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The Bridge is posted on Tuesdays and updated during the week as necessary. Please visit this page regularly.
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Please send updates for THE BRIDGE and the diocesan website to the Communications Office, via e-mail (fcc@diobpt.org) or fax (203-374-2044). These must be received by 4 pm on the Monday before the Tuesday edition.
Address all media inquiries or questions to the Communications Office: 203-416-1335 or fcc@diobpt.org.
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Updated Friday, June 26, 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:
Letters for the annual Peter's Pence
Collection this weekend
The letters are available for download in Adobe
PDF and Microsoft
Word.
New:
USCCB Postcard Campaign against
"Freedom of Choice Act" deemed a success
Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the USCCB
Committee on Pro-Life Activities (of which Bishop Lori is a member), issued the
following letter to all bishops regarding the recent postcard campaign against
the proposed "Freedom of Choice Act," a campaign conducted in our diocese last
January:
As you know, at our November 2008 General Meeting we voted
unanimously to mobilize the resources of the Conference, dioceses
and the entire Catholic community to prevent the elimination
of current pro-life laws and policies by the Administration
and/or Congress, and in particular to oppose the "Freedom
of Choice Act" (FOCA) that would eliminate so many pro-life laws
at one stroke.
 In response to our decision, the Committee on
Pro-Life Activities launched a massive postcard campaign to
urge Congress to retain laws against federal funding and promotion
of abortion and oppose any bill that includes provisions of
the FOCA agenda. The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment
(NCHLA) and the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities coordinated
these efforts in collaboration with many offices at the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
After
a period of intense preparation, the campaign began in January,
with postcard signing events conducted over the succeeding
months. While people continue to request postcards even now, more
than 34.68 million postcards have
been ordered, making this effort the largest ever in the history
of these campaigns. In addition, more than
30,000 related e-mail messages were sent to Congress
with this same message.
It is with profound gratitude that
I take note of the leadership, commitment, and generosity of
all our bishops in making the national Pro-Life Postcard Campaign
such a successful undertaking.
Based on the large number of postcards ordered and the great
enthusiasm at the local level, there is no doubt that this
had a tremendous impact on Congress. The fact that all of the
pro-life riders in appropriations bills, some more vulnerable
than others, have stayed in place thus far is in part a tribute
to the scale and timing of the postcard campaign. The reaction
from members on Capitol Hill has been very positive, and we
continue to hear from congressional offices that this massive
effort was instrumental in encouraging pro-life resistance
and stalling pro-abortion initiatives.
I thank you for the
outstanding support you have demonstrated in a time of great
challenges. As we go forward, I unite my prayers with yours
as we commend all our efforts on behalf of life to the protection
of our Blessed Mother under her title of the Immaculate Conception.
New:
USCCB Committee on Divine Worship
newsletter
To download the latest edition (May-June 2009) in Adobe PDF, click
here.
Reminder:
Information on the civil lawsuit filed
by the Diocese against State of Connecticut officials
More information, as well as a video from Bishop Lori,
are posted now: click
here.
Reminder:
2009-2010 Schedules posted now
2009-2010 schedules of Diocesan Events, Special Collections,
Confirmations, Holidays, and
Holy Days are posted now on the Resources page: click
here.
Reminder:
Bulk Oil Purchase for Parishes and Schools
Notice to all Parishes and Schools:
Last year the Diocese had to delay the award of the bulk purchase oil contract
when the Diocese and company that was initially selected could not come to
terms over the company’s very limited insurance coverage. In fact, the Diocese
rebid the bulk purchase and contracted with a company with sufficient insurance
coverage. Parishes and schools participating in the bulk purchase program
of the Diocese can be assured that we have reviewed the insurance
coverage of the selected vendor. However, parishes and schools
not participating in the bulk purchase program should carefully
review their supplier contract to be sure the coverage is adequate. Any
questions in this regard should be referred to the Chancellor’s
office.
Reminder:
Friday
hours at the Catholic Center
Please
be advised that, effective immediately, the Catholic Center
will close every Friday at 1:00 p.m.
Reminder:
Save the Date: Family Day, September 28
Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with
Your Children is a national movement to inform parents that
the parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners
is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free.
For more information, visit the website.
New:
USCCB Alert
- The Diocese of Jasikan, Ghana, has advised
the Conference of its concerns regarding one of its priests,
Father George Agbley. Father Agbley absented himself from the
diocese in May 2008, took a flight to New York City, and has
not been heard from since. He may have forged documents to
obtain a U.S. visa. He is no longer a priest in good standing.
For more information, e-mail Bishop Gabriel Mante of the Diocese
of Jasikan: akwasiababio@yahoo.com.
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New:
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.
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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.
Reminder:
Apostolate
of Prayer for Priests, June 2009
To
download the schedule in Adobe PDF, click
here. |
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Development
Contact: Mr.
Jeff Machi, Executive Director |
New:
The
2009 Living Our Faith Annual Bishop’s Appeal tops $11.3 million
as
we enter the final week
As of Monday, June 22, the 2009 Appeal is currently
at $11,379,477 from
27,709 donors,
representing 93% of our goal achieved to date.
The Development Office will forward your most current totals to your parish
tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24. If your parish has not reached
goal with Lead Gifts, it is important that we receive the differential
postmarked by next Tuesday, June 30, in order to list
your parish as over-goal in the Fairfield County Catholic.
 CONGRATULATIONS to
Pastors and their Parishes for exceeding their 2009 Appeal Goal! Click
here.
Current Parish Statistics:
% Raised
without Leader Gifts |
Number of Parishes |
Above 100% |
56 |
90% to 99% |
17 |
Below 90% |
18 |
Please continue to encourage parishioners to contribute to the 2009
Appeal in this FINAL week!
SPECIAL Pulpit/Bulletin
Announcement through the end of the Appeal:
The 2009 Appeal is $1 million away from reaching
goal, with ONE WEEK left in the campaign. We are dependent upon
the renewal of past donors to meet this objective and fund the critical
ministries and programs across our Diocese.
We recognize that this is a challenging financial year,
however, please know that your Church is there to provide support
and it is only possible through your generosity.
If you’ve given to
us in the past, you know the important impact of your gift and we need
your support again this year. If your gift is smaller, please know
that it makes a difference in the lives of others.
Pulpit/Bulletin Announcement for this FINAL weekend, June 27-28:
The Annual Bishop’s Appeal will be closing this
coming Tuesday,
June 30.
If you have not yet made a gift, please pray
about your decision and make a pledge or one-time gift.
Donations
to the Appeal helps sustain many who are unable to provide for their
families or themselves. From counseling sessions, food and shelter
programs to our Clergy and Religious; and parish ministries, your support
is vital in continuing to meet the needs of our community and churches.
If you have not made a gift, please complete a pledge card today or
go directly to www.bridgeportdiocese.com
Together, we are touching the lives of thousands and strengthening
our own parish community.
Prayer of the Faithful for
this weekend, June 27-28:
In thanksgiving to all within the parish family who have generously
supported the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, may they take great comfort in
knowing that a gift from one will become a gift of many, we pray to
the Lord:
To download the 2009 Appeal Parish Handbook in Microsoft
Word, click
here.
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SIGNS OF A VOCATION:
You are a “people person”, i.e., have good social skills,
like
to be around people, have a good sense of humor.
You have basic
human goodness;
are relatively a generous and unselfish person.
Reminder:
Attention Pastors, Principals, DREs,
and Youth Ministers!
DATES ARE STILL AVAILABLE to request
seminarians 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.
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: June
27-28, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time,
& Closing of the "Year of Saint Paul"
Today’s first reading and the Gospel are about life and having
life to the fullest. Having a profound experience of the love
of God is also called “life.” Life is a free gift of God to
humans; therefore the Lord is the absolute Lord of life. People
are life’s stewards.
The first reading speaks of a spiritual death, which is an
alienation from God. This alienation is a broken relationship
of love which Jesus Christ overcame by his death and resurrection.
Through him human beings who have drifted away can relate to
God again in love and have life. This reading introduces the
theme of the Gospel of life. By overcoming the death of Jairus’
daughter, Jesus prefigures his victory over death of alienation
from God. The Gospel of Mark brings out that Jesus is the
prophet of the end-time, who has come to bring life—to restore
our relationship of love with God.
This Sunday marks the close of the Year of St. Paul that we
have been in for the past year. Let us take the words of St.
Paul to heart from the second reading today: to be generous
and offer motivations for giving. These reasons may also motivate
us to be generous in Church support and contribute to help
those who are poor.
New:
Catholic Scouting webpage now
online
For news, information, forms, and schedules related to Catholic
Scouting in the Diocese of Bridgeport, click here.
New:
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.
New:
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. |
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:
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 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,
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 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.
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.
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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