Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

Edward Cardinal Egan

NEW YORK—We are shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Edward Cardinal Egan, who served as Third Bishop of Bridgeport from 1988 until 2000.

He will be remembered fondly and with great esteem by the people of the Diocese of Bridgeport. On his occasional visits back to Fairfield County, he was always greeted with great affection and appreciation by those grateful for his leadership. Even after being elevated to Cardinal, he continued to reach out to the diocese, to affirm the ministry of its priests and help in any way possible to serve the people. His most recent visit was on February 8, 2015 , to St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Msgr. William Scheyd.

Those who were close to him remember a man of great loyalty, friendship, and affection, who treated everyone with utmost respect and courtesy. A man of great talent and considerable gifts, he lived with personal simplicity and saw himself first and foremost as a priest.

Achievements in the Diocese of Bridgeport
Among Bishop Egan’s first directives in the Diocese of Bridgeport was increasing vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. He established his own seminary in Trumbull, the Saint John Fisher Pre-Seminary Residence, which opened its doors in June 1989, six months after his arrival in Bridgeport. Within four years of its founding, the Trumbull facility proved too small, and Bishop Egan decided to move it to its present location in Stamford.

The Fisher Residence continues its fine program for discernment and formation of priestly vocations, and has provided our diocese with dozens of young priests.

Bishop Egan’s next works were the reorganizing of diocesan finances and endowments through the $40 million Faith In The Future campaign, as well as the regionalization of parish schools. By creating a system of school regions, by which the local parish schools would be supported and funded by all the region’s parishes, Bishop Egan saved and improved the Catholic school system in Fairfield County. He established the only private school for children with special needs in Connecticut, Saint Catherine Academy, as well as initiating many other educational projects.

He also reorganized and expanded Catholic Charities, as well as many of its outreach programs such as soup kitchens and free clinics. He established scattered housing for AIDS patients throughout the County; increased the number of facilities for the elderly with the Bishop Curtis Homes; opened a home for the assistance and support of pregnant mothers in the Malta House; and improved the funding for both Catholic Charities and Catholic schools by the establishment of the Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education.

Besides providing for new priests, Bishop Egan’s work for the priests of the diocese included the completion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Retired Priests’ Residence in Stamford. Indeed, so important is the priesthood in Bishop Egan’s estimation that Bridgeport became one of a handful of American dioceses that cared for its priests from the very beginning of their training until their final days of ministry.

On May 11, 2000, Pope John Paul II announced that Bishop Egan would succeed the late John Cardinal O’Connor as the Archbishop of New York. Archbishop Egan was installed on January 19, 2000, and was elevated to the College of Cardinals on February 21, 2001.

Deacon Timothy Sullivan

BRIDGEPORT—Deacon Timothy Sullivan died on March 1 in St. Vincent’s Medical Center after a courageous fight with the sufferings and pains of a long illness.

Close friends are remembering him as a man with an elfin presence and of profound faith, whose deep commitment to social justice and fairness was balanced by an equally ingrained sense of humor and acceptance.

Timothy Sullivan was born in Bridgeport on April 1, 1948. He went area schools and the former Christ the King High School in Southport. He later pursued degrees at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and Fairfield University, where he earned an MA in both counseling and theology.

For five years Deacon Tim was in formation as a brother for the Maryknoll Fathers. He had hopes of becoming a missionary priest but the progression of a debilitating condition stood in the way of fulfilling his dream. Fluent in Spanish and a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors, he became a counselor for Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center in Stamford.

He was ordained to the diaconate at Saint Augustine Cathedral on June 11, 1994 by the Bishop Edward M. Egan. He served first as deacon at Saint Augustine, his home parish, then at Saint Stephen Parish, Trumbull, where he also served as director of religious education (DRE).

Deacon Tim also served on the faculty of Notre Dame High School in Fairfield. He became diocesan director of the Propagation of the Faith from 2005-07. His last assignment was as assistant chaplain at St. Joseph Manor in Trumbull.

Tim was often the first deacon to arrive at continuing education events. He liked to keep up his connections with his ordained brethren. He was cheerful and uncomplaining as his physical health deteriorated. He was devoted to the residents at Saint Joseph Manor, where he also resided. Tim gave witness toChrist’s passion in his own afflicted body to all who knew him.

The wake for Deacon Tim will be at Saint Augustine Cathedral on Saturday, March 7 at 9 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 am. Msgr. William Scheyd, vicar general for the Diocese of Bridgeport, will be the celebrant. Deacon Tim’s close friend, Deacon Donald Ross, will be the homilist. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck.

Deacon Sullivan is survived by his brother, Patrick Sullivan, of New Britain and sister, Mary Piretti, of Collinsville, CT. His cousin, Father Edward McAuley, is pastor of St. Bridget of Ireland Parish in Stamford.

Deacon Domingo Reverón, Sr

BRIDGEPORT—Deacon Domingo Reverón, Sr., a deacon at St. Peter Parish in Bridgeport, died on November 9 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. He was 78 years old.

Deacon Reverón was born in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, and had come Bridgeport as a young man. He had attended seminary for four years in Puerto Rico; after coming to this area he helped to introduce the Cursillo movement to the Diocese of Bridgeport, starting first at the former St. Anthony Parish in Bridgeport and then at St. Peter’s. Cursillo is now widespread, holding monthly ultreya meetings throughout the diocese.

He was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1979, becoming the first Hispanic to be ordained deacon in the Diocese of Bridgeport. During his years of service as deacon he was involved in the Marriage Encounter program, assisting in the counseling of many married couples.

He was employed as a chef for over 38 years at the United Methodist Homes, and served as a City Council member during the administration of Bridgeport Mayor Nick Panuzio. He was predeceased by his wife, Milagros, who died in 2012. The couple were married for more than 55 years.

Among other relatives in this diocese, he is survived by three sons: John, Domingo, Jr., and Geraldo; his daughter Gladys; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Deacon Reverón was received into St. Peter Church for a vigil on November 12. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano was the principal celebrant at Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon Reverón the following morning. Msgr. Aniceto Villamide, pastor of St. Peter’s, delivered the homily. Interment followed in St. Michael Cemetery in Bridgeport.

Msgr. George Birge

STRATFORD—Msgr. George D. Birge died on January 20 at Golden Hill Health Center in Milford.

He had recently been under hospice care.

A Stratford native, he was born on March 22, 1927, the fourth of seven children. He was baptized in St. James Church, and served as an altar boy there throughout his youth.

He graduated from Stratford High School, where he was class president, captain of the basketball team, and voted “Most Popular” by his classmates.

His mother accepted his diploma at graduation because he enlisted in the Navy during his senior year during World War II. He served in the South Pacific, and in later years told stories about his time in China navigating the Yangtze River on the LST #636 transport boat. While in China, he also consulted with Jesuits he met in Shanghai about becoming a priest.

Upon returning to the States, he attended Fairfield University and graduated in 1951 as a member of the first graduating class, and was the university’s first alumnus to be ordained a priest. He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and completed his studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Md. He was ordained by Bishop (later Cardinal) Lawrence Shehan in St. Augustine Cathedral on May 10, 1956.

Msgr. Birge’s first assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Fairfield. In 1958 he was appointed to teach at Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield and in 1959 he became a full-time faculty member and dean of discipline at Stamford Catholic High School (now Trinity Catholic). In 1962 he became spiritual director of the former Christ the King Seminary in Southport.

He was chaplain of Villa Maria Retreat House in Stamford, and was a member of the priests’ personnel committee for a five-year term starting in January, 1969.
In addition to St. Thomas, Msgr. Birge was a parochial vicar at St. Augustine Cathedral Parish, Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bridgeport, St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull, St. Clement Parish in Stamford and St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield. In 1971 he was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Georgetown and at the same time took the responsibility as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Redding.

During that time to took a sabbatical to study at Yale Divinity School in New Haven. He also attained a certification from the Westchester Institute for Training in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.

Continuing his lifetime love of teaching, in 1977 he joined the faculty of Central Catholic High School (now All Saints School) in Norwalk, and was resident chaplain at the Notre Dame Provincial House in Ridgefield. He was also a member of the diocesan Matrimonial Tribunal during those years. He served as weekend assistant and resident priest at Assumption Parish in Westport, St. Elizabeth Seton, Parish in Ridgefield, St. Peter Parish in Bridgeport, St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull, and St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport.

He was temporary administrator of Christ the King Parish in Trumbull before becoming pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown on August 1, 1986. He was appointed Prelate of Honor to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, on December 19, 1996.

During Msgr. Birge’s tenure, St. Rose grew to include more than 2,500 families. He was instrumental in the purchase of additional property on Church Hill Rd. as the first step in a long range expansion and renovation program. That program was completed by his successor, Msgr. Robert Weiss.

In 1999, Msgr. Birge was appointed pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Sherman. The appointment was effective July 1 of that year. He remained at Holy Trinity for more than 10 years, until his retirement on August 10, 2002.

He is survived in this diocese by his brother James and sisters Marie Minahan, Nancy Goodrich and Ellen Stadmueller, all of Stratford; Jane Greenwood of Trumbull; and their spouses and children.

Msgr. Birge had continued to concelebrate Mass at St. James, his home parish, during his retirement. He will be received into St. James Church on Friday, January 23, at 4 pm. A parish vigil Mass will be celebrated that evening at 7:30. Father Thomas Lynch, St. James’ pastor, will be the celebrant and homilist. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 24, at 10:30 am. His good friend Msgr. John Hossan will give the homily.

Burial with full military honors will follow on Monday at St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven.

Father Peter DeMarco

BRIDGEPORT—Father Peter DeMarco, widely loved for his deep spirituality and for his ministry to the hearing impaired, died on July 20 in Bridgeport Hospital. He was 80 years old.

Born with a cleft palate leading to speech problems, and experiencing progressive hearing loss during adulthood, Father DeMarco turned what could have been an impediment into a beautiful asset to his ministry.

“God presents a lot of opportunities,” he said in 1988 during a day of recreation for deaf children at the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport. Moving comfortably among both the hearing and the deaf, “I can be a bridge between both worlds. I’ve never had any restrictions on me whatsoever.”

The Bridgeport native was born November 8, 1934, and attended Garfield elementary school and Fairfield Prep. He graduated from Fairfield University, where he learned sign language so he could volunteer at Mass for the hearing-impaired. He completed his theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Md., writing his thesis on teaching religion to the deaf.

Father DeMarco was ordained on May 21, 1960 in St. Augustine Cathedral by Bishop Lawrence Shehan, first Bishop of Bridgeport. His first parish assignment after ordination was at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, followed by Sacred Heart Parish in Stamford.

In 1967, he was named the first full-time director of special education in the diocese. At that time, the office included special needs children and adults, and blind, deaf and hearing-impaired Catholics. He resided first at St. Raphael Parish in Bridgeport and then at Holy Family Parish in Fairfield.

In 1974 Father DeMarco was named pastor of St. Mary Parish in Bethel, a position he held for nearly a dozen years. He was a member of the first Priests’ Council in the Diocese of Bridgeport, a vicar for Vicariate V and a priest advisor to Juvenile Court.

In 1986, dealing with worsening hearing, he chose to leave St. Mary’s and became spiritual moderator for the special education office. In 1989, he was named diocesan moderator of the Ministry of the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired while taking an assignment as parochial vicar at St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull. In addition, in 1990, he served as temporary administrator of St. Gabriel Parish in Stamford.

Over the years he has been the spiritual advisor to the Cursillo movement, and leaves behind several meditative prayer groups that continue to meet to this day. Throughout his priesthood he continued to work with ministry to the deaf.

He was named parochial vicar of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull in 1999, and retired to the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Retired Priests’ Residence in 2006.

A wake for Father DeMarco will be held at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, on Sunday, July 26, from 2-6 pm. The Mass for Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Theresa Parish, Trumbull, on Monday, July 27, at 11 am. Father Joseph Marcello, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, will be the principal celebrant. Msgr. Nicholas Grieco will give the homily. Burial will follow in the family gravesite in St. Michael Cemetery in Stratford.

Father DeMarco is mourned by many family members and friends, who will miss his smile and gentle spirit.

Msgr. Constantine Ribeiro Caldas

PORTUGAL—Msgr. Constantine Ribeiro Caldas, founding pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese Parish in Bridgeport, died on December 21, 2015 in Portugal where he had retired.

Msgr. Caldas was born on January 13, 1926, in Lara Moncao, Portugal. He was prepared for the priesthood at Seminario de Braga, Portugal. His ordination to the priesthood took place in the Archdiocese of Braga on July 8, 1951.

He first ministered as a diocesan priest and pastor in the Diocese of Viano do Castelo. In April 1956 he came to Bridgeport to serve the Portuguese Catholics in this diocese at St. Augustine Parish. He was the founding administrator and pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bridgeport, from 1961 until 1996 when he retired.

On November 26, 1984, Msgr. Caldas was incardinated into Diocese of Bridgeport. He was made Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II on July 14, 1988. Msgr. Caldas was the chaplain of the Building and Construction Anchor Club. He was also the diocesan advisor for the Portuguese Language Cursillo of Fairfield County

Much of his retirement was spent at Saint Joseph Manor, Trumbull. On July 30, 2015, he moved to Portugal to be near family.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 22 according to the wishes of family members in Portugal. Msgr. Caldas was buried in the family gravesite. A memorial Mass will be celebrated for him at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Saturday, December 26, at 10:30 am.

Monsignor is mourned by his extended family and his many former parishioners in the Bridgeport Portuguese community. He will be remembered for his pastoral care for immigrants.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Msgr. Caldas and for the consolation of those who mourn his loss.

Father Joseph J. Malloy

STAMFORD—Father Joseph J. Malloy, 71, pastor of St. Clement of Rome Parish in Stamford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and close friends on January 2, 2016 at Stamford Hospital.

He was born in Stamford on February 21, 1944 to the late Joseph and Helen Malloy.

Father Malloy attended Holy Name of Jesus School and St. Basil’s Prep before attending St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, in 1964 and St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY, graduating in 1966 with an A.A. degree and a B.A. degree in philosophy.

While attending Holy Name Elementary School he belonged to the Boy Scouts of America for nine years, attaining Life Rank, and later worked as a Counselor at Camp Toquam in Goshen, CT.

He was ordained on May 9, 1970 at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, by the Bishop Walter W. Curtis. Father Malloy’s appointments started at St. James Parish in Stratford as parochial vicar, then at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull. He was named pastor of St. Ann Parish in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport in 1987, and became pastor of St. Clement’s in February 1, 2002.

Father Malloy also served as chaplain in the U.S, Army Reserves, having completed the basic course at Fort Hamilton, NY, and he was appointed chaplain of the Stratford Eagles Squadron Civil Air Patrol on November 24, 1970. He was a member and chaplain of the Nichols Fire Dept. of Trumbull and served as chaplain with the Bridgeport Fire Dept.. He was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine Council #41.

He is survived by his sister Dale Malloy, his brother Donald Malloy, his sister-in-law Priscilla Malloy, all of Stamford. Father Malloy was predeceased by his brother Deacon Wayne Malloy.

Family and friends may call at St. Clement’s on Tuesday, January 5, from 4-pm with a Parish Vigil Mass celebrated at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clement’s on Wednesday, January 6, at 11am. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the principal celebrant. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Darien.

Msgr. Lawrence J. McMahon

Msgr. Lawrence J. McMahon, retired pastor of Saint Mark’s Parish in Stratford, passed away on December 15, 2009 at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. He was 82 years old.

Remembered as an affable, devout priest with a gifted singing voice and an easy manner with people, Msgr. McMahon was recalled fondly by many parishioners as a real life version of Fr. O’Malley in the noted film, “Going My Way.” He was known for his singing in many parish productions and fund raisers.

Born in Bridgeport On May 19, 1927, Msgr. McMahon was a member of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, where he attended school, sang in the choir and served as an altar boy.

He later attended Harding High School and graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1945.

Msgr. McMahon entered Saint Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield in 1947, and moved on to Saint Mary’s in Baltimore in 1949. He was ordained in Saint Augustine Cathedral in 1955 by Bishop Lawrence J. Shehan, first bishop of Bridgeport.

Msgr. McMahon’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of Saint Theresa Parish in Trumbull, where he served for eight years. In 1963, he was appointed spiritual director of Saint Joseph High School with residence at Saint Joseph Parish in Shelton, and in 1967 added an assignment as diocesan director of the Family Life Bureau.

During his priesthood, he also served as advocate on the Diocesan Tribunal, vicar for Vicariate IV of the diocese and chaplain at St. Vincent’s.

In 1969, Msgr. McMahon became pastor of Saint Mark’s Parish. During his lengthy tenure as pastor, Msgr. McMahon led several building campaigns that brought the church up to date liturgically in the 1980s ; saw the establishment of a multi-purpose parish center in the 90s and built the commanding bell tower that is now proclaims Saint’ Mark’s in its Stratford neighborhood.

He is also fondly remembered by Saint Mark’s parishioners for his participation in the 25 musicals and 20 cabarets the parish started over the years. Msgr. McMahon was featured in various roles, playing everything from the Wizard of Oz to an Episcopal clergyman in parish productions. “People get to know you in a different light. It makes them less hesitant to come to you with their problems,” he said of his roles.

On August 3, 1991, he was elevated to Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II.

Msgr. McMahon retired as pastor of Saint Mark’s in 2003 and moved to the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence in Stamford, where he continued to help out in parishes throughout the diocese.

After his retirement he moved to the Queen of Clergy Residence in Stamford and continued to help out in parishes and the family of faith in Fairfield County.

On December 20, Msgr. McMahon’s body will be received at Saint Mark Church at 2 p.m., and parish Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Msgr Larry Carroll, pastor of Saint Pius X Parish in Fairfield will be the principal celebrant; Father Michael Lyons, parochial vicar of Notre Dame Parish in Easton, will deliver the homily. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Mark’s on December 21 at 11 a.m. Bishop William E. Lori will be the celebrant; Msgr Carroll will give the homily.

Fr. Alfred E. Russo

Father Alfred E. Russo died in Stamford Hospital on December 13, 2009 after a long illness. He was 80 years old.

A social, gregarious man, Father Russo made friends wherever he was assigned, and kept those friends throughout his life. In his last assignment of over a dozen years, Father Russo was resident chaplain at Saint Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull. At the Manor, he was beloved not only for his warm smile and kindness, but for his readiness to kid around with patients after Mass or during pastoral visits.

He was born and raised in New Britain, the last of six children, and received his sacraments at Saint Ann Parish there. After graduation from New Britain High School he began his studies for the priesthood at the School of Saint Philip Neri in Boston, MA. He interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Army as a corporal from 1951-53. Because of his background, he served as chaplain’s assistant in the military.

Returning home, he entered Our Lady of Mercy Seminary in Lenox, MA, and completed his theological studies at our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany, NY. He was ordained by Bishop Walter W. Curtis in Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport on May 26, 1962. His first appointment was as parochial vicar of Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury. Father Russo held that appointment while teaching religion on the faculty of Immaculate High School in Danbury from 1962-63.

He later served at Saint Philip Parish in Norwalk, Sacred Heart Parish in Greenwich, and Saint Gregory the Great Parish in Danbury. During this time he was named priest-advisor to the Juvenile Court in Danbury. He was a member of the Priest’s Council from 1978-80, and became Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus chapter in South Norwalk in 1988.

In 1989, Father Russo was named temporary administrator of Saint Roch Parish in Greenwich. Following that appointment, he served at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, Sacred Heart Parish in Stamford, and Saint Mary Parish in Ridgefield. A highlight of Father Russo’s life was meeting Pope John Paul II in 1981.

Throughout his priesthood Father Russo continued his studies, receiving a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, and pursuing a doctoral degree at Saint Mary Seminary University in Baltimore, MD.

In 1995, Father Russo became resident chaplain at Saint Joseph’s Manor. He retired to the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of Clergy Residence in 2007.

Father Russo will be received into Saint Bridget of Ireland Parish in Stamford, next door to the Queen of Clergy Residence, at 5 p.m. on December 18. A parish Mass will be celebrated at Saint Bridget by Bishop William E. Lori that evening at 7 p.m. Bishop Lori will also deliver the homily.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Father Russo at Saint Ann’s in New Britain, his home parish, on the following morning at 11:30 a.m. Msgr. Kevin Royal, vicar of clergy personnel, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Interment with full Military Honors will follow in the Garden Mausoleum at Saint Mary Cemetery, New Britain.

Msgr. Pierre A. Botton

Msgr. Pierre A. Botton, a longtime resident of Ridgefield, and a former Pastor of St. John Roman Catholic Church in Noroton, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at Rosenthal Hospice in Stamford.

Born in 1929 in Lyon, France, he was the son of the late Marie Duvernay and Joseph Botton. He was 80 years of age. Msgr. Botton was ordained on June 2, 1956 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Ridgefield.

He taught for seven years at St. Mary’s Boys High School in Greenwich. He was Pastor at St. John Roman Cathloic Church in Noroton from 1972 to 1990 and St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church in Westport from 1990 to 1997. He was retired Priest in Residence at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Norwalk from 1997 to 2006.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Madeleine and Loretto Buzzeo of Stamford; one nephew, Joseph Buzzeo of Trumbull; one niece, Theresa Broughton of Stamford; and a grand niece and two grand nephews.

The family will receive friends at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Noroton on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by the Parish Vigil Mass at 7 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Noroton on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 10:30 AM.

Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Noroton Fire Department, 1873 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

Fr. Richard J. Monahan

Fr. Richard J. Monahan died on September 9, 2010 in Milford Hospital after a long illness. He was 81 years old.

Fr. Monahan was born on August 13, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA. He attended Catholic elementary schools and graduated first in his class at Northeast Catholic High School. He attended the University of Niagara in New York, and completed his priestly formation at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD.

“I think he was first in his class in every school he was in,” says long time friend Fr. Peter DeMarco, who was a year behind Fr. Monahan in seminary. “He never talked about those things; he was reserved and quiet about that. He was a humble man.”

Fr. Monahan was ordained on May 23, 1959, at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, by Bishop Lawrence J. Shehan. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport. He also served as parochial vicar at Assumption Parish in Westport; St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Fairfield; St. Mary Parish in Bethel; and St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull. In 1976, he was appointed pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, where he served until his retirement in 1991.

Fr. DeMarco’s friendship with him grew over the years. “He was a quiet person, but he had some very close friends,” he says. “He made a special effort to come to my 50th Jubilee Mass this spring, even though he was ill, and he stayed as long as he could. He was a strong-willed person.”

He adds that Fr. Monahan was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. “He was buried on the feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. He would have been very pleased at that.”

On September 14, Fr. Monahan’s body was received at St. Catherine of Siena Church. A parish Vigil Mass of Christ the High Priest was celebrated that evening by Msgr. Richard J. Shea, St. Catherine’s current pastor, with Msgr. Louis A. DeProfio, P.A., delivering the homily. Bishop William E. Lori celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine’s on September 15; Fr. DeMarco was the homilist. Burial followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull.

Fr. Gerald T. Devore

BRIDGEPORT – Fr. Gerald T. Devore, 74, died peacefully of pneumonia surrounded by friends and family at St. Vincent’s Medical Center on Sunday January 9.

He was known to generations of area families as a teacher, spiritual director and pastor. He retired in November 2007, though he continued to help out by saying Mass in many local parishes.

Fr. Devore was born October 3, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey. His family then moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut where Fr. Devore grew up and attended St. Charles School. He graduated from Fairfield Prep in 1954. He attended St Thomas Seminary College in Bloomfield Connecticut and Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, New York, where he earned his Philosophy and Theology degrees.

He was ordained on May 26, 1962 at St. Augustine Cathedral by the Most Rev. Walter W. Curtis, second Bishop of Bridgeport.

In June 1962, he served as a curate at St Patrick Parish in Bridgeport. From 1963 to 1966, he served as a faculty member of Notre Dame Girls High School, where he taught Religion. In 1966, he was appointed Spiritual Director and faculty member of St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, a post he held until June 1978. During that time he also served as Chaplain of the Newman Community at the University of Bridgeport.

Fr. Devore was born October 3, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey. His family then moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut where Fr. Devore attended St. Charles School and Fairfield Prep, where he graduated in 1954. He attended St Thomas Seminary College in Bloomfield Connecticut and Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, New York, where he earned his Philosophy and Theology degrees.

During his priesthood, Fr. Devore also served as St. Margaret Mary Parish in Shelton and at Most Precious Blood Parish, now Christ the King Parish, in Trumbull. He also carried out sabbatical studies at the Vatican II Institute for Clergy Formation and the Notre Dame University Institute for Clergy Education.

He was named pastor of St. Maurice Parish in Stamford in 1985 and served there until 2002. In 2003, he was appointed to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Weston, where he served until his retirement in 2007.

He is survived by family members including his brother, Fr. Daniel Devore, a retired priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Fr. Devore on Friday, January 14, 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Bridgeport. Arrangements are being handled by The Larson Funeral Homes, 2496 North Avenue in Bridgeport.

Sr. Thérèse LaPlante, 88

Sr. Thérèse LaPlante, 88, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on October 18, 2013, at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center in Putnam, CT.

Born Marie Thérèse Rita LaPlante in Manchester, NH, on June 6, 1925, she entered religious life in Putnam and made her novitiate at the order’s motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France, and made her religious profession there in 1950. She took the religious name of Sr. Marguerite de l’Eucharistie.

Early in her career Sr. Thérèse was a teacher, but in 1953 she began studies at Holy Ghost Hospital in Cambridge, MA, and became a licensed practical nurse. From 1955-2005 she ministered in home nursing in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. For most of those 50 years, from 1967-71 and again from 1978-2005, she ministered to ill and fragile people in their homes throughout the greater Bridgeport area. She did so under the auspices of the Queen’s Daughters in Bridgeport and the United Way of Southwestern Connecticut.

In 2005, Sr. Thérèse began her retirement at the Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam. Following some health issues, she was admitted to Holy Spirit Health Care Center in October, 2013.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sr. Thérèse on October 22 at the Holy Spirit Provincial House. Burial followed at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam.

Fr. Paul Lalic

TRUMBULL – Fr. Paul B. Lalic died peacefully at home on July 24. He was 86 years old, and had celebrated the 50th jubilee of his priesthood in 2008.

A gentle, reflective man, Fr. Lalic was known for the clarity of his thought and, most especially, for the beauty of his poetry. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, he produced a work, Walking in Beauty, portraying lyrically and in pictures how the nation responded to the attack. The entries convey his wonder and pride at the beauty of the American soul amidst the ugliness of evil.

Fr. Lalic was born on June 26, 1925 in Pampanga in the Philippines. He attended Pampanga Institute and Sacred Heart College there. Fr. Lalic pursued seminary studies at Berchmans College (Philippines) and Woodstock College in Maryland.

Entering the Society of Jesus (Jesuit order) he was ordained on June 21, 1958 at Fordham University by Francis Cardinal Spellman. As a member of Jesuits, Fr. Lalic was assigned as spiritual director and to teaching positions in colleges and college preparatory schools in the Philippines.

In 1972, he came to serve in the United States as an associate chaplain at Bridgeport Hospital, residing at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Trumbull. Fr. Lalic became a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1976. He served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Brookfield, from 1986-92, when he became administrator of St. Catherine of Siena. He later ministered at St. Camillus Health Center, Stamford, while residing at St. Mary Parish there.

Retiring in 1998, Fr. Lalic resided at Villa Maria Retreat House in Stamford, where he served as chaplain to the Bernardine Sisters until ill health prevented active ministry. He lived at St. Joseph Manor in Trumbull for a time and, most recently, at the home of close friends, Jean and George Jarusinsky, who cared for him in his final days.

Bishop William E. Lori will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Lalic on July 29 at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Burial will follow at the Priests’ Circle in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull.

Emilio Moure, 54

The Knights of Columbus mourns the loss of Supreme Secretary Emilio B. Moure, who passed away at his Connecticut home on July 23 after a battle with cancer. He was 54 years old and served as Supreme Secretary until his death.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered by the Knights’ Supreme Chaplain, Bishop William E. Lori, on July 26, at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven. Bishop Lori also delivered the homily. “Emilio was a man of prayer, a man of the Eucharist and a man who took his interior life seriously,” Bishop Lori said of Moure, whom he praised as a man who combined great business expertise with a “deep understanding of the spirit and mission of the Order.”

Moure joined the Knights in January 1985, and began working at the Supreme Council headquarters in 2007 as executive vice president for business process management. In that position, he oversaw the updating and modernizing of business practices at the Supreme Council. In October 2009, he was appointed Supreme Treasurer, and then in September 2010 was named Supreme Secretary.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Moure came to the United States at the age of 11. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Long Beach and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of La Verne. He enjoyed a successful 23-year career with the Emerson Electric Co. Moure was invested in 2001 to the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. In 2005, he was presented with the Pilgrim Shell by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and in 2008 he received the rank of Knight Commander with Star from John Patrick Cardinal Foley. He was the Supreme Council’s liaison to the Order’s councils in Cuba, and helped revitalize the Knights of Columbus there in time for the centennial of Columbianism in Cuba in 2009. He was instrumental in the Supreme Council’s support for the construction of San Carlos y San Ambrosio Seminary, the first new seminary to open in Cuba in half a century.

Moure is survived by his wife of 31 years, Rebeca, their children and grandchilddren.

Joseph H. Miller, 73 President of Order of Malta

Joseph H. Miller of New Canaan, insurance executive, Order of Malta president and a great friend of the Diocese of Bridgeport, died peacefully at his New Canaan home on July 20 after a short illness. He was 73 years old.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 28 at St. Aloysius Church, in New Canaan. Bishop William E. Lori celebrated the Mass with Archbishop Timothy J. Dolan of New York.

Bishop Lori described Miller as a family man, a great friend and a natural leader graced with a “strong and vibrant faith, which was the foundation for everything in his life.” Referring to his commitment to charity, Bishop Lori said, “He practiced what Pope John Paul II called ‘a charity that evangelizes.’ He understood that we defend and promote the faith by living it.”

Miller spent his professional life in the insurance and investments industries. In 1992, he and his son, Joel, founded the New Canaan Group, a financial planning firm specializing in wealth management and insurance planning services.

Miller became a member of The American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1993. He was elected president in 2009. The Order has a world-wide membership and serves the sick and the poor in hospitals and aids disaster victims around the world. He led the Order of Malta until his death. Miller was a part of 19 pilgrimages to Lourdes, France.

Miller was a founding member of the Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education for the Bridgeport Diocese which raises nearly $4 million per year to support non-sectarian charities and Catholic schools in the Bridgeport Diocese. He recently served as secretary of the board and chairman of the education committee. For the past 10 years, he served as a member of the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities. Additionally, he was a member of the Board of Directors and instrumental in the development of Malta House in Norwalk, a home for single, homeless, pregnant women.

Miller was born in Poughkeepsie, NY on April 25, 1938, and spent his young life there. He attended Siena College in Loudonville, NY, on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1960. He remained an active alumnus and received the Professor Egon Plager Award in 2010 for accomplishments in advancing the welfare of human beings.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Barbara, he is survived by their children and grandchildren.

Deacon Joseph Rowan

DARIEN – Deacon Joseph Lawrence Rowan, a longtime resident of Darien, died peacefully on November 26, 2013. He was 88.

Joseph Rowan was born in Phoenixville, PA, on July 26, 1925. He served with the Merchant Marine in the North Atlantic during World War II. After serving in the military, he joined the American Broadcasting Company, eventually becoming a vice president. He moved his family to Darien in 1972.
After his retirement, he pursued degrees at Charter Oak College and Southern Connecticut University, receiving a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy. An avid reader, he particularly loved philosophy, religion and history.

“Joe was what I would call a cheery conservative,” says Deacon William Murphy, who serves at St. Joseph Parish in  South Norwalk. The two men were in the diaconate program together. “He loved the age of monasticism, and his hero was St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the great spiritual writer and Doctor of the Church. He was surrounded by us Vatican II guys. We drove him crazy—but he was always ready to laugh about it.”

Deacon Rowan was ordained by Bishop Edward M. Egan in 1995 and served at St. Thomas More Parish in Darien and St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan.

In addition to his intellectual pursuits, he loved aviation and became a licensed private pilot on his 50th birthday.

Deacon Rowan was predeceased by his wife, Ann, in 2011. He is survived in this diocese by his daughter Ann Dickson and her husband Thomas and their two sons, who are members of St. John Parish in Darien. His son, Paul, lives in New York City.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Deacon Rowan at St. John’s on November 30. Msgr. Frank McGrath, St. John’s pastor, was the celebrant and homilist. Interment was private.

Sr. Hone, RSCJ

Margaret Mary Hone, RSCJ, died on November 24, 2013, at Teresian House in Albany, NY. She was 88.

Born in Rochester, NY, on September 8, 1925, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1947 at Kenwood in Albany and made her final vows at the Motherhouse in Rome in 1956.

She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York City in 1947 and her master’s from the Manhattanville Graduate Division in Albany in 1952.

She spent almost a decade teaching in New York, Rhode Island and Michigan. When, to her surprise, she was called upon to handle financial administration, she found that she loved the work.

Meticulous by nature, she continued in that ministry, including financial work for the congregation’s academies in Darien and Greenwich from 1970-88. In 1988 she was called back to Kenwood, where she managed financial affairs and helped in any way needed until 2005, when she entered prayer ministry.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sr. Hone on December 2 in the Teresian House Chapel in Albany. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Kenwood.

Sr. Janice May, RSM, served at Lauralton Hall

Sr. Mary Janice May, RSM, died on November 9 in Hartford. She was 88. Helen Catherine May was born in Bridgeport on August 4, 1925. Drawn by the example of the Sisters she had known as a youngster, she entered the Sisters of Mercy following graduation from high school.

She earned a B.S. degree in education from St. Joseph College in West Hartford and a masters’ degree in administration from Boston College. Later she did extensive post-graduate studies at both St. Joseph College and Fairfield University.

Sr. Janice taught and served as a principal in elementary schools around Connecticut before coming to Our Lady of Mercy Academy Lauralton Hall, in Milford. She spent the past 35 years, her happiest, at Lauralton, ministering as a teacher, guidance counselor, and admissions director. In 1990 Sr. Janice was honored by Lauralton with the Mother Mary Augustine Claven Award. After her retirement in 2003, she continued to serve there as a volunteer staff assistant until her move to St. Mary Home in West Hartford a few months before her death.

Her life was celebrated with a Mass of the Resurrection on November 14 in the chapel at St. Mary Home. Burial followed in St. Mary Cemetery.

Sr. Mary Salvator Cramer, IHM

Sr. Mary Salvator Cramer, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on December 11, 2013, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA. She was 81 years old.

She was born on September 15, 1932, in Brooklyn, NY, and given the name Mary Jane. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 7, 1950, and made her final profession of vows on August 2, 1956. She received a bachelor of science degree in education from Marywood College and a master of arts degree in French from Assumption College.

Sr. Salvator served as a teacher in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New York. She served as pastoral minister at St. Ambrose Parish in Bridgeport in 1983 and was on the support staff of the Marian Convent in Scranton, from 1993-94. Following that, she taught at the Education Enrichment Institute in the IHM Center in Scranton until 1996.

From 1996 until the time of her death, Sr. Salvator was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sr. Salvator on December 17 at Our Lady of Peace Residence. Interment followed at St. Catherine Cemetery in Moscow, PA.

Sr. Evelyn Kane, RSCJ, passionate about math

Religious of the Sacred Heart Evelyn Elizabeth Kane, educator, pastoral counselor and minister to migrant farm workers, died December 2, 2013 at Teresian House in Albany, NY. She was 92 years old She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 3, 1921, the only girl among seven boys.

She entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1942 at Kenwood in Albany, and made her final vows in 1950 at the Motherhouse in Rome. After receiving a bachelor of arts in mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Notre Dame College of Staten Island, NY, she earned a master of arts in education from the Manhattanville College Graduate Division in Albany and another master’s in mathematics from the University of Detroit in 1964.

A natural educator, Sr. Kane taught in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Starting in 1967, she served at Kenwood Convent of the Sacred Heart in Albany for two years before becoming provincial secretary for education for the New York Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

She returned to the classroom in 1970 at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, where she taught high school math until 1989. She loved her subject matter and was passionate about establishing a firm mathematics foundation for students.

She began her pastoral ministry at St. Clement Parish in Stamford in 1983, visiting the homebound and sick of the parish. For several years she taught in the morning and served in the parish in the afternoon.

By 1990, her pastoral ministry had evolved and she also taught adult scripture classes at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, St. Clement of Rome in Stamford and St. John’s in Darien. That continued until her retirement in 2004.

She was committed to serving the poor, especially immigrants. Sr. Kane was remembered in a Mass of Christian Burial on December 11 in the Teresian House Chapel in Albany. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Kenwood.

Sr. Barbara, RSM, loved Latin

Sr. Barbara Bossler, RSM, died December 1, 2013, in West Hartford. Born March 23, 1938, she was raised in Hartford, attending St. Joseph Cathedral grade and high schools. Sr. Barbara graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, majoring in Latin, before entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1960. She later earned a M.A. in Latin and a Sixth-Year Certificate in English.

Most of her next 32 years were spent teaching Latin, her first love. She taught first at St. Paul High School in Bristol and then, in a strange twist for the life of a religious Sister, taught Latin at Longfellow School and Central High School, both in Bridgeport, before her retirement in 2010. She had recently celebrated 53 years of religious life.

Sr. Barbara’s life was celebrated with a Mass of the Resurrection on December 5 in the chapel of St. Mary Home, West Hartford. Burial took place the following day at St. Mary Cemetery.