome.

After four hours of battle, involving 400 warships, the much smaller fleet of the Holy League was victorious. Pope St. Pius V saw the Blessed Mother in a vision, announcing the victory, and in appreciation, he instituted the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, which eventually became the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.

We need the Rosary now more than ever. I recently saw a bumper sticker that said, “Save America. Pray the Rosary.” It’s pretty clear America needs saving. Politicians can’t do it, even though most of us spend our lives intoxicated by that fantasy. So instead of putting our faith in a system that’s flawed, why not put our faith in someone who is flawless and keeps her promises: Our Lady of the Rosary.

Venerable Lucia dos Santos, one of the three seers at Fatima, once said, “There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.”

St. Padre Pio famously proclaimed, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” And Blessed Pope Pius IX was so confident of its power he said, “Give me an army saying the Rosary, and I will conquer the world.” If you’re not praying the Rosary, it’s time to start. I’m convinced that when we get to the heavenly banquet, the people sitting at the head of the table won’t be world leaders or the powerful or the rich and famous or the celebrities with millions of followers. It will be ordinary people, among whom are those who recited the Rosary and urged Our Lady to open the infinite reservoirs of grace for this troubled world.

Father Jim Sullivan, rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, Conn. often recounts stories from many years ago of his family in Ireland, when in the evening you could walk through the village, and look through open windows to see every family praying the Rosary by candlelight. It’s time for the ways of our fathers to become the ways of our future.

How often do we watch the evening news and come away despairing because of another scandal, another conflict that threatens to turn into World War III, or another instance of good being called evil and evil being called good?

Our only hope for true change is prayer, and one of the most powerful prayers, preferred by the Blessed Mother, is the Rosary.

So start praying it every day and become a person committed to changing the world for the better. Pray for your family, pray for your friends, pray for your enemies, pray and don’t stop praying.

There’s a tree in our neighborhood, one that I pass by each afternoon on my daily two miles. It’s nothing extraordinary: just a small but sturdy maple in amongst the oaks, tulips, and occasional pine. This summer, though, it seemed to produce the most glorious leaves, deep green and striking, so soft to the touch.

Most would attribute such vividness to the perfect combination of sunlight and rain. I like to think God’s hand played a part as well.

Once late September arrived, the transformation of those glorious leaves began on my favorite, ordinary maple. The conversion from vibrant green to the warm color code of autumn seemed slower, more intentional than usual as the weeks passed and I observed this tree each afternoon. A reddish orange, reminiscent of my childhood crayons, inched upward on each separate leaf, transforming them gradually, individually. One day, a branch held a majority of green, while the next, it flushed with leaves boasting a hint of crimson. Some changed, others were hesitant—a phenomenon of nature, again touched by God’s hand.

During the week when these leaves approached what meteorologists consider the “peak” of autumnal color, I began praying a Novena to St. Faustina in preparation for a women’s retreat the following weekend. Fifteen of us planned to gather one Saturday for a day of prayer and reflection. Some I knew, many I did not, but we were united in our desire to increase our faith and be inspired by the message of divine mercy.

Each afternoon, in the days leading up to the retreat, I witnessed the transformation of our maple leaves, and each evening, I prayed, asking for a transformation of my own: “Merciful Lord, with the words of St. Faustina and together with her, I ask you to transform my life into mercy. I want to be completely transformed into your mercy and to be your living reflection, O Lord.”

Throughout that week, I contemplated how, through the intercession of St. Faustina, I could offer more words of comfort to others, be of more service to my neighbor, and better recognize ways to soothe one’s pain and suffering. Such transformation, I knew, would not happen in a single weekend, a single retreat. But it was a start. Through discussion, reflection, and guided meditation, I saw that, like the maple tree and its leaves, we were not extraordinary women, only ones looking to God to be transformed into something more, maybe something better, than who we were. And that takes time.

St. Faustina, I came to realize, believed that mercy should be a fundamental part of how people treat others, defined, in part, by the beauty of patience. While we see that in so many facets of our lives, we see it also in the beauty that emerges each autumn through the transformation of the leaves surrounding us. That, too, cannot be rushed as it takes on a beauty of its own, radiating a brilliance masked during summer months, one that only God could create.

Sitting on the grounds of the retreat center, beside a maple tree not unlike the one I’ve admired, I prayed the words of St. Faustina: “O Lord, transform me into yourself, for you can do all things.”

BRIDGEPORT- The Diocese of Bridgeport’s office of The Pontifical Mission Society was recently awarded the Bl. Carlo Acutis Award for Excellence in Digital Engagement.

Bl. Carlo Acutis, the award’s namesake, was beatified for his development of a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles around the world. His canonization is set to take place next year.

While other dioceses are struggling with a time consuming manual paper process, the Diocese of Bridgeport’s team has created an effective digital solution, which resulted in receiving this award.

Special thanks is extended to Christopher Gillespie and Astrid Alvarez for developing a working tool for managing the Coop Mission Sunday process.

HAMDEN, CONN. – The annual Holly Berry Festival juried craft fair returns to Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden on November 22 and 23. Now in its 46th year, the Holly Berry Festival is a Christmas tradition hosted by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a congregation of religious sisters based in Hamden.

More than 45 artisans from Connecticut and Massachusetts will be on site selling handcrafted goods and specialty food just in time for Christmas. Visitors can shop for holiday and home décor, jewelry, apparel, accessories, and more across 50+ booths. Handcrafted wares, food and baked goods made by the Apostle Sisters, including Italian-style pickled eggplant, will also be available for purchase.

In addition to great holiday shopping, the Holly Berry features a variety of raffle drawings, including a Visa gift card raffle featuring three prizes: $1,500 in Visa gift cards, $500 in Visa gift cards and a $250 Visa gift card. There are also gift basket raffles, restaurant gift card raffles, and a Christmas tree raffle featuring decorated 4-foot artificial trees.

Be sure to bring the whole family to enjoy pictures with Santa, face painting and a children’s craft area. There is also a food court and bake sale.

Admission and parking are free. Festival hours are 3 to 8 pm on Friday, November 22, and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, November 23.

For those who cannot come in person, many of the handcrafted items made by the Sisters will be available for purchase online November 14-17 at hollyberry.org. Event proceeds benefit the care of the retired and aging Apostle Sisters.

About the Apostles

Founded by Bl. Clelia Merloni, the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are consecrated women of the Church who share the love of Christ through active ministry in the areas of education, health care, social services, and pastoral and Diocesan leadership. The Apostles minister in five states and 15 countries. The United States Provincialate is located in Hamden, Connecticut. Visit www.ascjus.org for more information.

By Ron Kuzlik

BRIDGEPORT – Members of the Knights of Columbus from Rev. John H. Stapleton Council 2287 at St Aloysius Parish in New Canaan honored resident veterans with a barbeque lunch and reception at the Homes For the Brave in Bridgeport on Columbus Day, October 14.

About a dozen Brother Knights, along with Father Flavian Bejan, a Knight as well as associate pastor at St Aloysius, prepared, cooked and served hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, snacks and drinks for the Veterans.

“We are supplying and cooking lunch for all the resident veterans on Columbus Day in the tradition of the Knights of Columbus seeking to serve those in need and as an expression of thanks for their service to our country,” Council 2287 Grand Knight Andy Mank explained.

Homes For the Brave provides housing and services necessary to help homeless individuals return to a productive and meaningful life via immediate basic needs assistance and referrals for emergency and permanent housing, vocational services and training, entitlements, and supportive services.

“Our mission is to prepare these veterans mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially to become permanently housed,” Homes for the Brave Chief Executive Officer Vincent Santilli said. “We have a clinical program and a vocational program at our Service Center. All of these things are designed to get veterans who are currently struggling back on their feet.”

About 40 male veterans from all services currently reside in the Bridgeport location, along with another 10 female veterans experiencing similar life challenges in the nearby PFC Nicholas A. Madaras Home for Women Veterans.

Moises Ortega is outreach case manager and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), as well as a Marine Corps Veteran.

“Our work is about awareness, talking and networking with various local service agencies,” Ortega said. “We have an inhouse clinical program that is available to residents and always free of charge. There is also a vocation employment program which ensures that Veterans stay connected to a network for jobs matching residents with potential employers … Our biggest focus is ensuring that they have a network and safety net once they leave our program.”

Aaron and Bernard are current residents of Homes for the Brave. They both served in Motor T, or Motor Transport in the U.S. Marine Corps. That is, they were responsible for operating and maintaining one of the world’s largest fleets of wheeled vehicles, including Humvees, semi-tractor-trailer rigs, and others.

“We are absolutely grateful for days like today. We have these folks out here helping the Veterans and the community at large,” Aaron said.

“We really appreciate when people such as the Knights come out to show their thanks and appreciation for what we’ve done in the military,” Bernard added.

Grand Knight Andy Mank explained that there are a number of Veterans in their Knights of Columbus council.

“So it was a perfect match to serve and recognize the residents of Homes for the Brave.” Mank said.

He hopes to expand the number of Columbus Day service projects the Council helps organize.

“Next year we would like to complete multiple projects that address nearby needs and have members of the local community participating with us.”

For more information on Homes for the Brave, visit www.homesforthebrave.org. For more information on Knights of Columbus Council 2287, visit www.starcc.com/kofc.

TRUMBULL—-No truer words were perhaps written by Paul McCartney in his song “Let It Be”: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me.” And composer Anna Bendiksen hopes the faithful of the Diocese of Bridgeport can turn to Mary with the help of her new hymn.
The piece, titled, “O Blessed Mother, Holy Maid,” calls upon Our Lady, giving expression to the burdens we share as a country and calling upon her help. It is to the tune of “The Moreen,” an early 19th-century tune usually sung to the words “The minstrel boy to the war is gone.”
Owing to the song’s content, Bendiksen believes it would work especially well for feasts celebrating Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (the patroness of the United States), as well as national holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Election Day and Veterans Day.
“As one who came to the Catholic Faith in adulthood, I find it difficult to bear when we Catholics are unable to speak the truth in love to each another, for if we fail at that we shall never be able to speak the truth in love to the world around us,” Bendiksen said. ” In this difficult time for our country and the world, I wrote this hymn as a reminder that evil, lies and hatred cannot withstand the power of Our Lady and her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who himself is Truth and Love.”

By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano inducted 39 people into the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament on November 3 and told them, “The world is blind and much of the Church is asleep before this great sacrament, so it’s up to you to energize God’s people and proclaim this great gift that is given to everyone who comes to him in faith.”

The inaugural members of the guild included deacons and their wives, laypeople and their families, including teenagers and children, committed to Eucharistic spirituality. Ten priests, including Bishop Caggiano, will also be inducted on December 12 at the Clergy Advent Day of Reflection.

During his homily at the Pontifical Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, the bishop called the inductees to action and said, “We are the leaven and have been given the grace so that we might animate, stir this body to greater holiness, to greater service, to greater dedication, to greater witness of this power of salvation in Jesus Christ.”

“Each of us in a different way, each of us with our own gifts and talents, each of us with our own prayer life and our own struggles and challenges are leaven,” he said, “so that this bread, this living Body of Christ, may continue to grow and thrive until it includes the whole world.”

He said the aspirants were being called to “be heralds of this great mystery, to be leaven within, not by how you may preach or teach, but by the integrity of your life so that people may see you as a joyful, faithful, dedicated, generous, kind and forgiving woman or man who proclaims that the Eucharist is alive in your heart—and in it the presence of Christ—and by that attractive witness, you will invite others to see what you kneel before in adoration.”

Luigi Manente, director of guilds for the Diocese of Bridgeport, said, “We are living in a time when we need a Eucharistic revival because as we draw people closer to the Eucharist, they will draw others closer to Christ.”

The guild, he said, is a community of priests, deacons, religious and the laity that seek to deepen their personal holiness by developing a Eucharistic spirituality by devoting themselves to Eucharistic adoration and drawing others to prayer before the True Presence of Our Lord.

The mission statement of the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament encourages a deepening of Eucharistic spirituality through reverence for the Blessed Sacrament in prayer and adoration. Members commit themselves to ongoing spiritual renewal and fraternity, works of charity and acts of reparation for the sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Central to their mission is perpetuating knowledge, love and reverence of the Blessed Sacrament in the secular world, especially among Catholics who struggle with belief in the Real Presence.

Monsignor Kevin Royal, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield, which has a Perpetual Adoration chapel, came with a large contingent of 16 parishioners, who were among the inaugural inductees.

“The Lord asked this of us, when he said, ‘This is my Body, do this in remembrance of me,’” Monsignor Royal said. “It doesn’t stop at Mass. He also expects us to appear before him in Adoration.”

Carol Incarnacao-Schirm of St. Mary’s said, “The Eucharist is everything to me. We are called to be heralds of the Eucharist in the world, and by being a little glimmer of Christ, we can change the world.”

She credits Monsignor Royal with helping her on her journey of faith and said that the Adoration chapel is available any time of the day for those who wish to adore the Eucharistic Jesus.

Laurel Silveria of St. Mary’s was also inducted with her husband Robert and three daughters, Clare, Rosa and Teresa. “We are trying to create structure for our family to be in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,” she said, noting that the requirements for participation in the guild include regular prayer and Adoration.

Joe Boscia of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel Parish in Stamford, who is active in the Knights of Columbus, said, “Being at Adoration gives me a special feeling and helps me recognize the importance of the time I spend in church.” He regularly goes to Adoration at his church and the Redemptoris Mater Seminary’s perpetual Adoration chapel in Stamford.

Gina and Marc Pin of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Ridgefield were among the inductees.

Gina said the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament is the foundation of all the diocesan guilds because “It starts with the Eucharist and belief in the True Presence.”

She said she often goes to the perpetual adoration chapel at nearby St. Mary’s.

“As I’ve gotten older and I need more graces, I find them in the Eucharist,” she said.

Gina also said that she and Marc are committed to the guild’s evangelization mission, which is “to bring heaven to earth.”

In addition to the ceremony for the Guild of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Dr. Stephen Maddox of Newtown was inducted separately by the bishop into the St. Luke Guild for Healthcare Workers because he could not attend that guild’s event several weeks ago.

By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT — Bishop Frank J. Caggiano told 65 couples who gathered for the annual Wedding Jubilarian Mass they were powers of example “in a society that considers marriage a contract rather than a covenant.”

The couples, who had from 25 to 69 years together joined family and friends at St. Augustine Cathedral recently to celebrate their marriages and be honored.

“You have shown us love is possible, and it can endure in a world that would like to tell us that love will not last,” he said. “Love has brought you together in union and has also created life, which you alone could not do. Your love does not just show the beauty of human love, but also shows the beauty of divine love because you are the mirror image of God’s love for us, for the Church, and for all creation.”

Bishop Caggiano said there are people who have come to him after witnessing suffering, difficulty and chaos and said, “Show me where God is. You talk about a God who is loving and gracious and merciful, but when I pick up the paper or go online, I don’t see that God. So show me where this God is. Show me his face.”

The bishop told the jubilarians they were the face of God: “You are the living sacrament of God’s love in the world because just as you have experienced the love that has brought two into one in union—and from that union has created life—so too that is who God is. God is a community of love, self-sacrifice and total empathy: Father to Son, Son to Father. And the Spirit is the love between them.”

He said the assembled couples were “one of the greatest tools to evangelize the world to show that God is truly alive.”

“You have discovered what the Lord has taught us: Love is not simply a feeling or a passion,” the bishop said. “It’s a choice that is made a thousand times every day in times that are good, in times that are bad, in times of great triumph, and in times of great sorrow and loss,” he said. “And for those of you who have the privilege of being blessed to have children, and their children have children, all those joys and sorrows and sufferings just get multiplied over and over again. That’s why we come here to thank you and to honor you.”

The couples renewed their commitment to one another and later gathered to have their photos taken with the bishop. Their secrets to an enduring marriage included patience, understanding, love, prayer, sacrifice and a commitment to God.

Juan and Ana Gerena, who were joined by their daughter Ana George, celebrated their 69th anniversary on June 23 and first met as teenagers in Puerto Rico. Ana said after all these years, they still go everywhere together and that their marriage relies on patience, understanding and being nice to each other. Juan said they never argue or fight. 

Their daughter said, “I am so blessed that they’re here and are able to celebrate together.”

Dennis and Carol Bogue of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Stratford have been married 50 years. How did they do it? 

“I worked nights and she worked days,” Dennis said with a smile.

Carol added, “We hit it off as soon as we met.” That was at McDonald’s, where they worked when Dennis got out of the service and she was studying at Central Connecticut State College. She later taught in Catholic schools throughout the diocese. 

“Our parents were also great role models for us,” she added.

Anna Maria Fides Asistin and Rodolfo Araullo of St. Joseph Parish in Brookfield have been married 50 years, and she credited their longevity to the “Third Party in our marriage: God.”

She said, “Marriage is a crowd and Jesus is in it.” 

Rodolfo said the secret is simple: “Say, ‘Yes, Dear.’” He was 24 and she 20 when they married in their homeland of the Philippines.

Bob and Yvonne Wilkins of St. Stephen Parish in Trumbull, who have been married 60 years, said every night before going to bed, they trace the Sign of the Cross on each other’s foreheads, kiss and say, “God loves you, and so do I.” 

Yvonne added, “We always cherish and respect each other.”

June and Ed Machia of St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull were married 52 years ago at St. Mary in Derby on August 5, 1972 June, who became a Catholic because she respected his faith, said, “Never go to bed angry.” Ed said that while they may argue, they resolve any dispute quickly and listen to each other. 

“Happy wife, happy life,” he added.

Marie and Dom Moura of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bridgeport were celebrating 40 years of marriage. She stressed the importance of “keeping God as the center of your life.” 

Dom added, “Forget the little things and keep moving forward.”

Tom and Judy Curtin of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich, who have been married 50 years, said their formula is “Always say, ‘Yes, Dear.’”

Tom and Virginia Gunther of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Wilton, married 50 years, offered this advice: “Make a firm commitment at the beginning and remember you took a sacred vow. Always have patience with your partner and understand you’re a team … a sense of humor helps.”

Patience and enduring love are the secret for Martin and Denise Gross of St. Mark Parish in Stratford, who have been married 50 years. Denise said: “Don’t ever give up on each other through thick and thin and keep your love for each other in your heart.” 

Martin’s response? “Whatever she says, I agree.”

Marie and Elie Cayo of St. Joseph-St. Ladislaus Parish in Norwalk were celebrating their 50th anniversary that day, October 26. Marie said, “Love God every day.” Elie added, “I love God every day and my wife and kids and all my family.” 

The couple, who were married in Haiti, have seven children and eight grandchildren.

Lucy and Jim Rouse of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield, who are married 50 years, said: “You have to have a lot of patience and swallow hard. Have fun and laugh a lot.” 

Jim added, “We help one another … and haven’t argued in a long time.”

Diocese of Bridgeport Wedding Jubilarians

  • Mr. & Mrs. Rodolfo Araullo and Ana Maria Fides Asistin — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and Susan Berry — 25 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Dennis and Carol Bogue — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. George and Kathleen Borrelli — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Sophie Broadley — 25 years
  • Dn. & Mrs. James and Janet Brown— 65 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Elie and Marie Jeanne Cayo — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. John and Amelia Coehlo — 54 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. John and Theresa Croffy — 55 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Licia Cuccia — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. and Judith Curtin — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Anthony and Rose Marie D’Aquila — 45 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Eric and Laura Dautel — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Anthony and Rita DeSabella — 25 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Deanne Donia — 67 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Matthew and Maureen Farrell — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. and Jacqueline Ferri — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Anita Field — 54 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. James and Donna Fletcher — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Jon William and Patricia Font — 60 years
  • Dr. & Mrs. Paul and Linda Gargano — 55 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Juan and Ana Gerena — 69 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Paul and Irene Gifford — 56 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Martin and Denise Gross — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Virginia Gunther — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Glenn and Patricia Hansen — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. David and Mary Ann Hyde — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Ralph and Arlene Ieva — 51 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Ann L’Altrella — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. George and Patricia Lauri — 60 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Attila and Andrea Levai — 52 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Edward and June Machia — 52 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Rocco and JoAnn Mancuso — 45 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. John C. and Elizabeth Marchese — 45 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. and Mary Joan Marus — 65 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Rick and Susan Mazur — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. William and Joanne Medalis — 60 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Kathleen Miazga — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. James and Ivana Money — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. João and Assunção Monteiro — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Dom and Marie Moura— 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Patsy and Patricia Pagliarulo — 68 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Gustavo Ivan Ayala Paredes and Sonia Alexandra Llerena Sevilla— 25 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. James and Kerry Plutte — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. John and Celeste Puglisi — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey and Barbara Roeder — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. James and Lucille Rouse — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. David and Madeline Saad — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Angel and Gladys Salgado — 52 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. David and Susan Shaw — 25 years
  • Dn. & Mrs. David and Kathleen Sochacki — 55 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Ronald and Bridget Solano — 46 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. James and Elaine Somers — 40 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Richard and Stacie Stueber — 25 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. and Anna Thampoe — 66 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. James and Patricia Tharrington — 55 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Fulvio and Elide Tramontina — 62 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Natalie Tremonte — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Ronan and Martine Wicks — 25 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Yvonne Wilkins — 60 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Scott and Joanne Williams — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Michael and Kathleen Yomazzo — 60 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Pete and Kim Zaksewicz — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and LuAnn Zaleski — 50 years
  • Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Joyce Zaleski — 25 years

GREENWICH—Father William F. Carey, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. He was 84 years old.

William Francis Carey Jr. was born on September 27, 1940, in Bridgeport to William and Mary Carey. He was baptized at St. Patrick Church in Bridgeport and received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation there as well. He attended grammar school at Hallen School in Bridgeport and high school at Fairfield Prep.

He attended preparatory seminary at St. Thomas in Bloomfield, Conn., and went on to receive his priestly formation at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., graduating with a degree in philosophy. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport on May 20, 1967, by Bishop Walter W. Curtis.

Father Carey celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Bridgeport. He went on to serve at St. Mary Parish in Norwalk, St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport, St. Mary Parish in Greenwich, and was pastor at St. Agnes Parish in Greenwich from 2006 to 2010. He also was assigned as faculty member of Immaculate High School in Danbury, where he taught for 14 years. In addition, he was a member of the diocesan priests’ council. Father Carey also served in active duty as Chaplain in the U.S. Army within the Archdiocese for Military Services.

Father Carey’s body will be received by Father William Platt on November 13, 2024 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside, at 9 am and lie in repose until 11 am. At that time, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate Father Carey’s funeral Mass. Father James McDevitt will be the homilist. Burial, which will include military honors, will be immediately following at St. Mary Cemetery, 399 North St., Greenwich.

Condolences can be sent to Father Carey’s sister, Maureen Carey, 26 Laurel Woods Road, Woodbury, CT  06798.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Carey and for the consolation of his family.

BRIDGEPORT—The Diocese of Bridgeport recently announced the appointment of Mrs. Stacie Stueber as its Superintendent of Schools. Stueber, who has served as the diocese’s interim superintendent since July 2024 and as deputy superintendent since 2016, brings over two decades of experience and leadership in Catholic education to her new role.

Under her interim leadership, Stueber implemented key initiatives that enrich the educational experience for all students across all of the diocese’s schools. Her commitment to providing a well-rounded, values-based education that nurtures students intellectually, spiritually and morally aligns with the diocesan mission to form the next generation of Catholic leaders.

“It is a profound honor to serve as Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport,” Stueber said regarding her new role. “I am blessed to work alongside our dedicated teachers and administrators who share a commitment to guiding each child entrusted to their care to grow in knowledge, wisdom, and faith. Our schools are committed to providing students with an enriching academic program infused with Catholic values, preparing them to become the responsible, thoughtful, and productive Catholic citizens that God intends.”

Originally from the east end of Long Island, N.Y., Stueber is the product of a lifetime of Catholic education. She attended Catholic grammar and high school, and graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield with a bachelor’s degree in English and an education minor. She also holds a master’s degree in liberal studies with an education concentration from Stony Brook University, as well as a master’s degree in Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education from Fordham University. She also received an advanced certificate in school district leadership from Fordham.

In addition to being a lifetime Catholic school student, Stueber has also served the Church as a Catholic educator, teaching elementary grades, technology and English at various Catholic schools on Long Island. Stueber’s first administrator role was as the elementary school principal at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Regional Catholic School in Center Moriches, N.Y. She then came to the Diocese of Bridgeport as deputy superintendent in 2016, before becoming interim superintendent in 2024.

Stueber is also a Catholic school parent. She and her husband Richard have four children, and they attend St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish in Shelton.

With a network of 31 Catholic schools, including 20 diocesan elementary schools, four high schools, and one special needs school, the Diocese of Bridgeport serves nearly 9,000 students throughout Fairfield County. One hundred percent of its high school students graduate, and 99 percent go on to higher education or military service. The diocese’s Catholic schools are renowned for their holistic approach to education, which seeks to enrich the intellectual, social, physical, psychological and spiritual capacities of every child.

“Our partnership with parents and the broader community is central to the Catholic educational experience,” Stueber said. “Together, we create a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their academic potential while grounding their learning in values that promote compassion, justice, and service to others. It is our goal to not only educate but to inspire each young person to become a pillar of our Catholic tradition.”

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano expressed his confidence in Stueber’s leadership.

“Stacie’s dedication to Catholic education and her vision for our schools make her the perfect choice to lead our diocese’s Catholic schools,” the bishop said. “She embodies the spirit of Catholic education, ensuring that our schools remain places where faith and learning come together to transform lives. I have no doubt that she will lead our schools with grace and wisdom.”

DANBURY—The fifth and final day of the Greater Danbury Eucharistic Procession culminated on All Souls Day with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at St. Peter Cemetery.

“On this All Souls Day, we come here to pray for all the dead, those known to you, those who are buried here in this cemetery, neighbors, friends, relatives, all those who have passed away in all the centuries of human life,” said Bishop Caggiano at a Mass that was attended by more than 200 people under a tent in the midst of the cemetery.

Bishop Caggiano shared his experience of his mother’s passing more than a decade ago and how he found the beginning of his healing the next day as he celebrated Sunday Mass as the pastor of St. Dominic Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

“I remember right before I was going to pick up the consecrated host, when the priest fractures it as a sign of that which the Lord has done for us, my mind heard with a voice that was not my own, ‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall live in me.’”

Bishop Caggiano shared those words of comfort with all those gathered at the Lake Avenue Extension cemetery.

“We come here not to mourn, but to celebrate,” Bishop Caggiano said. “All of us, despite our broken hearts, despite the tears, we may continue to shed for those whom we have lost … we come here to celebrate that our Lord is victor over death.”

Click here for Father Caggiano’s homily video and transcript

The bishop said all who believe in Christ receive the seeds of eternal life at the altar of God. It is a mystery, he said, “A mystery for which there are no words to describe.”

“On this All Souls Day we end our Eucharistic pilgrimage today, at this very celebration and the procession to follow, for Jesus has visited the living, now he comes to visit the dead for he is master of both, and he calls both to life,” said Bishop Caggiano.

Following the Mass, the faithful processed behind the Eucharist walking throughout the cemetery, singing religious songs and bringing the Eucharistic Lord to the faithful departed. There were two processions, a shorter one and a longer one that stopped at different places in the cemetery for outdoor Adoration.

“We will walk among the dead to whisper to them that they are dead for a time, they sleep for just a season, but they will live because they ate of His body and drank of His blood and know that He will keep his promise that they shall never die forever,” the bishop said.

Geri Schneider, a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Ridgefield, who attended the All Souls Mass and Eucharistic Procession afterwards with her daughter and granddaughter, said it is important to remember the faithfully departed.

“We pray for the people who don’t have others to pray for them,” Schneider said.

Nelva Sari, a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Danbury said this public display of faith in action is necessary.

“The Eucharistic Procession is very important because not many people believe in God,” said Sari, who attended the Mass and procession with her three young children aged five months to five years. “It’s important for our children to be a part of this so someday, they can pass it on to their kids.”

By Kathy-Ann Gobin

Photos by Amy Mortensen

DANBURY – Trick-or-treats, costumes and candy may be on the minds of many today but the true meaning of Halloween is found in its name, Diocese of Bridgeport Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said at a Mass he celebrated at St. Gregory the Great School as part of the Greater Danbury Eucharistic Procession.

“Halloween is meant to be a day of fun and entertainment and to celebrate something very special that happens the next day,” said Bishop Caggiano after asking the schoolchildren what they were most excited about on Halloween which included responses of dressing up in costumes such as a ghost or soccer or basketball player and trick-or-treating.

“How we celebrate Halloween today is not how it started,” Bishop Caggiano said and explained that Halloween is a contraction for All Hallows Eve. To help the students better understand the meaning of the words he led them in the Lord’s Prayer and stopped after ‘hallowed be thy name,’ again asking the children for the meaning of hallowed for which they correctly answered holy.

“Hallow is old English for holy,” Bishop Caggiano said. “It’s all holy eve,” he added noting that the next day is the Feast of All Saints, those who are holy and live in the presence of God.

“There was a time in the Church’s life when people dressed up but not as ghouls and goblins and all the rest, but they dressed up as saints, so that they could remind themselves of what the next day they would be celebrating, in the hope that one day they too, would be remembered as a saint,” Bishop Caggiano said.

Bishop Caggiano asked the students what they need to do to lead a holy life. The children suggested several things including telling everyone about Jesus, being kind and respectful, doing good deeds and praying.

Bishop Caggiano said those are all good ways to becoming holy and added another.

“One of the principal ways you and I grow in holiness is to receive the Holy Eucharist every Sunday and every opportunity we have to receive Him,” Bishop Caggiano said.

The Diocese of Bridgeport is bringing that opportunity to the Greater Danbury area through the Greater Danbury Eucharistic Procession which is in its third day of a five-day procession that includes Newtown, Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury and New Fairfield. The Blessed Sacrament will visit all 12 parishes, all six Catholic schools, one university and one Catholic cemetery.

“Today, Jesus is visiting Danbury. He is coming to all the churches of Danbury and He is coming as the Eucharistic Lord to remind all the people of this good city that they are called to be holy and we cannot be holy without Him and when we receive Him, He gives us the grace we need to be able to be obedient, do good works, live charity and pray,” Bishop Caggiano said.

Bishop Caggiano encouraged the students to enjoy their Halloween celebrations but to also remember the real reason for Halloween.

“The real reason for Halloween is on this altar; for our hope is to grow in holiness, receiving the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist and one day going to a place where there is joy, happiness love and peace forever and that place is called, Heaven,” Bishop Caggiano said.

Following the Mass, the students processed around the school and parish campus reciting the Rosary and singing religious songs. The procession of the Blessed Sacrament paused for silent prayer and Adoration at an outdoor monument of the Holy Family.

The public Eucharistic Procession is, “to remind ourselves, and everyone who sees us that to be holy, doesn’t only happen in this place (the church), but happens everywhere in our life,” Bishop Caggiano said.

The faithful processed back into the church for another moment of silent prayer and Bishop Caggiano encouraged them to ask God for what they need to grow in holiness in life and to ask God for that gift.

For some students the Eucharistic procession, which celebrates a journey towards Eucharistic Renewal, was a way to be closer to Christ.

“I was very honored,” said eighth-grader Lucas Worwood, who helped carry the canopy over the monstrance during the Eucharistic procession. “I felt so good to give up some time to help Jesus.”

His classmate Andrew Robinson, who also helped carry the canopy, said it was a very memorable experience.

“I got to be right next to the Eucharist,” Robinson said. “I felt his presence and I felt He was right next to me.”