Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

HARTFORD—Promote a culture of life. Reject the Physician-Assisted Suicide bill at the State Capitol.

 We need you and all people of faith to tell your legislators that you value life and oppose CT House Bill 5898.

Please call the Public Health Committee now at 860.240.0560 and leave a message for your State Senator and State Representative.  Tell them this legislation would be a disaster for the health and well-being of every Connecticut citizen, especially the elderly, the chronically ill, the underinsured, and disabled among us.

To email your state legislators, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/NoDrSuicide

Thank you for all of your efforts!

STAMFORD—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will join with the students, faculty and staff of Stamford’s Trinity Catholic High School, along with students from The Catholic Academy of Stamford, grades 6-8 on Thursday, March 28  at 10 am. The bishop will dedicate newly-erected flagpoles and flags that will fly over the campus’ newly-renovated facilities.

The ceremonies will include a unique program that includes both patriotic and spiritual elements. The school will mark the event with a color guard, the singing of the national anthem and blessings as the flags representing the United States, the Vatican/Papal flag and state of Connecticut are raised for the first time.

The event is open to the community to join with the Trinity family in the dedication.

Trinity has recently completed a third phase of construction which brought new classrooms, offices, a guidance wing and media center to the facility’s campus. The renovations were dedicated by the Bishop this past January 30 in an event webcast on Facebook Live.

The campus, which includes The Catholic Academy of Stamford Upper School (grades 6-8), Bishop’s residence and The Seminary of St. John Fisher will be the center of Catholic identity in Lower Fairfield County in the years to come.

TRUMBULL — Father Joseph Marcello has made pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Andre Bassette in Montreal, the shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Maryland and the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena in Rome and prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary for a very special intention … the success of a project he believes will be spiritually transformative for his parish, St. Catherine of Siena.

For months, the blue vigil lamp burned in front of the statue of St. Joseph for an initiative called “Christ at the Center,”  which has as its goal putting the tabernacle at the center of the sanctuary, framed by a majestic high altar built from 20 tons of limestone and marble.

His prayers were answered. The project is nearly complete, and after several years of praying, planning, fund-raising, collaborating with parishioners, architects and builders, the church will be consecrated on March 24 by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.

“We called it ‘Christ at the Center’ because, above all, each one of us needs always to grow in our understanding that Jesus Christ is the center of our lives, of our families and of the life of our parish,” Father Marcello said. “Locating the tabernacle, which contains Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, at the center of our sanctuary is an important and very consequential reflection of that.”

However, the project entailed much more than merely moving the tabernacle from a side chapel into the sanctuary.

Father Marcello says, “It will be a catechism in stone that tells the story of our faith and honors Our Lord. This is a design that our ancestors in the faith would recognize and something our children will be proud of.”

The main architectural feature is a large “retablo,” which is constructed from 17 tons of limestone and provides a frame above and behind the Altar of Sacrifice and the crucifix. The inspiration for the design came from the altar of Our Lady, Health of the Roman People, at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The design for St. Catherine’s is “fresh and timeless and completely organic” because it looks as if it has always been there, Father Marcello says. On top of the retablo will be the dove of the Holy Spirit, which is original to the church.

A new tabernacle, which uses the doors of the previous one, will sit on a pedestal behind the new Altar of Sacrifice made in Italy from marble that came from quarries outside of Florence used by Michelangelo. The altar has a grill in the front through which can be seen a relic of St. Catherine of Siena, contained in a sunburst held aloft by two bronze angels.

The piece of bone of the church’s patron saint was given to the parish by the Dominican General in Rome. There will also be a statue of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. Shrines in honor of the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph will be on the left and right of the sanctuary.

The crucifix will have a newly designed walnut slab with the inscription in Hebrew, Latin and Greek modeled after an extant piece of the original wood preserved in the Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem in Rome.

The side chapel, which had previously been the Eucharistic chapel, has been transformed into the Memorial Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a special place of prayer for the deceased. The altar from a 1997 renovation has been moved there, and above it is a triptych containing the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with images of angels on either side, one holding the implements of the Passion and the other St. Catherine’s Church being presented to the Sacred Heart.

On display in the Memorial Chapel are flags honoring veterans, first responders and law enforcement officials, along with a mosaic of Our Lady in memory of children who have died from stillbirth, miscarriage and abortion, a book containing names of those who have been buried from the church, and memorial plaques in honor of deceased parishioners.

The original Stations of the Cross have been reframed and now include meditations by Blessed John Henry Newman.

Several years ago, Father Marcello began discussing the idea for the “Christ at the Center” project with Fathers Luke Suarez and Philip Bochanski and Deacon Patrick Toole. After Christmas 2016, they contacted noted Catholic architect Duncan Stroik of the University of Notre Dame, who visited the church and developed several prospective designs.

“We wanted something that would look natural, as if it had always been there, something that would draw the eye to the tabernacle and the crucifix, and make the area as beautiful and prayerful as possible,” Father Marcello said.

The plan was announced on the Solemnity of the Assumption in 2017 and work began a year later. The project was financed entirely through legacy gifts from parishioners, including Father Marcello’s parents, Joseph and Ellen, who gave the St. Joseph shrine. Bishop Caggiano will consecrate the church on March 24, “bringing to fruition these last 60 years of work and prayer and faith in the parish,” Father Marcello said, adding that it will build upon the renovation undertaken by the previous pastor, Monsignor Richard Shea, in 1997.

The project is particularly meaningful to Father Marcello, who was named pastor on January 31, 2015 and has been a member of the St. Catherine community since he was a kindergartner at the school, where his great aunt was secretary. He notes that attending St. Catherine School has been a family tradition. He and his sister Lisa Palmieri studied there, and his nieces Madisen, 10, and Olivia, 7, are currently students in fifth and second grades. When asked to evaluate their uncle’s tenure as pastor, they responded, “Uncle Joey is doing a fine job.”

Madisen is excited about the new look of the church, and Olivia gave a thumbs up to the new votive candle racks, where 11-inch beeswax candles can be placed in sand for prayer intentions.

All the changes, Father Marcello says, will help parishioners deepen their relationship with Christ. “Since Jesus is the Center of our life and of our faith, it is integral to our parish’s mission of evangelization that we put together one of the most effective ways to form people in the faith and deepen their relationship with Christ through the Church’s liturgy celebrated beautifully and reverently and prayerfully.”

By: Joe Pisani

TRUMBULL—On Tuesday, March 19, St. Joseph High School will celebrate the annual Feast of St Joseph – a day-long celebration that includes Mass, multiple community service projects, and a school-wide meal pack in partnership with Catholic Relief Services.

“St. Joseph Feast Day will begin with a school-wide Mass celebrated by Bishop Caggiano alongside our Episcopal Chaplin, Father Silva,” remarked Jessica Costa, director of marketing & enrollment. “We are excited to welcome over 200 Grandparents of our current students for Mass and a reception afterward as well.”

Directly following Mass, students will divide into five groups and rotate around the school to different stations, which include: meal-packing, Easter service projects, and a street festival lunch. In all, SJ students will pack at least 24,000 meals to be delivered to the African nation of Burkina Faso (enough food to feed 144,000 people). Students will also create 250 Easter Baskets to be delivered to organizations within Fairfield County, as well as 400 paper lilies to be delivered to the residents of St. Joseph Manor in Trumbull.

“St. Joseph Feast Day is an important tradition involving the entire school community,” remarked Mrs. Costa, “and one we look forward to each year. We thank our alumni, parents and grandparents for their support, as well as Bishop Caggiano, our Episcopal Chaplin, Father Silva and Campus Ministry Director,  Jordan Smith for planning such a special school-wide event.”

Photos of the day will be available on our Smug Mug page at sjcadets.smugmug.com.

About St Joseph High School

St Joseph High School (SJHS) strives to be the premier Catholic college preparatory school in Southern Connecticut. SJHS encourages young women and men to realize their potential, helps them excel in higher education, and provides a moral foundation to guide them throughout their lives. St Joseph High School is a member of NCEA, NAIS, NEAS&C, and CAIS.  www.sjcadets.org

About Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.  For more information, visit www.crs.org.

BROOKFIELD—This week, young scientists from 120 schools, both middle and high schools, across Connecticut and Fishers Island, New York competed in the 70^th Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF). About 150 students were selected as finalists, five of whom were from St. Joseph Catholic Academy, Brookfield.

Student, Shaun McKenna, Grade 8, CSEF finalist, was invited to participate in the middle school Broadcom MASTERS, the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Math competition in Washington, D.C. for his experiment titled The Effect of Various Combinations of Materials as Biosand Filters on the Filtration of Fresh Water.  McKenna also received the Jackson Laboratory Life Sciences Award, a certificate and $100.00 prize.

Student Liam Teeking, Grade 8, CSEF finalist,  received the Environmental Sciences Award from the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions and the Excellence in Environmental Conservation Studies award from The Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment along with a certificate and a $100.00 prize. Liam’s project is titled; How Does the Type of Filter Effect the Amount of Phosphorus Separated from Landscape Runoff?

Student Abigail Cristaudo, Grade 7, CSEF finalist, was also a finalist for the Biotechnology Award. Her project titled;  The Effect of Ocean Acidification on Crepidula Fornicata won the Alexion Biotechnology Award and an award from the Association for Women Geoscientists. She received a certificate and $25.00 gift card from the CSEF.

Student David Mitchell Grade 7, CSEF finalist,  presented his studies on The Effect of Collector Quantity on Solar Heating and was awarded the Future Sustainability Award and a certificate.

Student Sania Toprani, Grade 8, was recognized by the Yale Peabody Museum for her experiment, The Effect of Fertilizer on Algae Growth.  In addition to her recognition award, Sania received six tickets to the Yale Peabody Museum.

Saint Joseph Catholic Academy middle school science teacher, Marde Dimon, shares that “the first week of school this year I began to explain the exceptionally high expectations and prestige of the CSEF to our seventh and eighth-grade students. I challenged them to think about “real world” problems and to design very well controlled projects that lead to “real world” solutions. Our CSEF winners have certainly met and exceeded the challenges and the CSEF expectations.”

The Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair is a yearly, statewide science and engineering fair open to all students in grades 7-12 residing, or enrolled, in Connecticut and Fishers Island schools. The primary objective of the fair is to attract young people to careers in mathematics, science, and engineering while developing critical thinking and public speaking skills. Through their participation in the fair, students are encouraged to pursue independent work using proper research methods. The fair is supported by academic and industrial organizations through the state. The non-profit Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair is a volunteer organization fund that directs funds toward student awards, educational presentations, fair operations, and workshops.

(For more information, visit www.ctsciencefair.org.)

NEWTOWN— St. Rose School 7th Grader Rohan Carey also received multiple awards at the recent Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair held at Quinnipiac for his project, “Does the Shape of an Airplane Affect it’s Speed and Lift?”  Last Saturday, Rohan attended the Awards ceremony and here is what he won:

1. 2^nd Place 7^th Grade Physical Science Award (trophy) – $200 award  – each project was either physical science or life science and his was physical science and he won 2^nd place in the category from all the projects presented at the fair
2. American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Award – $200 award
3. Office of Naval Research – US Navy/US Marine Corps – Middle School Award – $25 gift card
4. He was also a Broadcom Masters Nominee – which means he was nominated by the science fair to enter the top middle school science and engineering competition in Washington DC.

Congratulations, students!

BRIDGEPORT—Students from Catholic schools in the Greater Bridgeport area marched and displayed their school banners in the 37th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade held on Friday in downtown Bridgeport.

The St. Patrick’s Day observance formally began when the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, celebrated Mass at 8 am at St. Augustine Cathedral. Mass was followed by an Irish Breakfast at the Holiday Inn and the parade at noon.

For the sixth year the parade had a complete division exclusively for the Catholic Schools. Participants included marchers, floats and several bands.

Students from Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, St. Catherine Academy, St. Mark, St. Ann, St. Andrew, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Joseph High School joined this year’s festivities. Peter Carroll, of Stratford and served as Grand Marshal.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians in Bridgeport is the oldest chapter in the U.S. St. Augustine Cathedral was dedicated by Bishop McFarland on St. Patrick’s Day in 1868.

Photos by Amy Mortensen

Dear members of the Sacred Heart University community,

Sadly, I am once again writing to you about a senseless mass shooting—this time one that killed 49 people in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is particularly horrifying to me because I know how deeply it has impacted the members of our Muslim community here on campus and because it happened in a place of worship. Freedom of religion is the tenet on which our country was founded.

In light of this event, the Sacred Heart University community will gather for prayers and reflection on Monday, March 18, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit where we will celebrate our tradition of nonviolence, inclusivity and tolerance through prayer, music and—most importantly—coming together as we always do in times of sadness and times of celebration. Even as this horrific event was taking place, we were offering a discussion series entitled “Heart Challenges Hate.” And on Thursday, students, faculty and staff gathered to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the student walkout that followed the shooting in Parkland, FL. Let’s gather together and pray for a day when we no longer need to have these kinds of conversations.

I strongly encourage all members of the SHU community to join us and show the strength of our numbers as we stand together with those in our community who are grieving as well as with those in the greater community we all share.

Thank you.
John J. Petillo, Ph.D.
President
Sacred Heart University

(This message originally appeared on Sacred Heart University’s website: www.sacredheart.edu/aboutshu/news.)

UNCASVILLE—Greatness came in a flash and handed the Trinity Catholic girls basketball team the ultimate prize.

Within a span of just several minutes in her team’s Class S final against Canton, Iyanna Lops showed just why she’s continuing her career at the highest possible level.

Lops stamped her authority on both sides of the court, scoring 26 points with nine rebounds and six blocks to lead Trinity to its first class S championship since 2006 with a 52-45 win over top-seeded Canton Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun.

It was a first state crown for the school’s girls team under Walsh, who led the Crusaders’ boys team to seven titles before a brief retirement.

“We made some big plays and hit some big shots,” Walsh said. “I thought our defense especially was good. (Canton) is a good team and we knew we had a hard job. They went out and did it. I’m glad I came back and helped them out.”

The University of California-Bakersfield-bound Lops scored 17 points—including back-to-back three-pointers to start — in a six-minute span during the second quarter, flipping the final on its head for good. The No. 7 Crusaders got 12 points and six assists from Caitlyn Scott.

“I knew that our tempo was low so I knew as a leader I just had to get the energy high and stay vocal,” Lops said. “It felt amazing, once I hit the first two in the corner I was like OK, I’m going to keep shooting.”

One team had been there plenty before, the other had not. That played out early as Canton—which was playing in its fourth state final in five years—sunk four three-pointers to snatch an eight-point lead. Lops completely took over in the second, though, scoring her 17 points as part of a 23-4 run for the Crusaders.

“She’s very good,” Canton coach Brian Medeiros said. “I thought our size would give her more problems than it did, but we had no answers in the second. The first, third and fourth quarters weren’t bad, it was just that second-quarter eruption that she got what she wanted.”

That double-digit lead remained for most of the game before a brief revival from the Warriors. Pressure on defense led to a 6-0 spurt that pulled them to within 44-37 with six minutes still to play, but Canton went ice cold from the field after that. The lead was again trimmed to 50-43 but nothing found the bottom of the basket for Canton, which forced eight turnovers in the final quarter but couldn’t capitalize.

“That was the frustrating part because we got what we wanted the last six minutes,” Medeiros said. “We said we had to pick up the tempo here; if we could force some turnovers and get those extra possessions. We get them, we’re trying to get to the basket and for one reason or another we miss or turn it over. We did all the hard work we didn’t get to pay it off.”

Junior Abby Charron led Canton with 15 points while Paige Brown added 10. Canton was beaten just once prior to Saturday, a 52-47 decision against ND-Fairfield in early January.

RUN TO THE SUN
Both teams blitzed their way to the final; each won four games by more than double digits. Trinity ousted Canton for the second straight year after winning in the opening round in 2018. The Crusaders (22-5) were defeated in the FCIAC final, while Canton (26-2) won the NCCC crown.

CHARITY STRIPE
The Crusaders went a sparkling 14-for-17 from the foul line to seal the win while the Warriors were 10-17.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Iyanna Lops, Trinity Catholic: The standout delivered her school a championship in her final act.

QUOTABLE
“I don’t even know what’s going through my head,” said Trinity junior Caitlyn Scott. “Happy, sad a lot of work I’ve put into this and it’s just really amazing to be here.”

“All the early-morning, late-night workouts finally paid off,” Lops said. “I just thank my coaches for believing in me and not giving up on me.” rlacey@bcnnew.com, twitter.com/ryanlacey11

Story originally published at gametimect.com. Photo by Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media

AUCKLAND—New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have expressed horror and distress at a terrorist attack in two mosques in Christchurch that saw at least 49 people killed.

The shootings took place at or near the Al Noor Mosque, where 41 people were killed, and at the Linwood Mosque, where 7 were killed. One more person subsequently died at Christchurch Hospital. Muslims had gathered at the mosques for Friday prayers. Some of those killed were children, it has been reported.

The terror attack started at around 1:40 pm local time March 15, sparking a massive mobilization by police. Mike Bush, New Zealand police commissioner, announced at 9 pm that a man in his late 20s had been charged with murder and would appear in the Christchurch District Court the next day.

Some three-and-a-half hours after the attacks began, the New Zealand bishops released a message, addressed to the nation’s Muslim community, via social media.

“We hold you in prayer as we hear the terrible news of violence against Muslims at mosques in Christchurch,” the bishops wrote.

“We are profoundly aware of the positive relationships we have with Islamic people in this land, and we are particularly horrified that this has happened at a place and time of prayer.

“We are deeply saddened that people have been killed and injured, and our hearts go out to them, their families and wider community. We wish you to be aware of our solidarity with you in the face of such violence.”

The bishops signed off their message “Peace, Salaam.”

A message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on behalf of Pope Francis, said the pope was “deeply saddened to learn of the injury and loss of life cause by the senseless acts of violence” at the mosques.

“He assures all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his heartfelt solidarity in the wake of these attacks.” He also offered prayers and blessings to those injured, those grieving, those who died and emergency personnel.

Christchurch Bishop Paul Martin released his own message on social media.

“We are horrified at the violence that has been inflicted on people of our city this afternoon,” Bishop Martin wrote.

“Words cannot convey our distress. Our prayers are with those who are suffering. I invite you now, wherever you are, alone or with family, workmates or friends, to pray together in the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: Lord make me an instrument of your peace … ”

Bishop Martin planned to celebrate a Mass of prayer for peace, “remembering those who have died in the mosques tragedy and praying for those who are suffering,” at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral March 16.

This is the second major tragedy involving significant loss of life in Christchurch in the last decade. On Feb. 22, 2011, an earthquake struck the city, killing 185 people. The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament suffered severe damage, as did the nearby Anglican Cathedral.

Anglican Bishop Peter Carrell of Christchurch issued a statement on behalf of all church leaders in the city in early evening.

“Church leaders are absolutely devastated at the unprecedented situation in Christchurch this afternoon, and our hearts and prayers go to all involved. No religious organization or group deserves to be the target of someone’s hate—regardless of beliefs. We stand for an Aotearoa New Zealand, which will never condone such violence. So, across the churches of Christchurch and Canterbury, we are praying for our Muslim brothers and sisters, for those injured and those who have lost loved ones, for the police, ambulance and other emergency services, and for all in the city of Christchurch who are feeling distress and fear due to this event. We are upholding you all in our prayers. We pray, too, for the shooter and their supporters, because for any person to do this, they must have such hatred in their hearts, such misalignment of the value of human life, that they too, need our prayer. We thank many others from around our nation and the world who are praying for peace in Christchurch.”

Five Catholic high schools and about a dozen elementary schools in Christchurch city were among many schools that went into lockdown in mid-afternoon as news of the terror attacks spread. Children and staff were unable to leave the schools until 5:30 pm, when enough police personnel had been deployed to ensure a safe passage home.

When the lifting of the lockdown, one Catholic high school, the all-girls Villa Maria College, stated on Facebook announced that rolls would be taken in the school gym and that students would be “debriefed with pastoral care on hand.” After this, students were released.

The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand’s history. The gunman reportedly live-streamed video of the attack using a helmet-camera. New Zealand police asked people not to share this on social media. The shooter also posted a 73-page manifesto.

Facebook and Twitter reportedly removed the gunman’s pages.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: “It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack.” She said the thoughts and prayers of the nation were with “those who have been impacted today.”

“Christchurch was their home,” Ardern said. “For many, this may not have been the place they were born, in fact for many, New Zealand was their choice. The place they actively came to and committed to. The place they were raising their families. Where they were parts of communities that they loved and who loved them in return. It was a place that many came to for its safety. A place where they were free to practice their culture and their religion.”

The prime minister added: “For those of you who are watching at home tonight and questioning how this could have happened here. We, New Zealand, we were not a target because we are a safe harbor for those who hate. We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are an enclave for extremism. We were chosen for the very fact that we are none of those things.”

Mosques across the country closed on Friday at the urgings of police. Vigils sprang up throughout New Zealand as people gathered to mourn and grieve.

A meme on Facebook shared by many showed a sobbing kiwi.

By Michael | Catholic News Service

FAIRFIELD—New Canaan High School Class of 1978 Honors Memory of Katherine Schlegel

When Elena (Peters) and Stephen Schlegel lost their 20-year-old daughter Katherine last fall, members of the New Canaan High School Class of 1978 quickly focused their upcoming 40th Reunion celebration to make the event a fundraiser for Saint Catherine Center, where the Schlegels chose to honor Katherine’s memory.

Katherine Schlegel carried a bright, bubbly personality in life and was a quick friend to many people she met along the way. As her father Steve pointed out, “Katherine was always the brightest light in the room.” In a similar way, Saint Catherine Center has become a bright light to many area families of children and young adults with special needs.

“Many students and participants are now reaching the age where they need a new challenge,” said Helen Burland, Executive Director. “An expanded living and learning facility is becoming a top priority.”

Recently members from the Class visited Saint Catherine Center for a tour and to present the gift, which will go toward a capital campaign to help us meet the growing needs of the population we serve.

The Joy of Singing Together

“What I really enjoy about singing in the choir is singing together,” says Anna Stowe, a Saint Catherine Academy student who has been part of the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Youth Choir (otherwise known as “C4Y”) for the past year and a half. The choir, which boasts more than 120 members, was formed at Bishop Caggiano’s special request to bring youth together in community while cultivating their talents.

Anna, who is 15 (“almost 16”) and an alto, had always enjoyed singing at her school in Chicago. When the family moved to Connecticut a couple of years ago, Anna’s mother Jill contacted the C4Y director, Mary Higgins. Anna met Mrs. Higgins and auditioned with the National Anthem—not an easy song!

“I was a little nervous, but really excited,” said Anna. The next day Mrs. Higgins called to invite her to join.

The choir is a serious commitment, with rehearsals every Tuesday night for an hour and a half. Because members are spread across the Diocese, Mrs. Higgins travels to multiple locations over the week to rehearse in small groups.

At the Christmas concert, Anna was called forward to play the tambourine during a special song. “I watched her walk across the stage,” her mother said. “When Anna joined the choir, I wanted her to be part of the crowd—not treated special—but that she was made extra special at the concert was humbling.” Anna took it all in stride.

The C4Y spring concert will be held at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull on May 5th.

Mardi Gras-a-Go-Go

Here at Saint Catherine Center, it makes us happy to see the pleasure in the faces of all the guests who attend our regular dinner dances at St. Pius Church in Fairfield. More than 120 adults from all around the Diocese—some dressed in costume—came out for an evening of dining and dancing to celebrate Mardi Gras.

The dinner dances are a labor of love from many friends of the Center, including: Charles Chiusano from our Board of Directors, who delivers the delicious pasta and meatballs from A&S Italian Fine Foods of Fairfield; his wife Ruth who helps us prepare; Fr. Sam Kachuba who offers us the space at St. Pius; Sylvia Calabro who brings delicious cookies; DJ Herb Ramirez with his fun and familiar tunes; Cathy Romano of Assumption Church in Westport who makes beautiful table centerpieces; and the group of enthusiastic young people from St. Andrew in Bridgeport who serve the guests—and then enjoy a dance or two themselves.

When the Macarena starts up, you know the evening has been a success!

 (For more information visit St. Catherine’s website at: www.stcatherinecenter.org.)

NORWALK—On Saturday, March 9, Knights of Council 14360 held their 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner to raise funds for their charitable causes. Around 225 attendees packed the Masterpool Great Room at St. Matthew Church to enjoy some tasty corned beef with all the trimmings, as well as a superb Irish Dance performance from the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance.

“We do our very best to give our parishioners and friends a fun time,” said Grand Knight Scott Criscuolo. I love to see how all my brother Knights rolling up their sleeves to help make the night special.”

Criscuolo continued, “One of the best parts about Saturday was seeing new faces both in our council helping out and in the crowd. Those people that heard through word of mouth about our event and wanted to be a part of it. That makes it all worth the hard work planning it.”

The dinner included corned beef provided by Zody’s 19th Hole, complemented by cabbage, carrots, potatoes and soda bread—and ice cream donated by Saugatuck Sweets in Fairfield. The event also featured a “cornucopia of great raffle prizes from many local businesses such as O’Neill’s Pub, Dave’s Planet Pizza, Italia and Dry Dock.

I can’t believe it has been 10 years since our first dinner, said dinner co-chair and past Grand Knight George Ribellino. “The first dinner had 81 attendees and this year we had a sell out a few weeks before the dinner.”

Money raised from the dinner will help assist such local organizations as Malta House, Family and Children’s Agency, Homes for the Brave, All Saints Catholic School, Al’s Angels, CT Fisher House and The St. Matthew Food Pantry.

“This was the first time my family and I attended the St. Patrick’s Day dinner, it certainly was a fun filled evening of tasty corned beef, great Irish dancers and the luck of the Irish was at our table as we won three of the raffle prizes. Thank you to the Knights it was a great fundraiser,” said attendee Lisa Habasinski.

The goal of the Knights of Columbus Council at Saint Matthew Parish is to perform acts of charity, providing those in need with a range of support from financial to tactical help in dealing with a wide variety of challenges.

(For more information, visit saintmatthewknights.com.)

STRATFORD—At five-foot-three, he was one of the most fearsome men on the New York City police force. He was a master of disguise known as the Italian Sherlock Holmes. And he was dauntless in his singlehanded fight against organized crime.

Lt. Joseph Petrosino was the first Italian detective in a predominantly Irish police force, who for more than 20 years took on the notorious Black Hand, a criminal organization that preyed on Italian immigrants in New York at the turn of the century. By the time he was promoted to lieutenant, he was in charge of the “Italian Squad,” a team of six detectives committed to the fight against the underworld during the Gilded Age. During their first year on the streets, they cut the Black Hand crimes in half.

Even though Petrosino had only a sixth-grade education, he became the friend of men like President Teddy Roosevelt and opera singer Enrico Caruso, and when he died at 48 from an assassin’s bullet while undercover in Sicily, his funeral procession through New York brought out more than 200,000 people.

James Carmody of Stratford, a member of St. Mark Church and English teacher at New York’s Information Technology High School, spent more than a decade researching and writing a historical novel about Petrosino titled, “The Giant Killer,” based on the life and exploits of the most renowned Italian-American law officer in the city’s history.

The book, which was published by Pocol Press and is available on Amazon, begins on January 5, 1905 when one of the worst blizzards in history paralyzed the city. A bomb set off in a barber shop leaves one man dead and in the weeks that follow, there is a series of bombings as Petrosino pursues his investigation. One of the lead suspects in the case is a Major League ballplayer on the New York Giants, who are in a pennant race.

Carmody says he was intrigued by the brilliant detective, who used modern forensic techniques at the turn of the 19th century. He was known to be a fearless law officer who had a photographic memory and often went undercover disguised as a ragpicker, priest or laborer. Because of his height, he wore lifts in his shoes and a derby hat to make himself appear taller. (The department waived the height requirement when he joined the force.)

“I read about Petrosino in my research on New York and I was drawn to his integrity,” Carmody said. ‘He was a devout Catholic and a daily communicant. He was also committed to the Italian community at a time when Italians were afraid to go to the police because members of the Black Hand were extorting them.”

Petrosino often worked alone in his war against criminals who terrorized Italians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and he often found it difficult to get victims to tell their stories because they feared reprisals, which could include bombings, harm to their children, arson, kidnappings and murder.

Giuseppe Petrosino was born in 1860 in Padula, Italy and came to America at 13 to live with his grandfather. His first jobs in New York were as a boot black and “White Wing” street sweeper, Carmody said. Then, at 23 he became the first officer to speak Italian on a police force of 30,000 men. Eventually, he became friends with Teddy Roosevelt, who was on the council of police commissioners and later became president of the United States.

Petrosino is widely remembered for the cases he cracked, including the sensational “Barrel Murders,” in which the bodies of victims were stuffed inside barrels and left on the street as a sign by the Black Hand. He also helped Enrico Caruso when the singer was being threatened with extortion, Carmody said. Caruso was so afraid he would be shot during a performance that a gun used in an opera performance was routinely checked to ensure no one had slipped in real bullets.

Carmody began research for the novel in 2007, when he was awarded a fellowship by the Cullman Center of the New York Public Library. His work took him to the library for ten summers, to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Italian-American Museum and the Mark Twain House in Hartford. The novel includes many historical events, from the pennant race that led to the 1905 World Series between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Athletics to Mark Twain’s 70th birthday celebration and the tragic train derailment on the Ninth Avenue Elevated on September 11, 1905 which left 13 dead and 50 injured.

Last year, Carmody was honored for his work by being invited to march in the Columbus Day parade with the Joseph Petrosino historical society along with two descendants of the detective.

Lt. Petrosino was murdered on March 12, 1909, while on a secret assignment in Sicily. His funeral procession through Little Italy and Manhattan brought out more mourners than the funeral for President William McKinley in 1901. Petrosino is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Queens, the same place where Carmody’s parents lie. His grave is marked by a pillar that has an ornate bust of him.

“Joe Petrosino is a heroic example for the rest of us,” Carmody said. “He was a model citizen and an individual who defied criminal organizations, and he helped immigrants in the Italian community when there was no one else for them.”

By Joe Pisani

FAIRFIELD—Enhancing a patient’s quality of life, providing patients and families with supportive and spiritual care, and incorporating an interdisciplinary healthcare approach towards pain and symptom management, are all essential criterion to be met in the field of palliative and end-of-life care.

In an effort to emphasize the importance of this rapidly growing field, the Connecticut Coalition to Improve End-of-Life Care (CTEOL), in collaboration with Fairfield University’s Kanarek Center for Palliative Care Nursing Education at The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies will be sponsoring an informative all-day conference entitled “Spiritual and Cultural Dimensions of Palliative and End-of-Life Care.”The conference will take place in the Egan School’s Kanarek Center for Palliative Care Nursing Education on Saturday, March 30 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The upcoming conference is sure to enhance audience knowledge and skills concerning compassionate spiritual and cultural palliative and end-of-life care,” said Director of the Kanarek Center for Palliative Care Nursing Education Eileen O’Shea, DNP, APRN, PCNS-BC, CHPPN.

The topic for this conference was developed in response to two previously conducted Connecticut Healthcare Provider surveys, which identified spiritual and cultural knowledge gaps within the realm of palliative and end-of-life care education. The CTEOL education task force has lined up spiritually dynamic and culturally diverse presenters for the conference, including keynote speaker Dr. Christina Puchalski, from The George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Heath. She will deliver the keynote entitled “Responding to Spiritual Distress: The Art of Presence.” The conference panelists will explore a wide array of subject matters relating to the palliative care field and will touch upon issues increasingly pressing within today’s medical community.

Christina Puchalski, MD, MS, FACP, FAAHPM, is a pioneer and international leader in the movement to integrate spirituality into healthcare in clinical settings and medical education. As founder and director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish) and professor of medicine at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, she continues to break new ground in the understanding and integration of spiritual care in a healthcare setting.

Dr. Puchalski is widely published in journals with work ranging from biochemistry research to issues in ethics, culture, and spiritual care. She has recently published a book with Oxford University Press entitled Time for Listening and Caring: Spirituality and the Care of the Seriously Ill and Dying.Her work has been featured in numerous print and television media. She is recognized for developing interdisciplinary educational curricula and innovative models of care.

In addition to Dr. Puchalski, the following distinguished individuals will serve as panelists at the conference:

• Lisa Caramico, MD will share her journey caring for her husband who lived with a terminal illness in her panel, “18 Months and Beyond.”
• Mark Lazenby, PhD, APRN, FAAN will explore how nursing practice addresses some of life’s biggest questions in “The Existential Plight of Cancer: Its Spiritual Dimensions.”
• Kevin Toolis will explore how communities across the globe dealt with death before the rise of the Western Death Machine in his panel, “My Father’s Wake: How the Irish teach us to Live, Love & Die.“
• Actress Judith Gantly will perform a one-woman play entitled, “Waltzing the Reaper,” which tries to communicate approaches to understanding the end-of-life process.

The conference fees for CTEOL Members is $110. For non-members, $135. Tickets for full time students are $65, and students must submit a form from their academic advisor affirming student’s current full-time status.

There are limited tickets for this event.

This event is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Coalition to Improve End-of-Life Care and the Fairfield University Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. Register at fairfield.edu/CTEOL.

 Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic university rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe are pursuing degrees in the University’s five schools. Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values. The University is located on a stunning 200-acre campus on the scenic Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.