BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Caggiano will celebrate two Healing Masses this weekend:
On Saturday, April 6, 11 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Weston, the Bishop will be the main celebrant at a special Healing and Anointing Mass for all who are suffering all who are looking for healing.
On Sunday, April 7th, 2019 at 2 pm at St. Joseph Church 8 Robinson Avenue, Danbury, the Bishop will serve as main celebrant at the Mass of Hope, Healing and Reconciliation for all those who have been sexually abuse or affected by abuse.
All throughout the diocese are invited and encouraged to attend. Please see stories below for more details.
Mass of Healing and Anointing
WESTON—”Christ alone is the Divine Physician who can truly heal us with His love. It is Christ who is the face of Mercy Himself,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano at October’s Synod on young people, the faith and vocational discernment in Rome.
On Saturday, April 6 all who are looking for healing are welcome to a special Healing and Anointing Mass at St. Francis of Assisi in Weston at 11 am. Bishop Caggiano will be the main celebrant.
All readings for the Mass will be centered on the topic of healing. After the homily, those wishing to receive the Sacrament of Anointing will be asked to come forward for Bishop Caggiano to anoint their forehead and hands and the Mass will continue.
“This Mass is especially for anyone who is looking to receive the Sacrament of Anointing and we welcome anyone who might be in need of healing,” said Rose Talbot-Babey, coordinator of religious education.
This event is being run by the Office of Faith Formation. The goal of the Office of Faith Formation is to foster, guide and support the endeavor of life-long formation in the teachings of Christ and all aspects of the Catholic Faith on both the parish and diocesan levels.
Under the direction of the bishop, chief catechist of the diocese, the Office of Faith Formation strives to accomplish this goal of catechesis and evangelization for all ages.
(For more information visit the Office of Faith Formation website at: www.bridgeportdiocese.org/faith-formation. For any questions call: 203.416.1670 or email: officeoffaithformation@diobpt.org.)
Mass of Hope, Healing and Reconciliation
DANBURY—The Most Rev. Frank Caggiano, together with a planning committee of Survivors of Sexual Abuse as Minors by Priests, will hold a very special Mass for anyone who has been sexually abused as a minor and for others who have been impacted.
The Mass will be held on Sunday, April 7th, 2019 at 2 pm at St. Joseph Church 8 Robinson Avenue, Danbury CT. Light Refreshments will be served immediately following the Mass.
Fr. Lawrence F. Carew will serve as homilist and members of the Survivor’s Group will deliver the readings and offer brief reflections. Peggy Fry will handle the welcome . Readings will be delivered by Tim Murphy and Joseph Cann, Sr.. David D’Andrea will deliver a post-Communion reflection and Peter Philipp will offer thanks at the end of the Mass.
A special message from a mother of a victim of abuse by a priest
“I would like to invite you to join us at the Hope and Healing Mass on Sunday, April 7th at St. Josephs RC Church in Danbury. The Mass is at 2 pm. Its focus is on healing those who were victims of sexual abuse by clergy and also for those who were sexually abused by others, such as family members, neighbors, friends of the family, teachers, coaches, caregivers, and others. There will be survivors of abuse in attendance, counselors as well as parents of victims and family members of victims. If you know of anyone who may benefit from this Mass, please, please encourage them to join us. Our son was a victim of sexual abuse when he was only 11. Please also join us for refreshments immediately following the Mass. God Bless you all.”
There are regularly scheduled gatherings for any person who has been sexually abused as a minor to meet with the victim assistance coordinators and fellow survivors of sexual abuse for friendship, prayer and peer support. For more information, please contact Erin Neil: Eneil@diobpt.org.
If you are an adult survivor of sexual abuse as a minor or a family member of a survivor and you would like to learn more about the Mass, the upcoming meetings and other resources that are available in our Diocese, please contact one of our Victim Assistance Coordinators, Erin Neil, L.C.S.W., 203.650.3265 or Michael Tintrup, L.C.S.W. 203.241.0987. We hope to hear from you, you are very important to us.