Inside this issue 3 First Synod listening session held in Stamford 20 The girls of summer ND vs KC softball Please visit us on: at www.facebook.com/ Fairfield County Catholics and at bridgeportdiocese at www.twitter.com/ dobevents, dobyouth Latest news: bridgeportdiocese.com Frank E. Metrusky, CFP® President and Financial Advisor 945 Beaver Dam Road Stratford, CT 06614 203.386.8977 Securities and Advisory Services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC), Member FINRA/SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. Catholic Way investments and NPC are separate and unrelated companies. 2 May 2014 Listening Sessions Are Under Way We are listening… BY BISHOP FRANK CAGGIANO and opinions of the participants of this first listening session. more constructively The evening of Monday, May As you can see from this sam- Much more prayer, pilgrim- 5, was truly beautiful. After a pling of the listening session’s ages, study of the saints, etc. long wait spring finally arrived comments, many people from A strong voice on social justice and the weather could not have various walks of life contributed issues been nicer. When I arrived at to the richness of this meeting. Trinity High School in Stamford, Personally, I was impressed with More use of Christian the parking lot was almost full the mutual respect and considerate contemporary music and you could see many excited manner the comments were made. people. That evening was the first Sometimes the speakers brought The meeting was divided into Our pastor has made a concerted Things that we already have of many listening sessions we had up opposite points, and yet all three segments, each reflecting on effort to welcome people back to but need improvement… put together prior to the Fourth were given a chance to express one of the following questions: our parish and it has been very (Question #3) Diocesan Synod. The auditorium their ideas freely, without being 1. The strengths of the effective Transparency of the diocese diocesan ministries are… The Eucharist is available every The quality of the preaching day in most parishes 2. I would like to see the new of our priests. We need cat- diocesan outreach in… echesis from the pulpit I would like to see the diocese More frequent publication 3. The diocese should improve outreach to… (Question #2) the ministry by… of Fairfield County Catholic Connecting between the subur- Each person was allotted More opportunities for young ban parishes and the inter-city adults to meet together about 1-2 minutes to present parishes their points. Thanks to the Use more women theologians many volunteers helping with Find a way to have young to catechize adults logistics, the meeting was con- married couples more involved Catholic education…more ducted quite efficiently. in our parishes teaching orders of religious Here are some comments Use music that young people to come to our diocese made at that session: can relate to Technology is very important Improve religious education to What’s the job of the pastor… The strengths of the include much more technology diocese are… (Question #1) needs to communicate more More of a centralized use of with his parishioners St. Catherine Academy religious education textbooks in the school was filling nicely, judged. On occasion, spontaneous provides an excellent service How the chancery communi- in parishes and exploration cates with the parishes and people seemed friendly and applause broke out after a com- The faith of the people of what appeals to young people We need to find a way to have interested in the event. They ment. Since the purpose of the We have so many churches Facilitate more interfaith dialogue women have a more obvious came mostly from Stamford, session was for me and the Synod available; it’s easy for families More consolidation for youth role in our parishes though other towns and parishes Commission to listen, there were to receive the sacraments were represented as well. I did no comments or answers made, outreach: social events, religious Evangelization of our adults not count all those present, but except my final remarks. Many laity serve in any way education…share our resources. they can for us We need more Adoration it looked like we had about two What happens next? The input Outreach to survivors of sexual Chapels, more time together Generosity of our parishioners hundred attendees. from all listening sessions and the abuse as a community A few minutes past 7:30 pm online forms will be processed Very impressed by the strength More Bible study classes We need to get families back the meeting began. On the stage by the Synod Commission to of Catholic education and education for adults to prayer again. That is what’s there was a long table. Next to place all comments into proper Religious education programs More of an outreach in getting going to bring people back me were the members of the categories, i.e. “liturgy,” “youth” are very good Catholics to come back to Church Synod Commission: Damien or “administration.” Then study We need to reach out to Volunteer service in our parish O’Connor, Carol Pinard, Deacon committees will examine these Create more curiosity within people who are very angry (for is exceptional John DiTaranto, Martha Missiner comments and present them adults to encourage them to want whatever reason). I’m tired for and Msgr. Dariusz Zielonka, who to the General Delegates who Financial transparency to learn more about their faith having to apologize for being a ran the meeting. All of us were will discuss them at the Synod’s of the bishop Engage with our secular culture Catholic n there to listen to the comments ➤ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 ON THE COVER | CONTENTS DIOCESAN SEMINARIANS ASSIST 5 LADIES LUNCHEON 21 FOUNDING A SEMINARY with the lighting of the Paschal Candle Sister Magnetti honored Msgr. DiGiovanni remembers at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Augustine Inside this issue Cathedral. St. John Fisher Seminary was CARDINAL RAYMOND BURKE 23 BUILDING A CULTURE OF VOCATIONS founded in 1989 by Bishop Edward M. Egan 6 Speaking out for life Father Sam Kachuba “on being called” First Synod listening for young men between the ages of 18-38 3 session held in Stamford who are discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood. Originally located on Daniels Farm 10 A PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 25 BROTHER PRIESTS The girls of summer 20 ND vs KC softball Road in Trumbull, it moved to Stamford Damien O’Connor reflects Celebrating priest jubilarians Please visit us on: in 1989. Today, 19 men are part of the at www.facebook.com/ To get to Something Better, you need a college degree. Fairfield County Catholics Sacred Heart University’s part-time studies offer: and at bridgeportdiocese —main campus in Fairfield and online program to discern their vocations and —from associate to bachelor’s degrees at www.twitter.com/ SOMETHING • Convenience—online and on-campus courses, including evenings dobevents, dobyouth • Flexibility —we’ll evaluate the college courses Latest news: BETTER • Numerous Degree Programs RAISING A RUCKUS FOR THE LORD 2014 BISHOP’S APPEAL • Generous Transfer Policy —from scholarships to grants and loans 17-20 29 bridgeportdiocese.com you’ve taken for transfer ® Financial Aid Packages continue studies toward the priesthood. • Frank E. Metrusky, CFP President and Financial Advisor Your gift in action New youth director, Julie Rogers, MCR 945 Beaver Dam Road (Photos by Amy Mortensen) FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT SACREDHEART.EDU/UCADMISSIONS Stratford, CT 06614 203.386.8977 Securities andMember Advisory FINRA/SIPC, Services offered and athrough Registered National Investment Planning Advisor. Corporation (NPC), Catholic Way investments and NPC are separate and unrelated companies. 3 May 2014 Local News Three men ordained to the priesthood BRIDGEPORT—It has been a and nourish their growth in faith. year of “firsts” for Bishop Frank “I am honored, humbled, and J. Caggiano. But he’s been in happy to call these three men the Diocese of Bridgeport long ‘my brother priests,’” says Father enough now to have had the Robert Kinnally, director of opportunity for his first “second.” vocations and rector of St. John On May 17, in St. Augustine Fisher Seminary. “Chris, Andy, Cathedral, he performed one of and Rob have been faithfully the most fulfilling duties in the and prayerfully engaged in their life of a bishop—the ordination formation from the very begin- of three young men as priests for ning. As priests, they will use the the Diocese of Bridgeport. This is many gifts God has given them Bishop Caggiano’s second ordina- to bring people closer to Christ, tion; last December he ordained and the joy that they exude in Father Rolando Arias to the serving God’s people has—and priesthood. will continue to be —inspiring In addition to their formal and transforming. How blessed is theological studies, all three of the Church of Bridgeport to have FATHER CHRISTOPHER PERRELLA FATHER ANDREW VILL FATHER ROBERT WOLFE this May’s new priests have spent these three new priests.” time at St. John Fisher Seminary Father Christopher J. Perrella Hampshire where his parents are sider a vocation to the priesthood his entry into the Diocese of where they had the opportu- Father Christopher Perrella, members of Sainte Marie Parish during college at the Franciscan Bridgeport. Exploring this dio- nitygrow in faith as perceptive 26, is one of three children of in Manchester. University of Steubenville, Ohio. cese, he spent the summer after and well-balanced men. The Frank and Anne Perrella. He was An energetic young man with He graduated in 2010 with a graduation at St. Pius X Parish formation experience at Fisher is born in Philadelphia, Pa., and a love of playing ultimate Frisbee bachelor’s degree in philosophy.