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Updated Tuesday, October 27,
2009
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Reminder: visit
the Resources page often for updates to the
Diocesan Calendar of Events, Confirmation Schedules, and Guidelines: click
here.
Reminder:
Official
Catholic Directory forms are overdue
The Official Catholic Directory forms (blue form)
were due last month to the Chancellor's
Office. It is imperative that any outstanding forms be returned
to the Chancellor immediately to
ensure that your parish listing will be placed in the 2010 Official
Catholic Directory. The absolute, final deadline is TODAY. Thank you.
Reminder:
All are invited for Bishop's talks
on Catholic Social Teaching
All catechists and all parishioners are invited
to hear Bishop Lori speak on Catholic Social Teaching during the
observance of Catechetical Month:
- Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.: St. Philip
Parish (in the church), One Father Conlon Place, Norwalk.
- Thursday, November
12 at 7 p.m.: St. Rose
of Lima Parish, 38 Church Hill Road, Newtown.
For more information, please call Gina Donnarummo: 416-1440.
Reminder:
Recommendations
for H1N1 (Swine Flu) and the Liturgy
Following a discussion at the Presbyteral Council concerning
the H1N1 virus, the recommendations which were posted on our
diocesan website have been updated and posted online: click
here. We have had a number of questions raised
concerning this. You may refer your people to these guidelines,
or otherwise make them available. Thank you.
New:
Please
promote Business Leaders' Communion Breakfast, November 8;
and
CCW Memorial Mass, November 14
Please
publish these announcements in your parish bulletin this
weekend. Thank
you.
COMMUNION BREAKFAST FOR BUSINESS LEADERS will
be held on Sunday,
November 8, at Fairfield University. Mass
at 9 a.m. in the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola, celebrated
by Bishop William E. Lori. Breakfast follows in the Oak Room
of the Barone Campus Center. Speaker: Carl Anderson, Supreme
Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Co-sponsored by Centesimus
Annus Pro Pontifice,
Fairfield County, and the Center for Faith & Public Life,
Fairfield University. Seating limited. For more information
and registration, call (203) 254-4000, ext. 2927.
 Download a Registration
Form for
the November 8 breakfast
MEMORIAL MASS FOR DECEASED WOMEN OF OUR DIOCESE will
be celebrated on Saturday, November 14, at
11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford.
Reception will follow. Sponsored by the Briidgeport Diocese
Council of Catholic Women. If you cannot attend, but would
like your loved ones included in the memorial, please contact
Marie Walsh: (203) 569-2559 or e-mail marietwalsh@optonline.net.
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New:
EPS
Forum for the"Year for Priests"
All
are encouraged to attend the Education • Parish • Service
(EPS) Forum which explores the theological, spiritual,
and pastoral dimensions of the priesthood
and its essential role in the Church’s life and mission.
The six-week forum continues on October 28, November
4, and November 11 at Saint Philip
Parish, Norwalk. An informational flyer is available below.
Download the EPS
Forum flyer
Reminder:
Please
pray for those recovering from illness...
Please
keep the following priests and deacons in your prayers as they
battle/recover from illness:
- Father Robert Hyl
- Msgr. Robert McCormack
- Father Al Russo
- Msgr. Larry McMahon
- Father Edward Small
- Deacon Jim Volpe
Reminder:
Clergy Study Day, November 9
All Priests, Deacons, and Men in Formation: please
note the following change in your calendars: The Clergy Study
Day originally scheduled for November 4 has been moved to Monday,
November 9. It will still include a panel discussion
on the new ethics manual, but will begin with a Mass for deceased
priests of the Diocese at 11:00 a.m.
Clergy Study Day
Monday, November 9: 11:00 a.m. Mass; 12 noon
lunch;
Panel Discussion 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Saint Luke Parish, Westport
Topic: "A Review of the New
'Diocese of Bridgeport's Ethics Committee and Pastoral Care Department
Manual' - A Valuable Resource in Caring for the Infirmed,
the Aged and the Dying."
For background
on this presentation, click here.
RSVP to Sr. Nancy Strillacci (203-416-1511, srstrillacci@diobpt.org)
by
next Monday, November 2.
Advent Day of Recollection
Thursday, December 3: 1:30 p.m.
Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, Speaker
Christmas Dinner with Bishop Lori to follow at 5:00 p.m.
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Weston
RSVP to Sr. Nancy Strillacci (203-416-1511, srstrillacci@diobpt.org)
by Monday, November 23.
Reminder:
Deacons: Save these dates
ALL DEACONS AND WIVES: Father Michael
Boccaccio will be celebrating the annual Mass honoring Deacons
of the Diocese and their wives on Saturday, January
9, 2010, at the 5:30 p.m. Mass at Saint Philip Parish,
Norwalk. After Mass, Father Michael will be hosting a dinner
for the deacons and their wives at The Mansion directly behind
the church.
NEWPORT DEACONS' CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER 14: This
year's Deacons and Wives Conference in Newport, Rhode Island,
is one of the finest programs that has been offered. Please
consider signing up for it. If you have misplaced the information,
please contact Deacon Tony Detje. The Diocese of Bridgeport
is the sponsor of the program this year, and a good turnout
would be appreciated.
Reminder:
Please advise parishioners to guard
their valuables during Mass
A recent theft of a wallet from a diocesan
church during Mass has prompted Joe Burton, Claims/Risk Manager
for Catholic Mutual Group, to suggest that parishioners be advised
to take precautions. The following may be published in parish
bulletins:
Personal Property Protection Alert
There have been several recent incidents
reported at parishes involving theft of wallets, pocketbooks,
and other personal belongings from people attending church
services. Cars in parking lots have also been targeted by
thieves.
Please take precautions to safeguard your personal
property. Some tips to keep in mind are:
- Do not leave pocketbooks
or other valuables unattended in the pews.
- Avoid keeping objects
in plain view inside cars, especially anything of value,
such as cell phones or GPS devices.
- Use the same precautions
that you would take for other day to day activities, such
as shopping or going to the bank, to protect personal belongings.
Typically, thieves rely on the victim who is off guard.
- Alert
ushers at Masses and other parish staff to be on the lookout
for unusual activities by people loitering around parish
property. Notify police of suspicious activity. Don’t be
confrontational or risk personal safety.
New:
Apostolate
of Prayer for Priests
Download
the schedule in Adobe PDF for November
& December
2009.
Reminder:
Seminars,
Retreats, and Courses
-
Couple to Couple League (CCL) is hosting
a Clergy Seminar in Yonkers, NY on Tuesday, November
10 and Wednesday, November
11 in an effort to bolster
the knowledge of priests and deacons on Catholic teaching
regarding sexuality and how Natural Family Planning (NFP)
and breastfeeding complement God's plan for families. The seminar
provides a brief background into the history of NFP and some
specifics of the method. The faculty also provides many
practical, pastoral suggestions on handling the issue of
cohabitation, dealing with the contraceptive mentality, and
integrating NFP into a marriage preparation program. It has
been found that this information provides clergy the confidence
they need to sincerely recommend this form of birth regulation
to engaged and married couples. For more information, download
the brochure, or call Rich Braun: (800) 745-8252, ext. 3195,
or e-mail rbraun@ccli.org.
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For
Deacons and Wives of Deacons: Please be reminded to plan
on attending the Northeast Regional Assembly, ”New
Evangelization and Preaching”, Saturday, November
14, at
the Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel on Goat Island in Newport,
RI. The keynote speaker is Ann Garrido, Director of Ministry
in Preaching at Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, MO. This is
a wonderful opportunity to hear great talks helpful to
our ministry, share community and relax in a great setting.
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For
Priests: There are spiritual programs
available for the Year for Priests at Trinity
Retreat House, 1 Pryer Manor Road, Larchmont, NY 10538. Featured
speakers include Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR. For more
information, click
here or call (914) 235·6839
or e-mail trinityret@aol.com.
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. |
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PRAYER
FOR VOCATIONS
"Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and
to give his life as a ransom for many." – Mark 10:44-45
Reminder:
Attention Young
Men in High School: Discernment Group Celebrates the
"Year
for Priests"
The Office of Vocations is pleased to announce the dates for
the 2009-2010 High School Discernment Group for Young Men. We
will mark the "Year for Priests" by featuring
different priests of our diocese talking about their own vocation
and ministry. Meetings will be held at St. John Fisher Seminary
Residence in Stamford beginning at 5:30 p.m. and concluding by
8 p.m. (Evening Prayer, Dinner, Meeting). All high school boys
are welcome. RSVP by contacting the Office of Vocations at 203-416-1513
or vocations@hearthecall.org.
Thursday, December 10
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010 (with special guests the Men who will
be ordained to the Priesthood on June 5)
Reminder:
Discernment
Events for College and Young Adult Men
Please mark these dates on your calendar for upcoming discernment
events for College and Young Adult Men. More information will
follow in the Bridge and on the Vocations website, www.HearTheCall.org
January 2-3, 2010 – College and Young Adult
Retreat with Bishop Lori
February 13, 2010 – College and Young Adult Day of Recollection
with Bishop Lori
For
more information please contact the Office of Vocations at 203-416-1513
or vocations@HearTheCall.org.
Priests,
please share this information with the young men of your parishes.
Thank you.
Reminder:
Please
promote College Visits
Please
publish this announcement in your parish bulletin as often
as possible. More details can be found on www.HearTheCall.org. Thank
you.
Bulletin
Announcement:
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 RobertKinnally
at 203-416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org.
 Reminder:
Manual
of Prayers for the Family and Youth
available for purchase;
only $1 each
A
great resource for couples preparing
for marriage or Baptism of a child,
youth preparing to receive First
Eucharist or Confirmation or anyone!
To order, download an order
form in Microsoft
Word or contact the Office of Vocations
at 203-416-1513.
Reminder:
Fall
Calendar of Prayers for Seminarians and Vocations
Please continue to pray for Vocations throughout the
fall. To download the fall schedule in Microsoft Word, 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. Robert Kinnally to promote vocations
in your parish. If you have any questions, please contact Father
Kinnally: 416-1513 or e-mail vocations@HearTheCall.org. |
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Reminder:
 Save the date: Saint Augustine Lecture,
November 5
The next Saint Augustine Lecture will be held
at Saint Stephen Parish, Trumbull, on Thursday,
November 5. Father Bill Petrie will speak
about the Life of Saint Damien of Molokai who
was canonized on October 11. Father Petrie is the current
Provincial Superior of the U.S. East Province of the Congregation
of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The lecture will begin
at 7:30 p.m. with Adoration and Confession available at 6:30
p.m. All parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend. A
flyer to distribute in your parish is posted below. Thank you.
Download a Flyer
on the November 5 lecture
Please include the following announcement in
your Sunday bulletins this weekend. Thank
you.
Bulletin
Announcement:
"SAINT
DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI" is the subject of the next
Saint Augustine Lecture, to be at Saint Stephen
Parish, 6948 Main Street, Trumbull on Thursday, November
5. Father Bill Petrie
will speak about the life of Saint Damien of Molokai,
who was canonized on October 11. Father Petrie is the
current Provincial Superior of the U.S East Province of the
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The lecture
will begin at 7:30 p.m., with Adoration and Confession available
at 6:30 p.m. All parishioners are invited and encouraged to
attend. For more information, please call the Office for Pastoral
Services: (203) 416-1440.
New:
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in
your bulletin
Please promote the Pastoral Plan in your parish
bulletin this weekend. Thank you.
Bulletin
Announcement:
October 31-November 1, All Saints Day
Today as we celebrate All Saints
Day, let us remember the heroes who
have gone before us who showed us outstanding
love and witnessed Christ’s message.
Let us follow them. In the Preface
to the Eucharistic Prayer, we pray:
“…the saints’ glory fills us with joy,
and their communion with us in your
Church gives us inspiration and strength,
as we hasten on our pilgrimage of faith,
eager to meet them.” With this we
take great comfort knowing we are not
alone and that we are part of a great
family.
Reminder:
"Marriage & Family
Life" E-Newsletters posted online
The October 2009 edition of the Marriage & Family
Life E-Newsletter, on "The Catholic Home" is
posted now, along with back issues: click
here.
Reminder:
Catechists are invited to hear Bishop
Lori speak on Catholic Social Teaching
All catechists are also invited to hear Bishop
Lori speak on Catholic Social Teaching during the observance
of Catechetical Month:
- Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m.: St. Philip
Parish, One Father Conlon Place, Norwalk.
- Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m.: St. Rose
of Lima Parish, 38 Church Hill Road, Newtown.
All are invited to attend. RSVP to 416-1440 or gdonnarummo@diobpt.org.
Reminder:
Volunteers and Prayer Team Members needed!
The Office for Pastoral Services is looking for
individuals who are interested in volunteering for a group called St.
Gabriel’s Helpers. Individuals in this group would
be available to the Office for Pastoral Services [at the Catholic
Center] to help with mailings, assist as ushers for Diocesan
events, or make phone calls as needed from the office. If you
are interested in helping in this much needed ministry, please
contact Damien O’Connor at doconnor@diobpt.org.
You are also invited to join The Rose of Mary Prayer
Team. The
prayer team’s objective is to satiate the thirst of Christ
by supporting the Office of Pastoral Services through prayer
and sacrifice. We ask for a daily commitment of prayer for
the intentions of each of the Ministries, the office staff,
and the people we serve. More information is available below.
If you are interested in joining The Rose of Mary Prayer Team,
please contact June Vendetti:
j.vendetti@sbcglobal.net.
 Download the Rose
of Mary Prayer Team information
Reminder:
Please promote the Catholic Forum
The Catholic Forum is dedicated to supporting adult
formation with events, publications and programs that are faithful
to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic
Forum is sponsored by Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown but
open to everyone. The Fall 2009 schedule of events is posted
below.
Download the Catholic
Forum schedule
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 Father Pavia at 924-8611 or Sr. Nancy at 416-1383 if
you would like more information.
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New:
Halloween
Safety Tips
As
your little ghosts and goblins set out for the neighborhoods
in search of candy and special treats this Saturday, please
keep in mind some important safety tips that will help make this
Halloween as safe as possible for them:
 When trick or treating or attending parties at local halls,
haunted houses, and shopping centers, remember that nothing is safer than your supervision. If you have made a decision
to permit your child to trick or treat in your neighborhood
and you will not be going with them, it is important that your
child goes with a group and that an older teenage sibling is
with them at all times.
- Let children know that they should never go into the homes
or up to an approaching car to get treats or candy, no matter
what the person says. Practice a few scenarios with them to
be sure they understand. Children should always wait until
they get home to sample the candy so that you may inspect everything.
- Set a route and reinforce that they must stick to this route
and stay in well-lit areas.
- Place emergency identification tags inside
clothing and have your child carry a fully-charged cellphone and a flashlight with new batteries at all times.
- Costumes should have large holes for eyes that give your
child full view of his or her surroundings. Your child should
be visible to others. Reflective tape placed on costumes or
candy bags is an inexpensive way to make sure that your child
is visible to traffic.
- Finally, review the safety tips you and your child learned
in the Child Lures Prevention' Think First & Stay Safe
Program.
Reminder:
VIRTUS
Protecting God's Children schedule updated
To download an updated list of dates, places, and times for
training in Microsoft Word,
click
here.
Reminder:
Save
the Date: Parents' Training Sessions scheduled
To
download a flyer on "Think First and Stay Safe" training
sessions for parents, scheduled for January
6, 2010, click
here. |
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Education
Contact: Dr.
Margaret Dames, Superintendent of Schools |
New:
Articles in Support of Catholic Education
Please read the fourth of 13 articles written by the
Catholic Bishops of New England in support of Education. This
one is written by Bishop Richard Malone of Portland,
ME.
"Strengthening
the Heartbeat of our Catholic Schools"
Reminder:
Five
Catholic Schools awarded "Blue Ribbon" status
 The
U.S. Department of Education announced that five Catholic
Elementary Schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport – an all-time
record – have been named "2009 Blue Ribbon Schools," placing
them in the top 10 percent of schools in the United States.
Congratulations to:
- Greenwich Catholic School, Greenwich
- Our Lady of Fatima School, Wilton
- Saint Cecilia School, Stamford
- Saint Mark School, Stratford
- Saint Rose of Lima School, Newtown
To read the press release, click here.
Reminder:
Catholic
Alumni Partnership announcement
The
Diocese of Bridgeport has been awarded a $750,000 grant through
the Catholic Alumni Partnership to
better track alumni and build additional support for Catholic
elementary schools throughout Fairfield County. To read the
press release, click
here. |
Reminder:
Please
promote Danbury "Celebrity Breakfast" next
Tuesday, November
3
Please
publish these announcements in your parish bulletin this
weekend. Thank
you.
Bulletin
Announcement:
CATHOLIC CHARITIES' "CELEBRITY
BREAKFAST" — Ira
Joe Fisher, noted weatherman, television
personality, actor, and poet, will
be the featured speaker at Catholic
Charities “Celebrity Breakfast”
on Tuesday, November 3,
at 7:30 a.m. at the Amber Room
in Danbury. More than 500 area
residents are expected to attend
the event where local business
and community leaders will serve
breakfast and collect tips for
the Family Loan Program and Behavioral
Health Clinic of Catholic Charities
in the Danbury region. For tickets
to the Celebrity Breakfast, please
call 203-743-4412.
New:
Please promote Thomas Merton Center,
Morning Glory needs
Please publish these announcements in your parish bulletin as often as possible.
Thank you.
Bulletin
Announcements:
THOMAS
MERTON CENTER in
Bridgeport needs pasta sauce for their
guests. To help, please call Mark
Grasso: 203-367-9036.
MORNING GLORY in Danbury is in need of cereal
and pancake mix. For
more information and to make a donation, please contact 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.
Now more than ever, the practical assistance offered
by the Diocese through Catholic Charities is imperative. Please
consider the great work offered and accomplished through the
many programs operated by Catholic Charities.
Please pPray daily for
all our dedicated staff. Become a real partner in these philanthropic
efforts through your financial support. Anyone interested in
helping expand our outreach can contact Father Seraphim at
(203) 416-1331 or via e-mail at frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- V.I.T.A. Tax Assistance: Volunteers needed A.S.A.P.
training deadline quickly approaching! : Catholic
Charities is partnering with C.F.S. to host a V.I.T.A. site
for the 2009 tax year and needs volunteers to help for a
few hours a week from February to April 2010. The site
will be at our offices in the Catholic Center in Bridgeport
: Mon. Wed. & Thurs. 5:30pm
–8:30pm and Sat 10am –2pm.
V.I.T.A. volunteers 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. Last tax season, volunteers provided
free assistance in Connecticut to over 35,000 taxpayers at
180 conveniently located sites. In 2007, 19,474 returns were
filed at V.I.T.A sites. Over $20 million in total refunds were
distributed through the V.I.T.A sites.$8.9 million in 'Earned
Income Tax Credit' dollars were distributed to families who
might have missed this filing on their own!
V.I.T.A. volunteers are asked to offer at least 3 hours each
week from February 1 to April 15, 2010. If
you feel you can more or even less time at least contact us
about the possibilities. NO
EXPERIENCE NEEDED - all training provided.
To volunteer or
for more info contact Fr. Seraphim at the Catholic Charities
Community Outreach office at (203) 581.4978 or e-mail frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- Computer needed for housing program: A housing
program residence run by Catholic Charities is seeking a computer
with Internet capabilities for the residents to access job
sites and compose and print resumes and utilize email for communication
and scheduling interviews. If you are able to donate either
a desktop or laptop, please contact frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
- Harvest Now: A
message from Brooks Sumberg (St, Augustine Medal winner
2009), founder of the Connecticut Bike Project & Harvest
Now) -
It has been one year since we had the first collection of
bikes at a local church. We have collected 385 bikes in this
year and we have given options for increased mobility to
families seeking work, released prisoners reporting to probation
officers and untold children whom a new bike was only a fantasy.
I thank you for helping me to achieve our goals,-- to better
the lives of those in the neighborhoods of east Bridgeport.
Now I personally call on you again, to start a new ministry,
one that is even more basic, than primary transportation. We
must feed people and we must begin now. I envision the implementation
of community gardens in every churchyard and on every faith
based community that can participate. I see our youth groups
joining in and contributing their time, their energy to growing
vegetables for the food banks of our cities from Bridgeport
to New Haven and Stamford. These are the repositories of our
working class poor. These are the people who perform the work
that your forbears did many years ago. It is now our time to
help, to perform the social works that our government no longer
provides. Through this mission, local people can fill in the
gaps that are so apparent, as the economy worsens and their
quality of life deteriorates.
My vision is a simple one, as outlined below;
Every participating church and synagogue, will be given a suggested
commodity to grow, either on their surrounding property or
in raised bed gardens that can be built anywhere including
parking lots. The Connecticut Bike Project/Harvest
Now will
provide the expertise to develop these plots, and some of the
tools needed to open the land ie. roto tillers. We will provide
suggested plot patterns and suggested seed stock to utilize
for the gardens. We are asking that all financial cost will
be born by the individual congregation/ parishes. The garden
labor can be performed by youth groups or parishioners. One
adult from each parish/congregation will be assigned as the
leader to monitor and control the garden. They will perform
the management of the gardens, including shipping the harvested
crops to the central food banks. The Connecticut Bike Project/Harvest
Now will assist where we can, in bettering crop yields and
general administrative help.
What do we need from you? First
a coordinator must be chosen from the congregation, either
an adult or the youth group leader. A plot of land must be
chosen, and a plot plan adopted. This will be in conjunction
with the bike project/Harvest Now volunteers.
Now it is your turn to help us to organize this entity and
we look forward to hearing from you, Our goal is to develop
the plots this fall and start growing vegetables in the spring
of 2010.
I thank you for your time, your initiative and your concern
in this new ministry. Let us hasten our effort, for we have
people in need, and we have the desire and ability to help. Step
forward. be counted as the community that answered the call,
when it was apparent that there were none others to listen.For
more information, please contact Brooks Sumberg:bsumberg@earthlink.net.
- Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry: Blessed
Sacrament operates a food pantry which serves those
in need in some of the poorest
and most struggling neighborhoods
in Bridgeport. They are in need
of any dry and canned food donations you can
imagine a family needing during tough economic times. Please
consider dropping off a small donation to help their efforts.
You can contact the parish at 203-333-1202 or e-mail: blessedsacramentrc@sbcglobal.net or
simply drop your donation of food at the rectory located at
275 Union Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06607.
- Connecticut Bike Project (over 850 bikes
collected and distributed so far!): 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.
Consider hosting a Bike-Drive at your parish! Please spread
the word that bicycles are in need for this project. Contact
Mr. Brooks Sumberg (St. Augustine Medal winner 2009) 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 individual 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.
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
E Main St.
- Help needed! There is a woman 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 most 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 in her car to bring them back
home to wash and get ready to do all over again.
If you are interested in joining me help Ann Marie every other
Sunday or even occasionally, please give me a call. If you
can drop off baby clothes; canned soup, peanut butter ramen
noodles, blankets or paper cups, plates & supplies
please contact Ann Marie at (203)268-5553, or drop donation
off at 18 Country Lane in Trumbull.
IMMEDIATE NEED LIST: “Take-away” food containers, Large plastic
folding tables, Large beverage thermoses with spigots, Large
commercial baking pans , Peanut butter, Canned soup, Canned
vegetables, Cereal, Paper cups, Lemonade, Iced tea, Microwave
popcorn, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Band-aids, Bars of soap,
Shampoo, Men’s socks, Men’s clothes, Oatmeal, Antibacterial
ointment (Neosporin), and 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. or email the Catholic Charities
Community Outreach office at: frseraphim@ccfc-ct.org.
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Reminder:
Influenza
Vaccination Clinics rescheduled
Health officials are reminding people that this is the best time
to work on flu prevention.
The #1 way to stop the flu is to get vaccinated!
The Diocese
of Bridgeport will host two vaccination clinics to obtain the flu
shot (not the
H1N1 vaccine) at two locations:
- Saint John Fisher Seminary Residence,
894 Newfield Avenue, Stamford:
Wednesday, November 4,
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport: Tuesday, November
10,
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (rescheduled from October
28)
No Cost to employees with a Valid Aetna ID Card. $30 for Non-Aetna Members. Registration
is required, although no appointment times
will be issued. Please email mkeogh@diobpt.org with
your name and site location that you will attend.
For other Maxim Health Systems Locations that accept Aetna, visit www.findaflushot.com.
Reminder:
Positions Available
An
updated list of positions available is posted on the Diocesan
website: click here.
Current
listings include:
- Staff Chaplain, St. Joseph's Manor, Trumbull
- Finance Manager, Saint Thomas More Parish, Darien
- Program Support Worker, New Covenant House, Stamford
- Enrichment Coordinator, McGivney Center, Bridgeport
- Positions
Open, Catholic
Schools of the Diocese of
Bridgeport
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