Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

VATICAN CITY— In his homily at Mass Tuesday, Pope Francis spoke harshly about what he considers one of the great dangers of clericalism: that it alienates members of the Church by refusing to be close to them, and reinforces the belief that priests are above the laity.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Pope Francis has spoken out against clericalism – in fact, it could easily be considered one of the most frequently-repeated topics of his pontificate; most recently to a group of Jesuits, but he has also strongly condemned it in the Church in Latin America.

The Pope’s homily Dec. 13 was given before members of the Council of Cardinals, an advisory body of the Pope, with whom he has been meeting this week. The Council, which last met Sept. 12-14, has been helping to facilitate Francis’ reform of the Roman Curia.

After the September meetings, Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, secretary of the Council of Cardinals, published a summary of their work, linking the Council’s actions to the “needs for a pastoral conversion” that Pope Francis discussed in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium.

Francis’ emphasis on the pastoral mission of the priest is again highlighted in his Dec. 13 homily. Criticizing the chief priests and elders found in the Gospels, he pointed out how even when the traitor Judas came back to them repentant, they turned him away, saying, “It’s your problem.”

The reason for this, the Pope said, is that they “had forgotten what it was to be a pastor” and instead “they were the intellectuals of religion, those who had the power, who advanced the catechesis of the people with a morality composed by their own intelligence and not by the revelation.”

In this quote, Pope Francis condemns those who do not heed God’s command in Proverbs 3:5 to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely.”

“Clerics feel they are superior, they are far from the people;” they have no time to hear the poor, the suffering, prisoners, the sick,” Francis said.

Placing it in the context of Advent, and people awaiting the birth of the Savior, Pope Francis said that the Father has “always sought to be close to us: he sent his Son. We are waiting, waiting in joyful expectation, exulting.”

“But the Son didn’t join the game of these people: The Son went with the sick, the poor, the discarded, the publicans, the sinners – and that is scandalous – the prostitutes. Today, too, Jesus says to all of us, and even to those who are seduced by clericalism: ‘The sinners and the prostitutes will go before you into the Kingdom of Heaven’.”

With his focus on the ministry of the priesthood as pastors, it isn’t surprising that Francis has criticized this superior attitude in his addresses to seminarians as well, telling a group from Southern Italy Dec. 10, to be involved and get their “hands dirty.”

“Do not feel different from your peers,” or that you are better than other people, he said. “If tomorrow you will be priests who live in the midst of the holy people of God, begin today to be young people who know how to be with everyone, who can learn something from every person you meet, with humility and intelligence.”

An updated version of the Vatican’s document on priestly formation, released Dec. 7, touched on the issue of clericalism as well, emphasizing that, as Cardinal Beniamino Stella said, to be a good priest “a demonstrated human, spiritual and pastoral maturation is necessary.”

Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Cardinal Stella was commenting on The Gift of Priestly Vocation, his department’s newest edition of the fundamentals of priestly formation, which says that seminarians “should be educated so that they do not become prey to ‘clericalism,’ nor yield to the temptation of modeling their lives on the search for popular consensus.”

“This would inevitably lead them to fall short in exercising their ministry as leaders of the community, leading them to think about the Church as a merely human institution.”

The document reiterates that priestly ordination, while making its recipient “a leader of the people,” should not “lead him to ‘lord it over’ the flock.”

At the heart of this message is an echo of what Pope Francis continues to repeat in his words to priests: there is a need for clergy who walk with the people, just as Jesus did, discarding no one.

Failing to live up to this calling results in priests afflicted with “the spirit of clericalism,” which in the words of Pope Francis, is “a very ugly thing.”

By Hannah Brockhaus | Catholic News Agency

STAMFORD—While every scholarship recipient appreciates the donor that helps make their academic experience possible, it is unlikely that they get to meet the people who fund their scholarships. On September 11, six students from Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford and their families had the unique opportunity to personally meet and converse with their scholarship donors, Mary Alice and Thomas O’Malley.

Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley committed $500,000 to Foundations in Education over five years to establish a scholarship at Trinity Catholic High School for children of firefighters and police officers in Greenwich or Stamford and nurses of Greenwich or Stamford Hospital. This scholarship covers 80% of their tuition.

“It means so much to me that they appreciate first responders like my father,” said freshman Morgan Vossler, whose father is a Stamford police officer.

The evening was particularly symbolic as 9/11 will always be remembered as a day to honor first responders.

Thomas O’Malley offered the scholars some advice; the same guidance he gave his own children and grandchildren. He warned them of the many evils in their midst. He urged them not to follow the example of poor-decision making peers; but instead be leaders. He challenged them to find what stirs their passion and then pursue their dream.

“I took away wise insights from Mr. O’Malley, of which I promise to apply in my time at Trinity Catholic and beyond,” remarked sophomore Megan DeLallo.

Students sat captivated as Mr. O’Malley recounted how he grew from modest means. He shared with them his own passions and something he would do if he were President.

Mr. O’Malley went on to say, “I have traveled to just about every country there is and there is no better place to live than the United States. If I were President, I would mandate that every student at the age of 18 devote one year to service. Every citizen should give back whether it is military service, volunteering in public works, or any type of community service.”

“I am honored to be an O’Malley scholar. My fellow scholars and I are a part of something great,” remarked DeLallo.

The O’Malleys suggested the students “also thank the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano for being the compelling advocate for Catholic education that he is.”

Bishop Caggiano created Foundations in Education in order to create a long-term strategy to stabilize and improve Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic schools and provide a path for their sustained growth.

To learn more about Foundations in Education or to learn how your gift can help transform lives of Catholic school students, please visit the Foundations in Education website at: www.foundationsineducation.org. 

(In the photo: left to right: Foundations in Education Executive Director Holly Doherty-Lemoine, Trinity Catholic High School Head of School Pat Brady, Tyler Breault (gr. 11), Morgan Vossler (gr. 9), Mary Alice O’Malley, Scarlett Cooney (gr. 10), Thomas O’Malley, Megan DeLallo (gr. 10), Lindsay Calise (gr. 9), Richard Del Vecchio (gr. 12), and Trinity Catholic High School Principal Scott Smith)

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” —Audrey Hepburn

FAIRFIELD—St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Fairfield, CT has a vibrant and bountiful vegetable, herb and flower garden.  Its “Giving Garden” opened in 2017, as a result of proceeds from its “Spring to Auction” fundraising event.  Since its inception, it has provided programming for over 150 students and has hosted community events.  It is the embodiment of a special community at St. Thomas Aquinas and its attributes of stewardship and citizenship.

This summer and fall the Giving Garden has continued its fast-paced programming in the areas of science, service and collaboration.  We kicked off the summer with Salad Making Kits for Operation Hope—equipped with heads of lettuce, dressing, croutons, and special ingredients brought by our students.  Then we capped it off with our students, by partnering with The Stand at the Sportsplex in Fairfield where our students had a lesson in making yummy spinach smoothies (not an oxymoron)!

Further fostering our role in the downtown Fairfield community, we partnered with HomeFront Farmers and the Fairfield University Bookstore to bring Mr. MacGregor’s Garden to life.  We began with a Beatrix Potter tea and craft at the bookstore then hopped a few blocks to the Giving Garden, which was filled with whimsical garden decor and surprises from the story.  And hopping we did, as our walk was led by our Peter Rabbit stand-in, Blossom the bunny, from Pequot Library!  All of our 50 guests and the bunny were well fed with carrots, celery and cucumbers from the Giving Garden.  We repeated this event for our pre-K and Kindergarten students at the start of this school year.

Principal Jo Ann Mathieson said, “This is another example of how creative our faculty is in taking curriculum beyond the core.  Today’s story time was combined with age-appropriate lessons in stewardship, service, science and fun in this bucolic setting right on our school campus.”
St. Thomas Aquinas Pre-K and Kindergarten students harvesting vegetables for Operation Hope at Mr. MacGregor’s Event

Looking ahead, next week we have a “Saucy” cooking class for our students hosted by fellow parent and chef-owner, Clara Cavalli of Brick + Wood in Fairfield.  Students will harvest the many tomatoes from our trellis and our garden-grown basil to make their own pasta sauce.  Not to be outdone, our faculty will use the cured garlic from the Giving Garden in partnership with the Stand of Fairfield to make garlic jam.  Talk about keeping the vampires or perhaps naughty students.

The Giving Garden will keep blooming through November – so visit us and catch a talk on composting (with our new onsite compost), assembly of herb packages, or perhaps another snap pea bonanza. You never know what you can find at the St. Thomas garden… even a mischievous bunny!

   

 

FAIRFIELD—Judge Thomas Hardiman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit will be the featured speaker at the 2018 Red Mass and Breakfast that will take place on Sunday, October 14, 9 am at the Egan Chapel of Fairfield University, 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield.

Msgr. Thomas Powers, Vicar General of the diocese, will concelebrate the Mass with members of the Jesuit community of Fairfield University. Breakfast will immediately follow in the Oak Room in the campus center.

The public is encouraged to attend the Red Mass along with all attorneys, criminal justice and legal professionals.

“The Red Mass has become a welcome forum for exploring many of the major legal challenges of our day within the framework of Catholic teaching. We’re grateful that Judge Hardiman can join us to share his thoughts on issues of interest to us all. He brings a fascinating life story to his outstanding work as a judge,” said Anne McCrory, Chief Legal and Real Estate Officer of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

The annual Red Mass, celebrated across the country in many dioceses traditionally seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who strive for justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and challenges faced by Catholic legal practitioners.

During the breakfast, the St. Thomas More Award will be presented posthumously to the late Honorable Daniel F. Caruso, former Probate Judge of Fairfield for his service to the diocese and the people of Fairfield County.

Judge Thomas Hardiman

In 2003, at the age of 37, Hardiman was nominated by President George W. Bush to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; he was confirmed by the Senate by a voice vote. Four years later, Bush nominated Hardiman to the 3rd Circuit, and, after uncontroversial hearings, he was confirmed by a vote of 95-0.

Hardiman was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, and was raised in Waltham. The future judge financed his law degree by driving a taxi. He graduated from Waltham High School and from the University of Notre Dame. He was the first person in his family to go to college as a Notre Dame scholar— a merit-based award given to exceptional students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. He earned his law degree at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was Notes and Comments editor of the Georgetown Law Journal in 1990.

Judge Hardiman, 51, was on President Donald Trump’s short list for appointment to the Supreme Court to fill the seat vacated a year ago by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Thomas Hardiman and his wife Lori have three children; the older two are both students at Notre Dame, and the youngest is a sophomore in high school. Hardiman has headed the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Bishop Caggiano has urged all legal professionals including attorneys, legislators, judges and other legal professionals to attended the Red Mass and consider joining the St. Thomas More Society, an association of Catholic attorneys with a long history of charitable work.

The cost is $50/person. For tickets: click here.

For information email: dtietjen@diobpt.org or call: 203.416.1385.

BRIDGEPORT—“There is tremendous hope in a difficult climate,” said diocesan director of Safe Environments Erin Neil, at the Safe Environments Leadership Summit held this morning in Queen of Saints Hall at the Catholic Center.

“Christ is our true healer and he will help guide us through this time as he has in all times,” said Neil who gave a brief overview of the Dallas Charter and also introduced survivors of clerical sexual abuse who now lead the diocesan Committee for Hope and Healing.

Neil said revisions that began on the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2013 have already been in place in our diocese since 2003. These revisions include extending the charter to include all individuals working with young people and to include vulnerable adults. These revisions were passed and are to be put in place in other dioceses in June of 2018.

Survivor group members Peter Philipp, Peggy Fry and Joseph Cann shared difficult and heartbreaking stories of their own experiences with abuse and answered questions from the more than 60 religious educators in attendance.

They expressed the joy they felt upon getting to experience the Mass of Reparation, which took place at St. Augustine Cathedral on Saturday, September 15.

Philipp told the gathered that he turned to Fry during the Mass and said, “I am so sad that we had to have this,” to which she responded, “but aren’t you glad we did?”

Survivors discussed how abuse changes lives and how important it is to look for and notice signs. “If you think it might be [abuse]…report it,” said Philipp.

The survivors each explained their difficult yet crucial journey toward healing.

“We are going to work at healing our Church…you are our beginning,” expressed Fry.

Philipp explained, “We [in our diocese] are very lucky to have Bishop Caggiano as our leader.”

Survivors expressed how grateful they were that Bishop Caggiano held a “listening session” for survivors when he first arrived in the diocese.

“I thought no one wanted to hear my story…but bishop listened,” said Fry. “He said ‘tell me what you want me to know about you’ and listened to 15 of us tell our stories.”

Fry expressed how the Church will not be able to heal until ‘we get to the bottom of it,’ “You may not have been affected yourself but you have been affected because you are the Church and this has happened to the Church.”

In response to the discussion, an attendee voiced her hope for the Church, saying, “I still believe, more than ever, in this diocese, in Bishop Caggiano, in the Safe Environments program.”

“With an emphasis on moving forward,” Peter Philipp expressed, “the new Church is going to be a stronger Church.”

Those attending the summit also learned about resources for survivors, procedures on maintaining Safe Environments in the diocese, and an overview of Safe Environments training programs for children and parents.

Presenting at the summit were Erin Neil, Director of Safe Environments for the Diocese of Bridgeport, Rose Talbot-Babey, Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bridgeport ,Patrick Donovon, Director of the Leadership Institute for the Diocese of Bridgeport, and Deacon John DiTaranto, Safe Environment Program Assistant, and Astrid Alvarez, VIRTUS Training & Development Specialist for the Diocese of Bridgeport. Survivors included Peter Philip, Peggy Fry, and Joseph Cann, father of an abuse survivor.

The Safe Environment program in the Diocese of Bridgeport has a full-time director, Ms. Erin Neil, L.C.S.W. Safe Environment programs oversee the implementation of Charter mandates including victim assistance, criminal background checks, written Codes of Conduct, and child sexual abuse awareness and prevention training for Priests, Deacons, Lay Employees, Volunteers, Children, and Youth. For questions or concerns relating to Safe Environments, Background Checks, VIRTUS Awareness Training, Resources for Victims of Abuse or Mandated Reporting, please contact: Erin Neil L.C.S.W., Director of Safe Environments by phone: (203) 416-1406; (203) 650-3265 or email: ENeil@diobpt.org.

BRIDGEPORT— “The leadership of the Church has failed in many ways, it has been tarnished… Healing will take a long time,” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said at the Clergy Mass of Reparation on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows this morning in response to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church.

More than 800 priests, deacons, religious and laity filled St. Augustine Cathedral for the Mass, which the Bishop announced earlier this month as a major spiritual step toward atonement and moving the diocese forward.

>> View schedule of other Reparation Masses throughout the Diocese

The Mass began in a somber and penitential way when the bishop removed his crosier and miter–the symbols of his authority– and prostrated himself before the altar as he led the congregation in the Confiteor and the singing of the Kyrie.

The first reading from the Book of Samuel, “in the sight of the LORD what David had done was evil…” was read by Peter Philipp, a member of the Healing Committee of the diocese and a survivor of clerical sexual abuse.

In his homily, the bishop said Church leaders failed victims and the faithful by “holding their tongues” and compounding the evil of abuse.

“Survivors of this evil, this sin, this crime deserve our love, support, and accompaniment They are a sign of courage in our midst, a sign of hope,” the bishop said, noting that he has become friends with members of the diocesan healing committee and is grateful for their witness.

The bishop began his homily by recalling an accident he sustained as an 8-year old boy that brought him to Coney Island Hospital with a gash on his forehead that left a scar.

He said he learned that day that healing can only begin “after cleansing, and that will not be achieved by a program, but by a heart that stays vacant for the Lord.”

“Those who were abused were deeply hurt by the crime of abuse. The scars that our sisters and brothers have endured may never go away,” he said.

“Let us not be afraid of our wounds. Let them become the cracks through which the grace of Christ gets in and one day will set us free.”

Photos by Lisa DeTullio Russell

The bishop said the Church can only move forward from this present crisis through reparation in the form of “works of mercy and acts of charity,” and by being transparent in all things.

“As AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) reminds us, we are only as sick as our own secrets, and we must end the culture of secrecy in the Church.”

The bishop said that priests who abused were “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” who betrayed the trust of the innocent in a way that burdened them for life.

The audience broke into applause twice during the solemn liturgy, first after the bishop’s homily, and at the end of Mass when the bishop called on the faithful to support the priests.

“The good and faithful priests need our support and prayers,” he said.

Before leading the prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel, which the bishop has mandated to be said in every parish after Mass, the bishop urged those in attendance to assist any victims of abuse who are still suffering.

“Encourage them to come forward. We need to accompany them. We will do this together one person at a time.”

The morning began with a Holy Hour that included the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament where the Rosary was said in five different languages.

Fr. Joseph Marcello, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, served as Master of Ceremonies for the Mass. Music was provided by Dr. Samuel A. Schmitt, Director of Sacred Music and organist of The Cathedral Parish.

Kathryn Aaron was the Cantor. The Communion Meditation was guided by The Sacred Beauty Schola including Valerie Tarantino, Paul Chu, Josephine Landback, and Alexis Hoadley.

Christopher Bell, Co-Founder of Network Caring for Moms and Babies, Can Tell of a “Best-Kept Secret” 

NORWALK—Getting the news out about America’s approximately 400 pro-life maternity homes is one way to respond to the coarse rhetoric with which Netflix program host Michelle Wolf recently celebrated abortion and mocked its opponents. An online video from July 8 shows a stream of comments, uninformed to say the least, such as this put-down: “These anti-abortion people don’t care about life, they just care about birth.”

The words with which this “comedian” disturbed so many indicate that maternity homes—whose round-the-clock, wide-ranging acts of compassion bring new hope to women’s and infants’ lives—are the best kept secret in the country. Wolf’s audience and all Americans need to learn more about these homes and their supporters, whose mission celebrates birth as a centerpiece of a broader story that can unite people of good will.

Christopher Bell, president of Good Counsel, the country’s largest network of homes with this pro-life, pro-woman, pro-child story, can discuss many individual cases of empowerment. For example, one formerly drug-addicted mom transformed her life while in residence, taking courses that led her to a job as a veterinary assistant. Later, grateful for renewal in her life with her child, she came back to Good Counsel to volunteer at one of the homes.

Beyond individual stories, Bell describes a big picture with these seldom-discussed features:

  • Maternity homes, like the seven currently operated by Good Counsel, welcome pregnant women who are homeless and offer them a sense of community and family.
  • Many times, a woman’s homelessness has resulted from a publicly funded system that excludes those who do not terminate a pregnancy. The background may also entail abuse, illness, drugs or mental health issues.
  • The maternity home staffs provide a range of care to their residents, with the goal of healthy mothers and infants, before and after childbirth.
  • Care and mentoring typically extend beyond childbirth, spanning a number of months—opportunities to improve wellness, gain parenting skills, pursue education and credentials for careers, and also save money from their jobs to help buy vehicles and homes. Moms and their children who stay the course can emerge from their maternity care communities to live as sustainable, independent families.

“Too many folks, including Catholics, think of pro-life maternity homes as quick-fix places,” says Bell, who co-founded Good Counsel 33 years ago. “Offering an alternative to abortion is step one—an option a woman deserves immediately when she is pregnant and homeless. But we’re ready to accompany women and children on a journey that recognizes human dignity through ongoing options.

“Society sometimes favors the wrong fixes that return a mother to desperate conditions,” Bell says. “She emerges without any change in her long-term perspective and may repeat tragedies. Those quick fixes are poor responses to homelessness and family or economic conditions that can keep women trapped.”

No pregnant woman should be homeless, he emphasizes.

Moreover, in a society subjecting more women to domestic violence and depriving them of dignity, maternity homes have stepped in with a wider range of services, for which pro-life donors provide the funding.

“We know we can end homelessness among pregnant women in the United States,” Bell says. Good Counsel’s network—now located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Alabama—follows an “open intake” model. Various causes of homelessness can equate to lifelong challenges for some moms and their babies, so Good Counsel front-loads a unique feature to its encounters with the marginalized.

The homes have a policy of turning no homeless, pregnant mother away, even if problems such as mental illness or drug addiction may require special care. Counselors and experts on Bell’s team connect these moms to additional services.

Tireless personal commitments to the lives of women and children, far from a focus on birth only, are demonstrated quietly but persistently among today’s generation of maternity homes. Representing investments and sacrifices made around the country, with little personal gain or publicity, these homes offer responses when uninformed mockery polarizes society on the subject of abortion.

Bell is ready to discuss the responses he has seen first-hand so that a best-kept secret can inform and inspire more people of good will.

Malta House Malta House is the only home for pregnant women above the age of 18 in Fairfield County, and one of a limited number of programs for young homeless mothers and their babies.

Malta House is located in Norwalk and promotes the dignity of God-given life by providing a nurturing home environment, support services and independent living skills to pregnant and parenting mothers of all faiths and their children.

Mothers at Malta House receive on-site counseling, financial education, parental development followed by transitional and post-residential support.

To contact Malta House: 5 Prowitt St, Norwalk, CT 06855; Phone: 203 857-0088

Christopher Bell co-founded Good Counsel with Franciscan Fr. Benedict Groeschel in [1985].

To contact Chris Bell and Good Counsel: Bill Schmitt  | billgerards@gmail.com | 574.276.0340

It has been nearly 4 years since the Diocese of Bridgeport has taken to social media to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, build a digital community of faith, and build awareness for diocesan initiatives.

In that time, the diocese has seen tremendous growth across many of its platforms, as well as expansion into new social media mediums such as Instagram and Facebook Live. The diocese is constantly adding new video series, segments, and ways to digitally connect with Catholics in Fairfield County.

“Social media is not only a way to reach members of our diocese but it is an avenue of evangelization and a way to spread the message of the gospel,” says John Grosso, Director of Digital Media for the Diocese of Bridgeport.

One of the best ways we can evangelize on social media is by an invitation, and that is where you, the faithful, come in! Below is a step by step guide to inviting your friends to “Like” our pages:

  1. Navigate to the Diocese of Bridgeport and/or Bishop Frank J. Caggiano Facebook Page

  1. Scroll to the “Invite Friends” on the right-hand column of Facebook.

  1. Click “Invite” and then select the friends you would like to invite to like the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Facebook page! Once you are done selecting, press “send invites.

It’s that easy!

The Diocese of Bridgeport includes more than 460,000 registered Catholics in Fairfield County, Connecticut, representing 51 percent of the total population.

The diocese has an active presence on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Flickr.

To stay up to date on what is going on in the diocese, as well as to be a part of this opportunity for evangelization, follow and invite friends to follow the Diocese of Bridgeport on the following platforms:

Facebook:
Diocese of Bridgeport
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano

Twitter:
@diobpt
@BishopCaggiano

Instagram:
@dioceseofbridgeport
@bishopfrankcaggiano

TRUMBULL—St. Catherine of Siena Parish celebrated their second annual kickoff weekend on September 8 and 9, where old and new friends were welcomed back from summer vacations.

Parishioners were welcomed by greeters into the McClinch family center, where Mass is being celebrated while construction is being done in the main church for the “Christ at the Center” reconstruction.

Father Joseph Marcello, Pastor and Father Luke Suarez, Parochial Vicar spoke with parishioners after all Masses. Members of the community were able to enjoy pastries after Mass while they visited with friends and family.

On August 15, 2017, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Marcello announced “Christ at the Center,” an initiative of liturgical renewal which will beautify and enhance the sanctuary of the church. Designed by noted architect Duncan G. Stroik, AIA, completion of this project is anticipated in 2018.

In recent years, St. Catherine of Siena has joyfully welcomed hundreds of new families into the parish, and called forth their talents for the good of our community, and in service to Our Lord and each other.

On the success of the kickoff weekend, Father Marcello said, “It’s a real joy, and a sign of great hope, to welcome so many new families to our parish.  We move forward with confidence, rooted in our faith in Christ.”

Follow this link or more information on St. Catherine of Siena parish: https://stcathtrumbull.com/.

Follow this link to view more photos of the kickoff event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stcathtrumbull/albums/with/72157695284180040.

Diaconate Discovery Evenings

Have you ever wondered if you were being “called” to discern the diaconate?  Has someone, your pastor, a priest or a deacon ever mentioned to you that they can see you as a deacon someday? Do you feel that God calling you to live your faith differently, perhaps as a deacon?  Want to learn more about how to sort this all out?

Join me and explore some of these questions and others that you may have about the Diaconate.  Diaconate Discovery Evenings will be a consistent space to wonder, explore, pray and share with other men of faith regarding serving the Church as a Permanent Deacon.

  • Be with other men of faith who are wondering if God is calling them to serve as a deacon.
  • To have an opportunity for prayer and reflection.
  • To form relationships and build community.
  • Meet deacons from around the diocese witnessing their ministries and journeys of faith.

If you are interested in attending, or have any questions, please feel free to contact Deacon Tim Bolton, Coordinator of Diaconate Vocations, dnbolton@diobpt.org.

 

Date Time  Parish Address Room
10-11-18 7pm – 8:30pm St. Stephens 6948 Main St., Trumbull Lower Church
11-08-18 7pm – 8:30pm St. Phillips 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk Mansion
12-13-18 7pm – 8:30pm St. Stephens 6948 Main St., Trumbull Lower Church
01-10-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Phillips 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk Mansion
02-14-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Stephens 6948 Main St., Trumbull Lower Church
03-14-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Phillips 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk Mansion
04-11-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Stephens 6948 Main St., Trumbull Lower Church
05-09-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Phillips 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk Mansion
06-13-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Stephens 6948 Main St., Trumbull Lower Church
07-11-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Phillips 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk Mansion
08-08-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Stephens 6948 Main St., Trumbull Lower Church
09-12-19 7pm – 8:30pm St. Phillips 1 Fr. Conlon Pl., Norwalk Mansion

 

“…reputable men filled with the Spirit and wisdom…” Acts 6

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Francis is calling the presidents of every Catholic bishops’ conference in the world to Rome Feb. 21-24 to discuss the prevention of the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.

The Vatican made the announcement Sept. 12 after the pope and members of his international Council of Cardinals wrapped up three days of meetings.

After hearing from his council, the pope “decided to convoke a meeting with the presidents of the bishops’ conferences of the Catholic Church on the theme of the protection of minors,” the council said in a written communique.

The members present “extensively reflected together with the Holy Father on the matters of abuse” during their deliberations Sept. 10-12. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, also updated those present with the commission’s ongoing efforts.

Three of the nine council members were absent for the meetings: Cardinal George Pell, 77, who currently is on trial in Australia on sex abuse charges; Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, 85, retired archbishop of Santiago, Chile, who is facing questioning over his handling of abuse allegations; and Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Congo, who turns 79 in early October.

The six present for the September meeting were: Cardinals O’Malley, 74; Pietro Parolin, 63, Vatican secretary of state; Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, 75, of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Oswald Gracias, 73, of Mumbai, India; Reinhard Marx, 64, of Munich and Freising, Germany; and Giuseppe Bertello, 75, president of the commission governing Vatican City State.

The papally appointed group of nine cardinal members, the so-called C9, has been tasked with helping advise the pope on the reform of the Vatican’s organization and church governance.

The council said in its communique that, concerning work on the reform of the Curia, it finished “rereading the texts already prepared (and) also called attention to the pastoral care of personnel who work there,” in the Roman Curia.

Paloma Garcia Ovejero, vice director of the Vatican press office, told reporters that a major part of the council’s work was making final changes to the draft of the apostolic constitution that would govern the Curia.

The document, provisionally titled “Praedicate Evangelium” (“Preach the Gospel”), is still set for further “stylistic editing” and canonical review, she said.

Pope Francis reviewed for his considerations the finalized draft at their last meeting in June. The draft document emphasizes four points: the Curia is at the service of the pope and the local churches throughout the world; the work of the Curia must have a pastoral character; the new section in the Vatican Secretariat of State would oversee the training, assigning and ministry of Vatican nuncios and diplomats around the world; and the proclamation of the Gospel and a missionary spirit must characterize the activity of the Curia.

Garcia Ovejero reiterated the council’s last written statement from Sept. 10 in which the members asked Pope Francis for a reflection on “the work, structure and composition of the council itself, also taking into account the advanced age of some of its members.”

The six again “expressed full solidarity with Pope Francis for what has happened in the last few weeks,” she said.

In response to questions, she said there was no word yet on the expected release of the “possible and necessary clarifications” the council said were being formulated by the Holy See given the current debate on abuse in the church.

The council will meet again Dec. 10-12.

By Carol Glatz | Catholic News Service

FAIRFIELD— Dan Schutte,  American composer of Catholic liturgical music and contemporary Christian songwriter, will present a special concert in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield. Some of his most celebrated songs are “Here I Am, Lord,” “City of God” and “Sing a New Song.”

The event will take place on Sunday, September 16, at 2 pm and is free and open to the public.

Dan Schutte is one of the best-known and most influential composers of Catholic music for liturgy in the English-speaking world. In addition to his Jesuit formation, Dan holds two master’s degrees, one in theology and one in liturgy, from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He did graduate studies in music composition under the direction of Fr. Kevin Waters, SJ, at Seattle University. He has three honorary degrees for his contribution to the life of the Church.

Dan has served as liturgist and music director in various pastoral and academic settings. That experience, his deep knowledge of Sacred Scripture and a strong sense of Ignatian spirituality form the basis of every event he leads. Dan spends a significant amount of time each year traveling to offer concerts, retreat, workshops and parish missions to communities throughout the country. His ministry has had an enormous impact of the spiritual journey of millions of people.

Currently, Dan is composer-in-residence at the University of San Francisco.

Check out Dan’s website: http://www.danschutte.com

The event is sponsored by Sacred Heart University’s Office of the President, Office of Mission & Catholic Identity and the Human Journey Colloquia Series. 

Please contact Deb Noack at 203-396-8483 or noackd@sacredheart.edu for further information.

The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel will be recited at the end of every Mass in the Diocese, beginning on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15, as instructed by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano earlier this month.

Michael the Archangel appears multiple times in the Bible as protector and defender. In the book of Daniel, Michael the Archangel appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies. In the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael the Archangel is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century. Today, St. Michael is invoked for protection from evil and from enemies.

“Christ has conquered sin and death, but we are still in the midst of a spiritual battle. For that reason, I would like the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel recited at the end of every Mass in the Diocese,” said the bishop. “I believe that the Church is facing a moment of crisis that demands honesty and repentance from the bishops and decisive action to ensure that these failures will never happen again.”

Bishop Frank also asks that the faithful of the Diocese pray the St. Michael Prayer personally as well.

 

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Download the prayer card

Brother Steven Joseph DeMaio, SDB, made his perpetual profession of religious vows on September 7, 2018, in the chapel of the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, N.Y.

Also professing their final vows were Brother Travis Gunther, SDB, of Conway, Ark., and Brother John Langan, SDB, of Winsted, Conn.

Father Timothy Ploch, SDB, a member of the Salesian general council who represents 13 provinces of North and American and northern South America, received their professions in the name of the Rector Major of the Salesians.

Two perpetually professed Salesians, chosen by the candidates, serve as official witnesses of the vows, like the witnesses of a marriage. The candidates’ parents accompany their sons as a sign of support and of donation.

Father Ploch in his homily reminded the three brothers and the congregation: “It might seem that Steve’s, Travis’s, and John’s profession is something they are doing. But their profession is really about what God is doing, and what God began doing in them when they were baptized and has been doing in them since—at their first profession and in their subsequent renewals of [temporary] profession. Profession is about God, about his fidelity to our three confreres throughout their lives.”

Father Ploch, speaking for himself and all Christians, also said: “My life is not about me but about God, who gave me life, who asks me to share my life, who asks me to follow the path that he has laid out for me (cf. Jeremiah’s call in the first reading). In Psalm 136 God spoke of ‘knitting [the psalmist] together in your mother’s womb.’ All of us are God’s creations, his handiwork, his masterpieces. God supplies what we need to live the vocation that he has given us.”

Father Ploch went on to cite examples from the lives of Jesus, of the Virgin Mary, and of Don Bosco of complete trust in whatever God is doing in one’s life. These are models for Brothers DeMaio, Gunther, and Langan, and everyone else, to imitate.

Brother DeMaio’s hometown was Sherman, Conn., where he lived until he was 18. He and his family belonged to Holy Trinity Parish there. His parents, Steven and Theresa DeMaio, moved to Maryland and then to Ave Maria, Fla., where they are members of Ave Maria Parish.

Brother DeMaio was born in 1985. He has an older sister, Melanie Hecht, and a younger one, Erika DeMaio.

Steve first became acquainted with the Salesians when he was serving with a Madrid-based NGO and was assigned to City of Hope, a work of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) in Lusaka, Zambia, charged with finishing a sports project. The Salesians of Don Bosco also had a work nearby, and the joyful witness to a life of faith by so many Salesian sisters, brothers, and priests demonstrated to him through word and deed that a life of faith is not something complicated but consists in doing the ordinary with great love alongside young people and their families.

After returning to the U.S. and living for less than a year in Bayonne, N.J., Steve made a decision to become a Salesian. He gives as his motivation: “My love and desire to live a life of service, and the witness I experienced of a joyful life of faith.”

Steve entered the formation program in Orange, N.J., in 2010 and was admitted to the novitiate at Rosemead, Calif., in August 2011. He made his first profession of vows on August 21, 2012, in New Rochelle, N.Y.

After postnovitiate religious formation in Orange and his academic studies at Seton Hall University in South Orange, Brother DeMaio did three years of practical training at Salesian High School in New Rochelle (2014-2017), teaching theology for two years and serving as campus minister for one year.

In September 2017 he began theological studies at the Ratisbonne Monastery in Jerusalem, which is affiliated with the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. He does apostolic work on Saturdays at the Salesian youth center in Bethlehem. This past summer he assisted with youth ministry at the Salesian parish of St. Philip Benizi in Belle Glade, Fla.

Asked what has been the best part of his six years of postnovitiate formation, Brother DeMaio responds, “The opportunity to study, to travel, and to become part of the lives of many different people and cultures.”

In the next few years of his Salesian life, he aspires to “study hard, pray hard, and enjoy every opportunity as I prepare for [priestly] ordination,” which he hopes will come in 2021.

Eventually, he hopes to continue ministering as a Salesian priest in high schools, but he can also see “using social media as an evangelizing tool.”

Story and photos by Father Michael Mendl, SDB

BRIDGEPORT— In response to national priest sexual abuse, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will lead a Holy Hour with Rosary and a Mass of Reparation and Purification on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Saturday, September 15th, at the Cathedral of St. Augustine, 399 Washington Avenue in Bridgeport.

The day will begin with a Holy Hour at 9:30 am followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Caggiano and diocesan priests at 10:30 am.  The bishop has asked all priests throughout the diocese to attend, and the Mass is open to the public.

>> View schedule of other Reparation Masses throughout the Diocese

“During this time of trial, we must come together as a family of faith and beg the Lord for forgiveness and to offer reparation for the sins committed by priests, bishops and any member of the Church, especially the depraved sins against children and the vulnerable. It is also a time to ask God to heal those who have been wounded by sin, to turn our hearts away from anything that is evil and to renew our commitment to holiness,” said the bishop in a letter to priests.

The bishop said he hopes that the Mass is “the first tangible step towards renewing confidence and trust in the Church for many of our faithful.  I invite all faithful to join me and accompany one another during this time of sadness and anger, and to strengthen one another in our Catholic faith.”

The bishop has issued the first in a series of letters that over the next few months will outline real, concrete, administrative, spiritual and pastoral actions designed to achieve the highest level of transparency and accountability.

The letters will address the ongoing needs both of survivors of sexual abuse and the good priests who remain faithful to their vocation.

The bishop said that it is his sincere hope that these measures will help foster a spirit of reparation and conversion in the lives of all clerics and throughout the diocesan Church.

“Further recognizing that all of us in the community of the faithful will have unique healing needs in these difficult times, there will be additional spiritual initiatives,” he said. “With these measures we will begin to restore confidence in Church leadership on all levels and to bring healing and reconciliation to our Church.”

In his letter to priests, the bishop also instructed them to recite the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel at the end of each and every Mass celebrated in the diocese, beginning on the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. The prayer will be said immediately before the recessional hymn is sung.

“Christ has conquered sin and death, but we are still in the midst of a spiritual battle.  For that reason, I would like the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel recited,” said the bishop. “I believe that the Church is facing a moment of crisis that demands honesty and repentance from the bishops and decisive action to ensure that these failures will never happen again.”

He has asked pastors to celebrate a local Mass of Reparation in their parishes no later than October 31, 2018. In the coming weeks, the bishop will announce additional spiritual initiatives and administrative measures to address the sexual abuse scandal in a spirit of transparency and accountability. A complete list is being published on the diocesan website as masses are scheduled. Click here to learn more.