Evangelization
Father Peter Towsley, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelization
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
46 Stone Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Tel: (203) 748-9029
Email: frpeter@sacredheartdanbury.org
Alpha
Basic Charism
Parish Renewal, Evangelization and Outreach
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
International website
National Website
Local Contacts
Apostolate – Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
Charismatic Renewal Office
Diocese of Bridgeport
Danbury, CT
Rev. Lawrence F. Carew
Tel: (203) 456-5610
Email: Larrycarew@sbcglobal.net
Basic Charism
Catholic Charismatic Renewal is an apostolate inviting all people to experience the Holy Spirit who opens us to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and His love of the Father. The Holy Spirit empowers us for personal holiness, renewed Catholic life and evangelization.
Catholic Daughters of the Americas
International website
Local Website
Local Contact
Amy Stavola, State Regent
Tel: (203) 929-0753
Email: Amystavola@yahoo.com
Basic Charism
Catholic Daughters of the Americas strives to embrace the principle of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, equality, and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all. Our motto is “Unity and Charity”. We love and support the Church and participate in social and charitable activities. We are a work force for your parish and community and we can assist in many ways.
Catholic War Veterans of the USA
Basic Charism
Catholic War Veterans and their Auxiliary support Active Duty personnel and Military Chaplains worldwide, and veterans here at home in the United States. Our organization’s motto is “For God, For Country, For Home”
Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice
International website
National Website
Local Contact
Dr. Ralph Burke
Tel: (203) 255-5335
Email: Ralphburke@optonline.net
Basic Charism
To have Catholic Social Teachings (CST) implemented in society through lay Catholic business, academic and professional leaders; to order and throw light upon all the affairs of the world in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially as contained in the Church’s social doctrine. Our mission is to evangelize lay leaders.
Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP)
Local Contacts
John Barry, Chairman, Christ Renews His Parish
Tel: (203) 948-3535
Patrick Gorman
Tel: (203) 300-8237
Email: Gormanfamily1@msn.com
Basic Charism
CRHP is a lay parish retreat and renewal movement. A CRHP retreat weekend takes place annually or semi-annually, hosted by a team of 10 parishioners. There are separate retreats for men and women. CRHP is a small Catholic community that reached parishioners in many different ways, especially by bringing parishioners closer to the Heart of Jesus, and through Him, to renew the parish.
Columbian Squires
Local Contact
Tom Vita
Tel: (203) 513-7221
Email: State.deputy@ctstatecouncil.org
Basic Charism
The Columbian Squires program strives to provide the spiritual, cultural, civic, social and physical improvement of its members, and the development of their leadership qualities.
Columbiettes
Basic Charism
To promote the spiritual, social and charitable welfare of our members; To instill a steadfast conviction relating to the proper place and function of Catholic women in safeguarding the religious, civil and economic rights of all Catholics; To rely upon the intercession of St. Mary for guidance in guarding the common good, and to work through her, on loving and aiding all members of the human family and to give assistance to the Knights of Columbus in all their activities upon request.
Cursillos in Christianity Movement
National Website
Local Website
National Publications
Local Publications
National Contact
Patrick Gorman, Lay Director
Email: gormanfamily1@msn.com
Basic Charism
To proclaim the best news of the best reality: that God, in Christ, loves us.
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Regional Contact
Eastern Lieutenancy of Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Sir Raymond Teatum, KGCHS
Tel: (212) 371-1050
Email: Contact@holysepulchreny.org
Local Contacts:
Sir Gerard D. Robilotti, KCHS
Email: GR1040MB@earthlink.net
Sir Charles F. Chiusano, KCHS
Email: cfc@CChiusano.com
Basic Charism
Mandate from the Holy Father – to serve as witnesses to the Christian faith and to serve as supporters and protectors of the Church and the living Christian communities in the Holy Land.
Heart’s Home
International website
National Website
Publications
Local Contact
Heart’s Home USA
108 Saint Edwards St.
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Fr. Gonzague Leroux
Tel: (646) 209-8078
Email: Gonzague@heartshomeusa.org
Basic Charism
To promote a culture of compassion around the world through a range of charitable and cultural efforts.
Knights of Columbus
National Website
Local Website
Publications: Columbia Magazine
Local Contact
State Deputy
Tom Vita
Tel: (203) 513-7221
Email: State.deputy@ctstatecouncil.org
Basic Charism
To provide Catholic men 18 yrs. & older an opportunity to put their faith into practice through various charitable & religious programs under the Order’s principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Due to the vision of its founder, The Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney, the Knights of Columbus offers its members and their families’ financial protection through its highly rated fraternal insurance program.
Lay Missionaries of Charity
International website
National Website
Local Contacts:
St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown, CT
Kevin and Queta Donovan LMCs
Email: Avemariapurisima@snet.net
Basic Charism
To restore the domestic sanctuary of the family through prayer, dialogue and personal consecration. Our principal apostolate is Prayer.
Legion of Mary / Legionis Mariae
International website
National Website
Publications: Maria Legionis (published quarterly in English)
Local Contact
Bridgeport Curia
St Theresa Parish
5301 Main St
Trumbull, CT 06611
Rev. Martin deMayo, Spiritual Director
Tel: (203) 324-9544
Email: FrdeMayo@gmail.com
Local Ministry:
To spread the Legion of Mary and the Catholic faith throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport; To assist Priests at mass in nursing homes; To visit the elderly and sick in homes and institutions; To lead rosary groups and prayer groups; To conduct prison ministry; To Catechesis and teach religious education; To be extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist; To make and distribute rosaries; To make personal contacts and distribute sacramentals and religious literature.
Magnificat: A ministry to Catholic Women
Local Contact
Fran Hood, Coordinator
Tel: (203) 744-1856
Local Ministry:
By attending a Magnificat meal, a woman hears the witness of another woman at her table or as a speaker and is encouraged to stay the course of faith during difficult times. At a Magnificat meal, we give praise to God in song, in scripture and in prayerful teachings that lift our spirits. It is truly a wonderful opportunity for women to meet and greet other women as Mary did when she greeted Elizabeth. It is awesome to witness the transformation of women from when they come into the breakfast and when they leave. There is such love in the room and we all become Sister’s in Christ. After hearing a testimony of one’s life it gives the listener hope and joy that God is ever so present in their own life.
Basic Charism
The Charisms of Magnificat are Marian, Charismatic and Evangelical.
Marian Community of Reconciliation
Basic Charism
The members of the Marian Community of Reconciliation are consecrated lay women, called to be fully available for the apostolate by living community life and the commitments of obedience, celibacy and the sharing of goods. Their mission takes part in five areas: Youth, Family, the Culture of Life, the solidarity with the most needy and the Evangelization of our culture.
National Council of Catholic Women
National Website
Local Website
Publications
Currently the Bridgeport Diocese has one NCCW Affiliate: St Joseph CCW in Danbury and two individual members. Bishop Caggiano was quoted as saying….don’t leave any Catholic behind.”
NCCW wants to say…”We don’t want to, leave any Catholic Woman behind.”
Basic Charism
To support, empower and educate all Catholic women in Spirituality, leadership and service.
Neocatechumenal Way
International website
National Website
Local Contacts:
Sacred Heart Parish, Stamford CT
Father Alfonso Picone
Tel: (203) 324-9544
St. Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport CT
Father Giandomenico Flora
Tel: (203) 333-9627
Jose Vasquez
Tel: (347) 886-2783
Email: JVasquez@mnr.org
Basic Charism
The Neocatechumenate is an instrument at the service of the Bishops for the rediscovery of Christian initiation by baptized adults. Within the parish, the Neocatechumenate is lived in a small community, since the complete or common form for the Christian initiation of adults is communitarian. The model of the neocatechumenal community is the Holy Family of Nazareth, the historical place where the Word of God, made man, becomes adult, growing “in wisdom, age and grace”.
Our Mother of Sorrows Secular Discalced Carmelite Community
Local Contact
Donata Marcus
Tel: (203) 913-7218
Email: Donatamarcus@yahoo.com
Local Ministry:
Prayer is the apostolate of our Discalced Carmelite community.
Basic Charism
To strive, by recollection and study, to grow in prayer, to know God so we can make Him known.
Regnum Christi Movement
International website
Local Website
Local Contact:
Pam Brown
Tel: (914) 244-3685
Email: info@loveyourmission.org
Basic Charism
Forming apostles to help build the Kingdom and participate actively in the New Evangelization.
Serra Club of Bridgeport
Local Contact:
Thomas Field, President
Tel: (203) 938-0874
Email: tfield007@optonline.net
Basic Charism
The Serra Club of Bridgeport is the Diocese’s local presence of an international lay organization dedicated to the furtherance of vocations. It was chartered by Bishop Caggiano at a Mass in April of 2015. The Serra Club welcomes new members to work on the encouragement and support of young men and women in their pursuit of the priesthood and religious life.
Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement
International website
National Website
Local Website
Publications
Local Contact:
Charles Paternina
Tel: (203) 622-3189
Email: CP@charlespaternina.com
Basic Charism
Includes spiritual formation through consecration to Mary and deep commitment with her task as co-redemptrix. This consecration-commitment is called Covenant of Love.
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta
International website
National Website
Local Website
Local Contacts
Southern/western CT area chairs
Bill Fessler, KM & Mary Beth Fessler, DM
Tel: (203) 972-7275
Email: Fesslers6@gmail.com
Basic Charism
To glorify God by promoting the sanctification of each member through his or her work with the sick and the poor and defense of the Catholic faith.
The Order of Secular Franciscans
There are three Secular Franciscan Fraternities in the Diocese of Bridgeport:
- The Holy Spirit Fraternity, at St. Emery’s Church in Fairfield. Meeting on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:30am
- Sacred Heart Fraternity, at Sacred Heart Church in Danbury. Meeting on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:00am, following 8:00am Church Mass
- St. Mary of the Angels Fraternity, at the Convent of St. Birgitta in Darien. Meeting on the 4th Sunday of each month after 9:00am Mass there Holy Spirit Fraternity Patricia Heile, OFS, Minister
Local Contacts:
Tel: (203) 255-8801
Email: PHeile5713@aol.com
Sacred Heart of Jesus Fraternity
Joseph Kieras, OFS, Minister
Tel: (203) 744-7678
Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity
Anita Field, OFS, Minister
Tel: (203) 938-0874
Email: Reddingglen2@optonline.net
Basic Charism
To radically live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in penance, humility, and to work for peace and justice.
The Third Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel
International website
National Website
Local Contact
Rose Mary Lancellotti, TOC
Provincial Coordinator for Lay Carmelites
Tel: (845) 344-2474
Email: Jsoreth@frontiernet.net
Basic Charism
The Carmelite charism has three elements: prayer with a focus on contemplation, fraternity, and service.
Walking with Purpose
International website
Local Website
Local Contact:
Julie Ricciardi Co-Chair
Tel: (203) 536-1624
Email: Julie.Ricciardi@walkingwithpurpose.com
Local Ministry:
Leadership Training Program at Walking with Purpose provides an opportunity for women to grow in confidence and competence so they can take their place as agents of change in a world that desperately needs the touch of Christ. (1) Equips women to draw others to a relationship with Christ – effectively evangelizing those in the pew and beyond; (2) Teaches women that leading with love is the most powerful way to draw others to Christ; (3) Helps leaders better engage with a culture that has become disillusioned with Christianity and Catholicism.
Basic Charism
Walking with Purpose enabling women to know Christ through Scripture