The Bridge - September 2025 : simplebooklet.com

Message In this Issue1 Message from the Bishop2 Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Two Great Doctors of the Church3 Diocese Names New Apologetics Director4 Diocese to Launch Pastoral Companions Ministry5 Tota Pulchra (Our Lady) Conference with Bishop Frank Caggiano5 The Bishop’s Lecture Series: Fr. Jeff Kirby, STD “The Legacy and On-Going Mission of the Second Vatican Council”6 Diocesan Events7 Podcasts and LecturesThe One is our commitment to renew the ecclesialculture of our Church and to bring everybeliever closer to the Lord Jesus. The Monthly Bulletinhighlights diocesanevents and initiativesrelated to The One.EventsandInitiativesSeptember 2025Watch Bishop Frank CaggianoInvite all the Faithful to Tota Pulchra (Our Lady)Conference

Page 2

Celebrated on September 14, the Feast of theExaltation of the Holy Cross honors the triumph ofChrist’s Cross. It commemorates the discovery of theTrue Cross by Saint Helena in the fourth century andthe dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre inJerusalem in 335 A.D.Rooted in early Christian tradition, the feast remindsus that through the Cross, suffering is transformedinto redemption. What was once a sign of shamebecame the instrument of our salvation. In both Eastand West, the faithful gather on this day to lift high the Cross—not as a relic of death, but as a sign ofvictory and life.The feast calls us to embrace our own crosses withhope, uniting them to Christ’s. As the Church prays,“May we who glory in the Cross of our Lord JesusChrist recognize in it the price of our redemption and the path to eternal life.”Diocese of Bridgeport | September 2025 Monthly Bulletin | 2Encounter Christ Share With Your CommunityThe Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2025St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome—Two Great Doctors of the ChurchEach September, the Church honors two great Doctors of the Church: St. John Chrysostom (September 13) and St. Jerome (September 30). John, the “golden-mouthed” preacher, was renowned for his eloquence,courage, and love of truth, even in exile. Jerome, the fiery scholar, gavethe Church the Latin Vulgate and a passionate love for Scripture. Though different in temperament, both shared a burning zeal for theWord of God. Their lives call us to seek holiness through truth, charity,and deep love for Sacred Scripture. The recently launched St. Jerome Center for Preaching and BiblicalStudies offers different programs to help our priests and deaconsimprove their preaching skills. It also offers bible studies for parishesand participating in the bible studies do not require registration or aweekly commitment. Click here to learn more. St. JeromeSt. John Chrysostom

Page 3

The Diocese of Bridgeport has appointed Suan Sonna as itsfirst Director of Apologetics, a role central to promoting the“truth” pillar of The One initiative.The role of Director of Apologetics is new to the Diocese of Bridgeport. Suan’s primary responsibility is to organizeopportunities to encounter Christ through apologetics, whichwill likely include hosting events at parishes, helping parishreligious education programs and Catholic schools integrateapologetics into their curricula and potentially organizing atheology bowl for high school students.Previously, Suan served as an affiliate with Catholic Answers, a parish catechist, and a novice with the Dominican Friars. In each role, he has sought to communicate the truths of thefaith. Suan is pursuing a Master of Arts in Religion at YaleDivinity School. He also holds a Master of Theological Studiesfrom Harvard Divinity School and a bachelor’s degree fromKansas State University.“In our day and age, people are asking the ‘why’ question,” he said. “The goal of apologetics is to provide answers that are intelligent and sound.”Suan sees apologetics as clarifying misconceptions aboutChurch teaching and sharing the Gospel with confidence,gentleness, and genuine listening—especially on difficultcontemporary issues.He is also available to give talks on topics such as Scripture, moral theology, and the papacy. His article “Lessonsfrom St. Peter’s Papacy” will appear in the upcoming bookFaith in Crisis.Suan invites parish and school leaders to reach out to him at suan.sonna@diobpt.org.Encounter/Accompaniment In Christ Share With Your CommunityDiocese of Bridgeport | September 2025 Monthly Bulletin | 3Diocese Names New Apologetics Director: Suan SonnaSuan Sonna, new Director of Apologetics for the Diocese.Click here to watch BishopCaggiano share his vision of theApologetics and introduce Suan.

Page 4

The Pastoral Companions Ministry is a diocesan initiativedesigned to help pastors extend their care to the sick, elderly,and homebound by forming parish volunteers as companionsof Christ’s healing love. Rooted in the Ministry ofAccompaniment, it rests on three essential pillars: providingcompassionate support in moments of illness, frailty, or crisis;cultivating authentic spiritual friendship among believers; andreaching outward to invite those who may feel distant fromthe Church.Pastoral Companions serve not as problem-solvers but asprayerful, Christ-centered friends who listen, pray, and walkwith those who suffer. They remind the sick and homeboundthat they are loved and never forgotten, often sharing HolyCommunion when trained as Extraordinary Ministers of HolyCommunion. This ministry strengthens parish outreach,deepens Eucharistic service, and fosters a culture of presenceand mercy that reflects the diocesan vision of The One.Volunteers will embark on an 18-month formation pathwaythat shapes them spiritually, humanly, intellectually, andpastorally. The flexible program blends in-person gatherings,virtual sessions, self-paced modules, journaling, and retreats.Formation begins with grounding in spiritual friendship andlistening, progresses through sacramental and pastoraltraining, and culminates in specialized skills for ministeringamid grief, dementia, or mental health struggles. Importantly,companions may begin accompanying others after initialtraining, with ongoing formation enriching their journey.Inspired by Christ’s walk to Emmaus, Pastoral Companionsensure that no one journeys through illness, loss, or isolationalone. Encounter/Accompaniment In Christ Share With Your CommunityDiocese of Bridgeport | September 2025 Monthly Bulletin | 4Diocese To Launch Pastoral Companions MinistryDeacon Tim Bolton, new Director of Accompaniment

Page 5

Tota Pulchra (Our Lady) Conference with Bishop Frank CaggianoAccompaniment in Christ Share With Your CommunityNORWALK—The diocesan Office of the Guilds invites thefaithful to the “Tota Pulchra” Marian Conference on Saturday,September 13, from 3 to 9 pm at St. Matthew Parish in Norwalk.The evening will include Mass with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano,prayer, dinner, and keynote talks by Father Justin Cinnante,O.Carm., and Dr. John-Mark Miravalle.Sponsored by the Morning Star Guild, the event is intended todeepen devotion to the Blessed Mother. The guilds are part ofBishop Caggiano’s renewal plan, The One, which invites peopleto encounter Christ through truth, beauty, and goodness. “Youcan’t fully encounter Christ without encountering his mother,”says Director of Diocesan Guilds, Luigi Manente. “She is thesurest path to Him.”To register, click here. Diocese of Bridgeport | September 2025 Monthly Bulletin | 5The Bishop’s Lecture Series featuresleading national Catholic writers andspeakers who will offer their insights intorenewal through truth, beauty andgoodness as we seek to accompany all intheir journey of faith.Fr. Jeff Kirby, STD, is the Pastor of OurLady of Grace Parish in Indian Land, SC. He is a moral theologian, Papal Missionaryof Mercy, and an Adjunct Professor ofTheology at Belmont Abbey College. Fr.Kirby is sought after as a retreat leader andconference speaker. He is the author ofseveral books, including Sanctify Them inTruth: How the Church's Social DoctrineAddresses the Issues of Our Time.Bishop’s Lecture SeriesClick here to RSVPFr. Jeff KirbySeptember 24, 2025 at 7 pmSt. Francis of Assisi Parish 35 Norfield RoadWeston, ConnecticutTopic: The Legacy and On-Going Mission of the Second Vatican CouncilT H E N E X T L E C T U R E F E A T U R E S

Page 6

Upcoming Events Share With Your CommunityAdoration of the Blessed Sacrament 2025Ongoing — click here to find Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Diocese. Join a St. Jerome Center Bible Study ProgramClick here to find out which parishes are participating in these bible studieswhich do not require registration or a weekly commitment.Diocese of Bridgeport | September 2025 Monthly Bulletin | 62025 Tota Pulchra (Our Lady) Conference Featuring Bishop Frank CaggianoThis conference dedicated to Our Lady will take place Saturday, September 13,2025, 3 to 9 pm at St. Matthew’s Parish in Norwalk. 2025 Lourdes Retreat with Bishop Frank CaggianoA Special Day of Healing and Hope. Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 2 pm. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 566 Elm St., Stamford, CT. Click here to learn more. Fall Forum 2025 with Bishop Frank CaggianoBishop Caggiano is inviting all parish catechetical leaders to join him for aconversation, updates on initiatives, and more. Sept. 13, 2025 9 am to 12:30 pm.Location TBD. Click to register. Follow the Diocese of Bridgeport

Page 7

Recent and Future Podcasts, Lectures from Bishop Frank Caggiano and othersShare With Your CommunityLet Me Be Frank Bishop Caggiano’s Recent PodcastsThe Life of SAINT (soon to be) Carlo Acutis, July 24, 2025Rome In the Time of Early Christianity & St. Francis of Assisi w/Bishop Caggiano, July 30, 2025Diocese of Bridgeport | September 2025 Monthly Bulletin | 7The Ethics of Immigration, IVF etc, w/Bishop Caggiano, July 16, 2025Maximillian Kolbe: A Great Saint of Our Time w/Anthony D’Ambrosio, August 6, 2025The Shroud of Turin, Women Deacons & More w/Bishop Caggiano, August 13, 2025The Council of Nicea: Why It Matters More Than Ever w/Bishop Caggiano, August 20, 2025

The Bridge - September 2025