Here is a snapshot of our programs, ministries, and services:

PARISHES
The Diocese is comprised of 87 parishes, with at least one in every town in Fairfield County, including more than 460,000 Catholics (51% of the population, compared to 23% nationally).

CHARITIES
Catholic Charities, part of the Diocese, is the largest non-governmental provider of social services in Fairfield County, providing nutrition, housing, mental health, adoption, immigration, and family support services to people of all faiths.

EDUCATION
The Diocese is the largest private educator, with over 12,000 students in 39 Catholic schools: 32 elementary, 1 middle, 5 high schools, and the State of Connecticut's only Catholic special education school. In addition, there are over 35,000 children in 87 religious education programs.

ETHNIC OUTREACH
The Catholic Church embraces its ethnic diversity. Masses are celebrated in 15 languages in the Diocese each week in response to the needs of our local communities and the growing pockets of newly arrived. In addition, the Diocese maintains bi-lingual social workers "in the field" to help the newly-arrived with needs such as legal services.

FAITH FORMATION
Through the Office for Pastoral Services, the Diocese fosters, guides, and supports life-long formation in the Catholic faith through parishes and at a Diocesan level. This is accomplished by supporting and building up parish catechetical programs, youth and young adult ministries, adult education, Christian Initiation, marriage preparation, family life activities, and formation programs for teachers, catechists, catechetical leaders, and clergy.

SO MUCH MORE....
The Diocese also supports other evangelizing and social service initiatives, such as the Cardinal Shehan Center and McGivney Center, after-school programs for children of all faiths in Bridgeport; and campus ministry through the Newman Center at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

The Diocese supports vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.

The Safe Environments Program has trained 90,000 clergy, employees, volunteers, Catholic high school students, teachers, parents, and contractors in the warning signs of abuse and the mandatory reporting requirements.

In communicating all the news of the Diocese, every Catholic household is entitled to receive, free, Fairfield County Catholic, the newspaper published every 2 weeks.

Sound and accepted financial practices are only part of our story. Another view is to experience the work we do every day in every town in Fairfield County. Come see the services of the Holy Spirit!

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