TRUMBULL—The Our Lady of Fatima Affiliate of the St. Mary’s Chapter of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic will host a Lay Dominican Inquiry evening on Thursday September 14, 7 to 8 pm, at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull. All men and women, 18 years and over, are invited to attend the Informal Inquiry Meeting.
Father Brian Gannon, STD, pastor at St. Theresa’s and Religious Assistant to the Lay Dominicans, will deliver a spiritual reflection on “What is True Conscience,” as he explores how divine grace, Church teaching and virtue form the moral and spiritual life in a secular culture.
“We are very blessed to have found a home at St. Theresa Church under the guidance of Fr. Gannon, “ said Mr. Dave Andreotta, O.P., President , Our Lady of Fatima Affiliate, St. Theresa Parish. “Are you being called to a deeper understanding of Faith and Truth? Come follow us in the footsteps of St. Dominic toward Jesus, through prayer, study, community and apostolate.”
The “Our Lady of Fatima” affiliation of Lay Dominicans at St. Theresa is currently under the St. Mary’s, New Haven chapter for its spiritual guidance. The affiliation formed in 2018 has been thriving. Members of the Lay Dominicans are lay men and women who are fully incorporated members of the Order of Preachers, but live out their Dominican vocation in the world.
The life of a Lay Dominican is based on the Dominican four pillars: prayer, study, community and apostolate. A daily life of prayer revolves around the liturgy, both daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), which helps to sanctify the entire day. Study is a life-long endeavor for Dominicans as well. Scripture study, the study of Dominican Saints and the Dominican Rule, as well as the study of Catholic teaching, are central to Dominican life and assist in their charge to “Go out to the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.”
Lay Dominicans come together a minimum of once a month for prayer and study. Additionally, a monthly holy hour for all vocations (our community’s apostolate) is held the 2nd Monday evening of each month at St. Theresa Church at 7PM. All are invited to attend! This is key to the spiritual life of each member and apostolate— each affiliation or chapter discerns a community apostolate to serve the body of Christ and to further His evangelical mission. Lay Dominicans are called to do apostolate with those whom they come in contact with in their daily lives
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Father Brian Gannon was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1997 by Bishop Edward M. Egan at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport. A native of Greenwich who grew up in St. Agnes Parish, he earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College and his master’s in history from the University of Maine. He completed his baccalaureate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and his masters in spirituality at Angelicum University, both in Rome. In 2004, Father Gannon returned to Rome to pursue a license and doctoral degree at the Alfonsianum Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University. His Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) was awarded in May 2009. He was named pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull in 2010. He is currently serving his second 3-year term as religious assistant to the Lay Domincans.
The meeting will be held in the Theresa School Gym (behind St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street), 55 Rosemond Terrace, Trumbull, CT. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call, text or email: Mrs. Virginia Silva, O.P. at (203)556-3468; vsilva9347@att.net
