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A N N O U N C E M E N T S
Farewell, Fr. Michael Lyons
On Sunday, June 23rd Notre Dame said a heartfelt farewell and thank you to Fr. Lyons for his many years of Pastoral service to the Parish. It was a beautiful morning that included a packed 11 AM Mass and a wonderful reception held in the Church Hall put on by the Women of Notre Dame.
Over this time at Notre Dame, Fr. Lyons was affectionately known for his quick wit, humor and compassion. In his farewell homly, Fr. Lyons said that "having you trust me with your words and life stories" was the greatest part of about being at Notre Dame. Fr. Ford presented Fr. Lyons with a gift from the Parish- a white Marian chasuble that will always be a reminder to Fr. Lyons of his time here. As Fr. Ford closed out the Mass with a few words he said to Fr. Lyons that this is always his home and will be welcomed back anytime. Fr. Lyons will not be going far. Bishop Caggiano has appointed Fr. Lyons the new Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Assumption in Fairfield effective July 1. |
NOTRE DAME IS LOOKING FOR USHERS & READERS!
For those Parishoners who are interested in becoming an usher or a reader at Mass please contact Fr. Ford for more information.
PASTORAL LEADERSHIP UPDATEAs announced at all Masses this past weekend, there is an update on the Pastoral Leadership here at Notre Dame.
As Fr. Lyons continues to look after his health, he has come to an understanding with Bishop Caggiano that when he is ready to return to active ministry it is best to do so with a fresh start. Therefore, Fr. Lyons has submitted his resignation as Pastor effective June 30, 2024. He will return to Notre Dame prior to that for a proper farewell celebration and we will keep you updated on when that will be. Bishop Frank Caggiano has appointed Rev. Christopher Ford as the new Pastor of Notre Dame effective July 1, 2024. Fr. Ford will first assume the role of Administrator on May 13, 2024 from Deacon John DiTaranto and then he will formally assume the role of Pastor in July. |
FR. FORD'S INTRODUCTION LETTER TO NOTRE DAME
May 13, 2024
Our Lady of Fatima
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Find your delight in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 31:4).
I first spent time with these words on an 8-day retreat while I was a seminarian. Since that time, they have continued to echo in my heart. As I begin to serve you and our beloved Notre Dame Parish, I hope that you will find in them some of the same consolation, inspiration, and even, at times, challenge that I continue to find in them. I also hope that you will come to see them brought to life in the ministry and service it is my joy to offer you in the coming years.
At the heart of our faith is encountering a person, Jesus Christ, who brings to life the reality of God’s love for His children. In Jesus, we see the distance God is willing to go for us. In Jesus, we are given a name to call upon in the moments we need to be reassured that we are not alone. In Jesus, the love of God is given a face upon which we can look – and in whose gaze we can find rest. Together, over the coming years, we will journey towards the heart of the Father. Hopefully, at each turn, the face of Jesus – the face of the Father’s love – may be more fully revealed to us, so that we can truly find our delight in Him, and recognize that He is, in fact, the fulfillment of all our desires.
As we will walk this journey together, it may also be a good idea for you to know a little more about me! I was born and raised in Naugatuck, the youngest of four siblings (and only son). I attended St. Francis of Assisi School and Naugatuck High School, graduating in 2007. I am the proud uncle of a two-year-old niece, who lives in Tucson, Arizona. My parents, who both grew up in Fairfield, still reside in Naugatuck.
I entered St. John Fisher Seminary in August 2013. Prior to that, I attended Southern Connecticut State University, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Political Science. During that time, I had the privilege of working professionally for campaigns for the United States Senate and Governor of Connecticut, as well as various other local and state campaigns. After graduating from college, I moved to New Wilmington, PA, where I worked in Residence Life at Westminster College, while attending graduate school at Kent State University in Kent, OH. I completed my seminary studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers, NY before I was ordained to the priesthood at St. Augustine Cathedral on June 1, 2019.
Over the past five years of priesthood, I have had the joy of serving God’s church in a variety of ways, beginning my priestly ministry as the Parochial Vicar at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Danbury, where I served until July 2021. I have also served the Diocese as Director of Vocations since 2020, Director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools since 2021, and Director of Seminarians since 2023. Bishop Caggiano has asked me to continue serving as Director of Vocations and Seminarians, as well as Chaplain to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools while serving here at Notre Dame. While there may be times that these responsibilities take me physically away from the parish for a day or even a couple of days at a time, I will always do my best to be as present as possible and ensure that you are well taken care of whenever my responsibilities invite me to step away.
If you see the lights on in the rectory late at night, fear not! I am also currently working towards a Ph.D. in Administration and Supervision from the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University! While I will complete my coursework in early July, the dissertation will follow – as will many late nights of writing, I am sure.
Apart from these ministry and academic endeavors (all made possible by a strategic partnership with Dunkin), in whatever spare time I have left, I am fond of playing golf, seeing friends and family, and watching my beloved Minnesota Twins baseball and Alabama Crimson Tide football. I also love to travel, knowing that God made an entire world and I look forward to seeing as much of it as He will let me.
Life is a lot, sometimes. And the real answer to how it is all possible is very simple: Find your delight in the Lord. That does not mean that it is easy, but that it is possible. With each moment of my life, I am becoming more convinced that there is nothing – no experience, no gift, no trial – that is not an opportunity for God to once again express His merciful providence and abundant provision in my life.
I am grateful for the personal and spiritual friends the Lord has blessed me with, especially Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, Pope St. John Paul II, and Blessed Columba Marmion, all of whom have been tremendous spiritual supports on whom I have leaned these past years.
I look forward to our time together, walking this beautiful journey of faith, service, and ministry. Together, may we come to a deeper delight in receiving the gift of God. May we respond with generosity and courage to all that He asks of us – knowing that behind each and every moment of our lives is the love of our heavenly Father, who grants all the desires of our hearts.
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Ford
Our Lady of Fatima
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Find your delight in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 31:4).
I first spent time with these words on an 8-day retreat while I was a seminarian. Since that time, they have continued to echo in my heart. As I begin to serve you and our beloved Notre Dame Parish, I hope that you will find in them some of the same consolation, inspiration, and even, at times, challenge that I continue to find in them. I also hope that you will come to see them brought to life in the ministry and service it is my joy to offer you in the coming years.
At the heart of our faith is encountering a person, Jesus Christ, who brings to life the reality of God’s love for His children. In Jesus, we see the distance God is willing to go for us. In Jesus, we are given a name to call upon in the moments we need to be reassured that we are not alone. In Jesus, the love of God is given a face upon which we can look – and in whose gaze we can find rest. Together, over the coming years, we will journey towards the heart of the Father. Hopefully, at each turn, the face of Jesus – the face of the Father’s love – may be more fully revealed to us, so that we can truly find our delight in Him, and recognize that He is, in fact, the fulfillment of all our desires.
As we will walk this journey together, it may also be a good idea for you to know a little more about me! I was born and raised in Naugatuck, the youngest of four siblings (and only son). I attended St. Francis of Assisi School and Naugatuck High School, graduating in 2007. I am the proud uncle of a two-year-old niece, who lives in Tucson, Arizona. My parents, who both grew up in Fairfield, still reside in Naugatuck.
I entered St. John Fisher Seminary in August 2013. Prior to that, I attended Southern Connecticut State University, graduating in 2011 with a degree in Political Science. During that time, I had the privilege of working professionally for campaigns for the United States Senate and Governor of Connecticut, as well as various other local and state campaigns. After graduating from college, I moved to New Wilmington, PA, where I worked in Residence Life at Westminster College, while attending graduate school at Kent State University in Kent, OH. I completed my seminary studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers, NY before I was ordained to the priesthood at St. Augustine Cathedral on June 1, 2019.
Over the past five years of priesthood, I have had the joy of serving God’s church in a variety of ways, beginning my priestly ministry as the Parochial Vicar at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Danbury, where I served until July 2021. I have also served the Diocese as Director of Vocations since 2020, Director of Campus Ministry and Chaplain to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools since 2021, and Director of Seminarians since 2023. Bishop Caggiano has asked me to continue serving as Director of Vocations and Seminarians, as well as Chaplain to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools while serving here at Notre Dame. While there may be times that these responsibilities take me physically away from the parish for a day or even a couple of days at a time, I will always do my best to be as present as possible and ensure that you are well taken care of whenever my responsibilities invite me to step away.
If you see the lights on in the rectory late at night, fear not! I am also currently working towards a Ph.D. in Administration and Supervision from the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University! While I will complete my coursework in early July, the dissertation will follow – as will many late nights of writing, I am sure.
Apart from these ministry and academic endeavors (all made possible by a strategic partnership with Dunkin), in whatever spare time I have left, I am fond of playing golf, seeing friends and family, and watching my beloved Minnesota Twins baseball and Alabama Crimson Tide football. I also love to travel, knowing that God made an entire world and I look forward to seeing as much of it as He will let me.
Life is a lot, sometimes. And the real answer to how it is all possible is very simple: Find your delight in the Lord. That does not mean that it is easy, but that it is possible. With each moment of my life, I am becoming more convinced that there is nothing – no experience, no gift, no trial – that is not an opportunity for God to once again express His merciful providence and abundant provision in my life.
I am grateful for the personal and spiritual friends the Lord has blessed me with, especially Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, Pope St. John Paul II, and Blessed Columba Marmion, all of whom have been tremendous spiritual supports on whom I have leaned these past years.
I look forward to our time together, walking this beautiful journey of faith, service, and ministry. Together, may we come to a deeper delight in receiving the gift of God. May we respond with generosity and courage to all that He asks of us – knowing that behind each and every moment of our lives is the love of our heavenly Father, who grants all the desires of our hearts.
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Ford
May Crowning Mass
On Sunday, May 5th at the 11AM Mass we crowned the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary led by the students of our First Communion Class. It was a very beautiful Mass!