• To NCS National
  • Find a Chapter
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

NCS New Canaan

Founding Chapter

  • About
    • Our Chapter
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Our Team
  • Meetings
    • Chapter Meetings
    • Event Calendar
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Audio & Video
    • Speaker Bios
  • Contact
  • Donate

Losing Your Mind for God: A Full-Circle Journey to Radio (Steve Lee – 9/22/23 – NCS New Canaan)

September 22, 2023 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment


Steve Lee vulnerably shares the amazing faith journey that led to starting Veritas Catholic Network, including the time his wife asked “Have you lost your mind?!”

He talks about his childhood in New Canaan, CT and the impact of growing up in a Christian home watching parents who served others generously but quietly.

Lee explains the years spent as a missionary after college, travelling the United States and the world sharing the Gospel door to door, and how he decided to make the dramatic shift from missionary evangelism to pursuing business school and a Wall Street career.

Steve transparently shares the tensions he felt and some of the difficult situations he faced as a Christian in a Wall Street trading floor environment. He also talks about how it was a period of sharing his faith through actions more than words.

Lee then describes the extraordinary series of events through which God seemed to bring him full-circle back to the evangelistic roots of his youth. They were the incredible steps that led him to make a second dramatic shift from working at a top Wall Street research firm to starting a non-profit Catholic radio station in the NYC area. Steve vulnerably shares how his wife went from wondering if he had lost his mind to being the one to encourage him to step out in faith.

Steve then reminds us of the importance of being prepared to explain and share our Christian faith and the source of our hope–being willing and able courageously to speak up about the reality of Jesus and the truth of the Gospels, always trusting that God is with us. He reminds us that we can all point to Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us through the next steps.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Cultural Change and Engagement, Evangelism, Faith, Great Commission - Make Disciples, Integrating Work into Faith, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Serving Others, Speak Truth, Transparency and Authenticity

Walking on [Frozen] Water: Miracles in Maine (Rev. Richard Berry – 4/28/23 – NCS New Canaan)

April 28, 2023 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment


When we first heard from Pastor Richard Berry in 2016, he shared miraculous stories of how God–or “Dad”, as he affectionately refers to Him–responded to the heartfelt and desperate cries of a small-town pastor wanting to provide a home for the homeless and food for the hungry in Skowhegan, Maine.  

With tremendous humility, Berry explained how his eyes were opened and his heart changed toward the homeless.  It was a message of hope.  “Dad” is still in the miracle business when his children get on their knees and ask for help.

When he came back (via Zoom) in 2020, Richard shared more stories of hope, human dignity, miracles, joy and self-reflection from the Covid pandemic. By this time, he had published three books chronicling the miracles happening in Maine.

Richard has now written four books and the fifth is scheduled to be published in 2023. In his third visit, he described the extraordinary lengths to which “Dad” will go for one person. Richard explains how he thought he was dying, but it turned out to be an elaborate and amazing ruse from above in order to reach another person with the hope of Jesus.

Berry also describes how “Dad” opened his eyes to miraculous healing. He explains how, after 30 years as a cessationist preaching that God’s miracles stopped nearly two thousand years ago, God used him as an instrument to completely heal a person from cancer.

Why should you listen?  For the same reasons you should listen to the earlier talks and might want to read his books:  If you want to smile, if you need to laugh, if you are willing to cry, if you are lacking hope, if joy seems to be hiding, or especially if you are questioning your belief in God, Jesus or the role of his Church in our world today.

To contribute to Dad’s homeless shelter in Skowhegan, Maine, click HERE.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Evangelism, Faith, Fear and Worry, Gratitude, Great Commandments - Love God - Love Neighbor, Great Commission - Make Disciples, Healing, Health Challenges and Losses, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Relationships, Serving Others, Transparency and Authenticity, Worship the King

Do the “Good Works”: The Story of a Life (Fred Hans Sindel – 3/31/23 – NCS New Canaan)

March 31, 2023 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment


Chick-fil-A has an employee training video that drives home the point “Every life has a story.” This is the story of a life prepared for, and now living out, Frederick Hans Sindel’s most-quoted Bible verse, Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Fred Sindel, one of our most senior and most faithful NCS brothers, shares the extraordinary and the ordinary story of his life. It is the story of a husband, father, grandfather, retired engineer, and lifelong accordion player. It is also the story of a man who has been using his “retirement” to pursue God’s Word and seek the “good works” God had planned for him to do.

Fred shares the formative years growing up in Brooklyn during WWII as the son of German immigrants and learning the accordion. He describes playing gigs in clubs with his accordion at 16, the pivotal “choice” that saved him from prison, and 40 years with GE as an engineer (including working on nuclear reactors for subs).

Fred also explains his passion for God’s Word and reveals how supporting the Bridgeport Rescue Mission through oranges, grapefruits and clementines came to be the focus of his “good works” and how God has been keeping him alive to keep carrying out the plan.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Christianity-Theology, Evangelism, Faith, Great Commandments - Love God - Love Neighbor, Great Commission - Make Disciples, Health Challenges and Losses, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Salvation, Stewardship and Generosity, Transparency and Authenticity

Three Lessons from a Journey with Jesus (Bishop Frank Caggiano – 12/2/22 – NCS New Canaan)

December 2, 2022 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment


With wonderful humor and great humility and authenticity, The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, the Fifth Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Bridgeport, CT, shares the incredible twists and turns of his lifelong faith journey, as well as three lessons learned along the path.

Caggiano describes with tremendous transparency life growing up in a closely-knit Brooklyn community as an Italian-American son of immigrant parents. He talks about his father’s extreme pride when he was accepted into Yale and his father’s heart-wrenching disappointment when he announced he was going to seminary.

Caggiano explains the two calls that have been on his life. First, the call to step up and be a man of faith–letting his life be claimed by Jesus–which he humbly admits is a project still underway. Second, his call to leadership and the challenges in discerning, understanding and finally accepting that call.

With extraordinary vulnerability, Caggiano then shares three life lessons from his faith journey, including the difficult ways in which some were learned:

  • Caggiano tells how, in choosing to pursue his call to the priesthood, he learned that the things you want in life are not always the things you need in life. He describes how he left seminary to pursue the material comfort he wanted, how God gave him everything he wanted in a lucrative business career, how he came to reorient his heart toward the one thing we need–Jesus, and how that reoriented his entire universe to see everything as a blessing.
  • Caggiano shares how, through his stubborn resistance to his call to the priesthood and God’s relentless pursuit, he learned to appreciate God’s gracious love, accept the call as a blessing, and finally surrender to Jesus as his master.
  • Caggiano explains how, through the death of a young priest and the wisdom of a mentor, he learned that his life would not be measured by its length or accomplishments but by the quality of life he shared with others in faithful witness through presence, authenticity and honesty. In sharing that what allows us to persevere is the assurance that the Holy Spirit can give us the courage to be disciples wherever we are and to stand with Christ regardless of what the world says or how it reacts, Caggiano humbly admits that this is a lesson he is still learning.

Bishop Caggiano ends with a wonderful word of encouragement about the blessing and importance of men being able to meet in the spirit of the New Canaan Society–a safe place where men can remove their masks, support each other and share the life lessons learned in our journey with Jesus.

So, let me just end by saying this. You are very blessed to have this gathering. For me, coming as a brother and witnessing what you are–don’t ever take it for granted. There are not many safe spaces where we can gather and drop our masks and be who we are called to be and to share whatever life lessons we have learned in the grace of Jesus Christ. So, I must tell you I am very grateful to have shared this morning with you, and perhaps, if time permits, I may be able to join you not as a speaker but just as a brother in faith.

Following Bishop Caggiano’s talk is an extended Q&A covering topics such as the faith implications of being a Mets fan and the important role of fathers.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Cultural Change and Engagement, Evangelism, Faith, Father-Son, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Great Commission - Make Disciples, Leadership, Mentoring and Discipleship, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Raising Children, Transparency and Authenticity

Finding Rest for Your Soul (Andrew Palau – 3/18/22 – NCS New Canaan)

March 19, 2022 by NCS New Canaan Leave a Comment

Like a conversation between old friends, Andrew Palau shares his faith journey with remarkable honesty and humility. In fact, it is a conversation between old friends–the Palau family and the New Canaan Society have had a special relationship for over 20 years.

Andrew shares exciting news about the Palau CityFest coming to Southwest Connecticut in 2022 (www.cityfest.org).

He tells about his “wayward” days (as described in his book “The Secret Life of a Fool”) and how his parents never gave up on him. Andrew describes his father’s heartfelt letters and talks and the prayers that came from around the world.

He describes the tortured, sleepless nights wrestling with shame and the direction of his life. He also shares about the trip to Kingston, Jamaica that changed everything–the trip when he met Jesus and Wendy, who became his wife.

Andrew also talks about his father and his legacy and what it has been like to be called to continue that legacy. Those who knew Luis will recognize his uniquely disarming honesty and humility in Andrew.

Finally, Andrew offers a way for us to “find rest for our souls” as he finally did in Jamaica.

Filed Under: Audio & Video, Uncategorized, Video Tagged With: Audio & Video, Calling and Purpose, Career and Financial Disappointments and Transitions, Chapter Friday, Christianity-Theology, Crisis and Adversity, Evangelism, Faith, Father-Son, Fear and Worry, Forgiveness, Great Commission - Make Disciples, Healing, Nature of God, NCS New Canaan, Prayer, Raising Children, Salvation, Shame-Guilt, Substance Abuse and Addictions, Transparency and Authenticity

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »

Stay Connected

Sign up to receive news and updates about local events and happenings.

Contact Us

NCS New Canaan
 
Paul Michalski
admin@ncsnewcanaan.org

 

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Featured Links

  • About Us
  • Meetings
  • Event Calendar
  • Resources
  • Donate

Recent Posts

  • Losing Your Mind for God: A Full-Circle Journey to Radio (Steve Lee – 9/22/23 – NCS New Canaan)
  • Journeys of Grief (Lewis Trippett – 6/9/23 – NCS New Canaan)
  • Everything Matters: 5 Things Worth Fighting For (Allan Houston – 5/26/23 – NCS New Canaan)
  • Walking on [Frozen] Water: Miracles in Maine (Rev. Richard Berry – 4/28/23 – NCS New Canaan)

© 2023 New Canaan Society