History

Our History and our Apostolate:

In 1907/08 two Sisters who came from Italy started a ministry among the Italian immigrants in New Haven. Eventually, they were invited by the Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Bridgeport, on Noble Avenue. There they ministered among the Italian immigrants up until 1960 when they purchased the present property on 1482-1490 North Avenue for a day care. Their intention was to provide a safe and loving environment where working parents could confidently send their children. Many of these parents could not pay much, but were so grateful to the sisters who were willing to support them and did their utmost to help them in their needs. Today we, the DCPB Preschool, are still committed and dedicated in assisting working parents. Our Preschool now provides a safe and secure environment for their children as well as a comprehensive curriculum that helps them become independent, self- confident, and enthusiastic learners equipping them with vital life skills for future endeavors.

Besides being in Bridgeport, our Sisters are also located in Paterson, New Jersey and in Niskayuna, New York.

At Joseph’s Rest Home in Paterson, they care elderly women by providing them with physical, moral, and spiritual assistance.

Both in Paterson and in Niskayuna, at St. Michael’s Jr. Day Nursery and at Villa Fusco Day Care, our Sisters are engaged in preschool programs where they focus primarily on fostering children’s growth academically, socially, and morally guiding them to be the best future citizens they can be.

He was profoundly moved seeing on the street the condition of a girl, who was an orphan. After prayerful discernment, Fr. Thomas Maria on January 6,1873, the Solemnity of Epiphany, founded the Institute of the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood with three sisters and seven orphan girls. Along with his priestly duties, he dedicated his life to the institute he founded by initiating other apostolates in regions of Italy. His purpose was to bring that Charity of Christ to all God’s people and worked diligently for the salvation of souls, loving, and forgiving.

Blessed Thomas Maria Fusco drew his spiritual strength from contemplating the divine Charity of the Crucified Christ who shed all His Most Precious Blood for our redemption.

Since his death, on February 24 th ,1891, his ministry continues to be shared in the world through the apostolate of his followers, the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood that he founded.

He was declared Blessed by Pope St. John Paul II on October 7 th , 2001 who presented him as an example and a guide to holiness for priests, for the people of God and for his spiritual daughters, the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood.

As it was for our Founder, the Blood of Jesus continues to be for all of us, the (DCPB), the central point of reference which is certain and constant, the object of our love and adoration.” The charity of the Blood of Christ, supreme manifestation of the love of the Father, is what specifies the Charism of our Congregation and defines our identity as Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood.

Our Apostolate

Blessed Thomas Maria Fusco instilled in us the spirit that stirred him, therefore the Congregation, DCPB continues to carry out his vision that is, dedicating and engaging ourselves to our brothers and sisters in carrying on the works of mercy in different forms of apostolic ministries according to the needs of the time such as:

Catechetical Instructions

Educating the children and the youth

Assisting the poor, the sick and the elderly.

Social assistance especially to the most vulnerable children.

Some of the Thoughts of Blessed Thomas Maria Fusco

He who has studied the Crucifix well, knows everything.

We owe our neighbor four things: to bear with his faults, to help him when in need, to comfort him in sorrow, and to edify him with our good example and our conduct.

To love God, great talents are not necessary – it is enough to have a heart capable of loving.

Let us go to God in simplicity without counting our steps.

God alone has the right to ask for our heart. Only He can fill it.

Few of the Aspirations of Blessed Thomas Maria Fusco

O Bless and thank Jesus who purchased us with His Blood.

Blood of Christ, fill my soul with peace and joy.

Blood of Christ, purify me and make me perfect.

Blood of Christ, flowing from the cross, take my heart.

Divine flames of the heart of Jesus, burn within me.

Precious Blood of Christ, inebriate my soul with your love

1490 and 1482 North Ave., Bridgeport Preschool

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