Diocese of Bridgeport

Celebrating Catholic Schools

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.”
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Watch Bishop Lori on Fox and Friends

Bishop Lori discusses the HHS mandate with Gretchen Carlson from Fox and Friends.

Pro-lifers wear their convictions on colorful T-shirts, sweatshirts

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."
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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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Read statement of Bishop William E. Lori,
Ad Hoc Chair, USCCB Committee on Religious Liberty

Read Bishop Lori’s Homily at the Mass for Life,
2012 Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life Georgetown University
January 21, 2012

Read the National Catholic Register story, HHS Secretary Sebelius: Church Groups Must Provide Contraception

Thousands to Pray For End to Abortion at National Prayer Vigil For Life

WASHINGTON—Over 10,000 worshippers, many of them youth from schools around the nation, are expected to gather in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to pray for an end to abortion at the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, Sunday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m., the eve of the 2012 March for Life. January 22 marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
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STATEMENT OF BISHOP LORI ON A RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISION

The Supreme Court decision marks a victory for religious liberty and the U.S. Constitution. Freedom of Religion is America’s First Freedom and the Court has spoken unanimously in favor of it. The Founding Fathers would be proud. Respect for the long-standing “ministerial exception,” which is grounded in the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment, prevents the government from interfering in the employment relationship between a Church and its ministers. This decision makes resoundingly clear the historical and constitutional importance of keeping internal church affairs off limits to the government—because whoever chooses the minister chooses the message. It is a great day for the First Amendment.

Bishop William E. Lori
Chairman
U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty

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 »

Watch the St. Cyril of Jurusalem Preview Video

Read "Pope to the city and world" Pope Benedict XVI's address on Christmas day

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

NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CHOIR is accepting applications now through Mar. 19, 2012, for the 13^th season camp and concert tour: June 12-27, 2012. Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB is the choir’s founding director and the choir is led by choral conductor Dr. Axel Theimer. High school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 the fall of 2012 can download application and audition forms at www.CatholicYouthChoir.org.

BIBLE STUDY: "Women of the Old Testament," part of the Little Rock Scripture Study courses, will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Riverside on Mon. evenings, starting Mon., Jan. 9 thru Mon, Mar. 19 from 7:30-9 p.m. It will also run Tues. mornings starting Tues., Jan. 10-Mar. 20, from 10-11:30 a.m. $20 materials fee. For more information or to register, call 203.637.3661 or go to www.stcath.org.

MASS OF HEALING AND HOPE sponsored by the Charismatic Renewal Office 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 more information, contact Eileen Bianchini: 203.847.5727 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING SERIES beginning at St. Rose of Lima, 38 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Dates are Friday's: Feb. 3rd, March 9th and April 13th. It takes the full series of 3 classes to properly learn the method. All the classes run from 7 till 9:30 pm. Interested couples can learn more about NFP and/or register for the series on the Couple to Couple League website: www.ccli.org Any questions, please contact Adrienne and Al Keogler at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

CENTISSIMUS ANUS PRO PONTIFICE (CAPP) will co-sponsor the Educator’s Communion Breakfast on Sun., Mar. 6, starting with 9 a.m. Mass. Breakfast follows with guest speaker Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, DC. Seating is limited; cost: $35/person, $300 table of 10. For more information and for reservations, call 203.396.8097.

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).

TOUR OF EWTN and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, home to Mother Angelica will be sponsored by My Father’s Vineyard on Mar. 14-17 or Apr. 11-14, 2011. Cost: $599 plus air fare. Reservations needed by Friday, February 25th. For more information, call Gail: 203.375.9715.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CONCERT and celebration sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will take place Sat. Mar. 5, at St. Jude Parish, Monroe, starting at 7 p.m. The cabaret style event will feature the songs and humor of the Keltic Kick Band. Food and soft drinks are available for purchase; BYOB. Tickets: $15/person. Seating by reservation only. For more information and tickets, call Bill Davoreen: 203.445.8857, or Dave Feola: 203.268.4072.

More Upcoming Events »
Ongoing Events »

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.

Pope names 22 new cardinals, including two Americans
January 06, 2012
Posted in World News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope Benedict XVI named 22 new cardinals, including two from the United States, and announced a consistory for their formal induction on Feb. 18.

Bishops Urge Unemployment Insurance and Compensation in the Face of ‘Pervasive Economic Pain’
December 12, 2011
Posted in World News

WASHINGTON—As they finalize federal spending priorities, Congress should find ways to assure continuation of Unemployment Insurance and Emergency Unemployment Compensation, said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

HHS Protects Kids in Vetoing FDA Plan B Decision
December 12, 2011
Posted in World News

Health and Human Services (HHS) acted to protect kids Dec. 7 when HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius rejected a recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to let stores sell powerful hormonal drugs to children over the counter.

Archbishop Dolan defines human dignity as 'primary doctrine' of church
December 09, 2011
Posted in World News

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) -- Calling the dignity of the human person "a primary doctrine" of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York told an audience at the University of Notre Dame Dec. 6 that it must prompt Catholics "to treat ourselves and others only with respect, love, honor and care."

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