by Antonina Zielinska

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the employees of the Diocese of Brooklyn came together in eucharistic prayer to formally thank and say goodbye to Bishop Frank Caggiano as he prepares to begin his ministry as the Bishop of Bridgeport, Conn.

“It’s not a goodbye, but it’s a farewell till we meet again,” Bishop DiMarzio told his departing vicar general. “I want to thank you for all your years of work.”

Bishop Caggiano said it was he who was grateful for Bishop DiMarzio’s guiding hand in teaching him how to be a better bishop and priest. He also thanked all the people who have worked with him to evangelize and gave of themselves through countless struggles and challenges.

After Mass, the diocesan community broke bread together in a reception at the diocesan headquarters in Park Slope. Employee after employee came to Bishop Caggiano to thank him for his leadership and love.

“He has an ability of getting the best out of people…to bring the good out of you,” said Deacon Jorge Gonzalez, who has worked for Bishop Caggiano, particularly on preparing men for the permanent diaconate, for over 10 years. “He allows you to get close, and he shares what is in your heart.”

“There is energy in everything that he did,” said Beverly Sommer, his executive assistant. “He has a great sense of humor, but he got everyone working.”

She said Bishop Caggiano’s presence could be felt whenever he was in the office because he faced even the greatest challenges with humility and calm. He also had a way of connecting with people on a personal level, no matter what else was troubling his mind.

“He is a person who listens to you. If you have an observation, something to share, he speaks with you,” said Deacon Gonzalez. “In a meeting of 20 people, he has a special ability to pay attention to a person as if the person was the only one in the room.”

Among Bishop Caggiano’s greatest projects was “Preserving the Vision,” which is underway in transforming parochial schools into Catholic academies. The bishop said he is completely confident in the schools’ office in continuing the project under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, diocesan superintendent of schools. Dr. Chadzutko said he will continue with the same spirit and wisdom he has learned from the bishop.

During the send-off Mass, Bishop DiMarzio also announced that Bishop Raymond Chappetto will be the new vicar general while remaining pastor of St. Kevin parish, Flushing. Father James Massa, who teaches at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y., will assume Bishop Caggiano’s responsibility as moderator of the curia in January. In the interim, Bishop DiMarzio will serve as the moderator himself.

“It’s totally impossible to fill Bishop Caggiano’s shoes,” Bishop Chappetto said. “He did so many things.”

“He was indefatigable,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “He never got tired.”

Sommer said Bishop Caggiano’s strength came from his relationship to God and the Church, his bride.

“He believed in everything he had to do in the diocese,” she said. “Him being a priest – he wears it with all that he does.”

“He is a man of prayer,” Deacon Gonzalez said. “He has a devotion to the Blessed Mother. It becomes contagious.”

The deacon said Bishop Caggiano inherited his devotion to the Blessed Mother from his own mother. He said meeting Frank Caggiano, the man and the bishop, is meeting Gennarina Caggiano. Her kindness, love and warmth are embedded in her son, the deacon said. She took great care of her son, the bishop, cooking him proper Italian meals in the Brooklyn home they shared up until her death in 2011.

The bishop said he is thankful to his parents for teaching him how to be a good Catholic man. He recalled how his father taught him patience and an appreciation for the wonders of the world through wine-making.

He said he is also thankful for the city that has shaped him and all the people who have been his collaborators, mentors and his friends.

“I am a Brooklyn kid – I always will be a Brooklyn kid,” he said, assuring his co-workers that they will have a place in his heart.

As the time has come for him to leave, Bishop Caggiano said he is looking forward to his new ministry.

“I think there will be no lack of people who will be willing to help,” he said, noting that his confidence in part comes from meeting people in the Diocese of Bridgeport and seeing their dedication.

Although many of the people who work for the Diocese of Brooklyn assured him of their support and prayer, most also expressed sadness in seeing him leave.

“Bishop Frank Caggiano has been a friend and a brother to me,” Deacon Gonzalez said. “My life has been tremendously blessed because of him. I will miss him dearly. My prayers will be with him.”