St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Ridgefield’s second Catholic congregation, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Jubilee this month (October). The Roman Catholic parish was established on May 29, 1976, and a ground-breaking ceremony for the new church building at 520 Ridgebury Road took place on Sept. 27, 1977.
Jubilee historians Wendy Lionetti and Maureen Devane wrote a brief history of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, beginning:
“When a small group of Ridgefielders started a petition to establish their own church in Ridgebury 50 years ago, their goal was clear: build a parish focused on faith, service, and fellowship in the northern part of town.
“Half a century later, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish is preparing for its 50th Anniversary Jubilee this October, with several of the founding families joining Bishop Frank J. Caggiano in celebration.
“What started as a congregation of 371 families who attended Masses at Ridgebury Elementary School has grown into a community of almost 900 families. Named for Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint who was canonized the year before the church was founded, St. Elizabeth Seton was quite literally built by its parishioners.
“ ‘My family, including parents, in-laws, my future husband and many more people cleared the land and helped build it,’ ” recalled Angela Vill, a founding member. The first Mass was held on Christmas Eve, 1978 and the church was officially dedicated by Bishop Walter Curtis the following September.
“ ‘It was the most wonderful thing I had ever been part of,’ ” said Kathy Cococcia, another founding member. Kathy’s late husband, Ron, became parish trustee, and both served on the Parish Council in the church’s early years.
“Over the past 50 years, the church and its parishioners have evolved. But its focus on faith, service, and fellowship has remained constant.”
Ridgefield’s second Catholic parish was organized under the leadership of Father Francis Medynski (late Monsignor Medynski), who had been pastor of St. Mary Parish on Catoonah Street from 1973 until he was assigned to found St. Elizabeth Seton.
During his St. Mary tenure, he established and led a boy choir called The Little Singers, who performed widely in the United States and Europe, including before the Pope in the Vatican. He retired as pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton in 1996 at the mandatory age of 75 and died in 2008.
At St. Elizabeth Seton, Msgr. Medynski emphasized service within the parish and in the wider community. Father Joseph Prince, pastor from 1996 until 2022, is quoted as saying “This is a unique parish, not only in the setting but also in the spirit. “It’s a family of faith that reaches out to people in the community.”
The 50th Anniversary Jubilee culminates Sunday, Oct.18, with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Caggiano.
“This once-in-a-lifetime event marks a half-century of faith, service and fellowship,” said current pastor Father Alphonse Arokiam. “We’ll honor our founders, many still active parishioners; celebrate those carrying on their tradition; and look forward to our future together.”
Father Alphonse, Father Prince and other diocesan priests will concelebrate, assisted by Deacon Mark Shkreli. A reception will follow in McKeon Hall.
The Ridgefield Historical Society sends best wishes and congratulations to St. Elizabeth Seton Parish on its Jubilee!
