March 2011 Newsletter

Counseling is a lifeline

c
for many families in crisis
ounseling and mental health services are lifelines for many families
in the Diocese. “The Bishop’s Appeal, enables us to reach
out to so many families in crisis,” says Al Barber, President of
Catholic Charities. “In stressful times, the demand for service rises, and
we are certainly reaching out to many troubled families.”
With counseling offices in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Danbury,
Catholic Charities remains a major source of professional mental health
services for families who would have no other way to find help. “We do
a lot of work with people without any insurance,” says Richard Madwed,
Director of Clinical Services for Catholic Charities in Bridgeport. “We
see people suffering with everything from moderate depression to major
mental illness. We don’t turn anyone away. ” In addition to serving people
who call in on their own, many patients are referred by pastors, priests and
Catholic schools.
What kinds of problems are people struggling with? Madwed says that
unemployment and financial problems are sending stress rippling through
families. “The difficult economy is at the top of the list. We’re seeing a
lot of depression, anxiety disorders and substance abuse and that leads to
relationship issues,” he explains.
He says that in some families both parents have lost their jobs, leading
to crippling anxiety when mortgage bills and other household expenses
come due. Likewise, when the parents start to fight, children often feel
the stress and begin to act out. “Kids become a symptom of how the
family is doing,” Madwed says. “We work with a family
systems approach and provide a support system to
help people cope.”
The good news is that many people can move
forward after a few counseling sessions because they
have more energy, understanding and confidence.
Catholic Charities has both an adult and child
psychiatrist who can evaluate people and prescribe
medications if necessary.
While Catholic Charities serves families of all
faiths, there’s no doubt that many individuals and
families seek it out because they are Catholic. “They
want to come to a professional service that is faith
based and respects their values,” Madwed says.
“When people give to the Appeal, they are helping
us to reach out in this unique and valuable way when
families need help.”
For more information contact Catholic Charities
at 203.416.1326.

Counseling has helped

many families and
individuals.
 Respect Life Ministry

t
in the Diocese of Bridgeport
“ he Gospel of Life is at the heart of Jesus’ message… It is the Life Campaign; and Rachel’s Vineyard and Entering
proclamation of a living God who is close to us, who calls us Canaan healing retreats, which seek to serve men and
to profound communion with himself and awakens in us the women who have suffered the experience of abortion.
certain hope of eternal life…” 40 Days for Life will take place during Lent from
– Servant of God John Paul II March 9 through April 17 this year with the goal of
Evangelium Vitae 1, 8, 84 bringing together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity
during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting
The Annual Bishop’s Appeal supports Respect Life programs through- and peaceful activism. Please visit www.40daysforlife.
out the Diocese. At the invitation of Bishop William E. Lori, two Sisters of com/bridgeport for more information.
Life answered his request to serve as the Director and Assistant Director Thank you for supporting the Annual Bishop’s
of the Office of Respect Life Ministry in 2010. The Sisters of Life are Appeal.
a contemplative/active religious community of women founded in 1991
by John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the
sacredness of every human life.
This ministry is born of the belief that every human person is created
out of love by God, made in His image and likeness, and is destined to live
forever. Their mission is carried with the hope of revealing to those they
serve the inherent goodness and beauty of their own lives, so that each
person may see and experience the truth that they are an unrepeatable
creation of the Master. 
The Sisters provide consecrated witness and support to diocesan-wide
and parish-level pro-life activities. They recently coordinated the
pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington D.C. and the Diocesan
Mass for Life. Their efforts are focused on supporting the growth of
parish based pro-life activities throughout Fairfield County. They hope
to encourage the faithful in reverence for the gift of life through pro-
grams such as: the Spiritual Adoption Program; the National Prayer for
March for Life in Washington, DC.

Contact us!
Sr. Mary Concepta, Director
Sr. Bernadette Thérèse, Assistant
203.416.1444
respectlife@diobpt.org
officeforpastoralservices.org/respect.htm
nationalprayerforlife.org
rachelsvineyardbpt.com
sistersoflife.org/hope-and-healing-after-abortion
a
Autism – Ministering and Providing
to Those in Need
utism affects all of us in one way or another. The Diocese
of Bridgeport is committed to reaching out through
Pastoral Services, Ministry for People with Disabilities.
The Ministry continues to support meaningful participation in offering
various services and events, as well as age-appropriate religious education
and awareness to individuals, families and friends. Whether it’s providing
resources for families or providing curriculum to teachers, schools and
parishes, there are initiatives, programs and events.
What is autism? It is difficult to define because the disability is
complex and every individual who is autistic experiences it in a different
way. Think of it as a fingerprint, no two are alike. If you have a family
member or friend or know someone who is autistic, then you know only
one person with this disease, not the spectrum.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears
during the first two years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder
that affects the functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas
of social interaction, anxiety, communication skills and sensory systems.
It’s the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the United
States and it affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys.
Interaction is Key
It is important to foster the idea that differences are
normal, expected and accepted when interacting with
individuals who have Autism.
Typically, those who have Autism have differences
in five areas which may limit language, social abilities,
and the ability to interpret situations, feelings of others and
interactions. They may use repetitive behaviors or themes; and respond
differently to sensations, such as, sound, light, and touch and transitions.
There are a variety of ways to support families, staff and individuals
with Developmental Disabilities in your parishes. Be sure to extend a
hospitality plan to include people with developmental disabilities, their
families and caregivers with a welcoming attitude. Specially invite
families, people and organizations from time to time to participate in
parish wide activities. They may serve at the Liturgy as altar servers,
lectors, and greeters, passing out bulletins or participation in music
ministry and more.
The parish should be as barrier free as possible and proper parking
and access into the parish and parish hall is essential. April is Austism
Awareness Month; hold a “Disability Awareness Sunday” to affirm the
value and
dignity of
persons with
disabilities and
host workshops
for continuing
awareness on
disabilities.
Always
assume
goodness.
You may ask
yourself why
A member of Summer Bible Camp
this person’s
participates in an exercise.
behavior might
be different. They may be in need of a break to move
around in order to reduce their anxiety or they may
be communicating a need in which modifications or
accommodations could be of assistance. In general,
it is best to speak in “people first” terms – i.e., a child
with autism, a parent who uses a wheelchair, a student
who has a learning disability. Every one should be
addressed in age and culturally appropriate.
Resources
We have several sites for regional catechetical
programs for children with disabilities. We offer a
variety of options which will allow children to be
placed in the most inclusive setting as fully as his or
her abilities permit. Adult formation and catechesis are
available. The Sister Margaret Mary Faith Club meets
monthly at three different locations and comes together
for social events. The Ministry for People with
Disabilities offers workshops, webinars, Summer Bible
Camp and an annual Mass for People with Disabilities.
The Annual Mass will be held in the Fall of 2011.
For more information and resources or to host
a workshop, please contact, Michelle Grieco, Director
for the Ministry of People with Disabilities at
203.416.1502, mgrieco@diobpt.org.
j One man’s journey
to the priesthood
ohn Connaughton is a second-year theologian studying at the
Pontifical North American College in Rome for the Diocese
of Bridgeport. His story is one of gratitude.
The blessings of studying for the priesthood in Rome are many.
As I learn more about our extraordinary faith, I also experience the joy
of living in the heart of the Catholic Church and one of the world’s great
cities. The College is close to the Vatican and I often visit St. Peter’s and
pray the Angelus with the Holy Father on Sundays. On the way to school
I walk through Piazza Navona (photo below) and by the Pantheon, and
I visit the tombs of great saints in the city’s many beautiful churches.
I also am constantly inspired by the great Christian witness of the men
who are my classmates, particularly in the way they interact with the poor
of Rome. After a friend’s ordination to the diaconate this past fall, his
parents invited a large group of people out for dinner to celebrate. When
I arrived at the restaurant, I saw that my friend had also invited a group of
beggars whom we pass by every day on the
way to the university. There was Monica, a
gypsy woman with three of her children, and
Giovanni, a man whose face is terribly scarred
from burns. There also was Constantino,
who suffers from paralysis in his
legs and hands. He arrived a little
late because two of the other
newly-ordained deacons had to
pick him up and carry him from his regular spot in the
nearby piazza to the restaurant to sit with us at the table.
It was a tremendous example of an act of love for one’s
fellow man born out of love for Christ.
Studying for the priesthood in Rome is an incredible
gift. I am able to be close to the Holy Father, and to
experience the universal Church in a unique way. But
the greatest gift, the one for which I am most grateful,
is given the privilege to grow in love for the poor who
have a special place in Our Lord’s Sacred Heart. I want
to thank the people of the Diocese of Bridgeport for
their generosity in supporting me financially and spiri-
tually as I study for the priesthood. I pray daily that the
Lord will make me a good and holy priest for them.
Thank you for your gifts to the Appeal, which support
37 men presently preparing for the priesthood.

238 Jewett Avenue • Bridgeport, Connecticut 06606-2892

2011 Annual Bishop’s Appeal

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