BETHEL—Diocesan and global history was made as Bishop Frank J. Caggiano decreed Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Aparecida an official parish in the Diocese of Bridgeport. “This is the first parish being created in the diocese in over 35 years and the very first that I have had a role in creating,” said Bishop Caggiano, as he thanked the faithful gathered to witness this historic moment at the Vail Road church. “This is also the first parish outside of Brazil, in the whole world, that is now entrusted to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Aparecida and that has happened because of your love and dedication,” Bishop Caggiano said. “I stand before you very grateful that we have come to this moment.” 
The Mass to erect the parish and to commemorate this historic event was held on January 6, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord which marks the visit of the three kings to the baby Jesus. During the Mass Father Leonel Medeiros, who has tirelessly worked in shepherding the faithMarie Oates to lead John Paul II Center ful Brazilian community to this moment, was officially appointed as the first pastor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Aparecida. The installation of Father Medeiros as pastor of the parish is scheduled for February 10 at the parish’s first annual gala hosted at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. 
“This is an historical moment in the life of the Brazilian community in our diocese and in our country,” Father Medeiros said of the establishing of the parish in the Diocese of Bridgeport and noting the significance of the parish being the only one outside of Brazil in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Aparecida. “It is a great accomplishment and it is a great blessing and it would not have happened without the care and guidance of Bishop Caggiano,” he said. 
For more than 12 years, the Brazilian community has worked together to realize this historic moment. In January 2020, Our Lady of Aparecida Brazilian Catholic Community was established as a Quasi-Parish by the bishop under St. Peter Parish on Main Street in Danbury. The Brazilian community headquartered pastoral activities at the Brazilian Catholic Community Center on Liberty Street which was later known as Our Lady of Aparecida Community Center. 
The following year, the building on Vail Road was purchased, renovated and reopened to serve the community in July of 2023. The building was formally dedicated as a church with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Caggiano last year on October 12. “It was always our vision and our hope to someday be erected as a full parish,” said Father Medeiros, noting that the community functioned as a parish but needed to fulfill certain canonical requirements to be elevated as such. “It’s a long journey but a very grace-filled one,” Father Medeiros said, adding that he is looking forward to continuing to serve God’s people through the various pastoral ministries and lay movements established at the parish. 
After Bishop Caggiano read the official Decree Erecting Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Aparecida as a parish in the Diocese of Bridgeport, a jubilant congregation erupted in applause and a standing ovation. “It’s such a big accomplishment,” said Maruska Leite, who is the parish office secretary. “Father Leonel is so amazing to make this happen for the community. Without him here we couldn’t have done any of this.”
“It is very exciting and we have lots to do,” said Father Medeiros. “It’s a great beginning under the care and protection of Our Lady of Aparecida.” (To read the full decree visit www. bridgeportdiocese.org/bishop-decrees-parish-of-our-lady-of-immaculate-conception-aparecida.)