Inside this issue 2 Leadership Institute launches new programs 25-36 Back to School roundup Support Puerto Rico Relief Hurricane Maria is the worst natural disaster Puerto Rico has seen in nearly a century. Nearly all of the 3.4 million residents need assistance. Here’s how you can help: Visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or call 800.919.9338 DISTINGUISHED LEADERS SERIES HOSTED BY EDELMAN’S KATIE BURKE CNBC’s Larry Kudlow at Sacred Heart University Monday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. | Martire Forum 2 October 2017 Diocesan Leadership Institute Leadership Institute surges ahead BRIDGEPORT—Energy someone come to experience pilgrimage and reflection with a abounds in the programs Jesus, or may help to accompany small faith community. arranged by the Leadership another on their journey of faith. After returning from the pilgrim- Institute for the coming months. “So much is happening in the age in January 2018, the group will “We hope that the programs world these days that take our eyes continue to meet, pray and study and online resources we offer off God and onto a screen, large Scripture. Each participant will help those who serve in ministry and small,” said Donovan. “My create a module for the Leadership in our diocese to do so with even hope and prayer is that we can use Institute, so that they can share their more energy and enthusiasm,” those screens to communicate the experience with others. says Executive Director Patrick Gospel message, so that those in St. Andrew’s DRE Sue Donovan. “The institute’s goal ministry feel more confident shar- Baldwin was pleased to learn is to create opportunities for peo- ing their faith with others.” that, through the Leadership ple to encounter the person of Off the screen, the new Institute, Bishop Caggiano has Jesus Christ. We hope that, from CREATING OPPORTUNITIES for an encounter of faith, the Leadership Bishop’s Lecture Series will offer arranged to meet with all cate- that encounter, the call to be a Institute encouraged parishes to re-imagine faith formation during a Formation powerful speakers a few times chists during the fall for a conver- missionary disciple will be awak- Day held in September. each year, starting with Sister sation with him about passing on ened. It then becomes the role of Miriam James speaking on the the faith in engaging ways. the institute to accompany people Impressions,” she said. “I never Beginning with how to prepare Power of Encounter on October “I am looking forward to more on their journey so they, in turn, thought of myself that way. This parents for the baptism of their 11 at St. Catherine of Siena and more and more programs can walk with others.” is not a job, it’s a ministry.” infant and moving all the way Parish in Trumbull. from the Leadership Institute,” Opening the fall programs, The second take-away dove- through welcoming the gift of the Responding to the suggestions of said Baldwin. “Feed me—feed the Leadership Institute hosted a tailed with the first. “Everyone senior members in a parish, this millennial Catholics, a Young Adult my soul!” Formation Day and Workshop for you meet has a story. We have to day was all about finding what Scripture Study program, which will (More programs from the all parish and school administra- minister to each new person who works in faith formation. include a week-long pilgrimage to Leadership Institute will be available tive staff on September 22 at the comes into the office.” The major presentations of the the Holy Land, was designed for in the near future. Check out forma- Catholic Center. The speaker for Quickly following the suc- day included Bishop Caggiano’s young adults in their 20s to fall in tionreimagined.org for additional the day was Mike Patin, an inter- cess of the Formation Day, on keynote address, “People of love with Scripture through study, offerings.) n nationally-known Catholic speak- September 29, a special evening Joy: The Call to Missionary er who has motivated audiences for married couples, “Fall in Discipleship.” across the world for more than Love Again and Again,” gave The Leadership Institute has a three decades. everyone from newlyweds to number of longer-term programs Priest Conclave Susan Baldwin, director of those who had celebrated decades in place. Starting in mid-Septem- religious education (DRE) at St. together a chance to rejoice in ber, they began collecting stories Bishop Frank J. Caggiano is asking for prayers as he and all Andrew Parish in Bridgeport, their chosen life. Featured author about the way people encounter the priests throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport prepare to gath- along with two administrative and national speaker Chris the person of Jesus Christ. “As er at the Fifth Convocation of Priests from Sunday, October 15, assistants from St. Andrew’s, Padgett and his wife, Linda, these brief stories show, we all through Wednesday, October 18. The Convocation, which takes went to the workshop. They presented tips for Christ-centered encounter Jesus in different ways: place every three years, will be held this year in Newport, Rhode appreciated the opportunity to marriages. through the birth of a child; the Island. meet their counterparts from so Casting a wider net, all who loss of a loved one; through The theme of the Convocation is “Of One Heart and Mind: many different parishes around serve in ministry were invit- nature, music, or even travel. Brothers United in Christ.” The purpose of the three-day meeting the diocese. ed to hear Bishop Frank. J. Through joy or sorrow, triumph is to strengthen the fraternal bonds among the priests and to pro- “I was amazed at how many Caggiano’s invitation to lifelong or tragedy,” Donovan said. vide a time of spiritual renewal for them so that they may return people in this diocese are dedi- faith formation in The People of These stories of three to five with an even greater commitment to service. cated to service. Coming together Joy: Formation Day 2017, held minutes will be a part of a new Please be aware that Masses will not be celebrated in parish- like this, we support one anoth- September 30. series: “From Encounter to es throughout the diocese from Monday, October 15 through er. It reaffirms who we are as At that meeting, after more Accompaniment.” They will be Wednesday, October 18; however, members of the Jesuit Catholics,” Baldwin said. than 18 months of work, the available on the website: forma- Community at Fairfield University and religious order priests will She came away from the Catechetical Task Force released tionreimagined.org/from-encoun- be available for sacramental emergencies. Formation Day with two main its report and encouraged par- ter-to-accompaniment and, in “Thank you for your prayers and support for this very import- concepts. “First and foremost, ishes throughout the diocese time, as a podcast. The institute ant event in the lives of our priests and the diocese,” Bishop we are the Ministers of First to re-imagine faith formation. hopes that these stories may help Caggiano told the faithful. n ON THE COVER | CONTENTS BISHOP CAGGIANO 4 TFAITHFUL TURN OUT FOR 11-13 INVITATION TO LIFELONG FORMATION BLESSES the new Rosary Diocesan Pilgrimage Catechetical Task Force Findings Inside this issue Walk and Garden at the Basilica of the National 6 FIRST RESPONDERS UNITE THE NATION 15 EDUCATING FOR LIFE 2 Leadership Institute launches new programs Blue Mass, 2017 Shrine of the Immaculate Eileen Bianchini of Norwalk Conception in Washington, Back to School WELCOMING THE STRANGER KUDLOW TO GIVE INAUGURAL TALK roundup 7 32 25-36 D.C. More than 2,000 from Support Puerto Rico Sister Mary Ellen Burns SHU Business Leader Series Relief Hurricane Maria is the worst natural disaster Puerto Rico the diocese made the one- has seen in nearly a century. Nearly all of the 3.4 million residents need DISTINGUISHED LEADERSCNBC’s SERIES HOSTED BY EDELMAN’S KATIE BURKE assistance. Here’s how you can help: Larry Kudlow Visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or call 800.919.9338 at Sacred Heart University Monday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. | Martire Forum day pilgrimage. Photo by 10 GEORGE WEIGEL BOOK SIGNING 34 CENTENARY OF WORLD WAR I Amy Mortensenen At Catherine of Siena in Trumbull Knights of Columbus Museum 3 October 2017 Latest News All Souls Day Masses set for Trumbull & Norwalk TRUMBULL—All Souls Day become an annual tradition all deceased bishops, Masses will be celebrated on across the diocese. More than priests, deacons, November 2 at 11 am at Gate of 150 people attended the inaugural consecrated men Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull Mass. and women and St. John-St. Mary Cemetery “It is my hope that this special and lay faithful. in Norwalk. Mass will be celebrated every The All Souls Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will year and become a new tradition Day Mass held in celebrate the outdoor Mass at St. in the Diocese of Bridgeport,” Norwalk will be John-St. Mary Cemetery, 223 said Bishop Caggiano when he streamed lived on the Richards Avenue in Norwalk. announced the Mass. Plans call diocesan Facebook At the same time, Msgr. for the Mass to be held in a differ- page (Facebook.com/ Thomas Powers, vicar general of ent diocesan cemetery each year. bridgeportdiocese). the Diocese of Bridgeport, will “These Masses will be offered Arrangements for celebrate the Mass at the Gate of for the repose of the souls of all the outdoor Masses Heaven Cemetery, 1056 Daniels the faithful departed. Catholics are supported by Farm Road in Trumbull. are encouraged that day to pray Catholic Cemeteries The Masses will be offered for for all those who died and rest in and the Diocesan all the faithful departed souls in the peace of Christ,” said Msgr.