Father Rob - Updates to St. Aloysius School:

Friends in Christ,
First, I’d like to share that my recovery from COVID-19 is progressing well. Though the last few weeks have been challenging, I have been strengthened by your prayers of healing, your offers of support, and the expertise and counsel of the doctors and health care providers in our parish. Though I am still recovering from the effects of my illness, I am feeling much better.

I am writing to you today to share with you some updates about St. Aloysius School. As you know, St. Aloysius School is a school of the Diocese of Bridgeport located on our campus. I am delighted to offer spiritual and pastoral support to this wonderful community, and it is a privilege to be able to offer Catholic education here at St. A’s.

Earlier this week, a video was released by the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Steve Cheeseman. He shared an update about a renewed vision and reimagined model for the school, that will ensure Catholic education is strengthened in New Canaan and remains on our campus for years to come.

In his announcement, he discussed the decision to re-imagine the school as a Pre-K through 4^th Grade Academy. This decision, which was made at the Diocesan level with some input from Parish leaders, was driven by declining enrollment and a strong need for early education in our community. For more than five years, the school has remained under-enrolled; and rather than close, the Diocese made the decision to pursue a new model that provides Catholic education in the early years and will facilitate a transition to Catholic or public middle schools. I support this decision because I believe it is vitally important that we keep Catholic education in our community.

The facilities are also aging in a significant way and need to be addressed in the short-term future. As part of a capital campaign what will launch soon, St. Aloysius is planning to construct a new, state of the art building that will be able to serve our 900+ religious education students, hosting meetings for our growing ministries on nights and weekends, and provide a permanent and upgraded space for St. Aloysius Academy. The prospect of being able to serve all parts of our growing community of faith is very exciting – and I hope to share more with you about my vision for this project in the coming months.

In anticipation of new construction, there will be at least a two-year transition beginning in the fall of 2022 where the school will remain a K-8 school and be housed in the former Holy Spirit School in North Stamford.  That building was completely renovated and is in move-in condition. The pastor of Holy Spirit Parish is happy to host us. Throughout this transition, the priests of Saint Aloysius will continue to minister to the St. Aloysius school families.

Though these upgrades are exciting for our Parish, School, and New Canaan communities, I realize that this change will also be difficult for our school families. I am here to speak to anyone who has concerns or would like to know more about these upgrades. I also thank you for your patience, your prayers, and for your passion. There will be challenges ahead, but I believe that we can emerge from this time of uncertainty with a renewed sense of community and mission. I am glad that we will continue to cooperate with the diocese and offer Catholic education at Saint Aloysius.

Know of my prayers for you on this eve of Thanksgiving.
God bless,
Fr. Rob

Congratulations St. Augustine Medal of Service Recipients Deborah Bernard-Millette and Ed Millette

Thank You - Because of you...

Because of you....the Veterans and Staff at the VA Hospital in  West Haven received over 500 gift bags for Veterans Day! From hand lotion to shaving cream, and from "cool" socks to warm scarves, flags and fun hand-written notes, you brightened the day for so many of our true heroes!   Never forget.