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Catholic Diocese Expands Stamford Facility For Retired Priests

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A multimillion-dollar project will help deal with a wave of priest retirements in the next few years, Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport said during a groundbreaking ceremony in Stamford on Friday afternoon, Nov. 21.

Bishop Frank Caggiano at the groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the expansion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence.

Bishop Frank Caggiano at the groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the expansion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Bishop Frank Caggiano, second from left, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence. The residence will add 16 suites for retired priests in the next few years.

Bishop Frank Caggiano, second from left, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence. The residence will add 16 suites for retired priests in the next few years.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Bishop Frank Caggiano speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the expansion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence.

Bishop Frank Caggiano speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the expansion of the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests' residence.

Photo Credit: Michelle Babyak photo

Construction will start in the spring on a 16-unit expansion at the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy retired priests residence at 274 Strawberry Hill Ave. It serves retired priests throughout the Roman Catholic Diocese, which includes all of Fairfield County and has 82 parishes. 

Caggiano said the diocese is expecting the retirement of about 80 priests in the next few years, and the expansion will play a large role in accommodating priests who want to stay in the community.

"Once we reach full capacity here we would have the capability of meeting the needs of the priests who are retiring perhaps in the next five to seven years," he said after the groundbreaking ceremony. "Then the amount of priests who are eligible for retiring will begin to draw off so I think it is sufficient for what we will need."

It's the only retirement facility for priests owned by the diocese, and Caggiano said the expansion will meet its needs.

"Once this is done, we are done. I think we're fine," he said. 

Sixty donors have already given the diocese $2.3 million of the $3.5 million capital campaign to fund the construction of the new wing, which will include 16 suites for retired priests. The residence currently houses 19 men between the ages of 75 and over 90.

By next year, there will be 80 priests in the Diocese of Bridgeport over the age of 75, many of whom still continue to serve its parishes.

Construction starts in spring 2015 for the first 10 suites, and the diocese is aiming to have them completed in the fall. The other six units will be completed when the rest of the money is raised, Caggiano said, adding that he's confident the remaining funds will come in.

Each suite will have a sitting room, bedroom, bath and small kitchenette. All residents will have access to a chapel, community room, library, exercise room and dining area.

The age of priest retirement in the Diocese of Bridgeport is 75 years old, and most remain active by helping in parishes on weekends, visiting hospitals and completing other assignments.  

In addition to those who move to the residence, many retired priests continue to live in parishes or on their own. The independent living facility opened in 2000 and is on the campus of St. Bridget of Ireland Parish.

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