Last Edition: December 23, 2008


Updated Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Office of the Bishop • Clergy Personnel • Vocations • Pastoral Services
Safe Environments • Catholic Charities • Human Resources

Office of the Bishop

Contact: Msgr. Dariusz Zielonka, Vice Chancellor

New:
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25
Please be advised that the annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place on January 18-25. The theme chosen for 2009 is "That they may become one in your hand." Throughout 2009, join Christians everywhere in praying that we may all be one, joining our prayer with that of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For background information about the Week of Prayer, pulpit and bulletin announcements, and worship resources, please visit www.geii.org or www.atonementfriars.org.

Reminder:
Please promote the annual Diocesan Pro-Life Mass and the March for Life
A new area on the website contains information, schedules, and forms for the 2009 March for Life: click here. There are sections for the Extended Teen Pilgrimage, January 21-22; the Teen Pilgrimage on January 22 only; and the Adult Pilgrimage on January 22. Please visit often, as the site will be updated as needed.

Please publish these announcements in your parish bulletin as often as possible. Thank you.

Bulletin Announcements:

ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE IN WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 22: It is most imperative that we continue our Pro-life activities on behalf of the unborn children.  The “March for Life” at our Nation’s Capital on Thursday, January 22, will serve as witness and as advocacy seeking the protection and overall respect for every unborn child in the progression to birth. Scientifically and religiously, we know the truth that it is a human life, a person, who is conceived within a woman. Clearly, then, we must at all times continue to stand up and speak out for the overall respect for the unborn children. We must always pursue the protection and total well-being of the unborn person with the same commitment and compassion that we pursue these rights for the born person.

We ask that you, our parishioners, will participate in this “March.” We will travel to Washington, DC, via buses. Buses will depart from various locations in Fairfield County on Thursday morning at 12:15 a.m. and then they will depart that afternoon from Washington for Connecticut at 3:30 p.m. The cost per person: $50. For more information, please visit www.bridgeportdiocese.com/MarchforLife2009.shtml. To make reservations, please call 203-372-4301, ext. 61444 or ext. 61443, or e-mail mgiannino@diobpt.org. The deadline for a reservation and a nonrefundable payment is Tuesday, January 13.

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ANNUAL DIOCESAN PRO-LIFE MASS, JANUARY 11: Bishop Lori will celebrate a Pro-Life Mass on Sunday, January 11, at 12 noon at Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish in Norwalk. Please join Bishop Lori and our brothers and sisters from parishes and organizations throughout the Diocese who will come together to pray, to witness, and to encourage the pursuit relative to the overall respect of every unborn child. In accord with the God-given sacredness and dignity of every human life which begins at the moment of conception, it is our obligation and privilege to participate in activities that proclaim, support, and enhance the basic right to life.  Let us come together in this most important endeavor. The basic right to life of every unborn child must be ensured. For more information, please contact the Respect Life Ministry at the Catholic Center: Mimi Giannino, 203-416-1444, or e-mail mgiannino@diobpt.org.

Reminder:
Please alert the faithful on Plenary Indulgences during the Year of Saint Paul
During this year of Saint Paul marking the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of the Holy Apostle, Pope Benedict XVI has granted a plenary indulgence to the faithful who fulfill the required conditions. The sacred places designated by Bishop Lori in the Diocese of Bridgeport to receive plenary indulgence include the only Parish dedicated to Saint Paul (Greenwich) and the Adoration Chapels listed below: 

• Saint Paul Parish, Greenwich
• Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence, Stamford: Monday to Thursday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fridays the chapel opens at 6 a.m. and remains open until Sunday at 11 p.m.
• Saint Mary Parish, Ridgefield: Perpetual Adoration, 24 hours, 7 days
• Saint Mark Parish, Stratford: Perpetual Adoration, 24 hours, 7 days
• Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Brookfield: Perpetual Adoration, 24 hours, 7 days
• Saint James Parish, Stratford: Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saint Theresa Parish, Trumbull: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• Saint Andrew Parish, Bridgeport: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If any parish has an Adoration Chapel that is open daily, not listed above, please let us know. To learn more about Eucharistic Adoration, click here.

Pastors, please make this information known in your parish. An explanatory letter is available for download below. Thank you.

Letter for Plenary Indulgences during the Year of Saint Paul

Letter for Plenary Indulgences during the Year of Saint Paul

Reminder:
Please support Cross International Catholic Outreach
To download Bishop Lori's letter of endorsement in Adobe PDF, click here.

Clergy Personnel

Contact: Msgr. Kevin Royal, Episcopal Vicar

Vocations

Contact: Father Peter Lynch, Director

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:17

New:
Save the Dates: Girls' and Boys' Summer Camps 2009
The Office of Vocations is pleased to announce the dates for this year's summer camps: The Sequela Christi Camp for Girls will be held Sunday-Thursday, June 21-25. The Quo Vadis Camp for Boys will be held Sunday-Thursday, June 28-July 2. The camps are open to boys and girls ages 13-18 and will be held at the Seton-Neumann Center on the campus of Immaculate High School in Danbury.  Camp information and registration information will be mailed to parishes and available on our website soon.  For more information, contact Father Peter Lynch at 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.

New:
Attention Pastors, Principals, DREs, and Youth Ministers!
Beginning the second week of May, seminarians will be available to offer days of retreat for altar servers as well as help with summer vacation Bible camps; speak at grade schools, youth groups, religious ed classes; speak on vocations at weekend Masses; and run retreats for youth groups and religious ed classes.  For more information and to schedule your request, contact Fr. Peter Lynch at 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.

New:
Please promote Club Meetings and College Visits
Please publish these announcements in your parish bulletin as often as possible. More details can be found on www.HearTheCall.org. Thank you.

Bulletin Announcements:

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE FOR JANUARY MEETINGS   
QUO VADIS HIGH SCHOOL VOCATION CLUB FOR BOYS: The next meeting will be Thursday, January 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence in Stamford. Mass, dinner, meeting. All high school boys are welcome. RSVP by calling 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.

VIANNEY CLUB FOR MEN: The next meeting will be on Saturday, January 24, at the Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence in Stamford. The meetings will begin at 8:00 a.m. with Mass.  All men ages 18-40 are welcome. RSVP by calling 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR & SENIOR BOYS: Consider adding St. John Fisher Seminary to your list of college visits. It seems to be such a mystery what life is like in a house of discernment. We are offering the opportunity to live the schedule and life of the house for 24 hours. For more information and to schedule your visit please contact Father Peter Lynch at 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.

Pastoral Services

Contact: Sr. Alejandra Keen, Director

New:
Lenten Confession Campaign information in the mail next week
Next week, all pastors will receive a letter from Bishop Lori and a packet with details, information, and resources regarding the forthcoming "Lenten Confession Campaign." Starting March 3 and every Tuesday during Lent, every parish in the Diocese will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Enclosed in the packet will be two posters and two prayer cards for the campaign.  If you would like more of each, please contact Gina in the Office for Pastoral Services at gdonnarummo@diobpt.org or call 416-1440. Thank you.

New:
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in your bulletin
Please publish this announcement in your parish bulletin this weekend. Thank you.

Bulletin Announcement: January 10 & 11, The Baptism of the Lord

The theme for today’s readings focus on the Beloved Son. Isaiah reminds us that water is essential, especially for the traveler in the desert. We may stumble, but we can be picked up again by God: “All you who are thirsty, come to the water.” The second reading reminds us that we are all becoming children of God. At baptism the love of God is placed in us as a seed and with our cooperation, we are called to make it bear abundant fruit. Let us strive to be in communion with God the Father, so that in and through His love, we may be able to love others in the measure that Christ did.

In the Gospel reading, after John baptized Jesus, we hear that after Jesus came out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove (which was a symbol of Israel) descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark relates Jesus’ baptism as another epiphany by declaring that the Lord Jesus is the Son of Yahweh.

Let us ask the Lord to strengthen us, so that we may respond generously to our call to holiness, that we may all respond with fidelity to the specific vocation the Lord has called us to.

To receive the monthly free e-newsletter of the Pastoral Plan, please subscribe online at www.footstepsofchrist.org/newsletter.htm

Safe Environments

Contact: Ms. Erin Neil, Director

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.

• Please spread the word! To download a flyer on the January 15 meeting in Microsoft Word, click here.

Catholic Charities

Contact: Mr. Al Barber, President/COO

New:
Please promote Housing Gala, January 24
Please publish this announcement in your parish bulletin as often as possible. Thank you.

Bulletin Announcement:

CATHOLIC CHARITIES & BETHLEHEM HOUSE HOUSING GALA, JANUARY 24 — The Catholic Charities Housing and Bethlehem House 1st Annual "Rock n Roll High School Reunion Gala" will take place on Saturday, January 24, at the Oronoque Country Club in Stratford, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Cocktails, a great buffet dinner, and a wonderful and hilarious show presented by the incomparable Lou Zayas are on the schedule for the evening. The continued growth of our exceptional housing programs needs your support — and it will be great fun. Tickets: $100. To order tickets, please visit www.ccfairfield.org.

Please also publish these announcements in your parish bulletin as often as possible. I beg your prayerful, volunteer and financial support of these projects! Thank you.

• V.I.T.A. Tax Assistance Program: Catholic Charities is sponsoring a V.I.T.A. site in Stamford and needs volunteers to help for a few hours a week from February to April. V.I.T.A. Volunteers will prepare basic federal and state income tax returns free-of-charge for individuals with low and limited income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking and elderly taxpayers.
  
  Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church, 566 Elm St in Stamford, will host our V.I.T.A. location for this tax season. Without their generosity this wouldn't be possible. Our V.I.T.A. site will be open each week from February 1-April 15. Please check back for the appointment phone number and general hours of service (please call or e-mail me [Fr Seraphim] for information, not the Parish office, they are only offing the space).
  
  To volunteer there is one remaining required training available that offers all the needed information to participate as a volunteer. It will be held at Norwalk Community College on January 10 and 17 (both are Saturdays) from 9am to 3pm. You can also visit the Link & Learn Website where they can take the test and access the Practice Lab.
  
  Besides actual tax preparers, we need support staff who would be willing to schedule and collect preliminary information from the clients. If you can volunteer or for more general info, please contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office at (203) 416-1331 or e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
  
  
• Canned soup needed: The Community Outreach is collecting canned soup with pull tops (which can be opened without a can opener) to assist local volunteers who are distributing food to the homeless and economically challenged. You can bring your donations to the Catholic Center any time during regular business hours or e-mail Fr. Seraphim at frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org who will make pick-up arrangements for large donations.
  
  
• Prison Outreach: If you are interested in assisting our Chaplain or Deacon volunteers with liturgical services in the jails, please contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office at (203) 416-1331 or e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
  
  
• 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 contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office at (203) 416-1331 or e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
  
  
• Pastoral Plan Year III Charity Project: The office of Pastoral Services and Catholic Charities have chosen the AmeriCares HomeFront Project as the Diocesan sponsored Charity project for Year III of the Pastoral Plan for Evangelization. Pastors and Parish staff are asked to please include information about this in their bulletins and contact Ms. Michele Grieco at (203) 416-1502 or Fr. Seraphim, at the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office: (203) 416-1331 as soon as possible if there is interest in sponsoring a parish team. If you know of families in need of assistance go to the AmeriCares webpage and sign them up for consideration!
  
  
• Carpenter needed: One of the residential programs of Catholic Charities would like to open a food pantry. We are in need of a couple of volunteers to help construct shelves and bins. Please contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office at (203) 416-1331 or e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org , if you can offer some help in either labor or supplies for the construction.
  

• New Covenant House of Hospitality: New Covenant House is an inner-city soup kitchen located on the West Side of Stamford. Volunteers (individual & group) are always needed as well as donations of food and funds. Contact Brian Jenkins, Director, at (203) 964-8228 or e-mail at bjenkins@ccfc-ct.org.
  
  
• Thomas Merton Center: Each work day, the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport serve meals to more than 250 people. The Family Center creatively delivers services to high-risk children and families. St. Vincent's Medical Clinic provides medical care three days a week; mental health services are provided as needed; prayer groups meet three times a week; literacy programs; showers; Women's Support Group; and a Merton Center Men's Group. If you would like more information, are interested in volunteering, or want to make a charitable donation to this worthwhile work, we invite you to call Mark Grasso, Director, at (203) 367-9036 or email mgrasso@ccfc-ct.org. You can also stop by at 43 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport.
  
  
• Saint Stephen Food Pantry: The Bridgeport Food Pantry gives food to individuals and families in need who reside in 06604 Zip code. Donations of food and funds are always needed. You can call them directly at (203) 394-0881.
  
  
• Morning Glory: Morning Glory is a new breakfast program for the hungry and homeless in Danbury. Donations of food and funds are always needed. Contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities Community Outreach office at frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org if you can help.
  
  
• Connecticut Bike Project: Saint Charles Urban Center & Pantry in Bridgeport has graciously offered to host the Connecticut Bike Project and Catholic Charities Office of Community Outreach has willingly partnered with the Urban Center to promote participation in the bike drives and generate community awareness of the new program. The Connecticut Bike Project collects and distributes donated bicycles in good shape to the poor of Bridgeport. Through the Urban Center and other participating parishes and synagogues this non-sectarian charity project is trying to help those in need of transportation to work and errands, especially the economically disadvantaged, individuals with physical or mental disabilities that prevent them from driving, ex-offenders and those without licenses to drive. Please spread the word that bicycles are in need for this project. 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, Mr. Brooks Sumberg, by e-mail: bsumberg@earthlink.net.

Human Resources

Contact: Mrs. Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo, Director

• Activity Counselor, New Heights, Danbury
• Part-time Claims Clerk, Catholic Charities, Norwalk
• Manager of Advancement, Stamford Catholic Schools
• Positions Open, Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport