Lourdes Retreat and Mass at St. Mary Parish in Stamford Set for Sunday, Sept 27

This Sunday, September 27, the fifth Lourdes Retreat at St. Mary Parish in Stamford will be celebrated by Bishop Frank Caggiano and Father Juan Gabriel Acosta.

New this year, the event will start with a 5:00pm Mass of Hope and Healing.

The Retreat will take place afterward, around 6:00pm, followed by a procession with Our Lady of Lourdes statue around outside the church if weather permits.

There event will include a Eucharistic blessing, a candlelight Rosary, a homily by Bishop Caggiano, plus a distribution of holy water from Lourdes and a reception with refreshments downstairs in the church hall afterward. Admission is free although donations are encouraged.

The event is being coordinated by David D’Andrea of Greenwich along with the Office of Safe Environment of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Lourdes retreats typically focus on the theme of healing, drawing inspiration from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, a site known for miraculous healings and pilgrimages.

Mr. D’Andrea will introduce the two speakers who will share their personal faith journeys and how God’s grace has brought healing to them and their loved ones through times of suffering.

D’Andrea, who is passionate about the Lourdes event, said he has had several miracles. He survived Polio. He survived sex abuse by a pastor. And he survived both cancer and heart surgery.

Reached by phone this week, Erin Neil LCSW, Director of Safe Environment & Victim Assistance Coordinator said representatives from the Committee for Healing, the diocesan sexual abuse survivor-support group, will be available before and after the retreat to connect with people.

But anyone can reach out to the group after the event. Contact Ms Neil at (203) 416-1406 [email protected] or Valeria Jarrin (Espanol) at (203) 416-1407 [email protected]

“This is a special time to pray for the healing for those who have suffered from physical illness as well as sexual abuse,” Ms Neil said, adding that survivors throughout the day will be helping behind the scenes and making themselves available to talk to anyone who wishes.

Ms Neil said for some sufficiently along the way in their healing journey, they will be there to accompany survivors for whom it might be the first time coming forward.

“They will be wearing a lanyard or badge to identify them as part of Diocese of Bridgeport. Anyone is welcome to speak to them, she said.  “I will be there as a social worker along with survivors present too.”

Ms Neil said everyone is welcome, but they also encouraging anyone who has experienced illness, loss or abuse of any kind in their lives to attend.

Since there are many components of the event, including the outdoor procession, the candlelight Rosary, the mass, guest speakers, distribution of holy water from Lourdes and a reception in the church hall, all represent aspects to connect attendees to their faith and feel comfortable.

“It begins the process of welcoming those back to church in any way that makes them people more comfortable,” Neil said. “There is a lot of good that comes from this for a lot of people who are in their healing journey wherever they’re at. This is a chance to come together.”

St. Mary Catholic Church is located at 566 Elm Street in Stamford, CT 06902