FAIRFIELD—Sacred Heart University Exercise Science Professor and Master of Public Health Director Anna Greer is leading a series of workshops and training to promote safety for Bridgeport students who walk to school. Her efforts began in response to a 2017 Bridgeport policy that states all high school youth living within two miles and elementary youth living within a mile and a half of their school would no longer receive bus service.

Read More ››

NORWALK—The Norwalk-based Knights of Columbus Bishop Fenwick 4TH Degree Assembly No. 100 recently hosted its 2nd Patriot Dinner, which raised a total of $2,000 for veterans of American Legion Frank C Godfrey Post 12 Norwalk and American Legion James B. Whipple Post 86 Wilton. In addition a portion of the funds was donated to the young men and women of the Norwalk Public Safety Cadets Post 1913.

The fundraiser dinner took place on Saturday, April 14th at the Knights Hall (next to St. Ann Club), 16 Hendricks Ave. in Norwalk. The dinner was a sell out with 105 guests which included members of both American Legion Posts, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and members of the Knights of Columbus.

Read More ››

STAMFORD—Msgr. Thomas Powers, vicar general of the Diocese of Bridgeport, will be honored at the St. John Fisher Seminary First Annual Rector’s Dinner on Saturday, April 28, at 6 pm at Trinity Catholic High School, 926 Newfield Ave., Stamford.

Tickets for the evening are sold out. A gathering of almost 300 people is expected to launch the first Rector’s Dinner sponsored by the seminary.

Read More ››

DARIEN—Please join us at Foundations in Education’s 2018 Annual Spring Gala to celebrate and support Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Gala will be held at Woodway Country Club in Darien, on Thursday, April 19, 2018, from 6-9:30 pm.

Together with The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, we shall honor dedicated Catholic school advocate and volunteer Roger J. Fox, retired Kolbe Cathedral Principal Jo-Anne Jakab, and Frontier Communications CEO Dan McCarthy. The Gala will bring together business, education, political and charitable leaders throughout Fairfield County and promises to be an inspirational evening.

Read More ››

STAMFORD—Recently eight St. Thomas More Parish Youth Group teens put their faith into action and shared life experiences by volunteering at DOMUS KIDS in Stamford.

Domus serves more than 1,100 of the most struggling youth in Stamford with a mix of educational, community and residential programs. The young people it services face many challenges; most are living in abject poverty, have had involvement in the criminal justice system, and have experienced homelessness, neglect, abuse, academic failure, and chronic untreated healthcare issues. Its mission is to create the conditions necessary for them to get on a path toward health and opportunity so they can succeed in school and ultimately lead satisfying and productive lives.

Read More ››

DANBURY—Immaculate High School (IHS) is committed to providing a modern college-preparatory, Catholic-based education to its students with the goal of them attending top-rated colleges with confidence about their future paths. One way Immaculate does so is by hosting an annual Career Day for all students so they can consider future careers while preparing for a college program.

Read More ››

FAIRFIELD—The diaconate is the fastest growing ministry in the United States with the number of ordained deacons up more than 41% in the last 14 years, said Deacon Greg Kandra at the Annual Convocation for Deacons of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Speaking to more than 100 deacons and their wives who gathered for the event, Deacon Kandra said that there are more than 40,000 ordained deacons around the world, and that the diaconate has grown while other vocations continue to see decreased number.
Read More ››

WESTPORT—For most people, life is about three questions, said Bishop Robert Morneau last night in his talk at Assumption Church in Westport, “Who am I, Where am I going? How do I get there. ”

“But the real question is not who am I, but whose am I? To whom do I belong,” said the retired Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Almost 200 turned out for his talk, which was sponsored by the Leadership Institute as part of the new Bishop’s Lecture Series.

Read More ››

NORWALK—The Most Reverend Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the special guest speaker at the Knights of Columbus St. Matthew Council 14360’s 5th Annual Family Communion Breakfast on Sunday, June 3, 2018 after the 9am Mass (around 10am) in the St. Matthew Masterpool Great Room, 216 Scribner Ave in Norwalk.

The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano was installed as Fifth Bishop of Bridgeport on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull.

Read More ››

SHELTON—Peter Thomas Farrelly, Jr., age 65, a parishioner of St. Lawrence Parish in Shelton, entered into rest on Friday, April 6. He is the beloved husband of 40 years of Mary Jo (Ertola) Farrelly.

Farrelly was born in the Bronx, NY on July 30, 1952. He grew up in Norwalk, attending local Catholic schools and serving as an altar boy at St. Jerome Parish. He graduated from Central Catholic High School (now All Saints School) in 1970. Always active in his faith, he was a lector of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Norwalk before moving to Shelton 29 years ago.
Read More ››

DANBURY—The Immaculate High School CyberPatriots team placed first in the Connecticut Regional National Youth Cyber Defense Competition sponsored by the National Cyber Education Program. This is the third year in a row that the team won the State competition.

The IHS team came in first place in the State Round – Platinum Division before going on to win the State competition in February. The winning first-place team are seniors Jack Brooks of Ridgefield, Ben Fletcher of Redding, Kevin McCoy of Danbury, John Palladino of Danbury and juniors Colby Bellone of Redding and William Wang of New Milford.

Read More ››

STAMFORD—On April 4, Trinity Catholic High School held it’s annual Fashion Show, featuring juniors and seniors—along with softball and Basketball Coach Rita Jagodzinski, Guidance Counselor Michael Surace and Assistant Principal Christine Wagner. The event took place at 7:30 pm in the auditorium of the school. Lord & Taylor provided the informal fashions for the juniors; A Step Ahead and Zemo Brothers provided the senior formal wear.

Read More ››

Read More ››

STAMFORD—John T. Grosso of Stamford has been named Director of Digital Media of the Diocese of Bridgeport. His appointment, effective immediately, was announced by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.

Grosso joined the diocese in 2015 and has led the successful social media initiatives since that time. His new title reflects his growing responsibilities as the Office of Communications seeks to integrate its various social media and web platforms and better connect with parishes.

Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—Over the next two weeks, the Diocesan Leadership Institute is hosting two youth ministry focused webinars.

The first, on Monday, April 9th at 2-3 pm is entitled “The Start of Something Big—Preparing Youth for Confirmation,” and will feature Tom East, the Director of The Center for Ministry Development, Project Coordinator for Youth Ministry Services, and Coordinator of the Certificate Program in Youth Ministry Studies. More information can be found on the diocesan Leadership Institute website: https://www.formationreimagined.org/webinar-preparing-youth-for-confirmation/

Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—Foundations in Education, a non profit organization created to assist the Diocese of Bridgeport’s ongoing mission to support Catholic Education in Fairfield County, recently published their Spring 2018 newsletter, providing updates on a number of ongoing initiatives.

As you can see in the attachment below, much progress has been made in advancing and promoting Catholic schools throughout the County.

Read More ››

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—God calls all Christians to be saints—not plastic statues of saints, but real people who make time for prayer and who show loving care for others in the simplest gestures, Pope Francis said in his new document on holiness.

“Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy,” the pope wrote in “Gaudete et Exsultate” (“Rejoice and Be Glad”), his apostolic exhortation on “the call to holiness in today’s world.”

Read More ››

The following blog is a reflection from Bishop Frank Caggiano, originally written in January 2018, during our Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The reflection originally appeared on Bishop Frank’s Facebook page, and details his experience praying in the Basilica of the Annunciation.
Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—The mercy of Christ must be found in our parish communities and in our relationships with others, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said during his homily at the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass held this afternoon at St. Augustine Cathedral.

“We who celebrate the gift of God’s Divine Mercy today are asked to give it back to the world,” he said to the hundreds who filled the Cathedral.
Read More ››

Vatican City, Apr 8, 2018 / 04:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis said that our relationship with God is a personal one, filled with his love and mercy, where we proclaim like St. Thomas: “My Lord and my God!”
Read More ››

WHAT: The Sacred Heart University College of Nursing and the Center for Healthcare Education Inaugural Year Lecture Series presents “A Dialogue on Compassion: The Lived Experience.” Guest speakers will discuss compassion in healthcare.

Read More ››

DARIEN—“60 Minutes” has succeeded because it treats news as public service not simply as a business decision, said CBS News chairman and “60 Minutes” executive producer Jeff Fager at the New Covenant Center Celebrity Breakfast this morning in Darien.

More than 200 turned out at Woodway Country Club to celebrate the 40th anniversary of New Covenant Center (NCC), which provides more than 600,000 meals yearly to the working poor, elderly and homeless of the greater Stamford area.
Read More ››

NEWTOWN—St. Rose of Lima School’s Fifth Grade Colonial Wax Museum project was staged for the school on March 27. Paula Davenport’s students each transformed in to a colonial figure—everyone from Betsy Ross, Abigail Adams and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold and Paul Revere. It was a wonderfully engaging experience. The figures sat in chairs in a circle around the gathering hall dressed in sensational costumes with a sign indicating who they were. Over the course of an hour, all classes from grades K-8 toured the museum to learn about each historical figure. They would press a button and the figure came to life, sharing highlights of their place in history.

On Sunday April 8th, join Bishop Frank J. Caggiano and your Diocese of Bridgeport family as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.

Mass will begin at 2 pm at the Cathedral of St. Augustine, 399 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport.

Read More ››

WESTPORT—Bishop Robert Morneau, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay, will discuss the “Seven Habits on the Path to Holiness” on April 11, 7 pm at Assumption Parish in Westport.

Bishop Morneau’s talk is being sponsored by the diocesan Leadership Institute as part of its newly launched Bishop’s Lecture Series.

Read More ››

BALTIMORE—In a recent pastoral letter, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “principles of nonviolence” are the keys to “address and resist injustice” in the Baltimore area.

“The wisdom of Dr. King’s teaching is both timely and important for our family of faith, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and indeed for our whole society,” wrote Archbishop Lori in his February letter.

Read More ››

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Easter makes it clear that in the life of Jesus, but also in the lives of modern men and women, “death, solitude and fear” do not have the last word, Pope Francis said before giving his Easter blessing.
Read More ››

BROOKFIELD— This past month, first and seventh graders at St. Joseph School Brookfield, under the guidance of their teachers, Jeanne Vitetta (grade 1) and Kathleen Benzing (grade 7), donated items for and put together Easter goody bags to be distributed at Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury after Easter dinner.
Read More ››

STAMFORD—“We adore you O Christ and we praise you. Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world,” chanted more than 1,000 faithful in the Good Friday Stations of the Cross as they processed through the Cove section of Stamford.

The procession began in the mid-morning mist shrouding Cummings Park as it looks over Long Island Sound.
Read More ››

ROME (CNS)—Before washing the feet of 12 prisoners, Pope Francis told them and hundreds of inmates to remember that Jesus constantly stands before them with love, ready to cleanse their sins and forgive them.
Read More ››

I’m a lucky guy…that is what John would often say about his life, certainly about his friends, but most particularly about this parish. He felt so blessed to have been given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those people entrusted to his care. And make a difference he did. He was the consummate preacher, reading the signs of the times and touching them to the Gospel, speaking in ways that touched hearts and moved people into gospel ac on. His homilies were woven, crafted really, with words that resonated. In sprinkling his words with references to art, music, poetry, literature and the news, he sparked the religious imaginations of his listeners and changed their perceptions of church and of the meaning of life itself. So many mes at the wake I heard stories of lives changed, of people giving the church another chance, of so many quiet moments of healing.
Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT– “Offering the sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest gift we share as priests,” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano told the more than 200 priests who processed into St. Augustine Cathedral for the Chrism Mass as the choir sang the hymn, “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.”
Read More ››

NEW HAVEN—As Holy Week begins, the Knights of Columbus is transferring more than $1 million in aid to persecuted Christians in the Middle East. The support includes $800,000 in new financial assistance and $250,000 as part of its ongoing commitment to rebuilding an Iraqi Christian town.

Read More ››

STAMFORD—Trinity Catholic High School held a clothing drive last Saturday, March 24th, at the school. Over 100 boxes of clothing, donated by generous Stamford residents, were packed up by 30 Trinity Catholic students. The students loaded everything on to a O’Neil & Sons moving truck and a delivery was made to a Catholic Charity location.

Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Wednesday, March 28, at 3 pm 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 renew their priestly promises and the bishop blesses the sacramental oils that are used throughout the year in parishes.
Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—Thousands across the diocese and the greater New York City area turned out yesterday for Reconciliation Monday.

Bishop Caggiano called for participation in Reconciliation Monday to encourage people to experience the healing and blessing of Confession and “to be reconciled to the Lord in advance of Easter.”

Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—Father Andrew G. Marus, Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Stratford, passed away on March 26, at New York Community Hospital in Brooklyn at the age of 72.

The body of Father Marus will be received at 9 am on Monday, April 2, at Holy Name of Jesus Church located at 1950 Barnum Avenue in Stratford. Calling hours will be from 9 to 11 am.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following at 11 am. Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano will be the principal celebrant.

Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—Parishioners of St. Margaret Shrine gathered yesterday afternoon at 2 pm for the Stations of the Cross and Benediction.

Originally schedule as an outdoor Station on the grounds of the Shrine, the event was moved inside because of the cold and windy weather.
Read More ››

Father John Baran, our pastor, and my dear friend died on Saturday. He was only 59.

As I mentioned back in December, when I asked for you to pray with me for Fr. John, this good priest was among the first of many I met here in the Diocese of Bridgeport. When I first moved to town, people asked where I would be going to Mass. Everyone who asked recommended St. Anthony of Padua. The pastor, they said, was the best homilist in the diocese. They were right. Like you, I have heard my fair share of good homilies and, like you, there have been many Sundays where I sat and wondered, “Where in the world is he going?” That was never the case with Fr. John. You looked forward to his preaching and it carried you all week long.

Read More ››

No one is really prepared for it, even when you know it is coming. The loss of a beloved priest and pastor is like the loss of a father, a brother, a friend. So with the passing this morning (March 24) of Fr. John Baran, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Fairfield, we are bereft. We aren’t ready to let go of him.
Read More ››

Summary Collaboration was written by Reverend Fr. John Ringley, Mr. John Iannone, Holy Shroud of Turin Expert, Cindy Lucignano – Divine Mercy Advocate and Photographer

On Thursday, March 15, 2018 the Cathedral Parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut hosted an eye opening presentation on the Shroud of Turin, the Burial Cloth of Jesus. Reverend Father John Ringley gave an outstanding talk to an enthusiastic crowd of 178 people based on the book and slide show by John Iannone entitled, The Mystery of the Holy Shroud of Turin: the Case for Authenticity.

Read More ››

Father Rob Kinnally, pastor of St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan, still remembers his first Confession almost 50 years ago. He was seven years old and went to Father Foley, who had been at Christ the King Church in Yonkers for “what seemed like forever.” The world was a different place. The Beatles were singing “All You Need Is Love,” and America was embroiled in the Vietnam War.
Read More ››

TRUMBULL– Preparing for Palm Sunday—Young people from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull help to prepare palms for their distribution on Palm Sunday.

The feast commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem the week before his passion and crucifixion. The Gospels attest that as Jesus entered the city, crowds lay down palm branches and cloaks as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Read More ››

GREENWICH—Six young scientists representing Greenwich Catholic School earned multiple awards at the 70th Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair (CSEF) held at Quinnipiac University last Saturday.

GCS 7th grader Sebastian Henao won second place in the 7th Grade Life Science division for his project, “Hydrogen Power,” which evaluated the efficacy of hydrogen fuel cells in producing energy. Henao also received a certificate from the American Meteorological Society and has been invited to compete in the Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), a highly prestigious national competition.

Read More ››

VATICAN CITY—Young people want trusted guides as they explore their faith and their vocation, said five young adults from the United States attending the Vatican’s pre-synod meeting.

The U.S. delegates to the Vatican meeting March 19-25 also said the 305 young adults from around the world want to see young people consulted more often in their parishes and dioceses. And, one said, in conversations with other delegates, he discovered that Catholics in other countries are not experiencing the sharp divisions that U.S. Catholics are.

Read More ››

The following is a reflection from Msgr. J. Peter Cullen on the recent “Lenten Evening of Recollection” at Holy Spirit Parish in Stamford.

Sister M. Gaudia Skass, OLM presented a special “Lenten Evening of Recollection” at Holy Spirit Parish in Stamford on Monday, March 12^th.  I was blessed to attend. I did not know what to expect.  I thought it would be something like a bible study.  It was not. It was the witness by a woman convinced in her faith, enthusiastic in her witness, and joyfully living with God.

Read More ››

NORWALK—On February 24, St. Philip Parish hosted a Catholic Relief Services FoodFast, a hunger awareness experience for Catholic youth. The theme of the event was “Be the Change,” and young people fasted from food throughout the day while participating in activities including prayer, reflection, educational games and service projects before concluding the day with Mass.
Read More ››

GREENWICH, CT – March 19, 2018– Greenwich Catholic School is pleased to announce its transition to a new governance structure.

Known as an “academy” model, the new governance formation will foster greater engagement to ensure the vitality and viability of Greenwich Catholic School for generations to come.

This step forward is in alignment with the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools’ recently published strategic plan.
Read More ››

Jeff Jacobs: Emotional Watts, 27-0 Notre Dame-Fairfield leave no doubt they are best in state.

Also read: Kolbe wins Division IV state title
Immaculate tops Amity to win Division-II boys basketball title

The coach, oh, the coach knew he was going to cry.

Either way, win or lose, Chris Watts knew he would be a mess.

“I’m an emotional guy,” the Notre Dame-Fairfield coach said Sunday night after his school had won its first state basketball championship at Mohegan Sun. “I told my team when I first met them, ‘I’m going to cry a lot and I’m going to hug a lot.’ I love what I do and I love the guys.”

Read More ››

The Living Stations of the Cross will be held on Good Friday March 30, 2018 at 7 pm at St Jude Church in Monroe.  Monsignor Dariusz Zielonka is the pastor.

This will be the 29^th presentation of the Living Stations at the Church at the parish 707 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe. For the past 19 years the performance has involve the efforts of St Jude parishioners exclusively including the young children, teenagers, and adults reenacting the events of the Stations of the Cross.

Read More ››

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Three new part-time chaplains at Sacred Heart University—Imam Gazmend Aga, Rabbi Marcelo Kormis and Mark Block, executive director of Congregation Rodeph Sholom—have joined the Campus Ministry team as part of the “Open Heart, Many Faiths” initiative.
Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT— Students from diocesan Catholic schools “put on the green” yesterday and marched in the noontime parade through the streets of downtown Bridgeport.

The St. Patrick’s Day observance began when the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, celebrated 8 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral.
Read More ››

STAMFORD—The Stamford Ancient Order of Hibernian recently selected its honorees for the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and has chosen Michael Patrick Feighan and Gerri Moore.

The two will be honored at the Irish flag-raising ceremony at the Government Center on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Feighan was selected by the Hibernians, Moore by the Ladies’ Hibernains.

Read More ››

BRIDEPORT—“St. Patrick knew his strengths, knew the talents that God had given him, knew he could preach fearlessly and do what the Lord had asked, and he achieved greatness,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at St. Patrick Day Mass this morning at St. Augustine Cathedral.

Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—David and Ann Marie Curtin, of Fairfield, the great-grandchildren of Irish immigrants, are serving as Grand Marshals for the 2018 Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for Friday, March 16, 12:00 pm in downtown Bridgeport.
Read More ››

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (March 13, 2018) — Culminating an intense six weeks of preparation, teams of students in grades 9 through 12 from Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont will descend on Fairfield’s Alumni Hall for a regional FIRST Robotics Competition on Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, 2018.
Read More ››

BRIDGEPORT—The Diocese of Bridgeport has announced the application process for the Saint John Paul II Fund for Religious Education and Youth Ministry.

Lay ministers, priests and religious in parishes throughout the diocese may apply for grants between $500 and $10,000. Those who are awarded grants will receive funding in August 2018.
Read More ››