September, 2002

Convocation 2002 begins for priests in the Diocese

Cathedral Mass honors memory of 9/11 victims from Fairfield County

Bishop William E. Lori's Remembrance Mass Homily on the 1st Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks

New Principal of Saint Joseph High School Named

 

BRIDGEPORT - In parishes and homes throughout Fairfield County, Catholics of all ages have completed a period of prayer and reflection in support of the Priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport and their Bishop, The Most Reverend William E. Lori.

The 40-day observance was in anticipation of “Convocation 2002,” an historic gathering of Bishop Lori and all 285 priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport, which is currently being held September 22-25 in Sturbridge, MA. Taking as its theme, Duc in Altum ("Cast out into the deep"), from the encyclical of Pope John Paul II, Novo Milennio Inuente ("The Coming of the New Millennium"), Convocation 2002 is an opportunity for prayer, reflection, discussion, lectures, and workshops. During the Convocation, with the help of the Lord, the priests of the Diocese will grow in priestly fraternity, discuss common concerns, and receive the strength of the Holy Spirit, so that they can minister with renewed energy and compassion to the needs of their family of faith.

For more information about Convocation 2002, click here.

Forty Days of Prayer for the Priests of the Diocese of Bridgeport

Day 3 of Convocation Wednesday, September 25: Sent on Mission: "Put out into the Deep" Scripture Reading: Luke 5: 4-111 After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." When they brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. Prayer Intention: That our Bishop and our priests, refreshed by these days of rest and prayer, may return safely to us to take up their ministries with renewed zeal and desire to continue growing in holiness.

The PRAYER FOR CONVOCATION 2002: Gracious God and Father, we thank you for the ministry of our clergy and religious who strive to serve us faithfully and selflessly in your name. As our Bishop and our priests prepare for their convocation, we ask you to pour out the Holy Spirit upon us that we may all grow together in holiness: Sustain and strengthen our Bishop, William, as our good and faithful shepherd. Keep our priests faithful to your Son Jesus, the High priest, as they preach the Gospel and celebrate the sacraments. Preserve our deacons in their ministry to your word and in charity to those who are in need. Let our religious be compelling examples of the joy we can find in leaving behind all things to follow your Son. Make every household to be a home where Christ-like love abounds and holiness is nurtured. Open the hearts of our young people to hear your Son's call and offer their lives in service to your Church, especially as priests and religious. On this day, we pray especially… (here add the Prayer Intention for today as listed at left ). May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of all Christians and Mother of the Clergy, pray for us and lead us to a deeper love for her Son and our Savior, in whose name we pray, Jesus Christ, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

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BRIDGEPORT, Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - Before a standing-room-only gathering of more than 750 faithful, Bishop William E. Lori celebrated a special Mass of Remembrance today at Saint Augustine Cathedral for those who died on 9/11 from Fairfield County.

CAPTION: Representatives from police and fire departments and the emergency services carry flags and banners in procession during the Blue Mass celebrated by Bishop William E. Lori at Saint Augustine Cathedral on September 6. (Photo by John Glover)

In his homily, Bishop Lori paid special tribute to the thousands of victims who perished on 9/11. "Even amid the encircling gloom of that day, the response was immediate, brave, and generous," he said. "In their final moments, so many loved ones called home to say a final word of love - 'love to the very end' - and, in some cases, words that revealed an unparalleled valor and spirit of self-sacrifice. Others, with no time to prepare, drew from reservoirs of courage and generosity and put their lives on the line to rescue the injured, to console the dying, and to retrieve the deceased."

Noting "the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who continue to put themselves in harm's way in far-flung places so as to contain terrorism and defend freedom and justice," Bishop Lori issued a call for peace and justice. "How earnestly we must pray for peace!" he said. "We must remain ready to defend what is right, true, and good in our culture and to use the legitimate means at our disposal to do so. But both our goal and means to attain the goal must seek not revenge but peace - must seek to contribute toward a world of peace and justice where the dignity of human life is respected, where cultural, racial, and ethnic hatred have no place. History teaches us that we will never succeed in building an earthly utopia, but how tragic it would be for us to succumb to the blind hatred that would multiply the tragedy of 9/11 again and again and again. How tragic it would be if our nation, as the only remaining superpower, would draw back from its commitment to eliminate, as much as possible, those social and economic conditions that breed fanatical hatred."

CAPTION: Knights of Columbus stand guard during a Mass of Remembrance celebrated by Bishop Lori at Saint Mary Parish, Stamford, on September 7.

To read a copy of Bishop Lori's Remembrance Mass homily, click here.

Following Mass, a reception, sponsored by Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, was held in the gymnasium of Kolbe-Cathedral High School. Over the past year, Catholic Charities has been at the forefront of Diocesan efforts to provide financial assistance and counseling to the families of victims, and ongoing counseling to parishioners, Catholic school teachers, students, and many others. This morning, Catholic Charities provided bus transportation for 61 people to travel from Connecticut to New York City for the official observance of the anniversary. All of the passengers lost a loved one in the 9/11 attacks. "This is part of Catholic Charities' overall disaster relief effort to support the families and respond to unforeseen needs as they develop," explained Brian Cronin, executive director of Catholic Charities. "We stand ready to help in any way we can."

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 claimed more than 3,000 lives, including 91 people identified from Fairfield County. Of these, 38 were Catholics registered in parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport. Many parishioners, moreover, lost extended family members and personal friends. Over the past year, confident of God's healing love, all 87 Catholic parish families in Fairfield County have pulled closer together to come to terms with the tragedy and its aftermath. Today, each parish remembered the beloved dead during Mass.

Three Remembrance Masses
Today's Cathedral Mass was the third Remembrance Mass celebrated by Bishop Lori. On Friday, September 6, a "Blue Mass" honored the memory of firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical workers who died in the 9/11 attacks, and affirmed those who labor day in and day out in these noble professions. More than 700 people, including many police, fire, and EMS workers, filled Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport for the Mass, which was co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

CAPTION: Last evening, Bishop Lori joined church leaders in an ecumenical prayer service, a tribute to heroes and victims, sponsored by the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy. The service was held at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Riverside.

During the Offertory Procession, a cross cut from a steel beam from Ground Zero, engraved with the names of beloved dead, was carried to the altar, along with a fire helmet, police badge, and an EMS stethoscope, representing the emergency services.

On Saturday, September 7, Bishop Lori celebrated Mass at Saint Mary Parish in Stamford, noting especially the men and women from lower Fairfield County who lost their lives on 9/11. Parents and friends of victims were among the 500 people in attendance.

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Remembrance Mass on the First Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001
Cathedral of St. Augustine

by the Most Reverend William E. Lori
Bishop of Bridgeport
September 11, 2002

Dear friends in Christ,

One year ago today, at this very hour, we gathered in this Cathedral Church stunned, confused, and angry by the attacks that had been leveled upon our country. We could scarcely fathom what had happened to so many innocent people in New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We were so utterly anxious for any news at all of loved ones and friends who worked in lower Manhattan, many at the World Trade Center, and hoped against hope that many would survive; some already knew that their spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends had been taken from them by wanton acts of terror.

Truly, we had encountered the mystery of iniquity, a premeditated evil plan to wreak destruction upon innocent persons and upon our whole way of life. We encountered a hatred so fanatical, so opposed to human decency and the tenets of all recognized religious traditions, as to defy our collective imagination. The tragedy was international and national in scope, but also it was and remains intensely personal, deeply affecting countless families in the Tri-State area and far beyond.

But even amid the encircling gloom of that day, the response was immediate, brave, and generous. In their final moments, so many loved ones called home to say a final word of love - "love to the very end" - and, in some cases, words that revealed an unparalleled valor and spirit of self-sacrifice. Others, with no time to prepare, drew from reservoirs of courage and generosity and put their lives on the line to rescue the injured, to console the dying, and to retrieve the deceased. From all parts of Fairfield County and from the City of Bridgeport, police, firefighters, emergency rescue workers, military personnel, chaplains, and so many others were already volunteering their services, joining dedicated men and women in uniform and ordinary civilians from throughout the region and beyond. We cannot sufficiently recognize and give thanks for the heroism of these brave individuals who valued the lives of others and the well being of their nation more than their own lives. Nor can we fail to remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who continue to put themselves in harm's way in far-flung places so as to contain terrorism and defend freedom and justice.

So many other images crowd in our memories of last September 11th, but among our most precious memories must be the many people - relatives, friends, even strangers - who came to help grieving families with prayers, visits, some food and drink, an offer to look after children. Nor should we forget the outpouring of faith and prayer that followed in the wake of 9/11, prayer in our churches and in our homes.

Now we are gathered again for prayer. We are not finished sorting through the aftermath of 9/11 and perhaps we never shall be. The site where once the World Trade Center stood may be cleared and sealed, but it nonetheless remains as a sort of open wound in our hearts and in our collective consciousness. The immediate shock has vanished, but we know that we've been changed forever, as individuals and as a nation.

So what is that we ask for in this moment of prayer? How and for what should we pray on this first anniversary of 9/11?

Our Scripture readings offer us the guidance we need as we seek to move forward with your courage, compassion, and hopefulness.

The reading from the prophet Isaiah invites us "to climb the mountain of the Lord." Isaiah encourages us to allow the God of Salvation to instruct us "that we may walk in His paths." The prophet reminds us that it is God who judges individuals and nations, that it is God who is the source of true and lasting peace.

How earnestly we must pray for peace! We must remain ready to defend what is right, true, and good in our culture and to use the legitimate means at our disposal to do so. But both our goal and means to attain the goal must seek not revenge but peace - must seek to contribute toward a world of peace and justice where the dignity of human life is respected, where cultural, racial, and ethnic hatred have no place. History teaches us that we will never succeed in building an earthly utopia, but how tragic it would be for us to succumb to the blind hatred that would multiply the tragedy of 9/11 again and again and again. How tragic it would be if our nation, as the only remaining superpower, would draw back from its commitment to eliminate, as much as possible, those social and economic conditions that breed fanatical hatred.

Saint Paul makes a similar point in today's reading from his Letter to the Ephesians: "Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ." These are not easy words to hear and to ponder when we think of the innocent lives that were lost or disrupted during this past year. Yet the real heroes of September 11th were those who showed compassion and love even at the cost of their own health and safety, even at the cost of their own lives.

The Gospel addressed to us the familiar words of the Beatitudes - the most famous portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. These immortal words are a portrait of what a follower of Jesus and a member of His Church should be like: women and men who seek not their own comfort and prominence but, rather, women and men who long to share God's life, to show mercy, to love with single-hearted devotion, who seek for peace, who submit even to persecution for the sake of the Gospel, for the sake of what is right, true, and good.

This is what we should pray for today: that you and I might have the grace to internalize, to make our own, the Beatitudes; that in the midst of a very uncertain world we might be firm in our commitment as disciples,; that in our ordinary lives we might manifest something of the courageous love we saw so abundantly on that horrific day one year ago.

Dear friends,

Filled with the light and truth of the Gospel, we commend to the Lord of life and love those who died, whether as innocent victims or as rescue workers. Give them, Lord, the peace of your kingdom, where every tear is wiped away. Filled with the hope that comes from Jesus' victory over sin and death, we ask for the grace to continue reaching out to those who still grieve over the loss of loved ones and the traumas of what they may have experienced. Resolute in our faith and in the principles of justice, may we love our country and help it to be a force for peace and justice around the world.

We entrust ourselves and our loved ones and those who have departed this life to Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, the Queen of Peace. Guide us, Mary, toward your Son, Jesus Christ, who is forever the Light of the World.

May God bless and keep us in His love.

 

 

BRIDGEPORT, Tuesday, September 3, 2002 - The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport, announced today the appointment of Matthew R. Kenney, Ph.D., as Principal of Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull. Dr. Kenney succeeds Richard Bishop, who was appointed President of the high school earlier this summer.

A native of Springfield, VT, Kenney, 30, holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Providence College in Rhode Island and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He has taught religion at Saint Joseph High School since 1999, and was appointed Chairman of the Religious Studies Department in 2000. He was also Assistant Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field.

"I'm very excited to begin this new venture and ask for everyone's prayers as I begin this new job," Kenney says. He lives in Stratford with his wife, Bernadette, and is an active member of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull.

Saint Joseph High School is one of five Catholic high schools administered by the Diocese of Bridgeport in Fairfield County. There are currently 830 students enrolled and 64 faculty members.

Kenney's appointment caps a restructuring of leadership at the school. As Principal, Kenney will assume the responsibilities formerly held by Richard Bishop and by Father Rob Karpinski, Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, who is on leave from the Diocese. Kenney will oversee faculty, staff, and the curriculum, as well as day-to-day operations.

As President, Bishop will dedicate himself to institutional advancement, financial development, and long-term projects. Saint Joseph High School has a $2 million capital campaign in progress, which has funded the renovation of the science labs.

"These changes at Saint Joseph High School reflect the evolution in Catholic education since the 1980s," explains Armand Fabbri, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport. "A Principal's responsibilities have expanded in all directions, including fundraising and development. It makes sense to divide the work, allowing the Principal to focus on the day-to-day running of the school and letting a President concentrate on projects and long-term planning. It's a new model for us, but one that we think will work in a bold way in the new millennium."

For more information on Saint Joseph High School, click here.

For more information on the Office for Education, click here.

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