Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

As we begin to celebrate the “unofficial start” of the summer season this Memorial Day weekend, it may be good for each of us to pause and reflect upon the family that we form as a country. It is a family that certainly faces many challenges for which there are no easy answers. It is also a family that must rediscover and recommit itself to the values upon which our nation was built and without which we cannot find true unity and prosperity for all its members. However, it is also a family worth recommitting ourselves to strengthen and heal.

Memorial Day ask us as a national family to recognize and honor the hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens who died in service and defense of our country. Our current national holiday, originally known as Decoration Day, began soon after the end of the Civil War that was fought to end the evil and crime of slavery and to build the unity of our national family based on true equality and justice. For those who died in the line of duty, their self-sacrifice was love at its purest because it did not seek one’s own personal interests or even safety. Rather, it was a true, complete surrender of oneself for the sake of one’s neighbors and fellow citizens back home. They sacrificed their lives for countless people whose names they would never know. When we think of heroes, we remember these brave members of our national family who have died to keep us free.

As our nation struggles to face the challenges of our own age, the starting point for a true national renewal must begin in the same place as did the heroes we honor this weekend. As we struggle to protect all human life, especially unborn life, try to serve the needs of the poor or disenfranchised, seek ways to strengthen education and employment, work on improving our national harmony or work to protect our national resources, we will make no progress if we start from a vantage point of “my self-interest” or “what is best for me.” If we start with our own self-interest, we will accomplish nothing.

The men and women who died for our country did not seek self-interest when they sacrificed their lives for you and me, to protect our national family. If we wish to honor them this weekend, let us have the courage to follow their example and love each other as they loved us.

Prayer for Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)

God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen

—from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

Memorial Day Mass @ St. Andrew

Photos by Amy Mortensen

STAMFORD—The dedication and blessing of the Peggy O’Malley Performing Arts Center took place at Villa Maria School in Stamford on Friday, May 17 with Bishop Frank J, Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport officiating. Thomas and Mary Alice O’Malley from Greenwich have been generous benefactors to the school since their daughter, Peggy, attended Villa in the 1970’s.

Opening remarks were given by the head of school, Diane McManus. In the multipurpose room, the entire Villa Maria student body sang “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, “My Shot” from Hamilton, and “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman.

The honoree, her family and guests then proceeded to the hallway by the performing arts center where Peggy unveiled the plaque and the bishop did the blessing. A choir of eight students sang, “Children of Tomorrow, Children of Today.”  Peggy O’Malley unveiled her portrait in the performing arts center and gave remarks.

A power point expressing the school’s gratitude to the O’Malley family was shown for over 40 members of the O’Malley family and their invited guests, members of the congregation’s council, the head of the board and trustees, Villa Maria’s administration and teacher representatives and Peggy’s former teachers.

Villa Maria School is a non-profit, co-educational school in Stamford, Conn. serving students with learning disabilities.

(For more information visit: www.villamaria.edu.)

Pictured: Thomas O’Malley, Mary Alice O’Malley, Sister Carol Ann, Peggy O’Malley Sudderth, Richard Sudderth, and Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

FAIRFIELD—Family, friends, faculty, trustees and administrators gathered on Fairfield University’s picturesque Bellarmine lawn overlooking the Long Island Sound, the back drop for the University’s 2019 Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 19. Fairfield University awarded 952 Bachelor’s degrees, 340 Master’s degrees, 25 Sixth-Year Certificates, and 33 Doctorates.

Chris Lowney, co-founder of Jesuit Commons, and vice-chair of the board of CommonSpirit Health, was a recipient of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree and the undergraduate speaker. Lowney inspired graduates to model cura personalis, or care of the whole person, a Jesuit value instilled in them at Fairfield, and pointed to how their Jesuit education offers an advantage in navigating a complex world. “Fairfield has equipped you to discern the way forward, both for your own lives, in our companies, and for our confused society.”

Lowney urged graduates to seize “leadership opportunity” every day and consider how they will influence others—by their example of how they treat the marginalized, whether they strive to use their talents well, and whether they behave with integrity. He challenged the class of 2019 to transform themselves, constantly, in a complex and ambiguous world. “We all have to keep asking ourselves: ‘Who should I be in this world? What should I be doing? And what is worth doing and having?’ You will answer such questions well if you remind yourself every day that life has given you an opportunity to point out the way and have influence in a world that badly needs leadership from principled women and men.”

William Atwell, P’08 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the undergraduate commencement ceremony. As a member and chair of Fairfield’s Board of Trustees, Atwell has served the Fairfield University community for more than 12 years. He is currently managing director of Atwell Partners, LLC, a financial consulting firm, following his retirement as president of Cigna International. Marna Borgstrom also received a Doctor of Laws degree. Borgstrom is president and CEO of Yale New Haven Health System and Yale New Haven Hospital. In 2017, Modern Healthcare named Borgstrom among the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.”

Elisa Castelli was awarded the Undergraduate Loyola Medal for her commitment to high academic standards and community service.

Lisa Angell was the class of 2019 undergraduate commencement speaker. Her speech echoed the theme of cura personalis and Fairfield’s mission of educating the whole person, body, mind and spirit in the Jesuit tradition. “We view the world differently now because of the core curriculum.” She added, “By gaining perspective across every subject, we can connect the arts, literature, history, sociology, communication, business, math, science, religion and yes, even philosophy.”

At the graduate ceremony, Bill Shore, founder of Share Our Strength and former Congressional appointee to the National Commission on Hunger, received a Doctor of Laws degree and was the graduate commencement speaker. Shore spoke about sharing one’s strengths, bearing witness, and personal transformation in the context of social change. “Bearing witness makes us complicit. What we’ve seen can’t be unseen—and we are left with a profound choice: do something or do nothing.” Shore cautioned that, “the time we’re allotted to solve problems is limited and precious. Don’t wait until the mortgage is paid, or until you get the promotion, or until it stops raining.”

Hector M. Sanchez, the principal of Cesar Batalla School in Bridgeport, Conn., also received a Doctor of Laws degree at the graduate commencement exercises. Sanchez has made it a priority to forge a relationship with Fairfield University’s Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, and the Center for Faith and Public Life. The Student Teacher Empowerment Partnership (STEP) has grown from this collaboration, focusing on improving literacy among Bridgeport school children, while providing learning opportunities for aspiring teachers in the University’s graduate teaching program.

The Graduate Loyola Medal was awarded to Kacper Laska ‘18, M’19, who received his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Laska, who plans to pursue a career in the engineering fields of robotics and prosthetics, designated the $1,000 Loyola Medal monetary award to the school’s 3D Printing Club, which he helped to found.

In concluding remarks Fairfield University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD asked graduates to “carry forward the Ignatian tradition of the magis, seeking more from yourselves from your colleagues and from the world.”

Media Contact: Susan Cipollaro, scipollaro@fairfield.edu, 203.254.4000 ext. 2726

STAMFORD—More than 500 people came out to support St. John Fisher Seminary and honor its founding rector, Msgr. Stephen DiGiovanni, and a Stamford couple whom Bishop Frank J. Caggiano praised as the “spiritual parents of a generation of priests.”

“Forming Fishers of Men,” the Second Annual Rector’s Dinner held on Saturday, recognized Stamford residents Phil and Judy DeFelice for their longtime commitment to the seminary and the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Bishop Caggiano praised Msgr. DiGiovanni and the DeFelices, who he said have faithfully served the ‘Fishermen’ for more than 20 years.

Pastor of the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, Msgr. DiGiovanni was founding rector and vocation director, and his tenure produced 27 priests currently serving in the diocese.

“To form priests is a sacred art; it is not something that can be easily or totally taught and requires some basic human gifts that grace informs to do God’s will,” the bishop said. Msgr. DiGiovanni possesses those gifts, he said, including a strong faith in Jesus Christ, deep wisdom, compassion and empathy in order to “feel what the men entrusted to his care feel so he can mold them into something beautiful for the Lord.”

Bishop Caggiano said the seminarians have been blessed to have as “spiritual parents, a remarkable couple who have formed a generation of priests in this diocese, not by any great eloquent theological discourse but an integrity of life, humble sacrifice and great love for the men who have come through St. John Fisher.” He added, “They know very well that Phil and Judy love them dearly and there would be nothing they would not do for them.”

Ms. DeFelice was receptionist and secretary for 23 years before retiring in 2017.

Mr. DeFelice, who is a general contractor, carpenter and woodworker, was instrumental in the construction of the seminary’s main chapel and adoration chapel, along with major renovations done to St. Augustine Cathedral.

In accepting the award, they expressed their gratitude, particularly for being able to work so many years for the seminary. “The Fisher house has been a great experience for both of us,” Mr. DeFelice said, “especially to look out here and see all our baby seminarians who grew up to be full-grown priests.”

Bishop Caggiano also praised the eight seminarians at St. John Fisher and said, “The Lord has given us this great moment of challenge, which will become a great moment of renewal in the life of the Church, and these men, who will one day be priests, will help lead us in that renewal.”

He talked about the hope he has for the future and added, “I know we are facing challenges in the Church, and many times in the darkness of night when I am wide awake, I wonder to myself how we are going to move forward in faith, and the Lord reminds me that I need look no further than that house and the men who have gone through it and live there now and—please God—the ones who will come after, for there is great hope that the Church is being renewed and transformed by a new generation of priests to join those who are already living holy, sacrificial lives.”

Bishop Caggiano expressed his confidence that the current rector, Father Paul Check would “continue the miracle of the Upper Room for generations to come so that the gift of the ministerial priesthood will be in the best of hands, ordaining the best of men, who need not be perfect but must be humble, loving servants of the one true God.”

When Father Check entered St. John Fisher in 1992, Msgr. DiGiovanni was vocation director and rector. He later served as parochial vicar under him at St. John the Evangelist for six years.

In his comments, Father Check said, “Your presence this evening expresses your love of the priesthood and your belief that Jesus established the priesthood as a sacrament and an identity in showing us the goodness of God, even if we priests do not always live up to the dignity of our vocation and even if we fail….With our many imperfections and abundant human weaknesses, you continue to love and support the priests and those men who are preparing for Holy Orders.”

He said that before he entered the seminary, he had no idea where priests came from or how they became priests. “Now, I have a much better understanding of and gratitude for how priests are made and that starts in marriage and family life. The Fishermen all come from parents who are giving their sons to the Church, and those parents show us something of the quality of their hearts in doing so.”

He recognized his own parents, Paul and Dianne, who came from Texas to attend the dinner and said, “I would not be a priest were it not for formation in the Gospel that I received at home, so thank you, Mom and Dad.”

The master of ceremonies Alessandro Marchetti, alluding to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, said, “A small group of men can change the world…Consider how the Church first started with twelve mediocre bishops and priests, a handful of deacons and a few hundred lay people. These people who were willing to give up their lives for Christ lit the world on fire. And that’s the kind of men I get to introduce to you tonight.”

One of them was his childhood friend, Ferry Galbert, a seminarian in formation at St. John Fisher for the past 2.5 years, who moved to the United States from Haiti at age 11 and received the call to the priesthood after he began a career in nursing at Stamford Hospital.

Galbert asked for prayers for the seminarians and for more vocations. He said that Father Check regularly tells them, “Jesus Christ lived an intensely happy and fulfilled human life. Jesus lived a joyful life because he lived a life of self-giving love for his Father and for us. We see his self-giving and sacrifice expressed most powerfully on the cross.”

He talked about his devotion to St. Philip Neri, known as “the Apostle of Joy,” whose life manifested the Gospel truth of the relationship between self-giving and joy. Sixteen years ago, when Galbert chose him as his confirmation patron saint, he told Msgr. DiGiovanni, his pastor. A friendship developed between them, and Monsignor invited him to work in the parish office and regularly urged him to consider the priesthood. In addition, Father Check was his confirmation sponsor.

“Today, sixteen years later, I marvel at the providence of God as I stand here in this room with the same two priests, but now as a man in formation for the priesthood,” Galbert said.

“We live in a world that is obsessed with self, where one can remain unaware of the needs and the goodness of those around them,” he said. “And we can neglect the love of God, who created and redeemed us in love. As a result, we lack joy and a sense of fulfillment.”

Photos by Amy Mortensen

Describing the mission of the seminary, he said, “At St. John Fisher, we strive to grow as a community of prayer and charity, to seek the Truth, to empty ourselves in service to one another so that we can put on the mind of Christ and be filled with the love of his Sacred Heart. I have come to embrace all the more the joy of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the priesthood is a sign to the world, a sign that one can live for something, indeed, Someone, and not just for earthly things.”

The evening began with an invocation by Father John Connaughton, vocation director. The dinner, which was held at the Italian Center of Stamford, was chaired by Kathy Tafuro and her husband Steve, and was sold out for the second year. The meal was prepared by the Marchetti family, owners of Columbus Park Trattoria in Stamford.

UNION—Scouts BSA Troops from across Fairfield County, Conn. gathered at Connecticut Yankee Council’s Camp Pomperaug in Union, Conn. May 17-19 at the annual Spring Camporee.

The twelfth point of the Scout law, a Scout is reverent, was beautifully demonstrated on Saturday, May 18 when Father Martin Noe, of Saint John and Saint Mark in Old Saybrook, Conn. celebrated Mass with more than 30 Scouts and Scouters. Father Noe is the Catholic Scout chaplain for the Diocese of Norwich.

In an effort to help reintroduce Catholic Mass at Scouting Events, Mr. Benjamin Strong, Troop 68 committee member and member of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, Conn. reached out to the Diocese of Norwich to see if a priest would be willing to celebrate Mass with the Scouts. “I was so thankful when Father Noe said he would be willing to come and celebrate with us,” said Strong. “The chapel at Camp Pomperaug is a beautiful and rustic outdoor chapel. There is nothing better than celebrating Mass in the outdoors.”

Father Noe reminded the Scouts of Jesus’s new commandant, “To love one another as I have loved you,” and reminded the Scouts they live this commandment as they practice the tenants of the Scout Law.

Kelsey Welch of Scouts BSA Troop 20, Stratford, Conn., Abby Gombos of Scouts BSA Troop 168, Trumbull, Conn., and Emmett Ransden of Troop 88 in Fairfield, Conn. were readers while Kevin Murphy of Troop 68 in Trumbull, Conn. was an altar server.

Father Noe concluded Mass with God Bless America as the recessional. A fitting song that ties a Scout’s Duty to God and Country.

If you are interested in joining Scouts please visit www.beascout.scouting.org. For Scouts in Connecticut Yankee Council who want to learn more about Catholic Scouting, please visit www.bridgeportdiocese.org/scouting/catholic-scouting-information and Scouts in the Norwich area who desire to learn more about Catholic Scouting please visit www.norwichdiocese.org/Find/Full-Group-Directory/ID/302/Catholic-Scouting.

Photo by: Kate Gombos

Connecticut Pregnancy Care Coalition sponsors pro-life rally to defend the work and reputation of the pregnancy resource centers in our state on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, noon, at the State Capitol.

This past week the House of Representatives passed H.B. 7070, which subjects the advertising of pro-life pregnancy care centers to the oversight and authority of the Attorney General of Connecticut. The Attorney General will have sole discretion in determining whether the advertising is appropriate or not. The bill passed with strong support of the abortion lobby and the Democratic members of the House. These centers honestly and openly serve hundreds of women in our state seeking assistance and an alternative to abortion. Litigation created by this bill, even if using false claims, could easily put these centers out of business. The centers are not able to recover legal costs under this bill, even if a court rules the claim is false.

Representative Christine Palm (D-36, Chester, Dep River, Essex, Haddam), a strong supporter and advocate for abortion rights, said that this bill was about the “Truth”. Unfortunately, she and many other democrats repeated so called facts that reflected fiction more than truth.

The Truth and Facts:

• H.B. 7070 specifically targets only centers that do not perform or refer for abortions
• There has never been a documented complaint against a pregnancy resource center in Connecticut, including at the public hearing on this legislation
• The effort to regulate pro-life pregnancy centers is part of a national campaign by abortion advocacy groups
• Centers in Connecticut do not use deceptive or misleading advertising
• Only licensed medical staff wear white jackets or scrubs at pregnancy resource centers. Volunteers do not
• No pregnancy resource center in Connecticut advertises it is a comprehensive medical clinic
• Pregnancy resource centers offer support and options for a woman not offered at abortion clinics
• Pregnancy resource centers receive high marks from the women they serve

The list goes on, but right now we need your support at the Connecticut Pregnancy Care Coalition rally this coming Tuesday. Please help us defeat this legislation, which is clearly aimed at people who believe unborn life is precious.

The Connecticut Pregnancy Care Coalition is a trade association representing many of the pregnancy resource centers in Connecticut.

FAIRFIELD—Bishop Caggiano unveiled a plan for a spiritual association called the Diaconate Confraternity of Saint Stephen, whose mission would be to deepen the personal holiness of members by fostering a spirituality centered on the Eucharist, at the Deacons Convocation held recently at Fairfield University.

“We are living in challenging spiritual times,” the bishop said. “And it is extremely important that you and I have as our foundation our personal relationship with the Lord.”

The challenges facing the Church are the result of a loss of trust in the leadership and a significant decrease in understanding and belief in the Eucharist. He said the latest research shows that nearly half of Catholics in the United States no longer believe in the Real Presence or cannot articulate what it means.

The Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ that comes in the Sacrifice of the Mass must be central to the deacons in their lives and ministry, he said. The confraternity is similar to the Confraternity of St. John Vianney, which was inaugurated last December and had 16 priests as original members.

The goals of the confraternity, which the wives of deacons would be invited to join, are to deepen reverence for the Blessed Sacrament through prayer and adoration, to foster ongoing spiritual renewal and fraternal bonds among its members, and to encourage works of charity and acts of reparation for the sins of deacons, priests and bishops. Members would commit to weekly Eucharistic adoration, daily silent prayer, weekday Mass, monthly confession and other duties.

The deacons responded enthusiastically to the bishop’s proposal, which he hopes to inaugurate on the Feast of Pentecost.

Deacon John DiTaranto, who is assigned to St. Stephen’s in Trumbull and is pastoral administrator of Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel in Bridgeport, welcomed the group and announced a restructuring of the Office of the Diaconate. Responsibilities will be divided among three coordinators — Deacon Tim Bolton will assume diaconate vocations and inquiry, Deacon Jerry Lambert, diaconate formation, and Deacon DiTaranto, continuing formation.

Of the 100 deacons in the diocese, 66 are in active service. Six men will be ordained on June 15 at 11 am at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull, and there are five aspirants in the formation program.

The daylong convocation also included a session for diaconate wives by Ilene Ianniello, a Liturgical Practicum by Deacon Patrick Toole, sessions about spiritual direction and programs at the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University, and a presentation by Patrick Donovan, director of the diocesan Leadership Institute.

Father Paul Check, rector of St. John Fisher Seminary, gave a talk on the Resurrection, which he defined as “the central mystery and sum of the Christian faith.” He told the wives of deacons in formation that the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection should stir them just as it did the first Apostles and draw them closer to the Lord. It cannot merely be a fact in history because, he said, “God intends for us to enjoy a measure of Easter joy right now” even as we carry the crosses in our lives for the sake of Christ.

“As Christians, we don’t rely on ourselves, so instead of thinking of self-confidence, let us think of Christ-confidence,” he said.

Marianne Smythe, wife of Deacon Brad Smythe, led a discussion with the women and was joined by Ilene Ianniello, who is president of the ministry for the wives of deacons. They explained their work at St. Joseph Parenting in Stamford, St. Vincent DePaul Center and their projects at St. Raphael School in Bridgeport.

Patrick Donovan, director of the Leadership Institute, delivered a talk based on the pastoral teaching of Pope Francis, titled Ten Traps for Ministry, and offered a recipe for a successful ministry, which included suggestions like be friendly, be approachable, be polite, be serene, be enthusiastic and be joyful.

He also offered recommendations, based on his doctoral dissertation, which he defended last month. They were formulated from research that spanned more than a century and examined the behavior of families where the faith remained strong in their children in later life.

Donovan said that for the faith to remain vibrant in young people, the Church must 1. Continue to accompany the family of newly baptized children in their faith journey 2. Ensure that young people continue their religious education after confirmation and 3. Develop meaningful programs that prepare couples for marriage and sustain them.

He said there are five fundamental practices that characterize a home in which children grow up to be faithful adults: the parents pray with and for their children and talk with them about God; provide “silent homilies,” such as sacred objects and sacramentals on display in their homes; practice a living faith; celebrate ordinary moments in family life such as graduations and getting a driver’s license; and encourage family members to share illuminating stories about their lives.

Donovan also encouraged the practice of having meals together and said children who ate with their family four to five times a week were three times more likely to stay active in their faith and community.

Bishop Caggiano later celebrated Mass with the deacons and their wives. Deacon  Smythe, who delivered the homily, told about his conversion to Catholicism. He said he suffered from a speech impediment, which caused him to be mocked by his classmates and in later life was an obstacle to pursuing a call to the diaconate. However, the Lord lifted him from the fear of stammering, he said, and the Holy Spirit gave him the courage to enter formation.

In 1993, he made a Cursillo and as a result “came to believe that Jesus loved me, warts and all.” More than a decade later, he and his wife Marianne gave a talk at a Cursillo day of reflection and afterwards, the facilitator approached him and said, “Every time I saw you today, I heard the word ‘deacon.’” He knew he could no longer ignore the call. At 60 years old, he started formation and was ordained after four years in 2011.

WESTPORT—One of the readings at the Mass celebrating Religious life on May 7at St. Luke Church was from Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.”

A 19^th century painting by William Holman Hunt portraying that portion of scripture is well-known and was prominent at the celebration. Jesus is in a garden, standing at a door knocking. The door has no handle and can only be opened from within. The passage and painting remind the Christian that God gives incredible freedom to each soul and does not force a relationship with any person but waits patiently to be invited into each individual heart where intimacy can develop. This is the work of life: to advance in love and familiarity with God.

This year there were twenty-seven men and women religious jubilarians in the diocese having reached milestones ranging from eighty to twenty-five years in vowed life. When totaled, all the years spent in dedicated service represented by those priests and sisters was unbelievably over 1,500! Those years were spent in prayer, meditation, living in community and varied ministries including school administration, teaching, social work, nursing, catechetics and outreach to the marginalized. Their adventure with the Lord started with their opening the door.

The future vitality of the Church and the continuation of the diverse charisms of congregations depend on the generosity of the new generations of Catholics when considering vowed consecration as a life option. It is true, every Christian should aim to incorporate the evangelical counsels, poverty, chastity and obedience, in imitation of Jesus in their lives no matter what their calling. However, the total self-gift made by Religious is a witness so needed in a time of relativism.

What matters most is inviting Christ in.