Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

MANCHESTER, England—Pope Francis decried the “barbaric attack” on concertgoers in Manchester, adding his voice to Catholic leaders dismayed at what British officials said was the deadliest case of terrorism since 2005.

In a telegram sent to English church officials on Pope Francis’ behalf, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the pope “was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life” after a suicide bomb killed at least 22 people and injured another 59 at Manchester Arena May 22. Many concertgoers at the Ariana Grande concert were teenagers, young adults and families.

DANBURY—On a dark, overcast Sunday afternoon, a choir of voices can be heard coming down State Street in Danbury, walking toward Elmwood Park, singing “Alleluia,” amid drums, tambourines, and guitars. The voices of children, youth and adults grow louder as they approach the park.

BRIDGEPORT—Vicki Briggs, FACHE, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of St. Vincent’s Medical Center, effective July 1. St. Vincent’s Vince Caponi is part of Ascension, the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system. Briggs will succeed Vincent C. Caponi, FACHE, who announced today his intention to retire effective June 30, 2017.

BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano presided over the installation of nine new Deans at the Chrism Mass held during Holy Week.

The new Deanery model replaces the former Vicariate structure related to the territorial organization of the diocese. The deaneries are designed to assist the bishop and priests in regional planning and decision-making, and improve collaboration between parishes.
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VATICAN CITY—Like parish priests throughout Italy do during the Easter season, Pope Francis spent an afternoon May 19 going door to door and blessing homes.

Continuing the “Mercy Friday” visits he began during the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis chose a public housing complex in Ostia, a Rome suburb on the Mediterranean Sea.
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“To build up the person of Christ in each man who comes here is the mission of this house; to clarify in his mind and in the mind of the Church whether the Lord is calling him to be a priest,” says Father Paul Check, rector of St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford.
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BRIDGEPORT— Writer and youth minister Kevin Dowd said Millennials are “a generation of brokenness,” who also represent the “the highest population of devout Christians than in the past three generations.”

Speaking to more than 100 directors or religious education (DRE’s) at an end of the year gathering in The Queen of Saints Hall at the Catholic Center , Dowd, a Harvard graduate, youth minister and researcher, stressed the importance of connecting today’s generation to the Eucharist.
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STAMFORD — Rhodes College Singers will perform in concert at The Church of the Holy Spirit Stamford on Thursday May 25, 2017 at 7:00PM. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public.

“We are most blessed and privileged to have this elite group sing for us here at Holy Spirit! All are welcome to share in this beautiful concert,” said Msgr. Kevin Royal, pastor.
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RIVERSIDE—Dinner with a Cause sponsored by the St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Riverside, Social Justice Committee features Building 1 Community (formerly Neighbor’s Link Stamford) on Thursday, May 18. Catalina Horak, executive director, will explain its mission to bring people together to help immigrants and their families succeed in the community. 6:30 pm light supper; 7:15–8:30 presentation. Free will offering. For more info or to RSVP, call 203.637.3661, ext 310, and your name, phone number and number in your party.

WILTON—The U.S. Province of the Congregation of Notre Dame is blessed with wonderful friends. Among these friends is a family who came to know the CNDs through a Sister serving in their parish. This Sister introduced the family (they have requested anonymity) to CND spirituality and ministries to the poor and vulnerable. Last year family members made a very generous donation and renewed it this year for a total of $180,000. The family members targeted their gift to six Sisters who receive little or no pay but whose work changes lives and saves souls.

BRIDGEPORT—Leland Melvin, NASA astronaut, will be addressing 6th-8th graders from the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport school in Sacred Heart University’s Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 22nd at 9 am.

Following that, he will be visiting two of the campuses: St. Raphael’s to read to children grades 1-3 and St. Augustine’s to meet with students in 4th and 5th grades.

FAIRFIELD—Fairfield University celebrates its 67th Commencement on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Graduate and Undergraduate ceremonies will be held on the Bellarmine Lawn on the University campus, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield,

Undergraduate ceremony will start at 9:30 am. The graduate ceremony is scheduled, 3:00 pm.

There have always been priests for every major moment in religious life, from baptisms to weddings to funerals. But that’s a luxury we soon won’t be able to take for granted, said Deacon David Flynn, who serves at St. Jude Parish in Monroe.

“We have to be aware of our role in encouraging vocations,” Deacon Flynn said. “It’s not someone else’s role. Our fellow Catholics need to be aware of the need for priests.”

WILTON—Alexandra Fordsman, 12, stood before a crowded room at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Saturday late afternoon.

FAIRFIELD—More than 2,000 Sacred Heart University students embarked upon a new journey this weekend after receiving diplomas and words of advice and motivation from religious leaders, scholars and classmates.
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Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

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