Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

By Joe Pisani

HARTFORD—The 16th Annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will give men an opportunity to have “a stronger awareness of God in their lives” at a time when our culture no longer embraces faith.

This year’s theme is “The Priesthood: God’s Gift and Our Responsibility.” The day-long event will be held Saturday, September 23 at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. Tickets, which are $45 for adults and $30 for teens and include lunch, may be purchased online at www.ctcatholicmen.org. The doors will open at 7:30 am, and the event will conclude with a Vigil Mass at 4 pm. celebrated by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, with a homily by Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Ken Santopietro, Director of the Conference, said: “Envision the Catholic Men’s Conference as a spiritual booster shot for men. Join with us at the event to recharge your faith, delve into the priesthood theme, and embrace God’s gift. With insightful speakers, Mass, and a moving relic procession, this conference will invigorate your spiritual journey and provide the momentum you need to thrive in your personal and religious life.”

Deacon Rick Lawlor of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield said, “My hope is that every man will walk away from this conference with a stronger awareness of God in their lives and realize that on this journey, we all fall down, we sin, we have difficulties, but that is not where the story ends. We can get up and ask God for a fresh start … and He gives it to us every single time.”

The theme of “The Priesthood: God’s Gift and Our Responsibility” is particularly important at this time when fewer men are entering formation for the priesthood.

Father James Sullivan, rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury and chaplain for the conference, said they want to inspire men of faith and raise up the family.

“We need faithful fathers who are good parents, but we also need spiritual fathers,” he said. “We need priests, and we need them now. There’s no one on the bench.”

He said the shortage has forced priests to do double and triple duty.

“Personally, I love being a priest so much that I’m surprised guys aren’t lined up at the door because it’s a joyous vocation,” he said.

Many young men are hesitant to make the commitment, but Father Sullivan points out that entering the seminary provides a time for discernment when they have an opportunity to discover if they are truly called to the religious life.

While most men are called to the married life, Father Sullivan said probably every priest at one time or another thought about marriage because “If you’re going to be a priest, you would most likely be a good father.”

The conference will be an opportunity for men to consider the responsibility they have in encouraging young men to be priests, through prayer and outreach.

“The vocations are there,” Father Sullivan says. “We all have to set aside time in prayer and silence so that we can enhance the desire for the priesthood in our young people.”

The daylong conference will include nationally known speakers, confession, Eucharistic Adoration, fellowship and exhibitions.

Speakers include Father Larry Richards, author, radio show host, retreat master and founder of “The Reason for Our Hope Foundation,” dedicated to educating others about Jesus and the Catholic faith; Father Glenn Sudano, CFR, spiritual director and one of the founding members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who is priest in residence at Holy Family Farm, an initiative of the Catholic laity whose mission is the formation of men between 18 and 30.

Also, Kevin Wells, speaker and author, whose books include “The Priests We Need to Save the Church” and “Priest and Beggar,” a biography of Ven. Aloysius Schwartz, a priest who served the poor in South Korea; along with Matthew Leonard, speaker, author and founder of the Science of Sainthood, an online platform for transformative prayer and spirituality.

Last year’s conference attracted almost 700 men, from their teens and into their 90s, and Deacon Lawlor, who is a member of the Leadership Committee, says they hope for even more attendees during this year of Eucharistic Revival.

“Our priests are God’s gifts,” he said. “Without our priests, we wouldn’t have the Eucharist. That’s why we want to promote vocations to the priesthood. God has helped us for two millennia, and we have to take responsibility as well and promote the priesthood to our sons and neighbors.”

He recalls occasions when he encouraged young men to consider the priesthood, but their parents did not support the idea because they wanted grandchildren. Even though he can understand their hesitation, he says, “The priesthood is a special calling, a life of service and sacrifice but also joy.”

“Our culture does not embrace calls to the priesthood anymore,” he says. “But we have a responsibility to reject the culture, and as good Catholic Christians, consider the possibility that God is calling my son to the priesthood or that God is calling me to this vocation. We have to put all the cultural barriers aside and trust in God.”

He also points to the importance of priests in our spiritual journey and says that at last year’s conference, 15 priests were hearing confessions during the day.

“I want to get men who might be struggling and wishy washy about their faith to come to the conference or to give me a call if they have questions or concerns,” he said. “This conference is a great opportunity to put them in touch with God. There’s a hunger for God in our world, and this is a great way to encounter Him.”

FAIRFIELD—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Sacred Heart University’s Dr. Susan L. Davis R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing (DHCON) a $2.6 million grant. The funds will help increase the number of primary care and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners available to work in medically underserved areas.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a Department of Health and Human Services agency, awarded the nursing education grant as part of its effort to increase the number of nurses in urban and rural settings. The HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

“Each patient’s unique needs are important and may be shaped by their culture, ethnicity and socioeconomic status,” said Cynthia O’Sullivan, associate dean of academic affairs and global nursing at SHU. “Nurses are taught from the very beginning of their education that all patients deserve to be treated with dignity and respect—it is part of our ethical standards.”

The grant will provide financial aid to full- and part-time SHU students in an advanced nursing education program who are on track to becoming certified as primary care nurse practitioners or psychiatric nurse practitioners at the doctorate, master’s or post-master’s level.

To be eligible, students must have at least a 3.2 grade point average, their registered nurse license and an interest and willingness to participate in training modules pertaining to pain management, cultural diversity and social determinants of health.

The grant will enable the DHCON to provide up to $25,000 each to eight eligible full-time students and up to $15,000 each to 18 qualified part-time students annually for the next four years.

The University anticipates the project will increase enrollment in family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs and the proportion of diverse, disadvantaged and underrepresented students preparing to enter those fields.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,599,895 with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

DANBURY- Hit the greens and help a great cause! All golfers over 21 years old are welcome to Immaculate High School’s 34th Annual Golf Outing at the beautiful Ridgewood Country Club on Wednesday, September 13. This annual fundraising event is a great way to support the students of Immaculate High School and includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, cocktail hour and dinner, contests, prizes, raffles, a silent auction and more.

Registration begins at 11:30 am at the club which is located at 119 Franklin Street Ext. in Danbury. At 12:30 pm, there will be a shotgun start. We are excited for you to join us at this annual event which promotes friendship and fun featuring:

·  Patio Lunch, Awards Reception & Dinner

·  $10,000 Hole In One Contest

·  Wetmore’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Automobile Hole In One Contest

·  Raffles & Silent Auction

·  Two Beverage Carts

·  Litchfield Distillery Bourbon Tasting

The deadline for registration is September 1 and you can sign up here: immaculatehs.org/golf

You can also support the students of Immaculate and advertise your business by becoming a sponsor or purchasing a tee sign or pin flag. Find out more about sponsorships here: https://immaculatehs.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/IHS34thAnnualGolfOuting/REGISTRATIONSPONSORSHIPSRAFFLEPACKAGES/tabid/1372389/Default.aspx

Auction donation items are appreciated as well. Here is a link to donate: (https://immaculatehs.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/IHS34thAnnualGolfOuting/AUCTIONITEMDONATION/tabid/1372393/Default.aspx)

For more information, contact Alumni and Events Director Jeannie Demko ‘88 at 203-744-1510, Ext. 158 or jdemko@myimmaculatehs.org

RIDGEFIELD—Father Gregory Boyle, S.J., best-selling author and founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world, will be the keynote speaker at the 15th Anniversary Celebration of St. Mary’s Men’s Ministry on September 16 at 2 pm at 183 High Ridge Road in Ridgefield.

“The Men’s Ministry is celebrating by ‘gifting’ to the community a Father Boyle lecture,” said Joe Scharr, a member of the group that is sponsoring the talk. “The event is free of charge and all are invited to attend.”

Father Boyle’s work with those whom others have given up on has earned national attention and awards. Many know Father Boyle from his often-quoted words, “You stand with the least likely to succeed until success is succeeded by something more valuable: kinship. You stand with the belligerent, the surly and the badly behaved until bad behavior is recognized for the language it is: the vocabulary of the deeply wounded and of those whose burdens are more than they can bear… There is no ’them’ and ‘us.’ There is only us.”

Father Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, followed by Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship (2017) and The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness (2021). Most recently, he authored Forgive Everyone Everything, an anthology of writings accompanied by Fabian Debora’s artwork.

In 1988, Father Boyle started what would eventually become Homeboy Industries, which employs and trains former gang members and the formerly incarcerated in a range of social enterprises, as well as provides critical services to thousands of individuals who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life.

Father Boyle has received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame.  In 2014, President Barack Obama named Father Boyle a Champion of Change.  He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics.

Homeboy Industries was the recipient of the 2020 Hilton Humanitarian Prize validating 32 years of Father Greg Boyle’s vision and work by the organization for over three decades.

A native of Los Angeles, Father Gregory Boyle attended Loyola High School and, upon graduating in 1972, entered the Society of Jesus . He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and English from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., a master’s degree in English from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from the Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, Mass., and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, Calif.  He was ordained a priest in 1984.

At the conclusion of his theology studies, Boyle spent a year living and working with Christian base communities in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Upon his return in 1986, he was appointed pastor of Dolores Mission Church, a Jesuit parish in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles that was then the poorest Catholic church in the city.

St. Mary’s Men’s Ministry is designed to help parish men of all ages explore what it means to be a Catholic man in today’s world.  Its primary mission is to help men enrich their relationships with Jesus Christ and apply their faith to their daily lives. Their weekly get together for coffee, bagels, fellowship, and stimulating discussions is held on Saturdays at 6:45 am.

Over 120 men are registered members of the ministry, which explores timeless lessons of scripture, faith, and morals, and how to apply them for the benefit of themselves, and their families, friends and co-workers. the Men’s Ministry nurtures a closer relationship with God, with our families, with our communities, and with each other. For more information visit the website at www.stmmm.org

Father Boyle’s talk is open to all. It will be held in the Nancy Bossidy Rec Center at 183 High Ridge Road. For more information, email jscharr@sbcglobal.net.

BRIDGEPORT— Parishes throughout the diocese will take up a special collection to address the critical needs of those who have survived the Maui wildfires. Parishes have the options to hold the collection on the weekend of August 19 and 20  or the following weekend, August 26 and 27.  Individuals can also make a donation.

“In light of this terrible tragedy, I ask that you consider taking up a special collection to address the critical needs of those who survived,” the bishop said in a letter to pastors and administrators. “We have all been deeply moved and saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by the wildfires that raged across the island of Maui.”

“Let us fervently pray for healing and strength for those who survived this tragedy, and for the repose of all those who have died. As always, I am grateful for the generosity of your parishioners,” the bishop said.

The bishop told the pastors that The Most Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop of Honolulu, has sent out a request to dioceses across the U.S., asking for help to respond to this unprecedented tragedy.

The best way to respond is to forward all donations to the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation (HCCF),  a  50l(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to set up in 2008 to support Hawaiian parish and school communities. We have set up a dedicated webpage for donations to go directly to HCCF to support the relief efforts for our fellow community members affected by the Maui wildfires.

“This is an opportunity for us to show our solidarity as a Catholic faith community and lend a helping hand to those who have lost so much,” Bishop Silva said.

To make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting the following link: https://tinyurl.com/MauiCatholic. Every donation, no matter the amount, will play a crucial role in helping to rebuild lives and restore hope.

Click to read this story from the Hawaii Catholic Herald: https://hawaiicatholicherald.com/2023/08/16/maui-mourns/

By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT — Six years ago, 13 members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel were summoned to a meeting with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano about the future of their small faith community.

For an hour, they told the bishop how important it was to them, and he listened patiently and sympathetically. But attendance was very low and the church couldn’t sustain itself.

As the meeting was about to end, Lisa Landone, who hadn’t opened her mouth, said a prayer to the Holy Spirit and told him, “I’m afraid to speak” … and before she could form any thoughts, she blurted out, “Bishop, I am afraid to speak!”

Surprised, he asked, “Why are you afraid?” And she responded, “Because I’m afraid I can’t show you our heart, that I won’t be able to convince you that we will be the church that will take your vision and make it real, that we will be something new, and that if you bring your ideas here, we will be your petri dish.”

Then, they played a video she had made. According to her account, the bishop paused and told the group, “I’m not making any promises, but I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to pray about it.”

And he did. And so did they, along with a lot of other people.

Today, Our Lady of Good Counsel Quasi-Parish, which they affectionately refer to as “The Little Church That Could,” is a thriving faith community at 163 Ortega Avenue. They have seen the Holy Spirit at work, and Landone says, “He gives us hope that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances.”

Landone still recalls the time her mother Janet first told her to start going to the chapel because it needed parishioners. She took her mother’s advice and joined the effort to save the parish.

Landone also remembers the response of music director Lorrie Wesoly, who upon hearing the church would probably close, promptly said, “I’m going to start a choir.” She did … and the “Wing and a Prayer Choir” is still going strong.

Despite plans to close the chapel over the years, the bishop saw the faith of the people and believed that if it was the Will of God to keep it open, the Lord would provide. And then sometime new and exciting happened.

Through the efforts of Bishop Caggiano and Deacon Patrick Toole, Chancellor and Secretary of the Curia, the community of Koinonia John the Baptist came to Our Lady of Good Counsel with the goal of making it “an oasis” in the diocese.

The bishop named Fr. Adriano Biccheri the Priest Moderator of the parish, and he is joined by Sister Maire Close, Brother Michael, Sister Letizia, Sister Aide and Sister Katka.

Koinonia is a Greek word that means “fellowship, sharing in common and communion,” and its mission is “to promote the New Evangelization through activities, training programs and the formation of a community.”

Deacon Toole, who was intimately involved in the process, said, “All the credit goes to the bishop really.” He recognized the commitment of the parishioners and gave permission to increase the number of Masses and worked with the Koinonia to take over the quasi-parish. There was such enthusiasm that several hundred people attended a recent Mass that Bishop Caggiano celebrated there.

“That parish has a very special place in my heart, and I’m so grateful the Koinonia came,” said Deacon Toole. His affiliation with the parish goes back to the previous administrator, the late Fr. Seraphim Rohlman, who was a personal friend and a professor who taught him when he was studying for the diaconate.

At one point, they both went to the original Our Lady of Good Counsel Church outside of Rome, where Father celebrated Mass and was given an icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel that hangs in the chapel today.

“I am really excited about the future,” Deacon Toole said. “I love the Koinonia, and the people of the parish, who are deeply faithful. They never once complained about what the diocese did. They just kept praying and building their community to support one another, and it was a real honor for me to work with them. They are the salt of the Earth.”

There’s another lesson Deacon Toole takes away from the success of Our Lady of Good Counsel — the importance of small communities of faith.

“We have to try to foster and build strong vibrant communities of faith,” he said. “When you meet these people you realize that. They love and support one another. This model of what we created with the Koinonia and the quasi-parish, which the bishop created, is a little bit of what will renew the Church.”

Father Adriano Biccheri agrees.

“The members of the parish were open to us and our community, which is founded on the Word of God, service and friendship,” he said. “The active members of the parish share the same passion to transform the church into a center of evangelization and were happy to join these efforts.”

A house of prayer has been formed at Our Lady of Good Counsel, and people are encouraged to do the same thing in their homes and invite their family, friends and neighbors for one hour a week of reading the Word of God, praying and furthering the fundamental mission of Koinonia, which is to draw people back to the Church.

“We came to Our Lady of Good Counsel to build it up like an oasis,” Father said, “We accepted this proposal because of Bishop Caggiano’s vision to renew the diocese with the New Evangelization, which is the charism of Koinonia.”

Father said older parishioners work in harmony with the newer Spanish members, who have young children. During Spanish formation classes, the English-speaking members assist by caring for the children of the Spanish-speaking members.

“When I think about our church, I think the best way to live together is involving the people in different ministries, so I am fascinated how it serves the Holy Spirit, giving room for people to grow in different ways, from children to young people, adults and the elderly,” he said.

During the months when the chapel was closed, Landone posted a prayer on the website that said, in part:

“If only more people would have walked through your doors each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. to receive the Holy Eucharist and feel the unmistakable presence of our Lord Jesus and Our Blessed Mother.

“If only more people would have known we believe they would have come, to pray, to cry, to feel less lonely, to be accepted unconditionally, to sing and be joyful, to belong and to be embraced by the unique and diverse family of every kind of people that call Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish home.

“They would have felt the warmth, seen the genuine smiles, experienced the hope and the hugs and the gratitude. They would have been part of the laughter shared after Mass in our community room, where everyone is invited and everyone is family.

“Our dear beloved church, we tried so hard that more would know that the True and Unconditional Love of Christ lives here and we are on fire for this purpose. This is Christ’s home and all are welcome in this place no matter what, no matter who. This is Christ’s home and we are His servants, His children. This is Christ’s home and everyone who enters is equally loved by Him and is deserving of our love and respect and help. This is Christ’s home, and we never forget that…”

NEW YORK—The Sisters of Life, a contemplative-active religious community founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York, and dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of human life, is pleased to announce that the following Sisters of Life professed their perpetual vows on August 5 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, with His Eminence Cardinal Timonthy Dolan as the main celebrant and homilist:

Sister Mary Pieta, S.V., 38, was raised in Fargo, N.D. and attended the Parish of SS. Anne and Joachim.  Sister Mary Pieta earned a bachelor’s degree in speech, language and hearing science at Minnesota State University-Moorhead.  Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, she served as a FOCUS missionary, sharing the Catholic faith with college students.  Sister Mary Pieta is the daughter of Deacon Patrick and Brenda Breen.  She has six siblings: Jim (and wife Laura), Aaron (and wife Sarah), Josie, Sam (and wife Sarah), Madeline (and husband Jackson), and Miriam.

Sr. Mary Pieta has participated in the retreat works of Villa Maria Guadalupe (Stamford) from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2019 to 2023.  From 2016 to 2019 she was missioned to the Holy Respite in Manhattan for pregnant women and their unborn children. This coming year, she will serve in the Visitation Mission in N.Y., which explores life-giving options and provides resources and practical support to women experiencing unexpected pregnancies or adverse prenatal diagnoses.

Sister Mercy Marie, S.V., 41, was raised in South Wilmington, Ill., and attended St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration: Marketing. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life in September 2014, she was the director of programs at a Catholic education program for women, Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women).  She is the daughter of Drew Sweeney and Mary Elizabeth Sweeney and has two brothers and two sisters: Dan (wife: Becky), Brigid (husband: Seth), Mackenzie, and Connor.

After she professed her first vows, Sister Mercy Marie helped to open the Sisters of Life mission in Philadelphia, Pa., to evangelize and support women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. From the Fall of 2018 to 2023, she has participated in the mission of inviting women to step into the mercy of Jesus Christ after an abortion at the St. Paul the Apostle Convent in Yonkers, N.Y. In late August she will participate in the retreat works of Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford.

Sister Mary Grace, S.V., 33, was raised in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and first met the Sisters of Life through World Youth Day 2008.  She graduated from the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia with a bachelor’s degree in theology.  Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Mary Grace worked as the Chaplaincy Convenor for the University of Notre Dame Australia, organized events for young adults in the Archdiocese of Sydney, and participated in the parish of St. Benedicts Parish, Broadway, NSW.  She is the daughter of Mark and Mary Langrell of Queenscliff, NSW; her siblings are Patrick, Lauren (entered eternal life 2014), and Thomas.

Sister Mary Grace was missioned to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from 2018 to 2021.  In the Fall of 2021 she was assigned to the Evangelization works of the Sisters of Life, first as an assistant, and then as the Mission Coordinator. This coming year she will be part of a team of Evangelization and Retreats based in Denver, Colo.

Sister Fidelity Grace, S.V., 33, was raised in Oakdale, Minn., and attended the Church of St. Peter in North Paul, Minn.  She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies and Secondary Education.  Prior to entering the Sisters of Life in September 2015, Sister Fidelity Grace was a Middle and High School Religion Teacher in Chippewa Falls, Wisc. She is the daughter of Ken and Mary Ann Thelen; her siblings are Christine Goerke (husband John) and Sarah Shutte (husband Peter).

Sister Fidelity Grace served in the Generalate Offices of the Sisters of Life from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, she served at Villa Maria Guadalupe and then was assigned to St. Anthony’s Convent in Catskill, N.Y., where she served the community with evangelization and retreat works. This coming year, she will assist at the Holy Respite for women and their children, born and unborn.

Sister Zélie Maria Louis, S.V., 31, was raised in Waterloo, Iowa, and attended Sacred Heart Parish and School, and Columbus Catholic High School. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., with a bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies and Political Science, and a minor in Philosophy.  Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Zélie Maria Louis was working in Human Resources at Assessment Associates International in Wayzata, Minn. She is the daughter of Steven and Jana Schmitt and a triplet. Her siblings are: Lauren (Nathan), Michael, Emily Nolting (Matt), Steven (Jessica), and Andrew.

Sister Zélie was missioned to the Visitation Mission of services to pregnant women from 2018 to 2022, serving as the Assistant to the Local Superior in her last two years.  In the late summer of 2022, she accepted a new mission to pregnant women at the Holy Respite of the Sisters of Life in Manhattan.

Sister Ann Immaculée, S.V, 30, was raised in Owatonna, Minn., and attended Sacred Heart Parish there. Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Ann Immaculée studied Philosophy, Catholic Studies and Business at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minn., and received a liberal arts degree in 2015.  She is the daughter of Joseph and Sharon Stiles and has five siblings: Lorena (husband Eric) Dillon, Ezra (wife Karen), Annemarie (husband Mitchel) Milless, Father James Stiles, and Monica (husband Alex) Marchetti.

Sister Ann Immaculée was part of the Vocations Team of the Sisters of Life from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, she accepted an assignment upholding the retreat works of Villa Maria Guadalupe in Stamford. This coming year, she will join the mission of Evangelization and Retreats in Denver, Colo.

Sister Catherine Joy Marie, S.V., 30, was raised in Stamford, and attended St. Cecilia and Holy Spirit Parishes.  She graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island with a bachelor’s degree in Theology and a concentration in Biology prior to entering the Sisters of Life.  She is the daughter of Frank and Megan Janik of Ridgefield, and is the oldest of five daughters: Carolyn, Katherine, Rachel, and Madelyn.

Sister Catherine Joy Marie was missioned to Toronto, Canada, from 2018 to 2021 where she served vulnerable, pregnant women seeking help, young adults desiring to know God’s plan for life and love, those suffering after abortion and searching for hope and healing, and all open to an encounter with the living God through hosted retreats.  In the Fall of 2021, she returned to the Motherhouse to work as an assistant in the Mission Support Office where she shares in the mission of gratitude on behalf of the community. This coming year, she will join the mission of Evangelization and Retreats in Denver, Colo.

In addition, Sister Gaudia Maria Magdalena, 32, will profess her perpetual vows as a Sister of Life on Saturday, August 26^th, at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Toronto, Ontario. Archbishop Francis Leo will be the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass of Profession. Sister Gaudia Maria Magdalena was raised in the Archdiocese of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and attended St. Hyacinth Parish/ Parafia Św. Jacka. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences.  Prior to entering the Sisters of Life, Sister Gaudia Maria Magdalena provided social work and then spent a year of Faith Formation at St. Therese School in Bruno, SK. She is the daughter of Robert and Stefania Matuszewski/Matuszewska of Orleans, ON; her siblings are Robert and Stefania.

Sister Gaudia spent her first three years as a professed sister as an assistant at the Postulant Formation House of the Sisters of Life in the Bronx (2018-2021).  In 2021, she was missioned to Toronto, Canada to serve vulnerable, pregnant women seeking help, young adults desiring to know God’s plan for life and love, those suffering after abortion and searching for hope and healing, and all open to an encounter with the living God.

ITALY—The monks of the Monastery of Saint Benedict in Nursia, Italy, known worldwide for their beer, also distinguished themselves by their recording of a #1 classical billboard album titled, “BENEDICTA: Marian Chant from Norcia,” which was recently reissued by Sophia Music Group.

The prior of the monastery, which is being rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 2016, is Father Benedict Nivakoff, who grew up in Fairfield County and regularly returns to visit his family and uncle Deacon Don Foust of St. Margaret Shrine.

Father Benedict lived in New Canaan and considered entering then-St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford to discern his vocation. However, he chose to enter the Benedictines.

His community chants the Divine Office in Latin seven times during the day and once at night, in addition to offering Mass. They pray for those who have asked for their intercession, for the Church and for the world.

The monks released their album of Marian chants in 2015, and it was so popular that Sophia Music Group/De Montfort reissued it.

“The reissuing of BENEDICTA guarantees the preservation of this venerable repertoire consisting of 33 tracks of Marian chant, including the well-known “Regina Caeli” and “Ave Regina Caelorum” as well as original and previously unreleased songs,” the company said in a release.

USA TODAY said the album was evocative and consisted of “gentle tones—and many voices singing as one—creating a calming, ethereal quality that at its core is not a performance—it is prayer.”

The recording was made in their chapel at San Benedetto basilica, the birthplace of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica, which was destroyed in the earthquake.

“Recorded by 11-time Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder and Grammy Award-winning engineer Jonathan Stokes, ‘BENEDICTA’ resulted in an album of stunning Gregorian chant that transports the listener to the Monks’ pre-earthquake monastery in Italy,” Sophia Music said.

Father Benedict entered the monastery in 2001 and lived there until it was destroyed by the earthquake, when the community was forced to move to a nearby abandoned Capuchin monastery. Shortly after, he was named prior of the community of some 20 monks.

His love of the monastic life is something Father shares in his talks.

“It is a small number of men who eventually become monks,” he said. “It is the vocation of someone who believes they want to do the most possible for the world, and to do the most possible for the world, they have to embrace a life that is immaterial, where the fruits of life will be more supernatural. That is monastic life, where a man tries to become a saint by dying, and so in his death, some part of the world might have life.”

The lives of the monks center on prayer and work. The motto of the order is “Ora et labora,” which St. Benedict promulgated in his Rule.

Father has been engaged in the rebuilding of the 16th century monastery overlooking the Valley of St. Scholastica. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“The rebuilding of our monastery is both very far and very close because it touches our roots,” he said in a recent interview. “And at the moment, Europe—and the United States too—is a little bit past the precipice. The Church and the faith have become something of a relic, so supporting the monastery and this reconstruction is also an evangelical effort now that Europe is mission territory.”

FAIRFIELD—Thirty Sacred Heart University nursing students will have help completing their degrees thanks to a $150,000 William Randolph Hearst Foundation grant.

The Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing will apply the funds to the new Sustaining Hearts Scholarship for juniors and seniors pursuing their bachelor’s degrees in nursing.

The foundation states that its mission is to “identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives.” It does this by supporting well-established, nonprofit organizations that focus on culture, education, health and social service endeavors that help people who are in need, underserved or underrepresented in society.

The grant will provide academically and financially eligible students with $5,000 scholarships to complete their nursing studies. There is a critical shortage of baccalaureate prepared nurses in Connecticut, as well as across the country, said Cynthia O’Sullivan, associate dean for academic affairs and global nursing. However, according to O’Sullivan, “One of the biggest hurdles for nursing students is the cost of a college education. Their debts hamper their ability to progress without working long hours while in college or forgoing the purchase of vital classroom materials, such as textbooks.”

A committee will oversee the Sustaining Hearts Scholarship, create the selection process and disseminate funds, starting this summer. The financial aid office will ensure that selected students, who must have at least a 3.0 GPA, meet the program’s income criteria.

University officials anticipate the grant will enable students to continue making significant impacts on health care throughout Connecticut and beyond.

STRATFORD—As part of its year-long 100 Year Anniversary Celebration, Holy Name of Jesus Church celebrated a Christmas-In-July Craft Making Night.

Parishioners of all ages and backgrounds escaped the sweltering heat outside and retreated to the North Pole-like environs of the Parish Center, complete with Christmas Trees, carols, hot chocolate and cookies, a yarn snowball fight and a visit from Santa to fashion Christmas ornaments, decorations and gifts for family members and friends.

“It was wonderful to see young and old working on crafts and having such a good time,” Mary Joan Marus, a soon-to-be 90-year-old parishioner, said. Penny Pomales, who will enter First Grade in the Fall, said emphatically, “That was fun!” Parishioners donated materials and shared their craft making skills to those in attendance.

Fr. Bert Pinciaro, Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church, remarked “This event highlighted exactly what we are trying to celebrate throughout this 100th Anniversary year: Framing our Future on the Foundation of Faith. The combined threads of this diverse community, when celebrated and respected, knit a vibrant, strong and beautiful tapestry.”

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Holy Name of Jesus Parish is located at 1950 Barnum Avenue in Stratford.

For information call: 203.375.5815   |   Fax: 203.375.5954   |   Visit the website: www.hnojchurch.org.

By Richard Zboray

A formal alliance has been forged that will provide multimedia resources that foster critical thinking and promote ethical and religious values, nurturing the next generation of decision-makers and opinion leaders in service of the greater good.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (August 3, 2023) — Fairfield University proudly announces its partnership with America Media, a Jesuit ministry, wherein Fairfield will serve as a key source of Catholic journalism for academic enrichment. This collaboration will provide multimedia resources that foster critical thinking and promote ethical and religious values, nurturing the next generation of decision-makers and opinion leaders.

Beginning this September, all students and faculty will enjoy complimentary digital subscriptions, granting them unlimited access to America’s vast repository of stories, podcasts, and videos. It will serve as a reliable destination for acquiring a balanced and comprehensive analysis of the latest developments in the church and the world.

Traug Keller, president of America Media, expressed his excitement regarding the partnership, stating, “Our alliance with Fairfield University marks a significant milestone in our media ministry’s mission to become a vital resource for news and analysis that informs and guides educators and students, while also enriching their appreciation of the Jesuit and Catholic traditions.”

Sharing common goals and working together in service of faith and justice, this partnership empowers academic achievement and encourages students to see the world from an Ignatian perspective. The collaboration will also provide enrichment to local Churches and offer members of the community a chance to engage with new programming.

“This timely partnership between the revered America Media and the University will further position Fairfield as an intellectual destination, will provide exceptional opportunities for inquiry and discourse to our faculty and students, and will enhance our impact on the community at large,” said University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD.

About America Media
America Media is the leading provider of editorial content for thinking Catholics and those who want to know what Catholics are thinking. We lead the conversation about faith and culture by producing excellent, unique, relevant, and accessible content across multiple platforms. Our contributors are today’s principal figures in the American Catholic Church, the decision-makers and opinion leaders who drive the ecclesial and civic debate about religion, society, politics, and the arts. Our flagship magazine, America, has been published continuously since 1909, making it one of the oldest periodicals in the United States today.

From the Canning Liturgical Arts July Newsletter

Battell Chapel at Yale University was originally designed by Architect Russell Sturgis, Jr. and decorated by George Fletcher Babbs of Sturgis’s office. Sturgis visualized a grand, high Victorian chapel in kind with the two other buildings he designed for the University. Nearing the completion of the work, Sturgis ran into deficient funds and required valued engineering solutions to complete the project. The decision was made to install a flat coffered ceiling instead of the vaulted ceiling originally designed. At the time, this alternative saved five thousand dollars.

With this solution, Babbs was faced with the issue of merging the high reaching, gothic walls into a flat ceiling. The vaulted ceiling remained only in the apse. Babbs cleverly cut down the verticality of the lancet windows and pilasters by developing a linear design with bands running around the entire interior, through the window tracery, pilasters and arches. This design was anchored by a solid diaper pattern above the wainscot that also ran through the base of the pilasters and triumphant arch.

In the 1920s, Yale University redecorated the Chapel. The interior was painted to simulate ashlar block (see image to the right) to keep up with James Gamble Rogers’s new master plan for the campus in Collegiate Gothic Style. This decorative treatment covered the original stenciled decoration on the walls with gray stone. The only part that was not overpainted were the Greek cross and the symbols of the Trinity at the triumphal arch.

Through archival research Canning made the realization that some of the plaques on the walls were installed early on in the history of the interior. It was possible that the original decoration, beneath the ashlar, was perfectly preserved behind one of the plaques. Come to find out, the plaques had not been removed when the interior was painted to simulate an ashlar block proving Canning’s assumptions correct. The intricacies and colors of the original damask pattern were preserved underneath one of the dedication plaques. In removing the plaque, all were pleasantly surprised to find the piece was signed Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The scope of the project consisted of conservation, restoration, decorative painting, gilding, glazing and ornamental plaster repair. Through careful investigation and multiple finish exposures, the stencil patterns were identified and faithfully reinstated with historic colors. The restoration of Battell Chapel was one of John Canning & Company’s earliest historic preservation projects in Connecticut and among the company’s first of many comprehensive church restorations in the United States.