December 18, 6 Pm Klein Memorial, Bridgeport Tickets at the Box Office
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Inside this issue 3 Seminary to stay in Stamford 25-36 Special Christmas Supplement Arise and Shine Christmas Concert December 18, 6 pm Klein Memorial, Bridgeport Tickets at the box office Jon M. Starr General Agent 203-803-6433 [email protected] Life Insurance • Long-Term Care Insurance Retirement Annuities • Disability Insurance Protecting Catholic families since 1882. 2 December 2016 Merry Christmas As Bishop of Bridgeport, I often find myself in the position of asking others for things—for their guidance and expertise, their financial support, their volunteer service—and always for their prayers. Each and every time I ask for help, the people of our diocese are generous and gracious beyond all expectations. Whether planning for the future of schools, working to revitalize our parishes, or launching a new program to serve others, someone always steps forward. So let me thank you in advance for the personal kindness you have shown me and for the many gifts you bestow upon the diocese each year, including at Christmas time when you give generously in so many different ways—whether volunteering in Catholic Charities soup kitchens or reaching out to others in your own parish. Christmas gives us an opportunity to re-commit to personal generosity, openness to others, and largeness of spirit. Perhaps the season even challenges us to be more generous than we’d like to be! It calls us to a conversion of heart toward others—including those we have hardened our hearts against. To give generously from the heart is a mandate of all discipleship. Every generous act makes visible and tangible the love that God has for each of us. At times, generosity involves the sharing of material goods. More importantly, the generous giving of time and the spiritual goods of life are more important in an age where there is so much loneliness, fear and alienation. When you and I look ourselves in the mirror, do we see the face of a truly generous person? Do we see someone who will give generously until it hurts? Ultimately even if we have very little of monetary value to give others, we have the gift of ourselves; we are invited to do what is best for our neighbors and to pray for the good of our community. This is a gift that we all can give. Above all, Christmas celebrates the joyful heart that is found in Christ’s love for us, and the knowledge that his love will never fail. In the coming days as we complete our Advent journey and celebrate Christmas, I pray that the Light of Christ will shine upon you and your family, and that your hearts will be renewed and made joyful. Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport ON THE COVER | CONTENTS CHRISTMAS JOY—Students 5 SAFE ENVIRONMENT AUDIT 16 PRIEST PROFILE at St. Ann Academy in Bridgeport Comprehensive programs recognized Father Joseph Gill Inside this issue perform at their recent Christmas Concert for parents and the community. 7 DIOCESE RELEASES BUDGET 18 2016 SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Seminary to stay 3 in Stamford The pageant is a moment of joy and Moving in the right direction by Don Harrison faith as they prepare for Christmas. ST. VINCENT’S TREE LIGHTING Special Christmas THIRD POST SYNOD SESSION 31 Supplement Advent and Christmas celebrations 9 25-36 Arise and Shine Growing impact on life of diocese Brings holiday joy Christmas Concert are underway in parishes and schools December 18, 6 pm Klein Memorial, Bridgeport Tickets at the box office throughout the diocese. SEMINARIANS SING ST. JOSEPH PARISH, DANBURY Jon M. Starr 12 35 General Agent PHOTOS BY AMY MORTENSEN 203-803-6433 [email protected] Carols of the season Bishop blesses Meditation Garden Life Insurance • Long-Term Care Insurance Retirement Annuities • Disability Insurance Protecting Catholic families since 1882. 3 December 2016 Latest News Seminary to stay in Stamford BY BRIAN D. WALLACE it’s time to move ahead,” the timent expressed by the priests of bishop added. the diocese was that the diocese St. John Fisher Seminary will The diocese had originally should renovate and remain in remain in Stamford at its current announced plans to move the the current building in Stamford. location, 894 Newfield Ave., seminary to the bishop’s resi- St. John Fisher Seminary and will undergo a 30-month dence on Daniels Farm Road in Residence was opened by Bishop renovation project beginning in Trumbull. However, after com- Edward M. Egan in 1989, in the spring of 2017. As part of the pleting engineering studies and order to nurture, support and plan, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano architectural drawings, it became encourage local vocations. will reside in the St. John Fisher clear that the proposed 10,000 Seminarians moved into the residence square foot addition to the resi- former St. Joseph High School “It has always been my inten- dence would be more expensive convent in Trumbull, which later tion to be present to the seminary than originally planned. The dio- became the bishop’s residence community and become a more cese has begun to explore other when they outgrew the building. active presence in the forma- uses for the Trumbull location. In 1995, the seminary moved to tion of our seminarians,” said The St. John Fisher renova- ST. JOHN FISHER SEMINARY was opened by Bishop Edward M. Egan in its present location on Newfield Bishop Caggiano in making the tion project will move ahead in 1989 to nurture, support and encourage vocations. Plans for the renovation of Avenue in Stamford. announcement. three phases, with separate time- the current structure in Stamford were recently finalized. To date, 92 men who resided He said the final decision was lines, and each phase will be fully there have been ordained to the made after more than a year of paid for prior to the beginning of priesthood. reviewing options and planning, construction. $850,000 upgrade of safety, code needs of the seminarians, plans Since opening in Stamford, including consultation with dioc- Andrew Schulz, director of real and infrastructure issues at the for an expanded chapel and other the seminary has received esan priests. “After much due estate for the diocese, will manage Stamford location. It will also changes. strong community support, with diligence we’ve decided that the the project. He said that the dio- include renovation of a small At the same time, a re-au- many area Catholics visiting its Stamford location is most advan- cese will be working with the city suite of rooms to serve as Bishop thorized engineers’ report on Adoration Chapel daily to pray tageous for seminarians and most of Stamford to secure building per- Caggiano’s residence. the condition of the Stamford for vocations. cost-effective for the diocese,” he mits in April and that major reno- Donors were notified last facility determined that the cost (Now that final plans have been said. vations would begin in the middle May of a halt on the Trumbull to renovate the existing seminary set, the diocese will move forward to “I am very grateful to donors of May, when the seminarians plans as projected costs increased building is substantially less than complete the fundraising for the proj- who have agreed to transfer their complete their spring semester. significantly, resulting from nec- to build a new seminary. ect. For information or to make a con- gifts from the Trumbull location Phase One, which is expected essary code upgrades, the need Likewise, at a meeting of the tribution, contact Bill McLean, chief to Stamford and for all of those to be completed by September, to include a new commercial entire presbyterate held earlier development officer: 203.416.1473 or who have worked with us. Now 2017, will be devoted to an kitchen to accommodate the this year, the overwhelming sen- [email protected].) n Lemoine named Foundations in Education director BRIDGEPORT—Bishop ing and managing comprehensive Catholic School in Norwalk. At Frank J. Caggiano has named fundraising programs that pro- that same meeting, the bishop Holly Doherty-Lemoine of mote a culture of philanthropy presented the guidelines for the New Canaan the first execu- to support general operations, Bishop’s Scholarship Fund for the tive director of Foundations in capital projects, endowment and 2017-18 academic year. Education, Inc. The effective special events. Prior to accepting Nearly 9,000 students from date was December 5, 2016. the executive director position Pre-K to Grade 12 attend 31 Her appointment was approved for Foundations in Education, diocesan sponsored schools: 25 by the Foundations’ Board of she worked as a fundraising con- elementary, five high schools and Trustees. sultant and held the role of chief one school for students with spe- “Holly’s extensive experi- development officer for Inspirica, cial needs. ence, dynamic leadership, and Inc., one of Connecticut’s largest The Bishop’s Scholarship a deep appreciation and passion homeless service agencies, based Fund (BSF), which awards more for Catholic education will in Stamford. than $2.2 million yearly in schol- greatly benefit Foundations in She has also held positions arships to Catholic elementary Education,” Bishop Caggiano HOLLY DOHERTY-LEMOINE as executive director for Arts and high school students, will be said. “She is a welcome addi- for Healing, Inc. based in New administered by Foundations in tion to this newly formed orga- “The mission of Foundations schools and oversee plans to Canaan; director of institution- Education. nization.” in Education is rooted in the stabilize reenrollment and al advancement at the Webb Lemoine and her husband, Foundations in Education is understanding that Catholic enhance learning opportunities. Institute in Glen Cove, N.Y.; and Bruce, are the parents of three an independent, non-profit orga- schools are about formation, Foundations will support initia- annual fund director with the grown children.