Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT
Villa Maria dedicates performing arts center
STAMFORD—The dedication and blessing of the Peggy O’Malley Performing Arts Center took place at Villa Maria School in Stamford on Friday, May 17 with Bishop Frank J, Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport officiating. Thomas and Mary Alice O’Malley from Greenwich have been generous benefactors to Read More ››
Fatima School’s Pink Gala Honors Long-Time Teachers
WILTON—Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School-Wilton held its annual gala on Saturday, May 18 at the Silver Spring Country Club in Ridgefield. Sponsored by the Fatima School Board, the gala is the major fundraising event for the school. This year’s event was entitled Pink Gala “Celebration Read More ››
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Fairfield University Celebrates Class of 2019 Achievements
FAIRFIELD—Family, friends, faculty, trustees and administrators gathered on Fairfield University’s picturesque Bellarmine lawn overlooking the Long Island Sound, the back drop for the University’s 2019 Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 19. Fairfield University awarded 952 Bachelor’s degrees, 340 Master’s degrees, 25 Sixth-Year Certificates, and 33 Doctorates.
Chris Read More ››
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School inducts 19 into National Junior Honor Society
FAIRFIELD—St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School inducted 19 rising eighth-graders into the National Junior Honor Society in a ceremony last night. Founded in 1929, The National Junior Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, Read More ››
Seminary dinner honors Msgr. DiGiovanni, Stamford couple
STAMFORD—More than 500 people came out to support St. John Fisher Seminary and honor its founding rector, Msgr. Stephen DiGiovanni, and a Stamford couple whom Bishop Frank J. Caggiano praised as the “spiritual parents of a generation of priests.”
“Forming Fishers of Men,” the Second Annual Rector’s Read More ››
Mass celebrated at ‘Spring Camporee’
UNION—Scouts BSA Troops from across Fairfield County, Conn. gathered at Connecticut Yankee Council’s Camp Pomperaug in Union, Conn. May 17-19 at the annual Spring Camporee.
The twelfth point of the Scout law, a Scout is reverent, was beautifully demonstrated on Saturday, May 18 when Father Martin Noe, Read More ››
Pro-Life Rally set for May 21
Connecticut Pregnancy Care Coalition sponsors pro-life rally to defend the work and reputation of the pregnancy resource centers in our state on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, noon, at the State Capitol.
This past week the House of Representatives passed H.B. 7070, which subjects the advertising of pro-life Read More ››
Deacon Convocation: We are living in challenging spiritual times
FAIRFIELD—Bishop Caggiano unveiled a plan for a spiritual association called the Diaconate Confraternity of Saint Stephen, whose mission would be to deepen the personal holiness of members by fostering a spirituality centered on the Eucharist, at the Deacons Convocation held recently at Fairfield University.
“We are living Read More ››
Assumption Catholic School ‘Tapes the Teacher’ to raise funds
FAIRFIELD—Today, Assumption Catholic School in Fairfield hosted a “Tape the Teacher” event, during which the teacher (or Father Cipriani, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church) who raised the most money towards the school fund was taped to the side of the building.
By a huge Read More ››
Mass celebrates religious life
WESTPORT—One of the readings at the Mass celebrating Religious life on May 7at St. Luke Church was from Revelation 3:20, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with Read More ››
Immaculate High School’s Student-Athletes Sign To College Teams
DANBURY—Immaculate High School’s strong athletic program has nurtured many accomplished student-athletes, and several of them will play in college. At the third signing ceremony of the year, student-athletes represented ten sports at colleges and universities, including D1 and D2 schools.
Mikey Basile of Bethel will play Read More ››
Thirty-two years a priest
Thirty-two years ago today I celebrated my First Mass at Saint Sylvester Church in the City Line section of Brooklyn. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was a beautiful Spring day, with a church filled with parishioners whom I came to know Read More ››
Five spots left for Holy Land pilgrimage
JERUSALEM—In January 2018, Bishop Caggiano traveled with 22 young adult pilgrims to the Holy Land to study Sacred Scripture at the École biblique in Jerusalem and to chronologically visit the places where Jesus walked, taught, suffered, died and rose. These young people continue to gather and Read More ››
Immaculate High School’s Theatre Department Receives 16 HALO Nominations!
DANBURY—Immaculate High School’s major 2018-19 theatre productions received a total of 16 HALO nominations. The High School Halo Awards honors high school students’ achievements in all aspects of theatre and is sponsored by the Seven Angels Theatre. Immaculate’s Fall Drama “Our Town” and the Spring Musical Read More ››
Church Renewal, One Priest at a Time
Men are proceeding with their ordinations in the post-McCarrick era.
ORANGE, Calif.—While in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, Martin Vu heard the startling words of Jesus: “Martin—I want you to be my priest. And one day, you can raise up the Eucharist.”
At this time, as an upperclassman Read More ››
A high school that inspires vocations
When it was time for Eric Silva to go to high school, his parents made the decision for him—St. Joseph High School—even though he wanted to follow his brother to Trumbull High.
A decade after graduating in 2008, Father Eric Silva has returned as chaplain of the Read More ››
Entering Canaan Men’s Day of Prayer & Healing
Entering Canaan Men’s Day of Prayer & Healing will take place Saturday, July 13, 2019 in Patterson, NJ. For confidential registration or more information contact lumina@postabortionhelp.org or (877) 586-4621.
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Entering Canaan – Day of Prayer and Healing
Entering Canaan – Day of Prayer and Healing will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2019. For information and registration contact the Diocese of Bridgeport Project Rachel Ministry (projectrachel@diobpt.org or call (203) 416-1619).
Sacred Heart graduates over 2,200 at commencement ceremonies
FAIRFIELD—More than 2,200 Sacred Heart University students received diplomas recently at two separate commencement ceremonies at the Webster Bank Arena. The SHU class of 2019 includes 1,122 undergraduates who earned bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and 1,152 graduate students who earned master’s degrees, professional certificates and doctorates.
In Read More ››
The Recipe for Spiritual Renewal
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. We remember the heroic witness of the three young visionaries, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, who were visited by Our Lady and given the task to bear witness to her presence, even in the face of Read More ››
Knights of Columbus dinner raises funds for female veterans and youth program
NORWALK—The Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick 4th Degree Assembly No. 100 recently hosted its 3rd Annual Patriot Dinner on Saturday, May 11 at the Knights Hall next to St. Ann Club in Norwalk. The dinner raised over $2,000 for veterans at Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes and Read More ››
Women Religious Honored on Mother’s Day
WASHINGTON (CNS) — When the elderly men and women at the Jeanne Jugan Residence for senior care pray the rosary with Sister Constance Veit, they see her as more than one of the caregivers at the facility.
Though this nun with the Little Sisters of the Poor Read More ››
Arts in the Park at Immaculate High School
DANBURY—Ready for summer? Head over to Immaculate High School’s annual Arts In The Park art and music event on Thursday, May 23 from 6-8 pm. This free beach-themed event, open to the public, features original and varied artwork produced by IHS students to the musical accompaniment Read More ››
Our Lady leads a parish to peace and prosperity
DANBURY—Forty years ago on a cold winter night, Alberto Boyer and his wife Hilda showed up at the rectory of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission in Danbury, holding a battered statue of the Blessed Mother. The 300-pound lead statue of Our Lady of Miracles had been Read More ››
Entering Canaan Upcoming Events
The Diocese of Bridgeport is committed to assisting those who are seeking help through the Entering Canaan model of healing. There are many upcoming Entering Canaan Retreats this summer. Please contact our confidential phone line at 203.416.1619 or email for more information.
Entering Canaan – Day of Prayer and Healing will Read More ››
Not all prayer involves saying prayers
Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher, arrived at the conclusion that there is one God who made all things. He further concluded that this God was a self-actualizing, eternal and immaterial Person. However, Aristotle concluded that this Supreme Reality did not care in any way about his Read More ››
Back to college … defending the faith
Melissa decided to go back to college. After 25 years.
Things had changed and she had the misfortune, or dumb luck, of taking a course titled, “The Sociology of Marriage and Family,” which is a difficult topic for an orthodox Catholic in the hookup culture. Our views Read More ››
Gaelic football is our green new deal
Spring is here. The season of new beginnings. Of baseball and baby chicks. Of Cadbury eggs and confirmations.
We are involved in something entirely new—new, that is, to us. Our Paddy (10) and our Sally (6) are trying their hands (and feet) at the ancient game of Read More ››
Beauty breaks forth amongst the ordinary
I sat in the hospital waiting room, waiting for inspiration. Well really, I was waiting for my dad to come out of surgery, but I thought inspiration might come, as it usually does at times like this. The faces around me looked tired and strained. I Read More ››
USCCB President’s Statement on Response to Abuse
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement regarding the release of Pope Francis’s Motu Proprio earlier today. The Motu Proprio, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”), Read More ››
Dominican Sisters Announce Leadership Team
OSSINING, NY—The Dominican Sisters of Hope joyfully announce the election of their new leadership team.
The election took place on Sunday afternoon, April 28, in Tarrytown, NY. Catherine (Cass) McDonnell, Vice Chancellor for Urban Ministry and Planning for the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, was elected Prioress. Patricia Magee, Read More ››
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish To Host Rosary Relay
DANBURY—Please join Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Danbury in this tenth year of the Annual Global Rosary Relay for a Day of Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests on Friday, June 28, 2019.
Worldpriest was established by a group of lay people to support various aspects Read More ››
Brave rally calls youth to be vigilant
NORWALK – On Saturday, May 4, one hundred middle school students from twenty-one parishes around the Diocese of Bridgeport and New York gathered at All Saints Catholic School in Norwalk for the first Middle School Youth Rally. The theme of the day was BRAVE–Be Ready and Read More ››
Surrendering to the Truth
Bishop Frank, brother Deacons and our wives, brothers-in-formation and your wives, brothers and sisters. I am honored to have been asked to preach at this Mass.
Peter denied the Lord three times, as Jesus said he would, on Holy Thursday night, as he stood by a charcoal Read More ››
Statement Following Shooting at Colorado School
WASHINGTON—Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s tragic shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch near Denver, Colorado.
The full statement follows:
“Yesterday, tragically just seven miles from Columbine Read More ››
News from Villa Maria School!
STAMFORD—There is a lot happening in the month of May for Villa Maria School! Our word of the month for May is Creativity, and needless to say, it is evident in all the events taking place: Art Fair, STEM Fair, Career Day, Grandparents Day, Dedication and Read More ››
Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs Celebrates 20 Years at June 9th Gala
FAIRFIELD—On Sunday, June 9, Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs will celebrate its 20th Anniversary “Joy & Gratitude” Dinner at Fairfield University. More than 300 guests are expected.
The Center has come a long way since 1999 when Saint Catherine Academy opened in the Queen of Saints Read More ››
Friendship: ‘The Recipe for a Successful, Grace-Filled Marriage’
TRUMBULL—The rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of those gathered at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull on Sunday, May 5 to celebrate the annual Jubilee Mass and Concert. Over 150 couples registered for this joyful anniversary event to renew their commitment of love and friendship Read More ››
Face-to-face formation sessions wrap up
BRIDGEPORT—The Leadership Institute began its final round of face-to-face formation sessions at the Catholic Center in Bridgeport last week.
Face-to-face gatherings were established as part of the introduction to the revised Norms Governing Liturgical Ministries and have been attended by more than 4,000 people throughout the diocese Read More ››
Four SJ student-athletes to sign SCAA letters of intent
TRUMBULL—St. Joseph High School, southern Connecticut’s premier college preparatory school, announced today the names of four senior student-athletes who will sign National Letters of Intent. With the addition of 4 new student-athlete signings, the Class of 2019 celebrates 20 signings total, a new record for the Read More ››
Heroic Witness will Bring Healing
BROOKFIELD—At the third and final abuse crisis listening session held in the chapel of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield the discussion between Bishop Caggiano and those in attendance was candid, at times deeply personal, and ended on a hopeful note.
The Bishop said that the crisis may Read More ››
Relic Pilgrimage Brought Large Crowds to Saint Catherine of Siena
TRUMBULL—There was standing room only at the Parish of Saint Catherine of Siena (220 Shelton Road, Trumbull) on Monday evening, April 29, as people from far and wide gathered for a joyful and beautiful Mass in the presence of the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney, Read More ››
The Christian Brothers appoint Dr. James Keane Director of Educational Services for the North American Province
NEW ROCHELLE—Provincial Kevin Griffith, C.F.C., has announced the selection of Dr. James P. Keane as director of educational services for the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, North American Province. “Dr. Keane brings decades of Catholic school experience, an enthusiasm for innovation, and a highly trained vision to Read More ››
A Lenten Spiritual Journey
NEWTOWN—My name is Tim Reilly and I am a parishioner at St. Rose of Lima in Newtown. I was praying for an idea to do something different for lent this year and as I asked God to show me how I could strengthen my relationship with Read More ››
Advanced Math Club Strikes Gold…Again!
NEWTOWN—The St. Rose School Advanced Math Club has been notified that its Gold Level Project received the Gold Level Award—the highest level—for the ninth consecutive year. Currently St. Rose the only school in Conn. to have reached the Gold Level this year.
Last November, the students began Read More ››
Pope: Satan, not God, tricks people with temptation
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—God never tricks, traps or tempts his children to sin or commit evil, Pope Francis said.
God is with his people every step of the way—during times of joy and sadness, triumph and tribulation—and he always helps lead people away from the devil and his Read More ››
St. Matthew Knights of Columbus recognized for Faith in Action at CT State Convention
NORWALK—Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council #14360 in Norwalk was honored with awards at the Knights of Columbus CT State Council’s 126th convention April 26-28 in Hartford.
As the fraternal year is concluding, K of C Council no.14360 in Norwalk is finishing one of the busiest years in Read More ››
Immaculate High School’s First Engineering Team Wins Awards at National Competition
DANBURY—Immaculate High School engineering students recently represented the State of Connecticut in the 2019 National Real World Design Challenge (RWDC) after winning the State competition in January and took home two major awards. The Brave Engineers Team captured the National Best First Year Team Award for Read More ››
St. Thomas Aquinas Holds Annual Student Art Exhibit
FAIRFIELD—St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School opened its annual student art show with a reception last night for an enthusiastic crowd of families, faculty and guests. This year’s show theme was “Elements of Art” and displayed classroom work created by each grade, Pre-K through 8th grade. Ms. Read More ››
Final Listening Session set for May 1st
BROOKFIELD— Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will host the third and final listening session for the sexual abuse crisis at St. Joseph Church in Brookfield at 7 pm tonight, May 1st.
The past few months have been a time of crisis in the Church with local, national and Read More ››
1100 Gather to Celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday
WATERBURY — Hundreds of faithful came from across Connecticut to Holy Land and gathered in the cold spring rain to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday and honor the life and legacy of Waterbury native Venerable Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus.
Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt Read More ››
Greenwich Catholic School Presents “Seussical Jr.” This Weekend
GREENWICH—Greenwich Catholic School presents their Spring Musical, “Seussical, Jr.,” from May 3rd-5th in the GCS gymnasium, which has been transformed into the magical land of Seuss.
The show will take the audience on a fun-filled trip through Dr. Seuss’ whimsical world. Mandy Capogrossi, a GCS Alumni Parent, Read More ››
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School Fifth-Graders Celebrate Earth Day at Nature’s Classroom
FAIRFIELD—The fifth grade at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School spent this week at Nature’s Classroom in Andover, Conn. Fifth-grade teachers, Colleen Fallon and Paul Piorek, collaborated to offer this program which enhances the STEM curriculum with environmental science in a “living laboratory.”
The week-long field trip is Read More ››
San Diego bishop reacts to fatal synagogue shooting
SAN DIEGO—San Diego Catholic Bishop Robert W. McElroy issued a statement after today’s shooting, which left one person dead and three injured at a local synagogue. And he asked all the priests in the diocese to say prayers in Sunday Masses for the victims and for Read More ››
“Become Believable Messengers”
BRIDGEPORT— Mercy is not simply teaching and preaching the truth, it is about becoming “believable messengers” who represent the living presence of God’s love in the world, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said at the Divine Mercy Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral on Sunday afternoon.
“We must become Read More ››
Divine Mercy Sunday
BRIDGEPORT— Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate The Divine Mercy Mass on Sunday, April 28, 2:30 pm at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport. It is open to all throughout the diocese.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed at 3:30 pm following Mass with an Read More ››
True Cross, Our Lady’s Veil among Relics Exhibited in Trumbull
TRUMBULL—An exposition of sacred relics was held on Wednesday evening, April 10 at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull. Fr. Carlos Martins of the Companions of the Cross presented a multi-media production and teaching event, followed by the opportunity for attendees to venerate the first class relics Read More ››
Living Stations: St. John’s Youth Group
DARIEN—Matthew Razzaia of Darien portrayed Jesus on Good Friday in the St. John’s Youth Group Annual Living Stations.
His mother, Janice Razzaia, said that Matthew, who was born on Christmas, has always had an interest in portraying Jesus, and that she was deeply moved by the reverence and Read More ››
St. Theresa students visit the capital
TRUMBULL—Recently, the St. Theresa School 8th grade students went on their annual field trip to Washington, D.C. On the trip, the students were able to meet with legendary United States Senator Bob Dole.
The students have been corresponding with Senator Dole since they were in 6th grade. Read More ››
Notre Dame High School Fairfield to present Beauty and the Beast
FAIRFIELD—Notre Dame High School Fairfield is proud to announce their 2019 spring musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. This tale as old as time will play at Sacred Heart University’s Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts.
The show is directed by Karen Randazzo (Trumbull) with musical direction by Stephen Read More ››
Relic of St. John Vianney visits the diocese
TRUMBULL—The relic of the intact heart of St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, will be here in the Diocese of Bridgeport, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull on April 29 and 30. “I would like to extend this warm invitation to all in Read More ››
God Stands with the Forgotten
As I was reflecting earlier this morning on today’s Gospel, I realized that there is an interesting parallel between the birth and the resurrection of Christ. In both cases, the persons chosen by the angels to announce the presence of Christ are the very persons that Read More ››
Grateful to God
Over my 31 years as a deacon, the Lord has blessed me with many varied opportunities to serve Him at the Altar and to serve the people of God through my ministry. I have spent my ministry at two parishes during that time. One parish was Read More ››
See: Holy Week & Easter Photos
Easter Vigil
Holy Saturday, April 20 | St. Augustine Cathedral, Bridgeport
Read the article
Living Stations
Good Friday, April 19 Read More ››
At Easter Vigil, Bishop Asks Catholics to Spread Faith
BRIDGEPORT — Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in his Easter Vigil homily urged Catholics to take their faith outside the four walls of the church “to a world that does not want to proclaim Jesus for who he is — the Savior and Conquerer of all.”
“We have Read More ››
Pope Francis at Easter Vigil
Vatican City, Apr 20, 2019 / 02:16 pm (CNA).- In his Easter Vigil homily, Pope Francis said that the Risen Christ desires to “roll back the stone” that blocks the entrance to one’s heart, so that God’s light and love can enter.
“The Lord calls us to Read More ››
Bishop on Good Friday: Let us keep our eyes fixed on the Cross
BRIDGEPORT—An air of reverent silence filled the Cathedral Parish of Bridgeport as hundreds gathered for the Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion service at St. Augustine’s.
“He who was forever such in the glory that is his right as God, emptied himself so that you and I, Read More ››
“The Lord Asks us to Keep Watch”
BRIDGEPORT—“The Lord asks of us, Watch with me,” but most of us fall asleep out of complacency, fear or self-righteousness, said Bishop frank J. Caggiano at the Chrism Mass held this morning at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport.
Hundreds of priests, deacons, religious and laity filled the Read More ››
Notre Dame Cathedral restoration fund
WASHINGTON D.C.—This week we watched with sadness as fire tore through historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing severe damage to the centuries-old structure. The impact of the fire on the faithful of the city and of the world is immense and the full extent will Read More ››
Flashback: Msgr. Cullen leads Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade
GREENWICH — For Msgr. J. Peter Cullen, it was a day to put the green in Greenwich, leading the 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade as grand marshal in a town he loved so much and served for many years.
Thousands lined the streets on a chilly and Read More ››
Norwalk priest reflects after fire damages Notre Dame cathedral
NORWALK—A priest in Norwalk says it’s a blessing the Notre Dame cathedral’s structure remains intact after a fire partially destroyed the building.
Father Peter Lenox, of St. Joseph Church in Norwalk, studied at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome and spent a summer studying French in Paris.
He Read More ››
St. Michael Bridgeport commemorates Christ’s Passion
BRIDGEPORT—This past Palm Sunday, St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Bridgeport held their fifth annual passion play, which was entirely directed and acted by the parishioners and friends of St. Michael’s.
“Mrs. Eva Kaminska has been most diligent in the past five years in organizing and directing Read More ››
Bishop Caggiano honored by Murphy Center of Fairfield University
FAIRFIELD—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano was recently honored by the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality with its Bowler Award in appreciation of his “lifetime of service exemplifying the spirit of St. Ignatius Loyola.”
More than 200 people gathered at Fairfield University on April 12 for the dinner and Read More ››
Chrism Mass set for Holy Thursday
BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, April 18, at 10 am at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport. All are invited to attend.
More than 300 priests and deacons will process into the cathedral for the yearly Chrism Mass, in which priests Read More ››
Pilgrimage to the Seven Churches: ‘Stay and keep watch with me’
BRIDGEPORT— “Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).
At the end of Mass on Holy Thursday, the Blessed Sacrament is placed on a temporary “altar of repose.” It has become a tradition for Read More ››
