Diocese of Bridgeport

Bishops Studying Initial White House Movement On Religious Liberty

New opportunity to dialogue with executive branch
Too soon to tell whether and how much improvement on core concerns
Commitment to religious liberty for all means legislation still necessary
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Lincoln Day Address

Most Reverend William E. Lori
“State of the Church” and “Church and State”
February 9, 2012

Bishops Decry Hhs Rule, Urge Catholics To Stand Up For Religious Liberty And Conscience Rights In Homilies At Vigil For Life

WASHINGTON—Both the president of the U.S. bishops and the bishops’ Pro-Life chairman called on the thousands of Catholics gathered for the National Prayer Vigil for Life to speak out for the protection of conscience rights and religious liberty.
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View a Sample Letter to your Senator

Read Bishop Lori's Letter to All Parishioners. Take action now!

Visit the USCCB website for more information of the Urgent Action Alert

"Referral is Not the Answer, Rescinding the Mandate Is,” by Bishop William Lori, chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty

Read Bishop Lori's homily delivered at the Red Mass, Dioceses of the State of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida February 8, 2012

U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict

WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today's announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.
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Holy Father affirms struggle for Religious Liberty In his “Ad Limina” visit with American Bishops

Marriage and Religious Freedom:

Fundamental Goods That Stand of Fall Together
An Open Letter from Religious Leaders in the United States to All Americans
Released January 12, 2012

Read the Executive Summary
Read the Q and A for the Open Letter

Religious Leaders Join Together in Support of Marriage, Religious Liberty

Open letter highlights connection between protecting marriage, religious freedom Letter is a “sign of hope” and “compelling argument,” Cardinal-designate Dolan says Elected officials need to defend marriage, religious liberty. Read More »

Read a compelling interview with Bishop Lori, "Bishop Lori: Religious Liberty: 'The Pre-Eminent Social Justice Issue' of Our Time"

Read Bishop Lori's speech on Religious Liberty at the Midyear Meeting Knights of Columbus in Nashville, Tennessee.

Read Bishop Lori’s Homily delivered at Votive Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mid-Year Meeting Knights of Columbus State Deputies Nashville, Tennessee

DINNER/DANCE WITH ELVIS, the King of Rock, will be hosted by the Knights of Columbus at St. Lawrence Parish, Shelton, on Sat., Feb. 26, from 7-11 p.m. The acclaimed Brian Martin returns as Elvis. Proceeds benefit Homes for the Brave, transitional housing for veterans. Dinner includes antipasto, salad, pasta, chicken, sausage or salmon, wine, beer, soda, coffee, tea and dessert. Raffle prizes. Cost: $30/person. For more information, tickets or group sales, call Carlos Perez: 203.395.8086

LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY will be celebrated by the Knights of Lithuania at St. George Parish, Bridgeport on Sun., Feb. 19 noon Mass. Program follows in the parish hall. For more information, call 203.878.0519.

CASINO TRIP to Mohegan Sun is planned by St. Vincent’s Healthy Hearts Club on Fri., Feb. 13. Trip includes a ticket to the “From Mystic with Love.” The trip is open to the general public. All are invited. Cost: $55/person, includes the musical, $15 meal credit, a $20 surprise betting bonus, shopping and gaming, deluxe motor-coach transportation, all taxes and service charges and driver’s gratuity. The motor-coach leaves from the rear of the Main St. garage at 8 am and returns at approximately 6:30 pm. For reservations please call Andy Gatto: 203.372.5097.

MASS OF HEALING AND HOPE will be offered Mon., Feb. 13, at 7:30pm at Christ the King Parish, Trumbull, with Fr. Larry Carew. For more information, call 203.268.8253.

GOSPEL OF LIFE SOCIETY will meet at St. Mary Parish, Norwalk, on Sat., Feb. 11, at 10am after the 9am Pro-Life Mass. Nadine Behmke, adoption coordinator for Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Hartford will speak on benefits to birth mothers of the adoption choice. For information, contact Eileen Bianchini: 203.847.5727 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

FREE MAMMAGROPHY SCREENINGS:
The SWIM Women’s Imaging Center will offer the following free and low-cost digital mammography screening for women age 35 and older during the month of February:

Wed., Feb 15, 2012 from 10:00am – 2:00pm, Stop & Shop, 15 Franklin Street, Seymour, CT

Thurs., Feb 23, 2012 from 9:00am – 3:00pm, Career Resource, 350 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT

Tues., Feb 28, 2012 from 10:00am – 2:00pm, Lord Chamberlain, 7003 Main Street, Stratford, CT

Wed., Feb 29, 2012 from 10:00am – 2:00pm, St. Vincent’s Urgent Care Walk-In, 401 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT

Mammograms are free for those who do not have health insurance, have financial limitations and qualify for assistance. For those who do not have insurance but do not qualify for free services, mammograms are discounted. Appointments are necessary and a physician order and insurance card must be brought to the appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call (203) 576-5500.

MARYANN CUSIMANO LOVE, PH.D., TO SPEAK AT COMMUNION BREAKFAST FOR EDUCATORS AT SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY The Fourth Annual Communion Breakfast for Fairfield County Educators will take place at Sacred Heart University on Sunday, Mar., 25, 2012. The event will feature a presentation entitled “From Classroom to Community: How Educators Can Build a Better World” by Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love, an associate professor of International Relations in the Politics Department of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. The breakfast, designed for educators from pre-K through grade 12 and in higher education, will offer practical information and networking opportunities for those who attend. The Communion Breakfast is open to all. Tickets $35 per person/$300 for a table of 10. Seating is limited. To register, visit www.sacredheart.edu/capp.cfm. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with tour of the art installations in the University’s Chapel, followed by the celebration of mass by The Most Reverend William E. Lori, S.T.D., Bishop of Bridgeport, at 9 a.m. Breakfast will immediately follow in University Commons.

WOMEN'S LENTEN RETREAT: "Becoming Women of Courage, Conviction and Compassion" a semi-silent retreat will be directed by Fran Karpiej, SFO the weekend of Mar. 23-25 at St. Edmund’s Retreat Center, Enders Island, Mystic. For more information and registration, contact Janet Virmalo: 860.536.0565, ext. 110, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

GIRL SCOUTS OF NORWALK will celebrate Girl Scout Sabbath at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Norwalk, on Sat., Mar. 12, during the 5:15 p.m. Mass. All Scouts and their families welcome. Potluck dinner and ice cream social will take place after Mass. St Patrick’s Day theme: wear green! Cost: $3/Scout; $5/scout family. RSVP by Mon., Mar. 6. For more information or for reservations, visit .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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Ongoing Events »

Holy Spirit School in Stamford had fun celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2012 - Slideshow included
February 09, 2012
Posted in Local News

Holy Spirit School in Stamford had fun celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2012. We held Mass, open houses, and activities for students, faculty, families and special friends. In addition to our academic schedule, some activities planned included student/teacher appreciation day, international cultural programs and fun filled sporting events.

EWTN Files Suit to Block Contraception Mandate
February 09, 2012
Posted in World News

The worldwide Catholic network asks the court to stop federal rule that requires it to pay for ‘immoral services.’

IRONDALE, Ala. — Eternal Word Television Network filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Ala., seeking to halt the federal government’s imposition of its contraception mandate and to have the court declare the federal rule unconstitutional.

Celebrating Catholic Schools
January 27, 2012
Posted in Local News

BRIDGEPORT-- “Catholic schools are beacons of faith, of learning, and of formation,” Bishop Lori said at the Breakfast of Champions to honor Catholic school students and their parents. “Our schools work for the good of the Church and of the larger society.”

Pro-lifers wear their convictions on colorful T-shirts, sweatshirts
January 24, 2012
Posted in World News

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Mark Hosbein stood on the corner of a busy Washington intersection under the steady rain Jan. 23 with a small duffle bag at his feet and a simple message for passers-by: "Please consider spiritually adopting an unborn baby who is in danger of abortion."

School builds a future for Haitian children
January 16, 2012
Posted in World News

There is a proverb we have in Haiti: “Lavé mains, suyé a tè.” A loose English translation might be “Wash your hands and dry them on the dirt.” Some of the parents whisper it to me each time I travel to Haiti to see the school I started there, Union Center Samaiti. They say it with all their respect and gratitude, because I am now trying to add a high school.

Villa Notre Dame celebrates 50 years
January 16, 2012
Posted in Local News

At a daylong celebration that marked the dedication 50 years ago of Villa Notre Dame, the convent of the School Sisters of Notre Dame on Belden Hill Road in Wilton, almost 100 Sisters who live there now, or are from area convents and Baltimore, gathered to rejoice and especially to reminisce.

Eucharist gives strength to those who are weak, weary, lost, pope says
January 16, 2012
Posted in World News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Eucharist sustains those who are tired, worn out or lost in the world and transforms human sin and weakness into new life, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Learning about MLK: What would his Facebook page be like?
January 16, 2012
Posted in World News

For second graders at St. Andrew School in Bridgeport, it's about making peace promises they intend to keep. In Samantha Rosenberg's first grade class at the Discovery Interdistrict Magnet School in Bridgeport, it's a lesson on the sting of discrimination.

Farewell to Chancellor Nancy Matthews
January 13, 2012
Posted in Local News

BRIDGEPORT—Bishop William E. Lori has announced that Nancy Bundock Matthews of Fairfield will be leaving her post as chancellor of the Diocese of Bridgeport on January 20, after almost nine years of distinguished service to the diocese. She and husband, Jeff, will be relocating to Naples, FL.

A new era for Notre Dame High School
January 13, 2012
Posted in Local News

Having made its mark as the first Catholic high school in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Notre Dame High School in Fairfield is once again making historic strides with the announcement of a strategic plan for growth and a new partnership with Sacred Heart University.

SHARE for the Diocese of Bridgeport is an adult religious education certificate program in Theology, Pastoral Theology, Church History, and Scripture.