Michael C. Culhane of Middlebury is named the new Executive Director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference

Groundbreaking for "Catholic Charities Homes," affordable housing for homeless families beside the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport, will be held on Wednesday, November 7

2007 recipients of the Saint Augustine Medal of Service will be honored by the Diocese of Bridgeport on Saturday, November 3, at Saint Augustine Cathedral

 

ACROSS FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Thursday, November 15, 2007 - To be named a "Blue Ribbon School" is the most coveted education award in the United States. This year, nine of the 33 Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport are candidates for this U.S. Department of Education award in 2008, having passed a crucial hurdle by qualifying for nomination status.Only the top 10 percent of all schools - public and private - in the U.S. achieve this status. Congratulations to the following Catholic Schools in Fairfield County:

• Saint Thomas Aquinas School, Fairfield

• Saint Mark School, Stratford

• Saint Catherine of Siena School, Trumbull

• Saint Lawrence School, Shelton

• Saint Mary School, Ridgefield

• Saint Rose of Lima School, Newtown

• Saint Jude School, Monroe

• Greenwich Catholic School

• Saint Mary School, Bethel

CAPTION: Principals of "Blue Ribbon" nominated Catholic Schools celebrate their achievement with their Pastors. (Photo by Pat Hennessy)

Highest Achievement

"These nine schools attained the highest level of academic achievement in reading and mathematics comparatively across the country," explains John Cook, deputy superintendent of schools for the diocese. "Several schools actually scored more than ten points higher than the cut-off. This award represents the outstanding collaborative work of principals, teachers, students, and parents." "In these times when we read about so many failing schools, this is good news indeed!" writes Bishop William E. Lori in his current Fairfield County Catholic column: click here. No Child Left Behind Program The "No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program" was created by the U.S. Department of Education to recognize elementary and secondary schools whose students achieve at very high levels. Test data is collected from national achievement tests, including the Iowa Test administered by the Diocese of Bridgeport.Having reached this level, the schools will now participate in the final selection process, which takes a full school year. Award winners will be announced in September 2008. "We're positively thrilled by this news," says Dr. Margaret Dames, superintendent of schools. "Not only have we achieved excellence in approximately one-third of our schools but, in fact, students in all of our Catholic schools read at or above grade level."

Teamwork

Principals at all the schools are quick to share credit for their achievement with parents, teachers, and the students themselves. Saint Rose of Lima's scores were so outstanding that every single student in grades 3-8 placed in the top 10 percent on the Iowa Test. "I think it's due to our cohesive faculty," says Principal Mary Maloney. "We have high expectations of ourselves." Teachers frequently come in to work one-on-one with students who need extra help, and Saint Rose offers after-school tutoring and a homework club. Beyond that, cross-curriculum work and monthly meeting for professional development have produced a close-knit team. "We can redesign our programs as needed," Maloney explains. "We follow the diocesan curriculum map. If we see a math class coming in with students who can benefit from advanced math, we'll follow the eighth-grade curriculum map. We always look at the needs of the students." Linda Dunn, principal of Saint Jude School, also praised her dedicated faculty. "My teachers are constantly striving to improve themselves professionally, and I have a community of parents who work with the teachers to help students achieve their potential," she says. Dunn points out that, at Saint Jude, excellence starts in the pre-K and kindergarten classes, long before students get to the level of the Iowa Test. "We have instituted individual academic plans, including teachers, parents, and the students themselves," she explains. "The goals are measurable, specific, attainable, and timely." (For more information on the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport, click here.)

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HARTFORD, Thursday, November 8, 2007 - Connecticut's Catholic Bishops are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Carroll Culhane of Middlebury as the new Executive Director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference.

The Connecticut Catholic Conference is the public policy and advocacy office of the Catholic Bishops in Connecticut. The Board of Directors of the Conference includes the bishops of the four dioceses of Connecticut (Archdiocese of Hartford, Dioceses of Bridgeport and Norwich, and the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford). Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, chairs the Connecticut Catholic Conference.

Public Policy Advocacy

In this position, Mr. Culhane will be responsible for public policy advocacy as it pertains to Catholic social teaching. He looks looks forward to this new responsibility.

"I am truly honored to be appointed as the Executive Director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference by Archbishop Mansell and the other Bishops of Connecticut," Culhane says. "I look forward with great enthusiasm to dealing with the issues of importance to the Catholic Church and society at large in Connecticut."

Extensive Experience

Archbishop Mansell applauds this appointment. "After an extensive search, the Connecticut Catholic Conference is most fortunate to find the right person for this very important position," he says. "Michael Culhane will no doubt lead the way in effectively interfacing between Connecticut's hundreds of thousands of Catholics and their political representatives in State Government. His extensive experience as a mediator will serve us well in conveying, and fostering, an understanding of all those truths fundamental to our following of the Gospel in contemporary society. Truly living the social teachings of the Church is tantamount to living a life of faith. We welcome Michael Culhane and look forward to the many great things he will accomplish."

Culhane is a prominent Waterbury arbitrator. He is a member of the Finance Council of Saint John of the Cross Parish in Middlebury. He has given years of service to the Archdiocese of Hartford: as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities, Inc., and as a Board Member of both Saint Mary's Hospital Foundation and of the Office of Urban Affairs. He has also served as Chairman of the March of Dimes Campaign in Waterbury. Michael received the 2007 Family Champion of the Year Award from the Connecticut Association of Family Services Agencies.

Culhane is married for 29 years to his beloved wife, Mary. The have a son who is a junior at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.

(For more information on the Connecticut Catholic Conference and to sign up for the Connecticut Catholic Advocacy Network to receive news and information on legislative issues, click here.)

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Groundbreaking for "Catholic Charities Homes," affordable housing for homeless families beside the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport, will be held on Wednesday, November 7

 

BRIDGEPORT - In a bold move to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing in the Park City, Catholic Charities will break ground this week for 22 new housing units.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for "Catholic Charities Homes" will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Thomas Merton Center, 43 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport.

Accredited members of the media are invited to attend.

Scheduled to attend the groundbreaking are: Bishop William E. Lori, Larry Kluetsch, Executive Director, Mutual Housing Association of SWCT Inc.; Mayor John Fabrizi, City of Bridgeport; Representative, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; Representative, United Way of Eastern Fairfield County; Jeanie Tisdale, Board Member, Catholic Charities; Al Barber, President/COO, Catholic Charities; and Bill Hoey, VP & Director of Housing, Catholic Charities

Unwavering Commitment to the Poor and Homeless

"Catholic Charities Homes" (rendering above) is the latest example of the unwavering commitment of the Catholic Church to helping the poor and homeless, supporting families, and investing in the inner city.

Catholic Charities Homes will include 22 units (16 apartments and 6 townhouses) for families on the campus of the Thomas Merton Center, home to Connecticut's largest soup kitchen. The larger building will be constructed over the present parking lot adjoining the former church building. The townhouses will be built around the block at 152-168 Catherine Street.

The $6.8 million project, expected to house over 100 people, will be a joint venture with Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern Connecticut, Inc. Work will begin immediately with a completion date set for early spring 2008.

CAPTION: Looking over plans at the construction site, with the Thomas Merton Center in the background, are Catholic Charities CEO Al Barber,
Merton Center Board Member Jeanie Tisdale, and Bill Hoey, who oversees housing efforts for Catholic Charities. (Photo by John Glover)

Permanent Housing for Families

The project will provide two-and three-bedroom apartments for the working poor and others (of all faiths), permanent supportive housing for families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have a head-of-household who is disabled by mental illness, substance abuse, or both. Mutual Housing Association will be the owner of record for these newly-developed units, and support services will be provided through Catholic Charities in a collaborative and cooperative relationship. Mutual Housing Association will also be the on-site property manager.

Funding is provided through the following Community Partners: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA); Next Steps Initiative & Housing Tax Credit Contribution Program (HTCC); State of CT Department of Social Services (DSS); State of CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS); City of Bridgeport HOME funds through U.S. Housing & Urban Development ( HUD); United Illuminating (HTCC Investor); Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH); United Way of Eastern Fairfield County; and TD Banknorth.

Commitment to Bridgeport

Catholic Charities Homes is the latest in a series of housing projects initiated by Catholic Charities in Bridgeport, including Conger House, supportive housing for 16 individuals on Washington Park; two Habitat for Humanity projects; and 23 scattered-site and permanent housing units throughout the city.

Affordable housing is but one example of the Catholic Church's vibrant presence in the City of Bridgeport, including:

• 18 parish communities, including the "Mother Church" of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Saint Augustine Cathedral, are beacons of hope and faith, especially for new arrivals from a wide array of countries, such as Brazil, Haiti, Vietnam, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico.
  
  

• The Catholic Church sponsors 6 elementary schools (Saint Ambrose, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Augustine, Saint Peter, Saint Raphael) and Kolbe-Cathedral High School, where 100 percent of graduates attend college.
  
  

• Catholic Charities feeds the hungry and counsels those in need at the Thomas Merton Center and at a comprehensive counseling facility based at the Catholic Center on Jewett Avenue.
  
  

• Three Bishop Curtis Homes offer safe, affordable housing to seniors.
  
  

• The Cardinal Shehan Center, the McGivney Center, and Kolbe House offer enrichment and activities for youth, teens, and young adults.
  
  

• Dedicated Priest Chaplains and Communities of Religious Sisters, such as the Missionaries of Charity, bring God's loving presence to the infirm in hospitals and nursing homes.

(Catholic Charities is a leading provider of nutrition, mental health, adoption, and family support services to people of all faiths in Fairfield County. For more information, call 372-4301, ext. 391, or click here.)

 

2007 recipients of the Saint Augustine Medal of Service will be honored by the Diocese of Bridgeport on Saturday, November 3, at Saint Augustine Cathedral

 

BRIDGEPORT – The third annual presentation of the Saint Augustine Medals of Service of the Diocese of Bridgeport will be held on Saturday, November 3, at 1 p.m. at Saint Augustine Cathedral.

Bishop William Lori will bestow medals (shown at right) on an individual or couple from each of the 87 parishes in Fairfield County who have demonstrated extraordinary service in parish ministry, administration, or some other significant volunteer role. Medals will also honor service to Catholic Charities and to the diocese.

Nominations of medal recipients were made by Pastors and department heads.

Admission to the prayer service and medals ceremony is by ticket only, distributed to family members and friends of medal recipients.

Accredited members of the media are invited to attend.

Taking Jesus' Teaching to Heart

“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 William E. Lori, who will conferr the medals.

“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. They are a sterling example to each of us. God bless them all!”

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