CAPP-Fairfield County - 2009 - Winter-Spring, 2010 Newsletter

On Sunday November 8th, 2009, a gathering of over 200 men and woman attended the Fourth Annual Communion Breakfast for Business Leaders at Fairfield University.  Mass was celebrated by Bishop William E. Lori in the Egan Chapel.   Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, was the keynote speaker.  As a leader of one of the most successful and highly rated insurance companies, Carl indicated that "Greed is the single cause of the economic crisis in the U.S. - the transfer of risk left others holding the bag."

Referring to the encyclicals of several Popes, Carl said the Church provided a blueprint for how spiritual values play an important part in the economy and how "the Catholic Church has saved capitalism from its excesses in the late 19th and 20th centuries" with the Church becoming a "clear voice for an economic system that takes all into consideration with dignity."  The event was co-sponsored by
CAPP-FC and the Fairfield University Center for Faith & Public Life. 

On November 9, 2009, an Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching was held at St. Mary’s Parish, Ridgefield.  Groups interested in sponsoring a presentation at their parish or organization should contact CAPP member, Lorraine Carrano, for information at 203-445-9954. 

A Seminar on Pope Benedict's new encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, was held at Fairfield University, on November 19, facilitated by Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., Director of the Center for Faith and Public Life and CAPP-Fairfield County Diocesan Ecclesiastical Counselor.

Father Ryscavage outlined three "themes" of the letter:  1. Love is at the heart of Catholic social teaching.  Here Pope Benedict continues his theme, begun in Deus Caritas Est, that human development is a vocation requiring a spiritual component.  "Truth requires faith and reason; 2. The key is "integral" human development, which requires belief in, and acceptance and integration of God in all facets of life, and; 3. We need ethics (and, therefore, personal conversion) for the success of the global economy.  Regulation is no substitute!  Without trust, the market cannot function.  
The presentation was followed by a very lively 30-minute question and answer session. 

Upcoming Events - Late Winter - Spring, 2010

On Thursday, January 21, 2010, Lorraine Carrano (CAPP-FC) and Bob Nalewajek (CAPP-USA President) will present an "Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching" to the principles and administrators of the Diocese of Bridgeport as a first step in collaborating in ways to introduce CST to educators and students in the classroom.

CAPP-Fairfield County's annual retreat for members and friends will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Sacred Heart University.  The retreat will be directed by Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J. (former Chairman of Fordham University's Philosophy Department -- and an engaging presenter) applying the theme, "Sharing Our Faith in Christ."  Starting at 12 noon, registration and lunch will be in the Faculty Lounge in the Main Building (Academic Building) and conclude with mass in the new Chapel of the Holy Spirit.  Please enter site at the Park Avenue entrance.

The second annual Communion Breakfast for Educators will be held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Sacred Heart University on Sunday, March 7.  The 9 a.m. mass will be celebrated by Bishop William E. Lori, followed by breakfast in the Mahogany Room.  Speaker will be Dr. Brian Stiltner, Chair of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Deptartment, Sacred Heart University. 
Dr. Stiltner's presentation topic will be:  "Catholic Schools, Public Schools and the Common Good."
 The event is co-sponsored by CAPP-Fairfield County and the Isabelle Farrington School of Education, Sacred Heart University.  Cost is $35.00 per person, or table of ten reservation, $300. 
To register on-line click here