By THE MOST REVEREND WILLIAM E. LORI, S.T.D., BISHOP OF BRIDGEPORT

BRIDGEPORT, Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2003 - Bishop William E. Lori has published a new Pastoral Letter, "One Family in Faith," to launch the official celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Copies of Bishop Lori's letter will be distributed to Catholics following Ash Wednesday Masses at all 87 Catholic churches in Fairfield County. It has been published in both English and Spanish.

CAPTION: Sponsored by Patrick Baker & Sons, Inc., the official poster of the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bridgeport features all 87 parishes, arranged in the order of their founding, from Saint Augustine Cathedral (formerly Saint James Parish) in Bridgeport (1842) to Saint Benedict/Our Lady of Montserrat Parish in Stamford (2000). (PHOTOS BY JOHN GLOVER)

"Today we begin the Holy Season of Lent," Bishop Lori says. "Today also marks the beginning of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Bridgeport. It is a time for us to thank God for the blessings of these years and also a time for us, as a diocese, to be strengthened and deepened in professing and living our faith. It is a time for us to be reconciled, refreshed and renewed for our journey into the future."

To read "One Family in Faith," click here.

Para leer "Una Familia en la Fe," presione aquí.

BRIDGEPORT - On Ash Wednesday, March 5, the Catholic Church's most solemn day of prayer, fasting, and repentance, Bishop William E. Lori joined Pope John Paul II and Catholics around the world in prayers for world peace.

During his homily at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, Bishop Lori said,

"This is a day when our Holy Father has asked us to pray for peace, especially in Iraq. May I ask that you join in praying every day that war will be averted, that effective and peaceful disarmament in Iraq may occur, and that there may be a true, just, and lasting peace in Iraq and throughout our troubled world. Let us also remember in prayer our men and women in our armed forces that they may be kept safe and free from harm."

BRIDGEPORT, Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - Bishop William E. Lori has issued a statement on the announcement from the Vatican this morning on the appointment of Bishop Michael R. Cote as Bishop of Norwich.

"The Holy Father has given the Diocese of Norwich a splendid bishop. I am delighted over the appointment of Bishop Michael R. Cote, whom I have known for many years. I look forward to working with him closely as the future unfolds. May the lord bless Bishop Cote as he leads and serves the clergy, religious, and laity of the Diocese of Norwich.

"At the same time, I express my gratitude to Bishop Daniel A. Hart for his devoted service to the Church, his kindness to me, and his wonderful example as priest and bishop. I pray the Lord will sustain him in health, joy, and service to the Church for many years to come."

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BRIDGEPORT - On Ash Wednesday, March 5, the Catholic Church's most solemn day of prayer, fasting, and repentance, Bishop William E. Lori joined Pope John Paul II and Catholics around the world in prayers for world peace.

During his homily at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, Bishop Lori said,

"This is a day when our Holy Father has asked us to pray for peace, especially in Iraq. May I ask that you join in praying every day that war will be averted, that effective and peaceful disarmament in Iraq may occur, and that there may be a true, just, and lasting peace in Iraq and throughout our troubled world. Let us also remember in prayer our men and women in our armed forces that they may be kept safe and free from harm."

CAPTION: Bishop Lori administers ashes to the faithful on Ash Wednesday at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport. (Photo by John Glover)

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BRIDGEPORT, Friday, March 21, 2003 – Noting that, “In times like these, we need to be there for each other,” Bishop William E. Lori has asked Catholics to join him in praying daily for peace. He has also urged priests in all 87 Catholic parishes in Fairfield County, embracing 375,000 Catholics, to reach out to the faithful and the community during this time of war.

A letter from Bishop Lori will be read and distributed at all Masses in Fairfield County this weekend. Advertisements in Sunday newspapers in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Greenwich, and Danbury will communicate this outreach effort to a wider audience.

“Wartime can provoke feelings of anxiety, despair, and uncertainty,” Bishop Lori says. “I want everyone in the community to know that the Catholic Church is here to help. Now is a time to rely on our faith and to embrace its healing power and ideals.”

Intense, directed prayer is needed now more than ever, the bishop says. “These are dark and difficult days for our nation and for our world. In union with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, we pray for a speedy resolution to the conflict in Iraq, a just and lasting peace, and the safe return of our men and women who are now in harm’s way,” he says.

Bishop Lori has asked every Catholic join him in a single tangible expression of peace by praying at least one Rosary every week. “Please pray the Rosary by yourself, or gather as a family to pray for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, patroness of the United States and the Queen of Peace, to end this conflict,” he says.

CAPTION: Advertisements in Sunday newspaper in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Greenwich, and Danbury will communicate this outreach effort to a wider audience.

On a wider scale, the Bishop has asked his priests to adopt five measures to make a stronger outreach to their faithful and the community:

• Effective immediately, all 87 Catholic churches in Fairfield County will extend their opening hours to enable people to come to pray and gain strength and hope.

• In addition to daily and Sunday Masses, each parish will organize special prayer services or Novenas for peace.

• Extra hours will be arranged by each parish for Confessions, to offer the healing strength of the Sacrament of Penance. “We need to examine our own consciences and see how we can improve our lives, be in service to others, and create peace around us and in our world,” Bishop Lori says.

• During every Mass, a special prayer intention will be read for peace, and for the safe return of our men and women in the Armed Forces, and especially for members of the parish who are serving, or who have relatives in the services.

• Priests will be available to talk to during these difficult times. Professional counselors are also on hand at the offices of Catholic Family Services in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, and Danbury. Informational leaflets are available in every church.

“In times like these, we need to be there for each other,” Bishop Lori concludes. “Together we can light up the darkness. May we, as One Family in Faith, pray for peace and bear witness to that peace the world cannot give.”

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