WESTPORT—Parishioners and friends gathered at St. Luke Parish on October 29 for a Mass and reception with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in memory of Monsignor Andrew Varga. It was an opportunity to celebrate his life and support vocations in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
The warm and welcoming event was hosted by Father Kumar Xavariapitchai and Connie Von Zwehl, founder of the Monsignor Andrew Varga Scholarship Fund. She established the fund as a way to provide for diocesan seminarians in memory of Monsignor Varga, with the hope that other parishes will consider a similar program in the future to honor deceased priests.
Von Zwehl reflected on her parents’ dedication to St. Luke Parish as one of its founding families, and how grateful she was that she was able to attend her mother’s funeral service at St. Luke’s on the weekend when Bishop Caggiano officially reopened parishes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Walter Lohotsky, a close friend of Monsignor Varga, shared memories of him as a wonderful friend. Bishop Caggiano also reflected on fun, warm memories, including Monsignor Varga’s exceptional culinary skills, while focusing on the need for more seminarians and to pray for all priests.
The Blessed Michael McGivney Society was recently established in the Diocese of Bridgeport to support the educational and formation needs of seminarians in the diocese.
“It offers opportunities to accompany our seminarians on their discernment journey as they consider a calling to the priesthood,” said Pam Rittman, director of development and of the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. “Connie established the scholarship to honor Monsignor Varga and to help defray the cost of educating our seminarians. She graciously offered to match every donation contributed.”
Contributions to the Monsignor Varga Scholarship can be made at https://bit.ly/3DqmmDp or sent to the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606. Please make payments out to the Diocese of Bridgeport and specify the gift is for the Monsignor Varga Scholarship.
