BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano thanked more than 200 men and women on October 19 for “walking the journey of faith in quiet and ordinary ways and for finding the grace and strength to give to others” as he awarded them the St. Augustine Medal of Service.
The ceremony, which was held at a packed St. Augustine Cathedral, annually recognizes those “whose exemplary dedication to Christ and to his Church is lived out in extraordinary service in the parishes, schools and charitable works.”
The celebration consisted of Daytime Prayer on the Memorial of Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and their companions, known as the North American Martyrs.
In his homily, Bishop Caggiano spoke of the savage brutality of the Jesuits’ martyrdom and how even in death they were grateful.
“How, in a moment such as that, is it possible for someone to have such a deep sense of generosity, not reproaching God, not complaining to God, not considering or thinking you deserve more than what was at hand, but to sit quietly in peace of mind and heart and to look back on the favors God has given … and perhaps even to believe the suffering at hand was a favor itself,” he said.
The bishop said the honorees should be “beggars of grace” because “we are not the origin of any of the blessings in our lives, whether physical or spiritual, material or communal.”
“Whether it’s the small blessings of our next breath or the profound blessings of a spouse sitting next to us and all that we have been given, it is the duty of every believer to recognize that we are beggars before God,” the bishop said. “And in recognizing that poverty, we also recognize the reckless, wild generosity of God who loves us, grants us every good gift and will never stop loving us even when we have done all that we could to turn away from him. He never turns away from us.”
He said one of the foundations in a life of discipleship is to have genuine gratitude for “all that we have, all that we give, all that we are and all that we will become in Jesus Christ.”
He praised the honorees for entering into the poverty of their sisters and brothers, and lifting them up and helping them glimpse the glory of God and the mercy of his love.
By Joe Pisani
Photos by Amy Mortensen
“I am certain that in all the ways you serve in our parishes, schools and institutions of charity, there are many who have thanked you and many who have not,” he said. “But remember the time will come when all of us will stand in God’s mercy and love, and the veil will be removed. We will see the bounty of God’s generosity and with thankful hearts sing his praises for all eternity. Then, you will see how you made so great a difference in the lives who were looking for so much and through you found Jesus, our Lord and Savior.”
Bishop Caggiano blessed the medals and the honorees, “who so generously devote themselves to helping others through the sacrificial work they accomplish in service to their parishes, schools and various charitable works across the diocese.”
They later came forward individually to receive their medals and have their photos taken with the bishop, who personally thanked them.
The St. Augustine medal has an image of the bishop in the likeness of the saint’s statue in the cathedral, which is based on a painting by Sandro Botticelli for the Church of All Saints in Florence. The reverse of the medal has the seal of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
The annual event began in 2005 to recognize selfless efforts of the laity to assist their parishes, schools and ministries throughout the diocese.
“We are very grateful for all the service of our lay brothers and sisters,” Father Arthur Mollenhauer, pastor of the Cathedral Parish, said. “Without the lay faithful, we wouldn’t be able to reach as many souls as we do.”
After receiving her medal, Donna Capozzi, who was nominated by Father Mollenhauer, said, “I am so humbled I can’t even tell you. It’s such a good feeling to know that you’re helping to do God’s work.” A longtime member of the parish, she serves on the Parish Council and the Women’s Guild, in addition to coordinating the bingo games, being a lector and overseeing the parish offertory.
Domingos and Maria Moura, who were nominated by Father Ivanildo Celestine dos Santos, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bridgeport, have been involved in church activities for many years.
Dom, who is a Trustee and serves on the Parish Council, said, “The church is in our roots. A lot of people deserve the recognition even more.”
Maria, who is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, said receiving the medal was a blessing. She has been involved in the church since she was 12 and conducts a Holy Hour for the dying twice a month. The couple was married there 40 years ago.
Nicole Harmon, who has long been active at St. Mark School in Stratford, was nominated by Principal Melissa Warner. She was accompanied by her husband and three daughters, Gianna, an eighth-grader at St. Mark’s; Mila, a graduate of St. Mark’s and student at St. Joseph High School; and Naia, a graduate of St. Mark’s and St. Joseph’s, who recently began studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Leclerc Joseph of the Apostolate of Haitian Catholics in Norwalk was nominated by Father Guy Dormevil. Since 1974, he has had a music ministry in the Haitian community and has played the organ at Masses in St. Augustine Cathedral and at other liturgical events throughout the diocese.
Thomas and Kathleen Failla were nominated by Father Augustine Nguyen of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Weston for their involvement in the church. Tom said, “We’re natural volunteers — we can’t say no…And our hope is to get more young people involved.”
Kathleen said they were honored to receive this award and humbled that Father Nguyen nominated them. “We’re happy to serve and do what we can to plant the seeds of hope.” Among her parish activities, she is a lector and past president of the Women’s Guild, while Tom is active in the Knights of Columbus and serves as an usher.
Deacon Donald Foust and his wife Natalie were nominated by Father Peter Lenox of St. Margaret Shrine in Bridgeport. Deacon Foust retired in July after 26 years as a deacon and 13 as administrator of the shrine, in addition to three years as administrator at the former Holy Rosary Parish. He plans to stay active and return to Blessed Sacrament Parish to help out. Natalie, who has volunteered at the shrine and assists in the annual St. Anthony Feast, also plays piano in a Gospel ensemble at Blessed Sacrament.