Congratulations to the 2007 recipients of the Saint Augustine Medal of Service of the Diocese of Bridgeport!

Statement of the Diocese of Bridgeport in response to the sentencing of former Darien Pastor in U.S. District Court

 

BRIDGEPORT - The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, invites the faithful to join him for the celebration of Christmas Mass. Parishioners and members of the general public are warmly invited to attend.Accredited members of the media are invited to attend these Masses.Christmas Eve in Brookfield and Bridgeport On Monday, December 24, Christmas Eve, Bishop Lori will celebrate the Christmas Vigil Mass at 6:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph Parish, 159 Whisconier Road, Brookfield. Telephone (203) 775-1035.He will celebrate Midnight Mass at 12:00 a.m. at Saint Augustine Cathedral, 359 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport. Telephone (203) 368-6777. Prior to Midnight Mass, a special concert featuring hymns and carols will begin at 11:15 p.m. At 11:55 p.m., Bishop Lori will bless the creche, the Nativity representation of the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.This Midnight Mass will be broadcast live on WICC radio, 600 AM, and WSHU radio, 91.1 FM, beginning at 12 a.m.

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Christmas Day in Riverside and on "Good Morning America"On Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day, Bishop Lori will appear on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America" at 7:00 a.m. in a taped inverview on the meaning of Christmas, and the search for peace and hope. Check your local listings for channel.Bishop Lori will celebrate Christmas Mass at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, 4 Riverside Avenue, Riverside. Telephone (203) 637-3661.

CAPTION: GOOD MORNING, BISHOP LORI - Bishop William E. Lori joined a distinguished national panel hosted by Good Morning America's Robin Roberts (center) for a discussion on faith and hope that will be broadcast at 7 a.m. on Christmas Day on ABC television stations across the U.S. Also taking part in the discussion were (l-r) Ann Graham Lotze, daughter of Billy Graham; Dallas mega-church pastor Dr. Tony Evans; and Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life. The panel offered thoughts on the celebration of Christmas in a commercial age and also on the meaning of Christmas in their own lives.

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BRIDGEPORT – Christmas arrived a little early this year for 128 Catholics in the Diocese of Bridgeport who were honored with the 2007 “Saint Augustine Medal of Service.”The medal recognizes outstanding service by an individual or couple to a parish, the diocese, Catholic Charities, and Catholic Education. Recipients were nominated by their pastors or supervisors. Bishop William Lori handed out the medals during a prayer service (right) in Saint Augustine Cathedral on November 3. Dedicated Service “Our honorees make it abundantly clear that they have taken to heart Jesus’ teaching that true greatness comes when we serve the needs of others,” says Bishop Lori. “These dedicated volunteers and leaders give of themselves, not for their own satisfaction, but to build up and strengthen the Church by serving their parishes, assisting in the Church’s charitable and educational mission, or by helping the diocese find the resources necessary for the Church’s work.”This year’s recipients are listed below along with testimonials. The list will be published in the December 22, 2007, edition of Fairfield County Catholic.

to view photos: Click Here

(PHOTOS BY JOHN GLOVER)

 

 

BRIDGEPORT, Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 4:30 p.m. - In response to the sentencing today of Father M. Jude Fay in U.S. District Court in New Haven, the Diocese of Bridgeport has issued the following statement:

"The Diocese of Bridgeport joins with Saint John Parish in saying that this is a day of great sorrow for all concerned."We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Court in bringing closure to this matter. We pray that Father Fay will find reconciliation with God and those he has harmed, and that the Saint John Parish community will continue to heal under the leadership of its Pastor, Father Frank McGrath. The Diocese will continue its concerted efforts on behalf of Saint John Parish to achieve justice in the form of restitution. "Father Fay has no authorization to function as a priest nor to present himself as a priest. "Over the past year, the Diocese has put in place a comprehensive program of enhanced and expanded financial controls in all 87 parishes in Fairfield County. The guiding principles behind these "Six Key Elements" are accountability, transparency, and overall excellence. We are grateful to our Pastors, Parish staffs, and lay members of Parish Finance Councils for their continued support and commitment."

Victims' Impact Statements submitted to the Court by the Diocese of Bridgeport and Saint John Parish are below.

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UNITED STATES V. MICHAEL JUDE FAY
Docket No. 3:07CR198 (JBA)
USAO No. 2006R00286 VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT OF THE DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT As the Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, I respectfully submit this Victim Impact Statement in the matter of Michael Jude Fay. Speaking on behalf of the Diocese, we join with the Parish of St. John Roman Catholic Church in saying that this is a day of great sorrow. While we seek justice, we also hope and pray that this will be an occasion for redemption. We are confident that after weighing all the submissions, the Court will impose a just sentence, including an order for financial restitution to the parish. We recognize, however, that many share an ongoing and profound sense of disappointment and betrayal as a result of Father Fay's financial wrong doing. This is especially true because they regarded Father Fay as a source of moral strength and spiritual guidance. This sentiment, although deeply felt, is tempered by the mercy of God and by the pastoral service Father Fay offered through the years. We hope that Father Fay will seek and find the path of authentic reconciliation with God and with those he has harmed. We pray that in acknowledging and taking responsibility for the harm his actions have caused, Father Fay will attain a sense of spiritual and personal peace. Finally, we hope that the sentence imposed by this court will continue the healing in the Parish that is being so ably overseen and nurtured by Father McGrath, Father Samele and the many devoted parishioners who have already begun to make Saint Johns' a model of faith, worship and service.

Most Reverend William E. Lori
Bishop
Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport Dated: November 29, 2007

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UNITED STATES V. MICHAEL JUDE FAY
Docket No. 3:07CR198 (JBA)
USAO No. 2006R00286 VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT OF ST. JOHN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH This Victim Impact Statement is respectfully submitted on behalf of St. John Roman Catholic Church, where I have served as Pastor since June 2006. This statement is made with deep sorrow and seeks justice tempered with mercy. The financial misconduct and crimes of the defendant, Fr. Michael Jude Fay, have been well documented. The impact of his misconduct has been catalogued in the report prepared by the Deloitte firm and released in August 2006. Beyond that, the financial impact of Fr. Fay's conduct continues to be felt. Our Finance Council, which has been reconstituted since Fr. Fay's misconduct was discovered, estimates that charitable giving to the Parish has declined by approximately 10% in the eighteen months since Fr. Fay's misconduct was revealed. Moreover, the Parish and the Diocese of Bridgeport seek restitution from Fr. Fay. As has been documented, Parish funds were misused by Fr. Fay in a variety of ways. Moreover, Fr. Fay and a companion purchased, among other things, a condominium apartment in Florida. Although Fr. Fay has transferred his interest (and mortgage obligations) in the apartment to the Parish, he has not provided assistance in securing the cooperation of his companion in transferring the companion's purported interest in the apartment to the Parish. According to Father Fay's attorney, Fr. Fay has continued to reside in the apartment, which is a cause of embarrassment to the Parish. However, the deepest impact of Fr. Fay's misconduct cannot be quantified because it transcends dollars. During the time of his ministry here at St. John, Fr. Fay touched the lives of countless parishioners in positive ways. I have heard this from many individuals during my time as Pastor here and I do not mean to diminish those contributions. However, the devastating impact of Fr. Fay's misconduct cannot be minimized. The role of a parish priest in the lives of his parishioners is sacred. It is grounded in faith in Christ and trust is its cornerstone. And when that faith and trust are breached, as happened so dramatically here, it is very difficult to restore. While the Parish as an entity has recovered and its many ministries have been revived over the past fourteen months, many individuals and families have either left the church entirely or have refrained from participating in the life of the Parish because of Fr. Fay's misconduct. They may never return. And their spiritual lives may never be restored.I have also heard from parishioners who have expressed profound disappointment that Fr. Fay has never apologized to the Parish for his actions. While people understood his silence prior to his guilty plea, his continued silence since his guilty plea has compounded the harm. People have wondered why he has not written an open letter to the Parish in which he simply apologized for his actions and sought the forgiveness and prayers of his former parishioners. The view has been expressed that while Fr. Fay will never be able to make complete restitution to the Parish, at least he could have expressed remorse for his actions and sought forgiveness from the people who have been hurt by his actions. All of the above comments are not made in anger. They are written with a heavy heart and in the hope that justice will be appropriately served and that Fr. Fay will be healed physically and spiritually.

Father Frank McGrath
Pastor
St. John Roman Catholic Church
Darien, CT Dated: November 29, 2007

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