text:
Institute for Emerging Issues
Support Donate Today! Support
About IEI
2019-20 National Advisory Board
IEI Event Space
Support IEI
Emerging Issues Forum
ReCONNECT NC
Reconnect to Community
Reconnect Rural and Urban
Reconnect to Economic Opportunity
Reconnect to Technological Opportunity
Reconnect to Move Forward
kidonomics | 2017-18
2018 Emerging Issues Forum: kidoNomiCs
#NCBigIdea Challenge
FutureWork | 2016
BAND-NC
Civic Conversations
IEI Summer School Series
KidsReadyNC
Service Year NC
Text, Talk, Future
Rural Faith Communities
Discovery Forum
InnovateNC: A Cross-City Learning Collaborative
First in Future: The Emerging Issues Podcast
Connecting in Crisis: COVID-19
Connecting in Crisis: Digital Inclusion Information Exchange
Reconnect County Snapshot
Local Financing for Early Childhood
FutureWork Disruption Index
2015 NC Civic Health Index
Manufacturing Toolkit
NC County Health Tool
First in Future: Co- Director of the New Leaders Council of North Carolina Michael Cooper
By joherric | June 26, 2018 Podcast
Summary: A scene is repeated in cities across the state, this company leaves, that plant closes or fails, and it rocks the town to it's core. Now imagine you are a new attorney fresh from law school who grew up in Wilkes County, an area suffering the loss of Lowes Foods and Lowe's Home Improvement headquarters. If you are this week's First in Future guest, Michael Cooper, the co-director of New Leaders Council of North Carolina, you move back to make a change. You go to court everyday to help your community; you join every board that you think can make a difference and you write stories and columns to inspire about what is possible.
This installment of First in Future is part of a special TV series produced in collaboration with UNC-TV, and is recorded in UNC-TV's Studios. Taped segments will air on the North Carolina Channel. Visit www.ncchannel.org/schedule/ for specific air dates.
Published in Podcast.
Tags: NC State University, Podcast, Rural Perspective
First in Future: Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina Keith Poston	First in Future: Secretary of North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs Larry Hall
Centennial Campus
emergingissues@ncsu.edu
James B. Hunt, Jr. Library
Centennial Campus Box 7406
Reconnect NC series
First in Future Podcast
Sign up for IEI emails
David Brooks is an Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times, a position he began in September 2003, as well as an Executive Director at the Aspen Institute. He is currently a commentator on "The PBS Newshour," NPR's "All Things Considered" and NBC's "Meet the Press."
He is the author of "Bobos In Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There" and "The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement." In April of 2015 he came out with his fourth book, "The Road to Character," which was a number 1 New York Times bestseller. Mr. Brooks also teaches at Yale University and is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Darin J. Waters is the Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement, and an Associate Professor of History at UNC Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina. As a professor, Dr. Waters teaches courses in American history, North Carolina History, Appalachian History, African American and Brazilian History. He also specializes in the history of race relations in both the United States and Latin America. In his role as the Executive Director of the UNC Asheville Office of Community Engagement, Waters works closely with campus and community leaders, representing an array of community-based organizations, to strengthen and build new partnerships for and with the university.
Waters is the co-host of The Waters and Harvey Show on Blue Ridge Public Radio. He currently serves as a member of The North Carolina Historic Markers Commission, the board of the National Blue Ridge Heritage Area, the board of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial of Historic Asheville, and the North Carolina Civil War History Center. Find out more about his work at darinwaters.com.
Mary Lou Addor serves as the NC Sentinel Landscapes Partnership & Adjunct Assistant Professor out of NC State University. Addor is a leader in the areas of leadership and professional development, facilitation and public participation, conflict management, team building, negotiation and coaching. She is the former director of the Natural Resources Leadership Institute. She is concerned with the ongoing, systematic process of implementing effective organizational change.


text:
Beni è il primo album della cantante giapponese J-pop Beni Arashiro, pubblicato il 9 febbraio 2005 dalla Avex Trax. L'album contiene i quattro singoli pubblicati prima dell'uscita dell'album. L'album è arrivato alla quattordicesima posizione della classifica Oricon degli album più venduti in Giappone, ed ha venduto circa  copie.

Tracce
CD
 Introduction
 Here Alone (Album version)
 Harmony
 Break out
 True fighter
 Miracle (Album version)
 Oh, happy day
 Silhouette (Album version)
 Infinite...
 Gems
 Daphne
 Step
 Always
 Give me up (CD Only track)
DVD
 Harmony (PV)
 Infinite... (PV)
 Here alone (PV)
 Debut Live Event Digest (デビューライブイベントのダイジェスト版)
 Album Original Video Oh, happy day (アルバムオリジナル映像)

Note

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I was fifteen when my father and I were invited to stay with Claudia in Berlin. Claudia - a veritable smorgasbord of Ayran - was the 3rd mistress of a Sheik, a client of my father's. We arrived by the Sheik's private jet and were searched by hatchet-faced Berliner women who were certainly born from the frozen ground and not warm flesh.
It was a stand off. Two equally opposed enemies facing each other across the vastness of a darkened classroom. I stared her down, unflinching from my position on top of a desk. She stared back; eyes narrowing against the glare of the school film screen behind me. I knew this was a battle to the death. When you take on a nun, there will be no survivors.


The month long Dubai Shopping Festival will wind up with the first rays of February. To enhance your last shopping experience at the Dubai festival, Vogue has picked out three restaurants that will snub your hunger pangs. Consider it a blend of retail and gastronomy therapy.
One can't simply skip the tallest building in the world when visiting Dubai. Levelled at 442 meters from the ground, Burj Khalifa's 122th floor offers a fine European dining experience which comes with a spectacular view – completely on the house.
Plan a siesta in between your rigorous retail spree session at The Armani Café. Take a pick from Fritto Misto All' Italiana (essentially for the fans of shrimps and calamari) or Mini Maritozzi if you're craving sorbet. One can trust the man behind exquisite bespoke line to deliver the best of gastronomy experience as well.
Renowned for its izakaya style of dining, Zuma is a favourite destination for both locals and tourists who are seeking Japanese cuisine. Izakaya is break down of two words – 'I' (to stay) and 'sakay' (sake shop) – which literally means 'a place to eat with drinks'. An ode to the forgotten era of teahouses frequented by Geishas in 20th century Japan, restoring the essence of dining on tatami mats and hours of sipping Sake.


text:
BRIDGEPORT—The diocese has released "One in Christ, " the new video to launch the 2023 Bishop's Appeal throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport.
This year's goal is $8.1 million to support the core programs and ministries in charity, formation, faith, education and catechesis throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport.
The three-minute video is narrated by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano who makes a personal appeal for unity of mission and charity.
"My dear friends in Christ, each year, I have the privilege to come and stand before you with a grateful heart to ask once again for your help to make the annual Bishop's Appeal a great success. I do so this year very mindful that our world is deeply troubled, deeply divided, deeply conflicted. And so the theme I've chosen for the Appeal this year is simply, One in Christ," Bishop Frank J. Caggiano says in his introduction to the video.
The Bishop makes references to new diocesan initiatives that are designed to draw the faithful "closer together in bonds of unity, friendship, and love. Not for our own sake, so that you and I hand in hand, heart to heart, shoulder to shoulder could go out into the world
and help whoever is in need, brother or sister alike, and invite them to see the true path that will allow the world the healing and hope, which is our right and destiny in Jesus Christ."
The video was produced by Brian Russell of Fairfield, owner of Red Shoe Film and Video productions in Fairfield. It was produced in association with the diocesan development office.
This year's Appeal supports new initiatives including "The Bridge" Center for Young Adult Entrepreneurship, a mentorship program for young adults. It will also help to fund the new Life Center and the St. John Paul II Evangelizing Communication Center planned to offer new paths of encounter to Christ.
The Bishop's Appeal also support Catholic Charities, Pastoral Care for the Sick, the Institute for Catholic Formation, attendance at the upcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, the Bishop's Scholarship Fund, seminarian formation and education, the Sacred Heart Guild, the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence for retired priests, and the Seton Collaborative, which provides business expertise and operational support to parishes and schools.
"Your gift, whether big or small, is a tangible sign that we are together one in Christ in allowing this mission to go forward into the world," said Bishop Caggiano. "As always, my friends, I'm grateful for all that you have done, and for your fidelity, and for your generosity. And now this is the moment I'm asking you once again to recommit to the unity we share, the mission that is ours, to give hope to a waiting world."
To make your gift online, please visit, 2023BishopsAppeal.org or text the word, APPEAL, to 475.241.7849. If you have questions, please call 203.416.1470.
BRIDGEPORT — Bishop Frank J. Caggiano launched the 2023 Bishop's Appeal with the theme "One in Christ," calling it an urgent message "more important than ever as we work toward unity in our Church and in our society."
The Appeal's goal is $8.1 million, unchanged from last year, and each parish will determine how it will use funds that are raised over their goal by June 30, he said.
"I ask you to consider the many ways the Appeal unites the diocese in service, compassion and faith," Bishop Caggiano said. "It is my prayer to bring our sisters and brothers together to encounter 'The One' and embrace the power of Jesus in our lives … In this year of Eucharistic Revival, please join in an effort that heals wounds, gives us hope and brings us together as one family in Christ."
Reflecting on the theme "One in Christ," he said, "All of the good works we perform are accomplished in the name of Christ and are expressions of our oneness in Him. As we work toward the renewal of the diocese, our task is nothing less than to invite people into the Mystical Body of Christ by creating welcoming, vital and loving communities of faith."
Bishop Caggiano said the Bishop's Appeal is a crucial vehicle to achieve those goals and that two initiatives begun last year are already helping the diocese move forward in its renewal.
"The Seton Collaborative is bringing much needed Information Technology and business operational support to our parishes and schools," he said. "Likewise, the new Sacred Heart Guild is opening up the power of beauty through sacred art, music and literature in the Catholic tradition. World Youth Day will be celebrated this year and bring hope to young people in our diocese, along with hundreds of thousands of others who are committing their lives to Christ."
The 2023 Appeal will be led by co-chairs Paula Summa and Jim O'Neill of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich and Monsignor Robert E. Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown. Morgan and Mark Mooney of St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield have been named this year's vice chair couple.
"I think we all have to remember the Church is larger than our parishes, and we have a responsibility not just to support our parishes but to support the works of the diocese as well," Monsignor Weiss said. "It is really important that we stand behind the Appeal because to me these are the Gospel mandates that Christ gave to us, especially to do work with the poor, to feed the hungry — the Corporal Works of Mercy, as well as the Spiritual Works of Mercy."
Monsignor Weiss said the diocese comprises the very rich and the very poor and that both groups need resources, whether it be counseling or food and shelter.
Supporting vocations is another major consideration, and St. Rose of Lima has had vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the religious life in recent years.
Monsignor Weiss also emphasized the importance of supporting retired religious. He is especially aware of that need, he joked, now that his own retirement approaches.
Since COVID, the number of people participating in the annual appeal has declined, he said.
"Unfortunately, we tend to rely on a few to reach our goals, but we really have to encourage people to participate beyond the smaller average who are doing now," Monsignor Weiss said.
His parish went over its $60,000 goal last year by $53,000 because of generous donors. strong participation – 497 parishioners at St. Rose of Lima contributed to the Bishop's Appeal, more than any other parish in the diocese.
"But it's really important that we work on achieving a higher percentage of donors in all our parish communities," Monsignor Weiss said. "Every dollar makes a difference. We aren't necessarily asking for $5,000, but that you make a donation within your means."
Paula Summa and her husband Jim O'Neill were asked to be co-chairs this year, stepping up from their previous role as Vice Chair Couple for the 2022 Bishop's Appeal. They describe themselves as retired "former IBMers, who try to help the Church in any way we can."
"'One in Christ' is what it's about," Summa said. "It is one Church, which means we have to be concerned with not only what takes place at the parish level but beyond. The Bishop's Appeal is necessary to achieve that goal."
O'Neill believes the theme of the Appeal calls to mind our profession of faith in the Nicene Creed, which defines us as "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church." He encourages Catholics to look beyond the borders of their parishes and support the Appeal, which funds programs and ministries for education, retired religious, seminarians, and other initiatives that provide works of charity, formation in faith, education and catechesis.
Summa and O'Neill, who are products of K-to-12 Catholic education, have a special passion for programs "that provide opportunities for our children to be in a safe, nurturing environment that instills the values of our faith," pointing out that those who receive a Catholic education are more likely to attend Mass as adults.
"Catholic education helps promote the Church of the future, which is very important because we live in a secular world that is hostile to our faith," Summa said.
O'Neill believes Catholic education is preparing "the farm team for the future."
"Faith formation is also valuable because it trains people in other ministries — from lectors to catechists — at the parish level," he said.
Having spent time with the retired priests at The Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence in Stamford, the couple praised them for the pastoral work they continue to do and point out that most of the so-called "retired priests" are still as active as when they served in parishes.
"The Bishop's Appeal helps these people who gave their lives to serve us," Summa said.
Similarly, the Appeal helps the Redemptoris Mater Diocesan Missionary Seminary of Bridgeport, where young men are in formation for the priesthood.
This year, the couple is committed to increasing participation in the Appeal because there are 8,000 fewer donors than there were several years ago.
"If those 8,000 people gave $100, that is 27 cents a day or $8 a month, it would raise an additional $800,000," O'Neill said. "It's not only the money, it's the involvement. We are the 'one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church,' so let's all work together and get in the boat and row."
They expressed appreciation to the nearly 15,000 people who supported last year's Appeal and asked for their continued support. In addition, they applauded the ten parishes that exceeded their goal and shared the benefits with other needy parishes in the diocese.
"They didn't put it in their pocket," O'Neill said. "They were willing to help other parishes who have a difficult environment. They were looking beyond the borders of their parish."
While they acknowledged that we are living in an inflationary and recessionary time that is challenging, they stressed that those in need are confronting even greater challenges.
"If we can increase participation and give a little more — to the extent that we can —we are helping those who are less fortunate," he said.
Summa has many years of experience in various financial executive and general management positions at IBM. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting as well as an MBA in accounting and finance from Pace University. She was a member of the Pace University Lubin School of Business Advisory Board and Executive-in-Residence. She is currently a board member of Foundations in Education and serves on the Finance, Audit and Innovation and Leadership Committees. At St. Paul Parish, she is an extraordinary minister, catechist, reader, Finance Council member and board member of Greenwich Chaplaincy Services.
O'Neill is a non-practicing CPA, member of the Knights of Columbus, retired IBM financial executive and board member of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance. He has a BBA in accountancy practice from Pace University and an MBA in finance from Columbia University. He served as non-executive treasurer and board member of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Currently, he serves on the Finance Council of St. Paul Parish, the Finance Committee of Foundations in Education and assists at Kolbe Cathedral High School. Both Paula and Jim are members of Legatus.
Commenting on this year's Appeal, Pamela S. Rittman, director of the Bishop's Appeal said: "When we give through the Bishop's Appeal, we are taking part in what Christ asks each of us to do, to care for one another, to be a light and witness of Christ's love, and to assist those who are continuing to spread the Gospel. Our diocesan programs are focused exactly on these goals. Our Lord blesses us each and every day, so let us continue to assist him by making the means available to fund vital programs. We are grateful for each and every gift, so please know you are making a difference in the lives of people you may never meet."
Click here to launch the 2022 Bishop's Appeal Review that first appeared in the March 2022 issue of Fairfield County Catholic.
BRIDGEPORT—The 2022 Bishop's Appeal, A Bridge Home has raised over $7.1 million and is at 88 percent of its $8.1 million goal to support vital new initiatives while continuing to feed the hungry, reach out to the most vulnerable, foster vocations and so much more to promote the life of faith in our diocese.
Over 12,700 parishioners have made a gift and in a recent video Bishop Frank J. Caggiano thanked all those who have given and asked those who have not yet participated in the campaign to consider making a gift.
"If you haven't yet given, please join others who have already been so generous. It is important that we all participate. Christ urges us to come together as one family to help each other and those in need. Your gifts will give the Church the resources it needs to lead its healing mission and be a shining light of faith and service in Fairfield County," he said.
The bishop said he is grateful that so many individuals and families have stepped up and given sacrificially to help others.
To date over 12,700, I moved this up and took this paragraph with the statistics out.
Pam Rittman, director of the Bishop's Appeal, said that as the diocese nears its goal, it's important to remember Bishop Caggiano' s words about "building a bridge home for those who haven't found their way back to the Church or who have not yet found the Lord." She said through our friendship to our sisters and brothers in Christ and those we meet and interact with each day; we are helping to build the bridge in our Christian community.
"The bishop instructs us that the mission of the Church is to build vital and engaging communities of faith that draw others by their personal witness, compassion and charity. He has challenged us as one family in faith to build bridges to those who have questions, who may feel unwanted or left behind, and who are suffering and in need of our help," she said.
Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese, said that making a gift by June 30 will send a strong message of support for the renewal efforts outlined by Bishop Caggiano and will help the diocese make its goal.
"The response to this year's appeal has been very encouraging. I am grateful to all of the donors and to our leadership team. Kelly Anne and Dan Murphy, our chair couple, and Paula Summa and Jim O'Neill, our co-chair couple, who have worked tirelessly to build support for the Church's mission of charity and evangelization," Gallagher said.
Gallagher said a gift to the Bishop's Appeal is an "investment in hope, renewal and evangelization" because it has an impact on so many lives in the diocese:
1.3 million meals served to the working poor, homeless and food insecure served by Catholic Charities houses of hospitality.
10,000 counseling sessions provided to help individuals and families cope during a time of crisis and uncertainty.
$2.5 million in tuition assistance for families seeking a Catholic elementary school education for their children.
Faith formation programs that encourage and inspire youth and young adult leadership and bring others back to the faith.
Funding for promising initiatives include diocesan Ambassadors, The Bridge, a mentoring program for young adults, and the Sacred Heart Guild, which will celebrate and inspire through the truth and beauty of Catholic tradition as discovered in sacred arts, music and culture.
Support for our seminarians and senior priests who continue to joyfully minister in our parishes.
Rittman said she expects parishioner donations to continue and is grateful for their generosity every year. They understand that supporting our diocese as well as their parish is part of their personal commitment to the Church in providing for its spiritual and material needs every year.
NORWALK—A chance meeting followed by an unexpected lunch date in college led Mariana Martins to refocus on her faith. "This is what I've been meant to do," said Martins, who also spearheads efforts for the Young Adult Ministry at St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield. Martins is a social worker for a non-profit organization in Fairfield County.
"I want to build something here," said the recent college graduate with a master's degree from Sacred Heart University. Martins said she wants to help grow the faithful young adult community where she lives and works in Fairfield County. Although her faith journey reads like a roadmap with many detours, each turn was directing her home to the Church.
Martins, whose family is from Portugal, said she was brought up in a very Catholic household where prayer, confession and praying the Rosary were as much a part of life as any other routine daily activity. She said college life changed that.
"When I went to college, I was still practicing but not to the degree I was before," she said, noting demands of daily college life including an expanding social calendar and other obligations left little time for her to focus on her faith. "I got distracted; I became worried about other things. I was not practicing as much," she admits.
Martins joined a sorority in her sophomore year at Western Connecticut State University and saw her campus involvement and activities increase. The following year she met missionaries from Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) who participated in a meet and greet at the university. After speaking with a female missionary of her own age, she learned about the Newman Center. The two exchanged numbers and Martins was invited to join a bible study hosted by the group.
"For a month and a half, I said, 'I'm busy,'" but persistence from her new friend paid off. "I finally decided to go one night, and it was completely eye opening. It was the sower and the seed story. Are you in the rich soil or on the rocks?" "That day I was like, "Wow! I'm really not where I need to be in my faith." She decided to stick around and learn more.
Sometime later, "I was having a rough day and getting lunch when who did I see, the missionaries and people from the Newman Center. They invited me back to the Newman Center to have lunch with them and we talked for a bit." That conversation led to another invite, this time to a trip to Indianapolis, Indiana for a conference. Martins, leaped at the chance to travel with her new friends. "I thought this would be a great opportunity to see another state."
After registering, and in preparation for the conference, she started attending bible study more regularly. "It completely changed my life," she said. "At that time, I really hadn't encountered young adults that were practicing the faith and out doing other things too," she said. "The way they were living out their faith, was very attractive to me."
Martins was so moved by the experience she decided to merge her two worlds and started her own bible study specifically for Greek life members. During her senior year at university, she also became the president of the Newman Center. "Everything fell into place because I believe God wanted me to have all of that," she said, adding that other members had similar experiences. "We don't want to leave the world. We want to live in it, and practice our faith," she said.
She witnessed how her openness about her faith made others more comfortable to do the same. "They would talk about bible study at Greek life events, prioritize praying more often and participate in adoration."
Graduation in 2020, amidst a pandemic, perplexed her with a question about purpose. As the baton was passed for leading the Newman Center and career choices were looming, she decided to pursue a master's degree in social work at Sacred Heart University. Martins made it her mission to find other people her own age that were practicing their faith and living it out.
She turned to her foundation and her home parish, St. Edward the Confessor, and reconnecting with Father Nick Cirillo, pastor, who she also knew from her days at the Newman Center, opened the doors to getting to know Father Tim Iannacone and Father Robert Wolfe as more than just parish priests. A meaningful friendship in faith was born. "I never really had a conversation with them until that day," she said. "They are like the coolest priests ever!"
Through the guidance of the two young priests, the young adult ministry at the parish, which focuses on addressing the needs of those between the ages of 18-35, has grown. There are more than a dozen active young adult ministries throughout the diocese. These programs are made possible and supported by the entire Diocese of Bridgeport through the support of the Bishop's Appeal.
The theme for the appeal this year is "A Bridge Home," highlighting hope, renewal and evangelization throughout the diocese. The Appeal invests in services that continue to engage those in their faith and build a strong bridge to many who are struggling.
"Mariana is a prime example of someone who has found a ministry and taken on a leadership role in that ministry," said Father Iannacone. He said her work with the core team of people organizing the events has helped increase awareness and attendance at the group's activities and in the parish.
"Parishioners have seen all the good work coming from this ministry and all the young adults coming to Mass," Father Iannacone said. "They can see their money at work," he said referencing how, "the Bishop's Appeal not only helps the diocese, but it in turn, helps the young adult ministry as well."
Iannacone said contributions from the Bishop's Appeal and organizations such as Foundations in Faith have helped the Young Adult Ministry at St. Edwards meet the needs of the young community and foster growth. The group has many opportunities for fellowship with a spiritual component, with unique themed gatherings such as Hawaiian night, trivia night and an upcoming karaoke night. Those types of activities have a strong appeal for the younger generation emerging from college life, where organizations such as the Newman Center at Western Connecticut State University help build a bridge to a faith-filled future.
"We are welcoming people into a place where Christ is dwelling in fellowship with one another," said Angelica Bakhos, program coordinator for the Offices of Campus Ministry and Vocations.
The Newman Center, named after its patron John Cardinal Newman and supported by the Diocese of Bridgeport through the Bishop's Appeal, seeks to help recognize, develop and cultivate the gifts of all God's people at the Danbury campus by creating a space where the "why" questions of life can be explored and answered more fully.
Bakhos said weekly dinners hosted at the center are open to faculty and students to help encourage fellowship. Plans for a talk series and other social events are in the works. "The funding from the diocese really helps us accomplish the unity and mission within the diocese and within Fairfield County," Bakhos said. Some of the funding helps support efforts to provide everyday items such as toothbrushes, deodorant or tissues to help students feel more comfortable, she said. Funding also helps provide for food pantry bags for students on the go looking for a quick meal.
Good conversations fostered by fellowship help connect people to their desires for God whether they realize they have a need for him or not, Bahkos said. "We want the Newman Center to be their home away from home," she said.
BRIDGEPORT—Chris Green has been serving as director of Religious Education at St. Paul Parish in Greenwich for five and a half years. The program currently consists of just over 300 children. Green also covers Baptism preparation at the parish.
"I love serving the families of St. Paul and feel blessed that God sent this opportunity to me," said Green, whose main role is supporting the parents of the parish family in their role as the first and most important educators of the faith. "I cannot think of a higher honor," she said.
Green explained that she sees God in each of the children she encounters, which has strengthened her own faith more than she ever imagined it would. "Each unique family has its own distinct needs and being of service to them is a blessing. From baptism preparation to the years beyond Confirmation, I want to be there for them."
Green said that the most important way she can serve parishioners is to be as prepared in her role as possible. She credits Father Leszek P. Szymaszek, pastor of St. Paul's for his support with faith formation programs at the parish, as well as the diocesan Institute for Catholic Formation and Dr. Patrick Donovan, who serves as executive director.
"Father Les is always available to meet with the classes and offer the sacraments, which is such a blessing," said Green. "The students really enjoy the time he devotes to them, and he is always available to answer their questions and mine."
Green praised the Institute for Catholic Formation for offering many opportunities for growth for DREs and catechists who Green calls "the heartbeat of any faith formation program."
"The workshops the Institute provides for the parish faith formation leaders are so valuable—from youth ministry training, to online LEAD classes, to workshops on the most important topics facing the Church today, they are there to support you."
Green said that Dr. Patrick Donovan has been a particular help in that he has instituted twice monthly "check-ins" that all the parish faith formation leaders are invited to attend via Zoom. "This has fostered a real sense of community that was sorely lacking," said Green.
"The Bishop's Appeal supports ALL of these programs and without these funds those of us in daily and personal contact with the parishioners of the Diocese of Bridgeport would not have much support in our positions and therefore not fully be able to spread the message that Christ commanded us to spread," Green stated.
Elaine and John Iannarone of St. Jude Parish in Monroe began volunteering with diocesan marriage formation approximately ten years ago. Until March of 2020, they facilitated and presented at in-person sessions. When the program pivoted to Zoom sessions due to the pandemic, the Iannarone's adapted their format as well.
The couple has been involved in various marriage preparation programs since 1984. They were a presenting couple for two years at Catholic Engaged Encounter and served as diocesan coordinators. They were also involved in the Sponsor Couple Program, an in-parish program for engaged couples at St. James in Stratford.
"We believe strongly in marriage formation and feel called to minister to the engaged," shared Elaine. "Early on in our marriage, and to this day 40 years later, our own marriage formation program had a powerful impact guiding our marriage in a healthy direction keeping us focused on how to live a sacramental marriage daily. We know first-hand that a good marriage formation for an engaged couple can make a major difference in their marriage."
Elaine said that working with the engaged in this capacity helps her and John spiritually by strengthening their sacrament of marriage. "It gives us a chance to awaken the couples to Christ alive in their daily lives."
Elaine also shared that the programs offered through the Institute for Catholic Formation help her and her husband grow spiritually. She enjoys how they are easily accessible, especially those that strengthen marriage and prayer.
Joanne Santulli and her husband, Deacon Bill, have been involved in both marriage preparation and RCIA at St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan for about ten years.
"As a leader in our parish's RCIA process, we help those who are thinking about converting to the Roman Catholic faith," explains Joanne. "It's a process that takes place gradually. Participants learn the truths and values of our faith in an open and welcoming environment over many months. We go to Mass together and discuss the scriptures. We walk on their journey with them for a while."
In marriage prep, Deacon Bill and Joanne help couples who are embarking on a new life journey together to understand the dynamics of their relationship with each other and with God. "Many are stressed with planning their wedding, working full time jobs and adjusting to a life that involves their spouse's family," she said. "Marriage prep helps them think about how they will handle all these things now and in the future, and how their spiritual life needs to be a big part of it."
Joanne said she feels very blessed to have the opportunity to serve in these roles. "I learn from the participants and their questions. It deepens my faith and inspires me to learn and be more involved. In community we learn from one another."
"As I pray for the future of engaged couples and those participating in RCIA, I also ask God for the grace and wisdom to inspire them," she said.
Joanne reflected on this year's Bishop's Appeal theme "A Bridge Home." "Faith formation is crucial to the future of our Church," she said. "We need to build bridges and feed all Catholics of every age with opportunities to deepen their faith. That is done through a variety of modalities which are funded by the Appeal."
Joanne sees the value in the faithful participating in parish events, volunteering to serve in different ministries, reading online courses and articles, and helping the disadvantaged and needy.
"We need to bring young couples back home to the Church," said Joanne. "Marriage prep is one of those bridges, and RCIA is another huge program in faith formation. We need to help one another hear the call of God and decipher what God is calling us to do."
"Formation programs provide the tools through a variety of means to grow and present the truth and beauty of our Catholic faith," said Pam Rittman, director of development and the Bishop's Appeal. "In addition to the Sacraments, these programs are life giving for family and community building. Your gift to the Appeal helps countless individuals discover and continue their relationship with the Lord. Thank you for helping them along their journey."
(The Diocese of Bridgeport is committed to providing current, engaging faith building programs that help every person in our diocese. Gifts to the Bishop's Appeal make it happen. Be sure to check the Institute of Faith Formation website for programs and ongoing events at: www.faithformationreimagined.org.)
BRIDGEPORT—As a kid growing up in Port Au Prince, Haiti, Férry Galbert knew the Mass in creole and had the desire to become an altar server. One could say that God placed the call on his heart early on, but Galbert would not realize that until many years later.
In 1997, Férry and his family moved to the United States, and their first parish was the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford. It was there that he was first able to become an altar server and "be close to where Jesus comes down at the altar," he shared. It was also there that he was exposed more to the contents of the faith. Monsignor DiGiovanni, pastor, and Father Paul Check, parochial vicar, encouraged him in his faith journey. After receiving confirmation, Galbert began working as a data register and assistant at the parish, where he was exposed to many of the daily goings-on of parish life. "The procession toward priestly vocation was a big journey with the Lord and with the faith," shared Galbert, "and a lot of that was in conjunction with the exposure I had through working at the parish."
During this time, Férry was taking classes at Norwalk Community College. Like many young people, he wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Through his work at the Basilica, Férry learned that he had a desire to serve the community and to be with people when they needed it most. This desire led him to become a registered nurse. He began working at Stamford Hospital, and it was around that time that his call to the priesthood became more prominent.
"I started wondering about the fundamental questions of life," Galbert said. At the hospital, he saw people at their most vulnerable. He saw all types of people at their best and worst, and the questions that he heard priests discussing came back to mind. "We are always yearning for more," shared Férry. "Our hearts are restless. We are constantly seeking new things and experiences, and the message of the Gospel is contrary to that," he said. Galbert explained that that is the reason people struggle so much, because our hearts are made for the infinite, and find a sense of peace being oriented to Our Lord.
"I was being called to a greater conversion," said Férry, who was yearning for his spiritual side even while working. "The Lord was dropping hints," he said. His spirit of evangelization was always there, he just had to find the right path through which to fully realize that.
The lay faithful at St. John's played a significant role in encouraging Férry toward the priesthood. They would encourage him to pray about it, and slowly the Lord began to work on his heart. Through his work at the parish, Galbert was able to see good and holy priests working together, namely Msgr. DiGiovanni, Father Paul Check and Father Terrence Walsh. Their love and reverence for the Lord, their example of Spiritual Fatherhood and their love for the Church and the faithful made an impact on Férry's own journey. "They had a genuine love for Jesus," said Galbert. "They were able to give of their lives and express the love they had for their community."
Férry also credits his parents for introducing him to the idea of "self-giving." His parents worked hard to provide a good life for their family. They prayed together, prayed the Rosary, and he still remembers his mother waking him up for Mass on Sunday morning. "Everything we encountered in Haiti," shared Férry, "showed my parents' self-sacrifice, giving of oneself for another."
As Férry's calling become more prominent, he began to question whether he was worthy and whether he would be happy. "As the Lord worked through my own heart, I saw there had to be more; I wanted to see what the Lord had in store for me," he said. "I began to see how the Lord was using the mundane experiences of my life to point me in the right direction."
In January of 2017, Galbert entered the seminary. "The seminary is instrumental to formation," he said. "It is where we learn about the faith and how it applies to us today and shows us how to be human."
When Férry first entered the seminary, he explained that he initially worried about how he was going to support himself financially, and he even requested to continue working in the summer. Férry mentioned his gratefulness for those who donate to the Bishop's Appeal. "It allows the men to mentally rest, rather than worry about the financial aspect of things and focus on their studies instead."
Thanks to those who donated to the Bishop's Appeal, Férry was able to put financial worries aside and fully engage himself in the life of the seminary—which is a full one!
The men begin their day with morning prayer, which includes a Rosary or meditation and Liturgy of the Hours. They then gather for breakfast before class begins. With a short break after class, they then gather for noon Mass. Every Tuesday, seminarians participate in a formation talk, which covers topics such as pastoral issues, dealing with finances and the impact of scandal in the Church. Formation is both pastoral and intellectual, making sure seminarians are well-grounded. After class on Friday, the men have time to themselves, though often there is a get-together, ministry, or talk for them to take part in on the weekends.
Férry mentioned that those who make donations to the Bishop's Appeal are investing in the Kingdom of God by helping men who are laying down their lives to become agents of the kingdom. "The Church needs to support its members in order to effectively live the Gospel, and that is part of how we live and function as human beings." He referenced John 13:35: "Jesus said, 'By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.'"
The theme of this year's Bishop's Appeal is A Bridge Home; it offers "hope" and Férry offered a message of hope to all the faithful. Reflecting on his experiences both in Haiti and in the hospital setting, Galbert said that sickness and death are not the end. "The hope is that we are not alone. Jesus Himself said it, 'I am with you until the end of times' (Matthew 28:20)." "His Spirit is in the Church," said Férry, citing the many ecclesial movements filling the Church with life. "We have to allow Him to work in our lives, allowing him to anoint every part of our lives for his glory."
As he continues his journey in the seminary, Férry's greatest prayer is to become closer to the Lord so that he can become an instrument for Christ.
"We are in such need of hope," he said, "we give ourselves because Jesus Christ exists, he conquered death and only by staying close to Him can we move forward." "I hope to acknowledge that we are on this journey together; there is enough suffering in the world—we need the Lord, and we need one another; the first face of Christ is through the next person we meet."
(When you make a gift to the Bishop's Appeal, you help support young men discerning their call to the priesthood who will serve as future Shepherds of our Catholic faith. To make a gift and learn more please visit 2022Bishopsappeal.org or call 203.416.1470. Thank you for your generosity.) n
GREENWICH—Paula Summa and Jim O'Neil of Greenwich, the newly named 2022 Vice Chairs of the Bishop's Appeal, have accepted their leadership post because of their desire to help young Catholics and their commitment to Catholic education.
Their belief in Catholic education led them to say, "yes," when they were asked to be the vice chair couple of the 2022 Bishop's Appeal, which has the theme "A Bridge Home," inspired by the vision Bishop Frank J. Caggiano articulated in his Pastoral Exhortation, "Let Us Go Forth."
"This theme is meant to highlight hope and renewal underway in our Church and our lives," Jim O'Neill said.
A central focus of the appeal is the young people of the Diocese of Bridgeport, who confront many challenges in modern society and need the support of the Church to navigate them.
"I'm encouraged by what the bishop wants to do with respect to children and young people," Jim said. "We live in a world where many families are dealing with so many competing activities that you wonder when they have time to even do their homework. There aren't enough hours in the day to engage them."
Developing programs for younger generations is fundamental to this year's appeal. "We have to figure out how to do it," Paula, who is a catechist of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich, where she and Jim are parishioners said. "How do we communicate the faith and make it resonate?"
The Bishop's Appeal, formerly the Annual Catholic Appeal, highlights hope, renewal and evangelization. It will invest in services to engage people in their faith by offering opportunities for discipleship, in addition to helping those who are struggling. The goal of the appeal is $8.1 million, which is the same as last year. Each parish will be allowed to determine how funds are used that are raised in excess of its goal.
"Paula and Jim bring a wealth of knowledge from their professional and personal lives; they are passionate about the bishop's vision to build a bridge and bring people back to their faith. They especially care about reaching and inspiring our youth and young adults who will carry on the Gospel and we look forward to working with them and exploring new ideas," said Pam Rittman, director of development and the Bishop's Appeal.
"Paula and Jim were instrumental in helping St. Paul Parish exceed its 2021 Appeal goal by 32 percent and it made perfect sense to ask them to take on an expanded role for the 2022 Appeal" according to Joe Gallagher, chief development officer for the diocese. Paula and Jim say it is crucial to have greater participation in the Bishop's Appeal and for Catholics to realize we are one faith community, with needs that extend beyond our parishes.
Jim emphasized the importance of expanding the participation in the appeal and said: "We have to cast a wider net and get more people to participate in the life of our Church, to follow Jesus' words and his mission. We do wonderful things, but I think we can do better."
Both Paula and Jim are products of a Catholic education, which has shaped their lives. And it is an experience they want others to share.
Paula grew up in Port Chester, N.Y., and attended Holy Rosary School, where she was taught by the Salesian Sisters and later the Sisters of Charity at the Academy of the Resurrection in Rye.
"I am a product of a generous donor who gave me a full scholarship and he never wanted me to know who he was," she fondly recalls. "I'm sure I wasn't the only one and that he did it for multiple people. I was always curious about him. Why would he pay for me to go to school?"
"We came from different backgrounds, but we all had one thing in common," she recalls. "We were engaged in the faith. Academically, the quality was fantastic, and so was the character of the students and the people we interacted with. It was very different from what I would have experienced in public schools. We all shared the same value system. It was an all-girls school, and we weren't shy to assume leadership roles and became successful in different professions."
Jim attended Our Lady Queen of Peace School and was taught by the Presentation Sisters and later the Irish Christian Brothers at Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island. That experience defined him and created lifelong friendships and a strong value system.
"Both my parents are no longer with us, and I wish I had the opportunity to thank them for making the sacrifice to send me to Catholic school. It was such a great experience. In those days, parents had to spend $25 a month to send kids to high school, and it was a challenge. So how can we help out now, to whatever extent we can, when tuition is much higher? In today's world, it's a struggle for parents to send their kids to a private Catholic school."
Jim is a non-practicing CPA, a retired IBM financial executive and board member of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance. He has a BBA in accountancy practice from Pace University and an MBA in finance from Columbia University. He served as the non-executive treasurer and board member of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. Currently, he serves on the finance council of Saint Paul Church and the finance committee of Foundations in Education.
Paula has had many years of experience in various financial and general management positions at IBM. She held positions as CEO of IBM Digital Sales and CFO posts in IBM's Global Geographic Units and Global Financing, Latin America Unit and Small and Medium Business Units, as well as other financial executive roles. She has a bachelor of arts degree and a master's in accounting, as well as an MBA in accounting and finance from Pace University. She was a member of the Pace University Lubin School of Business Advisory Board, and she was recently named to the Board of Trustees of Foundations in Education.
(As we begin the 2022 Bishop's Appeal, A Bridge Home, thank you for your support. To make your gift or learn more, please visit, www.2022BishopsAppeal.org or text the word, APPEAL, to 475.241.7849. If you have questions, please call 203.416.1470.)
By Joe Pisani
BRIDGEPORT—"A Bridge Home," is the theme of the 2022 Bishop's Appeal which launched in all parishes at the end of January. The appeal is the major source of funding for ongoing diocesan ministries and new initiatives to unify the diocese and celebrate the faith.
"I am very grateful for your support this past year as we met the needs of our sisters and brothers whose lives were upended by COVID-19, especially the poor in our midst. This was possible because of your faith and generosity," Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said in a letter that has gone out to parishioners across the diocese.
"In my recent December Pastoral Exhortation, "Let us Go Forth from the Upper Room," I proposed a three-fold mission to teach and preach the Gospel with clarity and conviction, transform our local communities into spiritual families united in faith, and to create bridges to those persons who feel neglected by the Church or whom the world considers, 'outcasts,'" the bishop said.
This year the bishop is asking the faithful to continue the work of renewal in the diocese by supporting new initiatives that engage the young, invite people back to Church, and celebrate the truth and beauty of the Catholic tradition.
According to Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese, this year's Appeal goal of $8.1 million remains unchanged from last year and will support these vital new initiatives while continuing to feed the hungry, reach out to the most vulnerable, foster vocations and so much more to promote the life of faith in our diocese.
"A Bridge Home" is the theme—highlighting hope, renewal and evangelization in our diocese, and it asks people to build bridges to one another in a way that supports unity and reaches out in service to all those in need," Gallagher said.
This year's appeal will also continue the successful "Parish Partnership" in which each parish will determine how to utilize any funds that are raised over the appeal goal set for the parish. Last year, many used their over-goal funds to partner with parishes that are pastorally vibrant but financially challenged.
Gallagher said a new Bishop's Appeal Advisory Committee has been created to replace the Pastor's Advisory Committee (PAC). This new committee consists of pastors and lay representatives and will be chaired by Father Paul Murphy, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Darien. Additional members of the new committee include Father Jose A. Vasquez, Father Henry Hoffman, Father Luke Suarez, Brian Young, Mary Jo Dyer and Patrick O'Keefe.
"I would like to thank the prior chairs, Father Reggie Norman and Father Mike Jones for their many years of service to the PAC and for agreeing to serve on the new advisory committee," Gallagher said, who noted that the advisory committee will provide strategic advice regarding the Bishop's Appeal.
Pam Rittman, director of the Bishop's Appeal, said that "A Bridge Home" is a call to missionary discipleship, and to support new initiatives including the expanded Institute for Catholic Formation, a resource center that will invite, engage and connect people of all ages to our parishes; The Bridge, a mentoring program for young adults, and the Sacred Heart Guild, which will celebrate and inspire through the truth and beauty of Catholic tradition as discovered in sacred arts, music and culture.
The 2022 Appeal also helps to support the more than 200 men and women Ambassadors who are now going out to the community to welcome people back to Church. A second cohort of Ambassadors will be commissioned this year.
"The appeal invests in services that continue to engage those in their faith and build a strong bridge to so many who are struggling. Now it is more important than ever to support our bishop's mission to reunite our Church, affirm our faithful and welcome others back," Rittman said.
Pledges can be made online at www.2022BishopsAppeal.org; or text the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849.
TRUMBULL—In a divided world, Dan and Kelly Anne Murphy, the chair couple of the 2022 Bishop's Appeal, see an opportunity for Catholics to build bridges to one another and the community after two challenging years of a global pandemic.
They are urging the faithful to support Bishop Frank J. Caggiano's vision by building "A Bridge Home."
"That theme is meant to highlight hope and renewal underway in our Church and lives," the bishop said in his December Pastoral Exhortation titled, "Let Us Go Forth from the Upper Room."
Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese, said he is grateful that the Murphys accepted the Bishop's Appeal leadership challenge, and he's looking forward to partnering with them. "We've been blessed by the faith and dedication of our past chair couples, and both Dan and Kelly Anne are adding to the proud tradition within our diocese," he said.
The Murphys believe the campaign offers the diocese an opportunity to bring healing and hope to families, friends, neighbors and others who are weary from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also help reunite the Church, reaffirm our faith and welcome others back.
"We speak of the Body of Christ, and we have to gather all our resources and bring people back who may be on the other side of an obstacle," Kelly Anne said. "We need to work on our formation by knowing and understanding what we believe. For example, many Catholics don't believe in the True Presence. We have to get back to our roots and also reach out to people in need."
The Murphys, who are members of the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull, served as the vice chair couple in the previous two campaigns and have been active in ministries in their church and the diocese.
"There is nothing more important than serving our Lord, and it has become more evident to me, with the pandemic, that a lot of people took a pause and a break," Dan Murphy said.
"But our faith is one of community, and we need to do this together. It's not done in isolation; we have to bring people together, particularly in our divided world." In his letter, Bishop Caggiano outlined three tasks that will be the focus of the appeal: to teach and preach the Gospel with clarity and conviction; to transform local parish and school communities into spiritual families united in faith; and to create bridges to people who feel neglected by the Church or who the world considers "outcasts."
The Bishop's Appeal, formerly the Annual Catholic Appeal, highlights hope, renewal and evangelization, Kelly Anne said. It will invest in services to engage people in their faith by offering opportunities for discipleship, in addition to helping those who are struggling. The goal of the appeal is $8.1 million, which is the same as last year. Each parish will be allowed to determine how funds are used that are raised in excess of its goal.
"We are blessed to have the Murphys step into the role of chair couple for the 2022 Bishop's Appeal after serving as vice chairs for several years," said Pam Rittman, director of development and the Bishop's Appeal. "Their leadership, deep faith, and roots in volunteering through their parish and diocesan ministries provides the foundation to inspire others."
Among the initiatives the appeal will sponsor are the Institute for Catholic Formation to ensure young people stay connected to the life, mission and ministry of parishes, along with a new mentoring program called "The Bridge" Center for Young Adult Entrepreneurship, which will provide resources and mentorship to young adults for growth in their Catholic faith, while making an impact on their local communities.
The Sacred Heart Guild will support programs centered on Christ in the arts and evangelization by focusing on the beauty and truth of the Catholic tradition. The guild will seek to inspire through pilgrimages, workshops, concerts and talks that celebrate Christ in the arts, including sacred music, painting, architecture and literature, with particular attention to the needs of young people in our diocese, the bishop said.
Other ministries supported by the appeal include the St. Catherine Center for Special Needs and the Ambassador program, which assists parishioners in welcoming back those who have stopped attending Mass or left the faith.
The Bishop's Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to nearly 1,300 students at diocesan Catholic elementary schools annually. In addition, it helps seminarians who are discerning their calling in preparation for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Stamford, while providing assistance to men in formation to the diaconate.
The Seton Collaborative offers expertise to diocesan schools and parishes by focusing on efficient and effective operations. Retired clergy receive support to live in dignity at the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of Clergy Residence.
The Murphys have seen firsthand the programs that benefit from the diocesan appeal. Kelly Anne is especially focused on Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence because her uncle, Father John Conlisk, was a priest in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
She and their son Kevin, a freshman at Fairfield Prep, recently participated in a food distribution project at the Thomas Merton Center in which some 2,000 people lined up to receive food provided by the Church of Latter-day Saints in Utah.
She still recalls the first time she volunteered at the Merton Center. "I was on the line, scooping out the food and trying to interact with the guests, and I looked across at these people and thought any one of us is two steps away from being in that line, and it hit home that we were really blessed," she said. "We're not in the line, and we are blessed to be serving in the line."
She believes that many people are eager to support the charitable works of the diocese through Catholic Charities of Fairfield County.
When Kelly Anne talks about the good works the Church does, she recalls her grandmother Margaret Conlisk, an immigrant from County Mayo, who like many others came to America from Ireland and brought their faith with them. They took jobs as housekeepers and laborers and lived lives centered on Christ.
"My grandmother always said that you never miss anything you give to the Church," Kelly Anne recalled. "You went to Mass and put your money in the basket…and it better not jingle."
"Our parents raised us in a Catholic house and it has carried on down the generations," said Dan, who admits to becoming fully immersed in the faith after their oldest daughter Alana started asking theological questions at sixyears-old, which he describes as "pretty deep."
The Murphys are members of the Order of Malta and also volunteer during the organization's annual pilgrimages to Lourdes for the sick, visiting the shrine to Our Lady.
Dan, a CPA with more than 20 years of executive finance and accounting experience, is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He and their son Sean, a junior at Trumbull High School, are on the Welcome Team of St. Catherine of Siena, and Kevin is a master of ceremony at the parish.
The couple also has two daughters—Alana, a graduate of Boston College, who is getting her master's degree in English at Fordham University, and Bridget, who is working on her master's in teaching at Fordham while teaching math at Cristo Rey High School in New York City. All four Murphy children attended St. Catherine of Siena School.
(As we begin the 2022 Bishop's Appeal, A Bridge Home, thank you for your support. To make your gift or learn more, please visit, 2022BishopsAppeal.org or text the word, APPEAL, to 475.241.7849. If you have questions, please call 203.416.1470.)
The following is a message from Bishop Frank Caggiano:
We have had good news lately with the full re-opening of our churches and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions allowing us to return to more active and engaged lives. It is a time to offer praise and to express gratitude for the good work by so many during the suffering and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic.
It is also important to remember that during the darkest hours of the pandemic, the ministries funded by the Annual Catholic Appeal represented the compassion and mercy of Christ in our parishes and the larger community.
I wish to thank all of those who have given so generously over the past year to help their brothers and sisters in need. I am deeply grateful to our donors who through their generosity looked after all those who were vulnerable.
We need to raise $1.5 million to reach our $8.1 million goal
Gifts to the Appeal make it possible to:
Provide over 1.3 million meals each year, 10,000 counseling sessions and housing assistance through Catholic Charities
Award over $2.7 million in financial assistance for Catholic education through the Bishop's Scholarship Fund; and scholarships to 85% of students in the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport
Ensure on-going programs in faith formation and long-term Eucharistic Renewal
There is no better way to support this vision going forward than to join 11,000 donors who have given to Arise, the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal. Your gift reaches every aspect of diocesan life, from serving the neediest to strengthening our parishes and building up the entire Body of Christ in Fairfield County.
Let us pray together that the summer months ahead will be a time of full recovery and return to all that is good in life, and that we all truly come home to the Lord in our Father's house and in our service to others. Thank you for your support.
Download the 2021 Appeal Brochure
Please make a gift to the 2021 Appeal to support the works of charity and pastoral services, education and catechesis and faith and ministry.
We are grateful for your generosity.
Donate Now Online
MONROE—The response of the parishioners of St. Jude Parish in Monroe is emblematic of the hope and generosity of Catholics throughout the diocese who contribute to the appeal, which funds essential ministries, programs and agencies that deliver pastoral care and human services where they are most needed.
It took less than a month after the appeal began on February 27, for St. Jude's to met its goal of $84,600. Parishioners were inspired by the leadership of Father Henry Hoffman, pastor, and his Annual Appeal team, who provided parishioners with an understanding of how important the campaign is in supporting programs, which no single parish can provide on its own.
Father Hoffman began working on a plan in mid-February with Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese, and Deacon Patrick Toole, episcopal delegate for administration. He later met personally with the parish's biggest donors. Then, Gallagher launched the campaign at all the parish's Masses at the end of the month. A comprehensive website was developed to explain the goals and benefits of the appeal.
Gallagher said, "I was honored to be invited by Father Hoffman to help kick off the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal. I was immediately struck by the strong leadership offered by him and the lay leaders at St. Jude. The diocese is very appreciative of how the parish of St. Jude actively and generously supports the vital ministries, including Catholic Charities, the Bishop's Scholarship Fund, seminarian formation and care for our retired priests."
Father Hoffman's efforts were augmented by those of the other members of the parish ACA team — Rich Lane, parish council president; Norma and Doug Bissell, co-chairs for the St. Jude appeal; and Deacons John Tuccio and David Flynn. The team launched the appeal in mid-February using the theme of Jesus' commandment to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
The co-chairs spoke at every Mass on March 6 and 7, and their message was simple —"Many are in need, many who helped can't help this year and may need help. We all need to help where we can."
"Our message was delivered to everyone, including the children," Norma and Doug Bissell said. "To our adults, we emphasized the online process, and for the children a 'PENNIES FROM HEAVEN' bucket was placed in the lobby.
"St. Jude Church is blessed to have wonderful parishioners who are sacrificing to help the ACA and their neighbors in need," the Bissells said. "We are profoundly thankful to those parishioners who have taken us this far."
BRIDGEPORT—The 2021 ARISE Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) has passed the 50 percent mark with $5 million pledged on its way to the overall $8.1 million goal to fund the critical ministries and ongoing programs of the diocese.
"The response is well ahead of last year and is very encouraging on many levels" said Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese. "I'm very grateful for our donors, the leadership of our bishop and pastors and for the overall generosity of the people of the diocese."
In addition to lowering the ACA goal this year as a result of the success of the We Stand With Christ capital campaign, the diocese has also shortened the time for the campaign. The goal is to bring the ACA to a close by the end of June.
Gallagher said he believes that the faithful have responded to the words of Bishop Frank J. Caggiano that this year's appeal is crucial because of the need to reach out to those still suffering from the pandemic, while also helping the diocese to move ahead in its renewal efforts.
In announcing the Arise theme of this year's appeal in February, the bishop said "We arise by standing together in prayerful hope to strengthen the mission of the Church which we form, a people of the light in darkness, a people of hope despite challenge."
"I pray that, as we go forward, we will not lose this unique moment to aid our sisters and brothers in need, and place our Church on the path of growth and renewal," the bishop said who issued a diocesan "Call to Renewal" in his recent pastoral exhortation, "Let us Enter the Upper Room with the Lord."
Gallagher said that in addition to the overall amount collected and pledged to date toward the goal, he is very pleased to see the level of participation. The number of donors to the ACA is up considerably.
"Participation is up dramatically across the diocese and that's a very positive trend," said Gallagher, who noted that some parishes have already seen a sixty percent increase in the number of those who are giving.
"That's a significant increase coming out of the pandemic and a very positive signal about the faith and generosity of the people of the diocese. Both large and small donors are eager to support the bishop's plan for renewal and continue to help those in need."
Gallagher said that people who contribute to the ACA understand that as donors they are also beneficiaries because the appeal reaches into every aspect of life in the diocese by making so many charitable, education and faith formation programs possible.
Among last year's highlights were the more than 1.1 million meals served to the poor and food insecure through Catholic Charities, and more than $2.7 million in financial aid given to Catholic school students through the Bishop's Scholarship Fund. The appeal also supported counseling and mental health services that have helped people get through the pandemic.
Pam Rittman, director of the Annual Catholic Appeal, said one noticeable change to campaign this year will be the timing of in-pew weekend.
Rather than all parishes conducting the in-pew on the same weekend, the bishop has given pastors the discretion to conduct the in pew on a weekend that works best for them. Envelopes will begin arriving in parishes on April 30, and all in-pew will be held by the end of May, she said.
"It's a very hopeful time because many people have been vaccinated and have begun returning to Mass in person," said Rittman, who noted that people often prefer to make their pledge during the in-pew weekend.
However, those who are unvaccinated or concerned about returning to Church, can make a gift online or use the envelope enclosed in Fairfield County Catholic.
Rittman said she believes the pandemic stirred a deeper understanding of the role the Annual Catholic Appeal plays in the diocese, because the services it provided last year touched the lives of so many people—many of them who never needed help before.
"When the need arose to feed more people, bring the sacraments to hospitals and convalescent facilities, expand scholarship support to students whose parents lost their jobs, and improve communications to make online Masses possible, the ACA was the vehicle for this emergency response," she said.
(Gifts can be made securely either on-line on the Annual Catholic Appeal website: 2021ACABridgeport.com donate page tab or by texting the word, APPEAL to 475.241.7849 on a smart phone or calling 203.416.1470. ACA gifts can be mailed to the Catholic Center at 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606.)
By Brian D. Wallace
BRIDGEPORT—The "ARISE" 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) is off to an encouraging start with $2.9 million pledged toward an overall goal of $8.1 million in support of Bishop Frank J. Caggiano's "A Call to Renewal" along with ongoing programs and ministries.
The 2021 ACA moves forward at a hopeful moment with the arrival of vaccines and many parishioners beginning to return to in-person Mass around the diocese.
"I come to you with real, joyful hope because as this pandemic begins to recede, you and I are given this wonderful opportunity, creatively and imaginatively, to set our Church on a path of growth by offering new initiatives and new opportunities to engage our youth and welcome people back to Church."
The bishop said he is particularly grateful for those who have already generously given to the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal, which is both looking forward to the future, but also working to address the ongoing needs of those who have been left behind as a result of the pandemic.
"This is not the time for us to turn our backs away from those in need," the bishop said. "For the need remains urgent, and many suffer from the effects of this pandemic and will continue to do so for a long time as we work to recover."
Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese, said this year's ACA will provide the financial resources for many of the initiatives outlined in the bishop's recent Pastoral Exhortation, "Let Us Enter the Upper Room with the Lord."
"In his Pastoral Exhortation the bishop has issued a "Call to Renewal," which includes the designation of Centers of Mercy and Centers of Eucharistic Adoration to enable all to deepen their faith, said Gallagher.
Likewise, orientation and training has already begun for men and women of all ages throughout the diocese who are interested in becoming "Ambassadors," who will share their faith with others and go out into the community later in the year to evangelize in person.
Planning is also underway for the development of four pastoral centers focusing on family life, Catholic culture and sacred arts, young adult entrepreneurship and evangelization in order to move the diocese forward in renewal.
"The seed money for these new and exciting programs will come from the ACA, and it will support the renewal efforts, "said Gallagher.
In describing "A Call to Renewal" Bishop Caggiano said it is not a formal process or program but a series of opportunities for people to deepen their faith, serve others and go out into community to address the needs of our entire family of faith. "We can become ambassadors of Christ in the world," he said.
Pam Rittman, director of the ACA, said that in addition to supporting the bishop's "A Call to Renewal," the ACA continues to fund the major diocesan ministries and services available to all people in the diocese throughout the year.
"As a Catholic community we care deeply about the vulnerable and underserved parishioners within the Diocese of Bridgeport, many of whom are members of our inner-city churches and have been hardest hit by the pandemic," she said.
Rittman said the need for nutrition, counseling and immigration services through Catholic Charities has remained elevated throughout the crisis while some parishes have required emergency support. Many families throughout the diocese have depended on the Bishop's Scholarship Fund to support their choice of Catholic education for their children and because of the pandemic, there has been an increase in enrollment.
"The bishop has taught us that those in need are our brothers and sisters, and we must work to help them to feel welcome in our Church as part of our diocesan families. We need to stand with them and accompany them," she said.
Rittman said the ACA is an opportunity for the people of the diocese to invest in the future of young people and the vibrancy of the entire faith community, while also continuing to support essential ministries that do the work of feeding and sheltering the poor, reaching out to the elderly, and serving all those who are vulnerable and troubled.
She added that a new revenue sharing plan allows each parish to designate their over goal funds to a specific ministry or diocesan mission program, another parish facing financial hardship, or for their own parish general operating needs. Each pastor, along with their parish council and finance committees, determine where the funds will be directed.
"We're asking people to give according to their means at a time when there is much need, great hope and a shared vision for the future, and we are grateful for each and every gift no matter what people give," she said.
Donations may be made by using the envelope in this issue or online at: www.2021ACABridgeport.com. You may also donate by texting the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849 to make your pledge. Please visit the website to view the 2021 Appeal video and learn more.
For the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal, the following provides a correction to the figures for St. Thomas More Parish.
• Goal—$450,000
• Pledged—$478,158
• % over goal—+6.3%
The diocesan Development Team would like to thank the parishioners of St. Thomas More for their commitment to supporting the ministries of the diocese.
BRIDGEPORT—For both the Melaragnos and the Murphys, leadership of the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal, the pandemic has been a time for noticing and stepping up to address the great need in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
"Many people are asking for help at a time when help isn't as readily available," explained Roxanne Melaragno.
The 2021 ACA theme is "Arise" and people around the diocese have truly "arisen" to the challenge during this difficult time, although the need is still great.
Roxanne and Jason Melaragno, parishioners of Holy Family/St. Emery Parish in Fairfield continue as chair couple for this year's appeal and have been serving in leadership roles within their parish and at the diocese. Kelly Anne and Dan Murphy, parishioners for St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Trumbull, continue a second year as vice chair couple.
Kelly Anne and Dan Murphy shared their experiences of volunteering at multiple food drives this summer. The couple volunteered at St. Catherine of Siena, St. Lawrence, the Thomas Merton Center and New Covenant Center, just to name a few.
"We learned that we need to direct generosity properly so that it reaches those in need," shared Kelly Anne, referring to an experience at Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry in Bridgeport. "Many people that benefit from the food pantry come by on foot, so bulk items are often too heavy for them to carry." Kelly Anne explained that with each food drive, the volunteers learned more and more about how to be intentional when it comes to donations.
"The manner in which we do outreach is different," she said. "We have to be cognizant of what people's needs are."
"My experience volunteering during the pandemic has opened my eyes to what others really need and how we can meet those needs in new ways."
The Melaragnos noticed how enthusiastic people were about being able to return to Mass. From early-March to mid-May, public Mass was not celebrated in the diocese due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was a great sacrifice for many, especially those who watched a relative or friend fall ill, buried a loved one, or remained in isolation, the effort was in order to observe the state's shelter at home order and save many lives.
On May 11, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano announced a gradual return to public Mass to begin later that month. The Melaragnos explained that although virtual Masses were a wonderful addition and a way to keep people connected during the height of COVID-19, the return to public Mass was indeed an occasion for much joy.
"People realized how much they missed Mass," shared Jason Melaragno.
At their home parish of Holy Family/St. Emery, they noticed that the goal was to take precautions to help people feel as comfortable as possible returning to Mass—that even included the addition of a Holy Water dispenser.
The Murphys also remarked that it was comforting to see people gradually returning to public Mass, and at their home parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull, all available seating has been filled since the middle of the summer.
That being said, the Murphys are very grateful for the ability to livestream and attend virtually, especially for the elderly or those at high-risk. Their hope is that parishes can continue to reach out to their parishioners via livestream.
The Murphys also praised the many opportunities that have become available for virtual group prayer and reflection. "More people are praying the Rosary virtually than ever before," remarked Kelly Anne.
The Melaragnos praised the efforts of the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport to make sure staff and students were safe while still delivering instruction, and dispelling fear through transparent and hopeful messaging. The Bishop's Scholarship Fund, funded through the ACA, is there for students who may not have the ability to receive Catholic education otherwise, a cause that is of great importance to the chair couple.
"As we look towards 2021, the need will continue, but we are both eager to see how the ACA will be able to help people," said Jason.
He explained that he and his wife's focus for this year's appeal is participation. He hopes that participation can be at 100%, even without a specific dollar amount, in order to more readily help those in need. "We see that as an opportunity to both display their Catholic faith and enhance their faith."
"We can call on donors to act heroically," said the Murphys. "With the help of the ACA, we hopefully will get back to something vaguely better than normal by continuing to learn and through people engaging with their faith in different ways."
(To learn more about the 2021, Arise, Annual Catholic Appeal or to make a gift, please visit 2021ACABridgeport.com or call 203.416.1470. Thank you for your support.)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
'use strict';

const expect = require('expect.js');
const sinon = require('sinon');

const benchmark = require('../src/benchmark');

describe('benchmark', () => {
  let singpath, logger;

  beforeEach(() => {
    singpath = {
      $firebase: sinon.stub().returns(''),
      queues: {
        pushTasks: sinon.stub().returns(Promise.resolve([])),
        consumeTasks: sinon.stub().returns(Promise.resolve([]))
      }
    };
    logger = {
      debug: sinon.stub(),
      info: sinon.stub()
    };
  });

  describe('run', () => {

    it('should create tasks', () => {
      const payloads = [{}, {}];

      return benchmark.run(singpath, {
        payloads, logger, length: 3, queueId: 'default'
      }).then(() => {
        sinon.assert.calledOnce(singpath.queues.pushTasks);
        sinon.assert.calledWithExactly(singpath.queues.pushTasks, sinon.match.array, 'default');

        const taskPayloads = singpath.queues.pushTasks.getCall(0).args[0];

        expect(taskPayloads).to.have.length(3);
        expect(taskPayloads[0]).to.be(payloads[0]);
        expect(taskPayloads[1]).to.be(payloads[1]);
        expect(taskPayloads[2]).to.be(payloads[0]);
      });
    });

    it('should consume tasks', () => {
      const payloads = [{}, {}];
      const taskRefs = [{}, {}];

      singpath.queues.pushTasks.returns(Promise.resolve(taskRefs));

      return benchmark.run(singpath, {
        payloads, logger, length: 2, queueId: 'default'
      }).then(() => {
        sinon.assert.calledOnce(singpath.queues.consumeTasks);
        sinon.assert.calledWithExactly(singpath.queues.consumeTasks, taskRefs);
      });
    });

    it('should calculate benchmark stats', () => {
      const payloads = [{}, {}];
      const taskRefs = [{}, {}];
      const tasksSnapshots = [{
        val() {
          return {
            startedAt: 1000,
            completedAt: 2000
          };
        }
      }, {
        val() {
          return {
            startedAt: 1001,
            completedAt: 3000
          };
        }
      }];

      singpath.queues.pushTasks.returns(Promise.resolve(taskRefs));
      singpath.queues.consumeTasks.returns(Promise.resolve(tasksSnapshots));

      return benchmark.run(singpath, {
        payloads, logger, length: 2, queueId: 'default'
      }).then(stats => {
        expect(stats.duration).to.be(2000);
        expect(stats.operationPerSecond).to.be(1);
      });
    });

  });

});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Request for Information on the Impact of the Use of Electric Devices by Nonexempt Employees on Hours Worked Issues: The DOL plans to publish an information request in July 2016 to gather information about employees' use of electronic devices to perform work outside of regularly scheduled work hours and away from the workplace. The request will also seek information about "last minute" scheduling practices used by some employers that are made possible in large part by employees' use of these devices.
Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Contractors, Executive Order 13706: The DOL expects to issue a final order implementing Executive Order 13706 (80 FR 54697), which establishes paid sick leave for federal contractors and subcontractors, by September 30, 2016. Executive departments and agencies under the order are required, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that new contracts, contract-like instruments, and solicitations as described in Section 6 of the order, include a clause, which the contractor and any subcontractors must incorporate into lower-tier subcontracts, specifying that all employees, in the performance of the contract or any subcontract thereunder, shall earn not less than one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Consistent with the Executive order, the Department of Labor will issue implementing regulations.
Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare: In November 2016, the DOL expects to issue a request for information (RFI) that will provide OSHA's history with the issue of workplace violence in healthcare, including a discussion of the guidelines initially published in 1996, a 2014 guidelines update, and recently published tools and strategies used by healthcare facilities with effective violence prevention programs. The RFI will also discuss OSHA's use of 5(a)(1) in enforcement cases in healthcare. It will in addition solicit information primarily from health care employers, workers and other subject matter experts on impacts of violence, prevention strategies, and other information that will be useful to OSHA should it move forward in rulemaking. The RFI will also solicit information from stakeholders, including state officials, employers and workers, in the nine states that require certain health healthcare facilities to have some type of workplace violence prevention program.
Communication Tower Safety: OSHA intends to initiate the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) process on this action by July 2016. Although the number of employees engaged in the communication tower industry remains small, the fatality rate is very high. Falls are the leading cause of death in tower work, and OSHA has evidence that fall protection is used either improperly or inconsistently. The agency says that employees are often hoisted to working levels on small base-mounted drum hoists mounted to a truck chassis, and these may not be rated to hoist personnel. OSHA plans to revise its fall protection and personnel hoisting standards because communication tower construction and maintenance activities are not adequately covered by the current standards. Revisions would clarify the safety responsibilities regarding tower work, structural considerations and radio frequency hazards. It would also consider incorporating the new industry consensus standards for construction or maintenance of communication towers.
Occupational Exposure to Beryllium: OSHA aims to analyze submitted comments on this action in June 2016. In 1999 and 2001, OSHA was petitioned to issue an emergency temporary standard for permissible exposure limit (PEL) to beryllium by the United Steel Workers (formerly the Paper Allied-Industrial, Chemical, and Energy Workers Union), Public Citizen Health Research Group, and others. While the agency denied the petitions, it also stated its intent to begin data gathering to collect necessary information on beryllium's toxicity, risks, and patterns of usage. On November 26, 2002, OSHA published a RFI (67 FR 70707) to solicit information pertinent to occupational exposure to beryllium. The agency also conducted field surveys of selected worksites to assess current exposures and control methods being used to reduce employee exposures to beryllium. OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel and completed the SBREFA report in January 2008. OSHA also completed a scientific peer review of its draft risk assessment.
Adjusting the Penalty for Violation of Notice Posting Requirements: The EEOC expects to take final action in July 2016 to update the penalties for notice posting violations. Under 42 U.S.C. 2000e-10(a) and 29 CFR 1601.30(a), every employer, employment agency, labor organization, and joint labor-management committee controlling an apprenticeship or other training program covered by title VII, ADA, and GINA must post notices describing applicable provisions in prominent and conspicuous places on the entity's premises. Failure to comply the requirement is punishable by a fine for each separate offense. The final rule increases the current civil monetary penalty for violation of the notice posting requirements from $210 to $525, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which further amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (FCPIA Act). In November 2015, the FCPIA Act was again amended to require that each federal agency issue regulations, adjusting for inflation, concerning the maximum civil penalties that may be imposed pursuant to each agency's statutes no later than July 1, 2016, and no later than January 15 of every following year.
Federal Sector Equal Employment Opportunity Process: In April 2016, the commission intends to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking on this action. In July 2012, the Commission published a final rule making 15 discrete changes to various parts of the federal sector EEO complaint process and indicated that the rule was the first step in a broader review of the federal sector EEO process. On February 6, 2015, the EEOC issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (80 FR 6669) that sought public input on additional issues associated with the federal sector EEO process.


British horticulturist and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll once suggested that any garden can be tamed into an "impression of beauty and delight." If she had visited Charleston, she would have promptly realized that our landscapes surpass mere impressions—with or without taming! The Lowcountry's natural beauty has always inspired us to turn our private, as well as public, gardens into more than geographical spaces. As a result, Charleston's gardens are celebrations of our profound sense of place.
Native Charlestonian Louisa Pringle Cameron eloquently presents this unique horticultural phenomenon in her third book, Charleston, City of Gardens. But instead of taking readers through yet another exclusive narrative and photographic tour of the city's lower peninsula gardens, she also includes botanical gems situated outside the Historic District. What makes this journey so special is that along the way Cameron—who is an accomplished gardener and watercolorist—explains the principles of garden design. She also demystifies the rules of plant nomenclature—a subject that frequently sends even seasoned gardeners scurrying into the shrubbery. Aspiring garden designers will find her stunning photographs inspirational. I recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at the Charleston Library Society on King Street with Cameron. The following are edited excerpts from our conversation.
My favorite part in your book is reading about your garden. Where did you start?
I just started at the beginning when we moved there. I have a very talented husband, Price, and he loves nothing more than a challenge. The first thing that happened was we acquired the back lot. Then we had to tear down a concrete wall that separated the two properties. Price would just sit [in the garden] day after day and think of things. But it's our creation. We did it together. It's not one person's garden, it's our garden.
What would you tell someone who acquires an old and faded garden in Charleston?
First, you must get the garden clean. Get rid of every old pot, chair and bench. Get rid of trash trees. Keep only the better plants. Then you have to decide how you want the garden to function for you. For example, do you want it to be an outside room to have breakfast? Is part of it intended for children? Once you have the freedom of starting with a clean slate, adhere to design principles.
What advice do you offer to an inexperienced gardener who's not from the Southeast and wants to take up gardening in Charleston?
Go on the garden tours and take notes. Take walks and take notes. Photograph what you love. Talk to gardeners. Gardeners are generous and kind people. I also recommend local authors' books on gardening, and I always tell them to get someone who's good at garden design. Go to a garden center and 116 CSD just look. Take pictures of plants and their labels. Go home and think about what you like and look up information on plant size. A lot of people make the mistake of planting things that get too big too soon.
But how does one deal with proportion?
Proportion is difficult because things grow so fast in Charleston. It's something you have to learn. It's very helpful to have tuteurs [vertical supports for climbing or twining plants]. Price designed ours for the garden, and Mr. Dieter at Charleston Awing and Metal executed them.
Why are some gardens more successful than others?
Because they adhere to design principles, including repetition, texture, color, atmosphere, symmetry and rhythm.
Do you see any gardening trends—any repetition from years past that are becoming popular again?
I think that possibly a return to some formality is coming back. People like the control and it's pleasing, particularly in small spaces. But I have also recently seen some wonderful informality of putting really comfortable furniture in the garden. But in general with trends, there are none.


Many 13 year olds are taking up smoking, I hope that you are not. I used to as a kid, not quite as young but it takes you down road buddy… Im comming up to be 20 years old so it wasnt to long ago.
But yes, Joker papers and etc. were legal to me when I bought them, so you should'nt have any problems. Make sure not to smoke, it's very bad for you.
No you need to be 18 to buy even matches nowadays.


text:
import os.path
import sys
import tempfile
import unittest

from test import _common
from test.helper import TestHelper, capture_log

from beets import config
from beets import plugins

def get_temporary_path():
    temporary_directory = tempfile._get_default_tempdir()
    temporary_name = next(tempfile._get_candidate_names())

    return os.path.join(temporary_directory, temporary_name)

class HookTest(_common.TestCase, TestHelper):
    TEST_HOOK_COUNT = 5

    def setUp(self):
        self.setup_beets()

    def tearDown(self):
        self.unload_plugins()
        self.teardown_beets()

    def _add_hook(self, event, command):
        hook = {
            'event': event,
            'command': command
        }

        hooks = config['hook']['hooks'].get(list) if 'hook' in config else []
        hooks.append(hook)

        config['hook']['hooks'] = hooks

    def test_hook_empty_command(self):
        self._add_hook('test_event', '')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        with capture_log('beets.hook') as logs:
            plugins.send('test_event')

        self.assertIn('hook: invalid command ""', logs)

    # FIXME: fails on windows
    @unittest.skipIf(sys.platform == 'win32', 'win32')
    def test_hook_non_zero_exit(self):
        self._add_hook('test_event', 'sh -c "exit 1"')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        with capture_log('beets.hook') as logs:
            plugins.send('test_event')

        self.assertIn('hook: hook for test_event exited with status 1', logs)

    def test_hook_non_existent_command(self):
        self._add_hook('test_event', 'non-existent-command')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        with capture_log('beets.hook') as logs:
            plugins.send('test_event')

        self.assertTrue(any(
            message.startswith("hook: hook for test_event failed: ")
            for message in logs))

    # FIXME: fails on windows
    @unittest.skipIf(sys.platform == 'win32', 'win32')
    def test_hook_no_arguments(self):
        temporary_paths = [
            get_temporary_path() for i in range(self.TEST_HOOK_COUNT)
        ]

        for index, path in enumerate(temporary_paths):
            self._add_hook(f'test_no_argument_event_{index}',
                           f'touch "{path}"')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        for index in range(len(temporary_paths)):
            plugins.send(f'test_no_argument_event_{index}')

        for path in temporary_paths:
            self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(path))
            os.remove(path)

    # FIXME: fails on windows
    @unittest.skipIf(sys.platform == 'win32', 'win32')
    def test_hook_event_substitution(self):
        temporary_directory = tempfile._get_default_tempdir()
        event_names = [f'test_event_event_{i}' for i in
                       range(self.TEST_HOOK_COUNT)]

        for event in event_names:
            self._add_hook(event,
                           f'touch "{temporary_directory}/{{event}}"')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        for event in event_names:
            plugins.send(event)

        for event in event_names:
            path = os.path.join(temporary_directory, event)

            self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(path))
            os.remove(path)

    # FIXME: fails on windows
    @unittest.skipIf(sys.platform == 'win32', 'win32')
    def test_hook_argument_substitution(self):
        temporary_paths = [
            get_temporary_path() for i in range(self.TEST_HOOK_COUNT)
        ]

        for index, path in enumerate(temporary_paths):
            self._add_hook(f'test_argument_event_{index}',
                           'touch "{path}"')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        for index, path in enumerate(temporary_paths):
            plugins.send(f'test_argument_event_{index}', path=path)

        for path in temporary_paths:
            self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(path))
            os.remove(path)

    # FIXME: fails on windows
    @unittest.skipIf(sys.platform == 'win32', 'win32')
    def test_hook_bytes_interpolation(self):
        temporary_paths = [
            get_temporary_path().encode('utf-8')
            for i in range(self.TEST_HOOK_COUNT)
        ]

        for index, path in enumerate(temporary_paths):
            self._add_hook(f'test_bytes_event_{index}',
                           'touch "{path}"')

        self.load_plugins('hook')

        for index, path in enumerate(temporary_paths):
            plugins.send(f'test_bytes_event_{index}', path=path)

        for path in temporary_paths:
            self.assertTrue(os.path.isfile(path))
            os.remove(path)

def suite():
    return unittest.TestLoader().loadTestsFromName(__name__)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main(defaultTest='suite')