May 2009

Diocese of Bridgeport files a civil lawsuit
against State of Connecticut officials,
protesting attempt by the Office of State Ethics
to stifle free speech and religious liberty: click here

Connecticut Catholic Bishops urge Governor Rell
to support repeal of the death penalty: click here

Statement of the Diocese of Bridgeport on
the decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court
regarding Rosado v. Bridgeport Roman Catholic
Diocesan Corp.: click here

Bishop William E. Lori will ordain six men
as priests on Saturday, May 16,
the largest ordination class in six years
in the Diocese of Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT — On Saturday, May 16, Bishop William E. Lori will ordain six new priests for the Diocese of Bridgeport, the largest ordination class in six years.

Transitional Deacons Francisco Gomez-Franco, Sean Kulacz, Reginald Norman, José Ignacio Ortigas, Bruce Roby, and Sebastine Ukwandu will be ordained at the 10 a.m. Mass at Saint Augustine Cathedral, 359 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport.

All are welcome to attend. Accredited members of the media are also welcome.

The Ordinandi (men to be ordained priests), representing five countries, will serve among the 410,000 Catholics in 87 parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport, which covers all of Fairfield County.

Thanks Be to God

"We are thankful to Almighty God for the gift of the vocations of these six fine men," says Bishop Lori. "By their priestly ministry, they will join their brother priests in Fairfield County in doing a world of good for the poor, the suffering, the sorrowing, the sick, and the dying. They will inspire young people to follow Christ and to embrace their God-given vocations. They will help people at every stage of life discover their call to holiness and invite them participate in the life of the Church. They will also reach beyond the frontiers of the visible Church – to those who are searching for the truth and to those who no longer practice their faith.

"I join my brother priests, deacons, religious, and the lay women and men of our diocese in offering our prayers and best wishes to our Ordinandi," Bishop Lori concludes, "and in thanking their parents and family members for their love and support."

The six Transitional Deacons now ready for ordination as Priests are:

Francisco Gomez-Franco

Deacon Francisco Gomez-Franco, 29, was born in Puebla, Mexico. His parents, José and Myrna, are member of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza Parish in Puebla. An Eagle Scout, he graduated from Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in Center Harbor, NH, and received his bachelor’s degree from the Center of Humanities in Cheshire, CT, in 2000. He explored a vocation to the Legionnaires of Christ at the Regina Apostolorum in Thornwood, NY, and at Seminario Palafoxiano in Puebla.

Coming to this diocese and the Saint John Fisher Seminary in Stamford, Deacon Gomez earned his bachelor of science degree from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, and completed his theological studies at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, this year. He spent his deacon internship at Saint Jude Parish in Monroe and Immaculate Conception Parish in New Oxford, PA.

"The mission of all priests is to be a bridge between Christ and His people, and in His great mercy He has called me to be this bridge," says Deacon Gomez. "I hope I can transmit and radiate Christ’s love, and be the priest He wants me to be for His glory!"

The newly-ordained Father Gomez will celebrate his first Mass at Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury on Sunday, May 17, at 12 noon. Father Michael Dogali, Saint Joseph’s Pastor, will be the homilist.

Sean R. Kulacz

Deacon Sean R. Kulacz, 29, comes from Pawtucket, RI, where his parents, Raymond and Leona, are members of Saint Joseph Parish. He attended the Community College of Rhode Island and the Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, before entering the Saint John Fisher Seminary in Stamford. He holds his bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and completed his seminary studies at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. He completed his deacon internship at Saint Stephen Parish in Trumbull.

Deacon Kulacz had worked as a camp counselor and a lifeguard, and was a coordinator in the Office of Community Services & Advocacy for Project Hope for the Diocese of Providence, RI. He received the Saint Francis of Assisi Youth Award for his volunteer service for that diocese, and a citation from the State of Rhode Islandand the City of Pawtucket for his volunteer service for the community.

"At Franciscan University, my personal relationship with Jesus grew and I realized my love and desire to be a priest," Deacon Kulacz recalls. "Over the years I have learned many ways to pray. Spending time daily in personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament has been the most fruitful, along with devotion to the Blessed Mother."

The newly-ordained Father Kulacz will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. at his home parish, Saint Mary’s in Norwalk. Father Samuel V. Scott, rector of the Saint John Fisher Seminary, will be the homilist.

Reginald D. Norman

Deacon Reginald D. Norman, 42, was born in Durham, NC, and grew up in Norwalk and Stratford. He graduated from Stratford High School and the University of Connecticut, with a major in communication sciences.

Raised a Baptist, Deacon Norman entered the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) process and was received into the Catholic Church at Saint James Parish in Stratford. His mother, Beatrice Norman Pinckney, is a member of Saint James.

Deacon Norman worked as a sales manager at 4Sure.com for Office Depot in Trumbull, and at Ener-G Tech in Stratford. He volunteered for 17 years in Stratford Emergency Medical Services, and was treasurer of the Stratford South End Community Center for 12 years. He recently joined Saint James Council #2073 of the Knights of Columbus.

An avid college hockey fan who also loves to sail, Deacon Norman has made a hobby of making Rosaries out of precious stones.

Recognizing a call to serve the Church, Deacon Norman became a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 2006. That year, he was named administrator of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bridgeport. His experience there strengthened the Lord’s voice in his heart, and he determined to pursue a path to the priesthood. He completed his theological studies at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell this year. He was recently named diocesan director of the Apostolate for African American Catholics.

"It has always been my quest to serve and help people, and nowhere has the desire been more fulfilled than in the Roman Catholic Church," Deacon Norman says. "I believe that all people need to know how much God loves them, and I wish to be an earthly vessel of that love and interact with all people of all races and denominations. I am blessed to have been given graces, gifts, and talents from God, and the priesthood is the best way to use them to further His Kingdom and share the joys that I have experienced."

The newly-ordained Father Norman will celebrate his first Mass at Saint James Parish in Stratford on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m.  Msgr. Andrew Varga, pastor of Saint Luke Parish in Westport, will be the homilist.

José Ignacio A. Ortigas

Deacon José Ignacio A. Ortigas, 37, was born in Manila, the Philippines. He is one of six children of Maguel and Maria Victoria Ortigas, who are members of Santuario de San José Parish in Manila. He graduated from DeLassale College in the Philippines with a degree in international studies, and holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the Legionnaires of Christ College in New York.

Deacon Ortigas had been an instructor in Manila before coming to this country, and then served as a missionary with the Legionnaires of Christ in Cheshire, CT. Entering the Saint John Fisher Seminary program, Deacon Ortigas graduated from Saint Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, NY, last year. He served his deacon internship at Saint Mary Parish in Norwalk.

Deacon Ortigas has long enjoyed involvement in martial arts – karate and stick fighting – that he began as a young man in his native Philippines.

"Two things have brought me through all the challenges in my spiritual development: the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially praying the Rosary," Deacon Ortigas says. "Mary has guided me and protected me throughout my journey. I have a great devotion to the Saints, especially to Padre Pio, Saint John Vianney (patron of parish priests), and Saint Therese of Lisieux."

Father Ortigas will celebrate his first Mass on Sunday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Stamford. Father Ronald Perez, parochial vicar of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in LaGrangeville, NY, will be the homilist.

Bruce M. Roby

Deacon Bruce M. Roby, 34, was born and grew up in Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean. He was one of ten children of Fermin and Moufa, now deceased, who were members of Saint Joseph Parish on Satowan Island in Chuuk State. He attended the University of Guam before transferring to the Pacific Regional Seminary in the Fiji Islands, where he graduated with honors.

Coming to this country, Deacon Roby worked for the New London Housing Authority and the Coca Cola Corporation in New London, CT, before hearing the call to the priesthood. He pursued further studies at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, CA, and completed his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, NY, last year.  

Deacon Roby’s home parish is Saint Mary Parish in Greenwich, where he completed his deacon internship.

"I believe that my spiritual life towards priesthood has been developed day by day as I continued my personal prayer life and my love for the Mass," Deacon Roby says. "Helping others and receiving support from others have nurtured in me a great love for being a servant of the Lord."

The newly-ordained Father Roby will celebrate his first Mass at Saint Mary Parish in Greenwich on Sunday, May 17 at 12:15 p.m. Msgr. Frank Wissel, Saint Mary’s pastor, will be the homilist. Among the concelebrants will be Father Lane Akiona, S.S.C.C., pastor of Saint Augustine Parish by-the-Sea in Honolulu, HI, and the Hawaii state chaplain of the Knights of Columbus; and Father Fernando P. Titus, pastor of Assumption Parish in Chuuk State in the Diocese of the Caroline Islands.

Sebastine Ukwandu

Deacon Sebastine Ukwandu, 34, was born in Umuowa, Nigeria, where his parents, Sebastian and Helen, are members of Saint Mary Parish. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, Nigeria, he came to the United States. He holds additional degrees from Strayer University in Washington, DC, and Creighton University in Omaha, NE.

Deacon Ukwando worked as a manager at Drsold Investment, Inc., in Washington before coming to this diocese and entering the Saint John Fisher Seminary. He completed his theological studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington this year, and served his deacon internship at Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury.

"My thanks go to Almighty God for His blessings and inspiration, and to my parents and siblings for creating a home marked with the fear of God and deep appreciation and kindness towards others," Deacon Ukwando says. "My home diocese in Nigeria and its bishop emeritus, Bishop Gregory Ochiagha, nurtured my early desire to serve God, and my life experiences and the Catholic University of America helped to bring that desire to fulfillment."

The newly-ordained Father Ukwandu will celebrate his first Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bridgeport on Sunday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m. Father Cosmos Ajawara will be the homilist.

(For more information on becoming a priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport, visit www.HearTheCall.org.)