The annual Mass to celebrate people with disabilities held on November 5 was hosted by St. Catherine Center for Special Needs in Fairfield.  The Sir Knights from Assembly 100 were honored to serve as a honor guard for the Mass

It has been customary at this Mass to offer the opportunity for individuals to receive one or more Sacraments of Initiation, with preparation that has taken place outside the typical faith formation program. Gail Mikolsky, director of parish and community outreach for the center, worked with directors of religious education (DREs) throughout the diocese to coordinate preparation and participation. Planning and coordination with the parish religious education programs began in the spring.

“Collaborating with the parishes, we get the opportunity to listen to parents and to create a welcoming and comforting setting for these children to participate in the Mass,” commented Mikolsky. This year, there were 17 young people from 11 different parishes and St. Catherine Academy who received sacraments.

Msgr. Thomas Powers, vicar general of the diocese, celebrated Mass with a church filled with families, St. Catherine Center board members and staff, Knights of Columbus honor guard and friends of St. Catherine Center. Anna Stowe, a confirmand from St. Catherine Academy, and her brother presented the first and second readings. Nicholas D’Ostilio, confirmand and parishioner of St. Peter Parish in Danbury led the Prayer of the Faithful and Philip Palilla, a confirmand from St. Catherine Academy and St. Rose of Lima Parish, presented the gifts at the offertory, accompanied by his family.

In his homily, Msgr. Powers spoke of the virtue of humility. “If we are truly humble, we see ourselves as God sees us,” he began. “These children of God are the essence of humility and are welcomed and valued in the eyes of God.”

“This annual Mass reminds us that all are welcomed in our Church,” commented Helen Burland, executive director of the center. “Each of us must work to encourage the full participation of all people in the life of our parishes and the diocese. Our efforts on a daily basis focus on the ordinary. But today, we celebrate the extraordinary”

Following Mass, Msgr. Powers, several board members and Ryan, one of the adult program participant.  Portions of this post are from the Diocese of Bridgeport website.

On Sunday, October 9. 2017, Columbus Day and Italian Heritage was celebrated at St. Ann Club in Norwalk.  This has been a tradition or many years for the ceremony to take place at Heritage Wall on West Ave in Norwalk.  Due to inclement weather for the 2nd straight year, the ceremony was moved to the St. Ann Club with Mass celebrated by Father Tim Iannacone and a great Italian meal for all the guests in attendance.  Bishop Fenwick Assembly provided an Honor Guard with FN George Ribellino, Color Corps Commander Scott Criscuolo, SK Tim Horne and SK Steve Haywood.  A great day was had by all!

Faithful Pilot Anthony Armentano and FN George Ribellino

“What are you looking for? What is it that you see?” the Bishop said to begin his homily, noting that it was a question that Jesus asked his disciples.

“It is a question that roots each of our lives and one we bring to this sacred space,” the bishop said, reassuring worshippers that the Blessed Mother opens a path to the Lord.

On Saturday, September 23rd, Bishop Frank Caggiano echoed those words in his homily to a packed house of more than 4000 pilgrims from the Diocese of Bridgeport, New York City, China and the Philippines at the Basilica at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.  The Mass was held in tribute to the Rosary Walk dedicated to 100^th Anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children by Bishop Caggiano’s private foundation and other donations.

More than 1500 pilgrims boarded buses in the early morning from all over Fairfield County with an additional 500 who drove down on their own.  Three Knights of Columbus members from Knights of Columbus Council 14360 and Bishop Fenwick 4^th Degree Assembly 100 in Norwalk represented the Knights of Columbus in the Mass and procession.  The 3 Knights, Faithful Navigator George Ribellino, Color Corps Commander, Scott Criscuolo and Faithful Pilot Anthony Armentano travelled on a bus which left St. Matthew Parish (Norwalk) that morning at 7am.

Being a Knight is an honor by itself; having the opportunity of representing my council and assembly in such a storied setting was a humbling and joyful experience,” said Armentano

On the ride down on the bus from St. Matthew, Parochial Vicar Father Tomi Thomas led 2 rosaries praying not only for the intentions of those on the bus, but for all those making the pilgrimage.  They even has some fun by playing trivia about Our Lady of Fatima.

The Knights led the procession for the Mass and were part of the procession to the Rosary Walk and dedication outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  The Mass also included Knights of Malta, Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and 60 members of the Diocesan Youth Choir.

“It was such a humbling experience to be a part of the spiritual day and to see the youth of our Diocese bring such spirit to the day was so inspiring, “said Ribellino.  “I want to thank Bishop Frank and the Diocesan staff for making this day possible and to the wonderful ushers, clergy and staff at the Basilica for their hospitality.”

The Mass and procession was broadcast live on EWTN and covered by Catholic TV of Boston and NET-TV in Brooklyn, NY.

Criscuolo who led the Knights Honor Guard went on to say, “Not only do I think we represented our council, parish and city well but I’d like to think Catholics around the world watching on TV felt that we added a little reverence to an already spiritual experience.”

The Byzantine Romanesque basilica, which opened in 1959 after decades of construction, is a massive testimony to the faith of the American Catholic Church. It is largest Church in the U.S. and one of ten largest in the world.

More than one million people a year make pilgrimages to the site, which shares the campus of Catholic University of America.  The ushers at all Masses volunteer their time and are all members of Knights of Columbus Councils from Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.

Bishop Caggiano said that those who go on pilgrimage are also “carrying others in their hearts,” a family member or friend who is struggling spiritually.

He said that those who live entirely by the secular values of materialism and relativism often end up empty and lost with nothing to sustain them.

“We bring them to Our Lady so they can ask the questions,” he said, praying that they find love and peace in the answer that, “Christ is the desire of every human heart. “

When the Mass concluded the entire congregation formed a procession to the new Rosary Walk and Garden near the side entrance of the Basilica while reciting the rosary.

Contributions from the Diocese of Bridgeport Fairfield County Catholic

Photos by Amy Mortensen