By Kathy-Ann Gobin
RIDGEFIELD – It was a jubilant celebration for St. Elizabeth Seton Parish as they marked 50 years of faith, service, and fellowship.
“We gather on this absolutely beautiful morning to celebrate a golden anniversary of this parish family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, who celebrated the special Mass with Pastor Alphonse Arokiam, Pastor Emeritus Joseph A. Prince and other concelebrants, including priests who served at the parish over the years.
“You and I gather in this beautiful space to celebrate the life that you have lived together for 50 years, a place where people’s hearts are lifted, their minds are calmed, and they open themselves to the grace of God,” Bishop Caggiano said.
Bishop Caggiano thanked the generations of parishioners and asked founders who were present at the Mass to stand up and be recognized with a round of applause, for building a remarkable community of faith.
“It gives me great joy to come to celebrations such as this, for it proves that the Church is very much alive in a world that wants it to go away. And we are going nowhere,” said Bishop Caggiano, adding that there is more work to be done in building the Church through the faithful, who are the living stones of the Church of God.
The bishop urged the faithful to encourage people who may have drifted away from the church to rediscover God.
“The Church becomes ever more beautiful as they come back, one person at a time,” said Bishop Caggiano. “For the next 50 years, that is our mission.”
The bishop also encouraged charity and for the faithful to continue to support one another through challenges and triumphs.
“No one is called to carry his or her cross alone,” Bishop Caggiano said. “That is why we are here, so that you and I may not simply be neighbors and friends, but we will truly become ever more a beautiful, single family. For the last 50 years, what a remarkable, beautiful tapestry of life, you have woven together here at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish.”
“For the next 50 years, let us pray today that God will give us the grace, so that we will continue unifying the living church until the day comes when the Lord has us all together in the glory that He has made to give us eternal life.”
The church, which is built in the shape of a cross with a wooden interior has stunning floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows, and the pews are positioned so that parishioners can see one another and the altar at the same time.
In 1996, under the leadership of Father Prince, an addition was added to address the need for more space for religious education. That addition houses a chapel, where all new stained-glass windows were installed and blessed by Bishop Caggiano following the Mass.
As part of a 50-year-refresh for the main church, a new wooden floor was installed for the altar and new carpet and energy-efficient and brighter lighting were installed in the church and newly painted church hall.
Pastor Fr. Alphonse Arokiam thanked all who were involved in preparing for this special day, highlighting the motto of 50 years of faith, service and fellowship.
“We are here, and we will continue to share our faith, to be welcoming to all people who come, and to share with them, fellowship. And we please pray that God listens to our prayers,” Father Alphonse said.
Lunch was provided after the Mass in the church hall. Attendees could watch a slideshow of photos, chronicling moments and milestones in the church along with a video featuring interviews of founders sharing special memories of their time as parishioners. Children’s games were also provided for the youngest parishioners.
The names of the 371 founding families are inscribed in calligraphy on parchment in the church vestibule.
“When I look back, I smile and think about some events that we did that turned out really good. Which we were all slightly amazed because it was new to us. We were all excited to have our own parish,” Kathryn Guido said in the 50th anniversary video of the church. Guido is the founder of the Prime Timers ministry.
A 30-page booklet commemorating the 50th anniversary of the church and chronicling its history was available to all in attendance.
Gregory Cudzilo, one of the founding members, reminisced about when Mass was held at the school and how he and many others would anticipate coffee and fellowship after Mass because they could hear the coffee pot percolating during the service.
Cudzilo also fondly recalled how his children helped to clear the land where the church now sits on Ridgebury Road.
“We are one family in Christ,” Bishop Caggiano said. “For 50 years, you have lived it. Let us continue to do that for the next 50, so that when we are gone, and those who come after us are standing on our shoulders, they will have much to be grateful for.”
