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Reminder: visit
the Resources page often for updates to the
Diocesan Calendar of Events, Confirmation Schedules, and Guidelines: click
here.
New:
Catholic
Center will be closed on Friday
The Catholic Center will be closed this Friday, July
3, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
New:
Save
the Date: Annual End-of-Summer Gathering for Priests, Deacons,
Wives of Deacons, and Seminarians, August 27
The traditional End-of-Summer Gathering for all Diocesan Priests, Deacons, Their
Wives, and Seminarians will be held at Testo's Restaurant in Bridgeport on Thursday, August
27. Social hour begins at 4:30 p.m., with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Please
save the date: more details to follow. |
New:
Apostolate
of Prayer for Priests this summer
Download
the schedules in Adobe PDF for July 2009 and August 2009.
Reminder:
Save
the Date: Priesthood Convocation, October 11-13, 2010
As a reminder for Priests of the Diocese, the Fall 2010 Convocation for Priests
of the Diocese of Bridgeport is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, October
11, 12 and 13, 2010, at the Viking Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island.
As in the past, priests may arrive Sunday afternoon or evening, October 10.
Please circle the dates on your calendar and begin to plan for
the coverage of Masses and any other duties of priests during
that time. Also, please pray that the Convocation will be a wonderful
opportunity to reflect on the essence of the priestly vocation,
to share faith and experiences in a relaxed atmosphere, and to
deepen fraternity with brother priests.
Reminder:
"Year
for Priests" is under way
The
U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations
has set up a Web site to mark the Year for Priests, to be celebrated
from now until June 19, 2010, throughout the
world.
Pope Benedict XVI has designated the year-long celebration to
begin on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a day of prayer
for the sanctification of all priests. The pope also has designated
Saint John Vianney as the Universal Patron of All Priests on the
occasion of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death. The saint,
who also is known as the Curé of Ars, is the patron of parish
priests.
The Year for Priests Website can be found at http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/index.shtml.
Reminder:
Seminars,
Retreats, and Courses
-
Hispanic Priests: The National Association
of Hispanic Priests is holding their annual convention in
Chicago, IL, September 28-October 1, at the Wyndham O’Hare
Airport and Resort. The theme is Our
Identity in Christ. Keynote speakers are Bishop Gerald
R. Barnes, Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino, and Rev.
Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C., Director of the Center for Latino
Spirituality and Culture at the Institute for Latino Studies
at the University of Notre Dame. Those interested in attending
should visit the association’s website, www.ansh.org,
for more information.
-
For Priests: “Year of the Priest” Trip to Ars, France:
The Archdiocese of Boston is offering a trip for their priests
to Ars, France, for a special international Priest’s Retreat
Program from September 27 to October 3. The
departure date is September 26. There are
spaces available of this unique spiritual opportunity and
the priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport have been invited
to join the group. An additional visit to Paris is available.
For more information, download the flyer/registration
forms or contact directly Melissa Garrett at World
Cultural Tours: mgarrett@worldculturaltours.com or
(877)
218-8687, ext. 107
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Travelers or those expecting to tour NYC with out
of town guests: Leo House is a guest house in
Manhattan run by the Sisters of St. Agnes of Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin. The rooms are affordable, ranging from $100
for singles to family rooms (4-6 in a room) for $190.
The location is 332 West 23th St., NY, NY 10011 (Chelsea).
To take advantage of the savings, reservations are made
months in advance. For more information, call 212-929-1010
or click
here.
- Perhaps
at this time priests and deacons are arranging for annual retreats
or personal days of prayer and reflection. The Office of Clergy
have assembled a list of some area retreat houses and spirituality
centers with pertinent contact information, including websites
if available. We hope the compilation, available for download,
is helpful.
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Development
Contact: Mr.
Jeff Machi, Executive Director |
Thank
You
New:
The
2009 Living Our Faith Annual Bishop’s Appeal concludes today!
The
2009 Annual Bishop’s Appeal has reached $11.6 million from 28,175 donors.
If your parish conducted an In-Pew Sunday this past weekend, please contact
the Development Office this afternoon. We need to receive
those donations before the close of the campaign today to
include your parish totals.
In order for your parish to be listed in the Fairfield County
Catholic as
over goal, we will either need donor pledges equal to your parish total
or a check with the shortfall amount from the parish (received by June
30th) at the Development Office.
If necessary, a member of the Development Office will be glad to pick-up
In-Pew results and/or shortfall check from your parish today.
Thank you again.
 CURRENT
RESULTS of all parishes: Click
here.
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SIGNS OF A VOCATION:
You can accept failure. You display stability in lifestyle,
i.e., consistency as a student or employee.
New:
Calendar of Prayers for Seminarians and Vocations
Please continue to pray for Vocations throughout the
summer months. To download the schedule in Adobe PDF, click
here or visit www.HearTheCall.org and
click on the "Men's Calendar" link.
Reminder:
Establish a Vocation
Liaison Committee in your parish
The response to this initiative has been exceptionally
positive! We invite you to join them by choosing a lay volunteer
to contact and meet with Fr. Peter Lynch to promote vocations
in your parish. If you have any questions, please contact Father
Lynch: 416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.
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New:
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in
your bulletin
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in your parish
bulletin this weekend. Thank you.
Bulletin
Announcement: July
4-5, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The readings this week focus on the priestly ministry. The
priest represents Christ and his ministerial priesthood in
our midst. In the second reading we hear the words from St.
Paul to the Corinthians: “I will rather boast most gladly of
my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell
with me.” St. Paul is inviting his converts to see in him Christ
whom he represents. This is God’s word to us: that we should
do the same wherever people preach the word of God.
On June 19, Pope Benedict inaugurated this coming year as
a year dedicated to the Year of the Priest which coincides
with the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney.
Our Holy Father noted how St. John Vianney, patron of priests
and model for this jubilee year, was identified with his priestly
ministry. Pope Benedict has said the priest does not proclaim
words, but the “Word,” and the proclamation coincides with
the very person of Christ.
Reminder:
Save the Date: National Natural Family
Planning Awareness Week, July 19-25
National NFP Awareness Week will be celebrated July
19-25 under the theme, Marriage and Natural
Family Planning . . . a Divine Design. The dates
of the Natural Family Planning Week highlight the anniversary of
the Papal encyclical Humanae
Vitae (July 25) which articulates Catholic beliefs about
human sexuality, conjugal love and responsible parenthood. Also
we will celebrate the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne on July
26, the parents of the Blessed Mother.
In order to help promote
NFP Awareness week in your Parishes, resources including posters,
prayers, and articles can be downloaded from the National
NFP Awareness Week webpage: click
here. For your Parish use, you will receive
in the mail two NFP posters (shown above) and
copies of several of the online resources (for bulletin reproduction)
and prayer cards in English and Spanish.
Our Diocesan NFP Mass will be celebrated on Friday,
July 24, at 7:30 pm at
Saint Joseph Parish in Shelton,
with Father Ian Jeremiah as celebrant.
For more
information, please contact Betty Anne Casaretti, Director
of Family Life Ministry: bcasaretti@diobpt.org or
call (203) 416-1442.
Reminder:
New Resource from the Family
Life Ministry
Each month, Family Life Ministry will offer a Marriage
and Family Life E-Newsletter that will provide helpful resources
and articles related to Marriage and Family Life Enrichment.
Please feel free to share this resource with the families on
your parish e-mail lists. For further information contact Betty
Anne Casaretti, Director of Family Life Ministry, bcasaretti@diobpt.org,
416-1442.
 To view the June
2009 E-newsletter: click
here
Reminder:
Ministry
to Deaf Parishioners Available
Deaf Parishioners in your parish can be ministered
to by Father Nicholas Pavia and Sr. Nancy O’Neill. They are
available for home and hospital visits, interpret at Mass, and offer religious
education. Father Pavia is also available for confession. Please
contact Fr. Pavia at 924-8611 or Sr. Nancy at 416-1383 if you
would like more information.
Reminder:
Catholic Scouting webpage now
online
For news, information, forms, and
schedules related to Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of
Bridgeport, click
here. |
New:
VIRTUS
Protecting God's Children schedule updated
To download an updated list of dates, places, and times for
training in Microsoft Word, click
here.
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New:
Please promote Thomas Merton Center, New Covenant House,
Morning Glory needs
Please publish these announcements in your parish bulletin as often as possible.
Thank you.
Bulletin
Announcements:
THOMAS
MERTON CENTER in
Bridgeport is in need of vegetable
oil and pasta sauce. For more information
and to make a donation, please
contact Mark Grasso: 203-367-9036.
NEW COVENANT HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY in Stamford
seeks a volunteer to assist Spanish speaking individuals in
learning important skills for employment. This would include
completing job applications, resumes, communicating with prospective
employers, and interview skills for securing employment. Volunteers
must complete an application and attend an orientation. There
is one mandatory training for all new volunteers. For more
information, call Brian Jenkins, director: (203) 964-8228.
MORNING GLORY in Danbury seeks volunteers
to assist in preparing and serving breakfast to the disadvantaged,
Monday-Friday; 6:30-9 a.m., at the Dorothy Day Hospitality
House. For more information, call Michele Conderino: 748-0848,
ext. 231.
New:
Office of Community Outreach's News and Needs
Every good deed we do puts a proximate face
on Christ to those we help. We are ambassadors for Christ and for
His Church. May He bless you and your kin with health and prosperity,
that in these you will greater be able to help those less fortunate.
I beg your prayerful, volunteer and financial support of these
projects In the service of Christ and His Church. I would like
to thank all the pastors who have so graciously printed these notices
in their parish’s bulletins. The response has been great.
Anyone interested in helping expand our outreach can contact
Father Seraphim Ralph Rohlman, Director of Community Outreach & Prison
Outreach, at (203) 416-1331 or via e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- Connecticut Bike Project: The Connecticut
Bike Project is a program that collects and distributes
donated bicycles in good working condition to financially
challenged children and adults who need them. Besides
offering them to children for recreation the aim of the
endeavor is to provide needed transportation to work
and for running errands to the economically disadvantaged;
individuals with physical or mental disabilities that
prevent them from driving, ex-offenders re-entering the
workforce and other folks who can’t afford a vehicle
or are without licenses to drive. Imagine for a moment
how difficult it would be without a car or license. Most
ex-offenders re-entering the community from prison wait
months before they can obtain a drivers license. During
this time they must get to meetings and appointments
which are required or necessary to reestablish their
lives and secure employment. Even getting to the bus
routes from certain areas requires some assisted transportation.
Consider hosting a Bike-Drive at your parish! Please
spread the word that bicycles are in need for this project.
Contact Mr. Brooks Sumberg (pictured below) to schedule
a drive in your parish or through your club or organization.
He will be there for the event and take the bikes the
same day as the drive. All you need to do is publicize
the drive in your bulletins or newsletters. Maybe you
can make it a project for your Parish youth group or
Confirmation class.
All bikes can be dropped off at 96 Hillspoint
Road in Westport (please leave them at the house end
of the driveway) or you can contact the project founder,
Brooks Sumberg, by e-mail: bsumberg@earthlink.net.
If you know of a child or adult in need of a bike, you may contact The Urban
Center at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport which has graciously houses
the project and serves as the distribution center. The Director of The Urban
Center is Roberto, and he can be reached at 203-993-1027. The Center is located
at 1279 East Main St.
- Help needed! There is a woman in
her 70’s of unfathomable generosity who goes to downtown
Bridgeport every other weekend and feeds anyone who is
in need. Her name is Ann Marie. She
serves over 100 hot meals (usually three courses) almost
singled-handed. She freely distributes everything from
bay clothes to canned soup. Besides cooking all the food
herself at her home, she purchases it with her own funds!
I should also mention that her charity occurs no matter
what the weather or the temperature; out on the street,
in the open air, rain or shine, snow or clear, on the
simple folding tables she brings with her. When everything
has been given out Ann Marie even canvasses the sidewalks
to pick up stray napkins and cups so no trash is left
behind. She then loads up her professional sized pots
and pans to back home to wash and get ready to do all
over again.
If you are interested in joining me to help
Ann Marie every other Sunday or even occasionally, please
give me a call. If you can drop items from the Immediate
Need List (below), please contact her at: Ann Marie Tarinelli,
18 Country Lane, Trumbull, CT (203) 268-5553.
- IMMEDIATE NEED LIST:
Peanut butter
Canned soup
Canned vegetables
Cereal
"Take-away" food containers
Paper cups
Lemonade
Iced tea
Large plastic folding tables
Large beverage thermoses with spicket
Large commercial baking pans
Microwave popcorn
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Band-aids
Bars of soap
Shampoo
Men’s socks
Men’s clothes
Oatmeal
Antibacterial ointment (Neosporin)
Rubber gloves
- Saint Charles Urban Center: The Urban Center
at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport has been helping
people in need for many, many years. Especially in these current
economic times they can desperately use donations of food,
clothes, furniture in good condition and, well, anything a
family who is struggling needs. Please consider them in your
prayers and in the grocery line. You can reach the Director,
Roberto at 203-993-1027. The Center is located
at 1279 East Main St., Bridgeport.
- Bibles for Prison Outreach: The Prison Outreach
ministry is in desperate need of Bibles for the prison.
Anyone able to either donate copies of Catholic Bibles
or make contributions toward bulk purchase, please deliver
them to the Catholic Center at 238 Jewett Ave., Bridgeport,
or e-mail the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office
at: frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
Reminder:
Resource Guide for Expecting & Parenting
Families
Family Directions, a program of Catholic Charities,
has prepared a useful new guide with hyperlinks to online resources: click
here. |
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Reminder:
Positions Available
An
updated list of positions available is posted on the Diocesan
website: click here.
Current
listings include:
- Director, Youth Ministry, Office for Pastoral Services, Diocese of Bridgeport
- Custodian, Catholic Center, Bridgeport
- Executive Director of Advancement, Saint
Joseph High School, Trumbull
- Positions
Open, Catholic
Schools of the Diocese of
Bridgeport
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