NORWALK—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano on Thursday blessed the new headquarters for Catholic Cemeteries, which is also the home of the new diocesan John Paul ll Center for Evangelizing Communications.
The Center is a collaborative effort with the Office of Communications and Veritas Catholic Network, which will provide a valuable resource for individuals and organizations seeking to share their messages through various forms of media, the bishop said. The Center was made possible through Catholic Cemeteries, which purchased and renovated the building at 154 East Ave. in Norwalk.
“This blessing is really the beginning of a new enterprise,” Bishop Caggiano said. “I am very grateful to Cemeteries Executive Director Dean Gestal for his leadership and vision, and for the efforts of his entire team to coordinate the beautiful renovation and create office space for our communications efforts. So let’s ask God’s blessing on this audacious enterprise because only the audacious enterprises bear fruit. The time of mediocrity is over.”
The bishop said the building not only provides a much-needed home for the administration and management of Catholic Cemeteries, but also offers a centralized location for the new home of the John Paul II Center and a new generation of programs that engage young people and represent the diversity of the diocese and its ethnic communities.
In his remarks to those attending the ceremony, Bishop Caggiano said, “There is so much confusion out there. There is so much doubt and anxiety out there, particularly among young people. And despite all of that chaos — that cacophony of noise, distraction — there is always the deep desire in every human heart to know the truth, to live the truth, and to believe in something greater than yourself that is worth giving your life to. And of course, it’s Jesus Christ. Helping people to get there is what we’re about.”
The bishop expressed his gratitude to the staff of Veritas and said, “You really have made a profound difference in the lives of many people, particularly those who may not easily and readily get to their parishes. I’m thinking especially of the elderly and the home-bound.”
Veritas Catholic Network (1350 AM and 103.9 FM), an EWTN affiliate, features the bishop’s popular radio interview show, “Let Me Be Frank.”
The Center’s goal is to provide a comprehensive set of programs and services related to video and audio recording, apprenticeships, and other productions that empower youth, evangelize social media, and further engage diocesan cultural apostolates in the communications mix.
The bishop also blessed the Cemeteries offices, which occupy the first and second floors and said: “It’s a moment of gratitude on my part for all your efforts to have given birth to this new home. Starting with Dean and his vision and everyone on the board, and everyone who works at Cemeteries. It is a beautiful, beautiful place….It’s what we want to do in the ministry of Cemeteries: Create places of beauty and grace, where people can not only bury those they have lost, but go back for prayer and reflection and refreshment.”
He added that Catholic cemeteries is “the tangible living, enduring reminder to God’s people of the great promise that comes in the death and resurrection of Jesus. That’s why we have Catholic cemeteries — they’re places of prayer, reflection and beauty. Because death is not the final word. It’s a passage to a greater and more beautiful life. So that is why your ministry is so noble.”
Gestal thanked Bishop Caggiano for his kind words, and praised him for his “vision, leadership and support.”
“We’re pleased to be able to support the diocese in this way,” said Gestal. “Communications is key to everything we do in Catholic Cemeteries, from working with grieving families to encouraging pre-need planning and a greater awareness of the importance of Catholic burial. Our bereavement ministry works hand-in-hand with other diocesan ministries, and anything we can do to enhance communications will help to unite the diocese in service.”
John Mitchell, Chairman of the Board of the Veritas Catholic Network thanked the bishop for his support of the network and the opportunity to move into the new studio.
Steve Lee, President & CEO, said, “There is so much confusion and obscuring of the truth in the world today. Our society, our local communities and our families need courageous voices to bring clarity to folks in the midst of this present darkness.”
“We’re blessed to have a shepherd who is working so actively to embrace the great commission of Matthew 28, and Veritas is excited to be partnering with the diocese in this endeavor,” Lee said. “Out of the JPII Communications Center, I believe the multiplier effect of our collaboration will really allow the message of the Gospel and the opportunity for an encounter with Jesus, to reach great numbers of people and penetrate countless hearts.”
Joe McCurdy, Director of Operations for Cemeteries, was excited about the new headquarters for Catholic Cemeteries and said, “This helps keep us on our mission. We’re dedicated to caring for the people of God by allowing them to be buried in a beautiful, respectful and restful place. It’s one of the corporal acts of mercy.”
Catholic Cemeteries serves people of all faiths and offers many services and options at its nine active cemeteries across Fairfield County. It also manages four historic inactive cemeteries, bringing a total of almost 700 acres under cemeteries management.
Gestal said the new headquarters will bring management functions under one roof, improve communications with families, and enable the introduction of new services, such as its recently launched Bereavement Ministry. (For more information on the New Day program, email Director of Bereavement Carolyn Killian at bereavement@ctcemeteries.org)
There are also six cemetery sales offices at St. Mary-Putnam Cemetery/Greenwich, St. John Cemetery/Darien, St. John Cemetery/Norwalk, Gate of Heaven Cemetery/Trumbull, St. Michael Cemetery/Bridgeport-Stratford and St. Peter Cemetery/Danbury.
The diocese maintains nine active in Fairfield County, the largest, St. Michael’s in Stratford, has more than 100 acres. The others are St. Mary-Putnam in Greenwich, St. John in Darien, St. John-St. Mary in Norwalk, Assumption Greens Farms in Westport, Gate of Heaven in Trumbull, Resurrection in Newtown, Queen of Peace in Stamford, and St. Peter in Danbury.
For information on Catholic Cemeteries, call Joe McCurdy at 203.610.3414, email info@ctcemeteries.org or visit ctcemeteries.org.