Rev. Nicholas A. Cirillo
Deceased: 2022-08-28
Diocese: BRIDGEPORT
Seminary Graduation Year: 1996
Reverend Nick A. Cirillo, pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Parish in New Fairfield, went home to the Lord on Sunday, August 28, 2022. He was 54 years of age.
“Father Nick faced his suffering and final illness with great courage and faith. He wanted all to know that he left this world filled with gratitude for all the goodness that God had shared with him, in his life and priesthood,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. “Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Cirillo and for the consolation of his family.”
Nick Anthony Cirillo was born on August 16, 1968. He was baptized in Saint Andrew Church in Bridgeport. He also received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation at Saint Andrew. Father Cirillo received his grammar school education in Bridgeport public schools and attended Notre Dame High School in Fairfield from which he graduated in 1986. He majored in religious studies and philosophy at Fairfield University receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1990.
Father Cirillo received his priestly formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and was granted a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Augustine Cathedral on July 1, 1995 by Bishop Edward M. Egan.
Immediately following his ordination, Father Cirillo was given a summer assignment at St. Lawrence Parish in Shelton after which he returned to Rome to complete his Licentiate. Upon his return to the diocese in 1996, he was once again assigned to St. Lawrence Church. This was followed by a six-year assignment commencing in 2005 at Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford while living at the St. John Fisher Seminary. He served as a spiritual director at both places.
He was named pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Parish in New Fairfield in 2011, where he served until his passing.
Father Cirillo served several terms on the Presbyteral Council. He was also Dean of Our Lady, Queen of Confessors Deanery from 2017 until his passing.
In 2008, when he was serving as spiritual director of St John Fisher Seminary, Father Cirillo wrote a memorable tribute to Father Joseph Linck who had passed away at the age of 43. Father Cirillo’s words of remembrance for Father Linck also beautifully commemorate his own final days and the courage of his priestly witness: “He was faithful in life, providing a model of how to love of God above all things and to trust His providence. He was faithful even in death, showing us how to bear suffering with steadfast faith and reserved dignity. Even as illness claimed more and more of his strength, he struggled to offer whatever he could muster for the sake of his ministry and for the glory of God.”
Father Cirillo’s body will be received on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 21 Brush Hill Rd., New Fairfield at 3:00 pm and will lie in repose until 7:00 pm. At 7:00 pm a Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul with Reverend Robert Crofut as homilist. Bishop Caggiano will celebrate Father Cirillo’s Funeral Mass and serve as homilist on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 11:00 am.
