BRIDGEPORT—Bishop Frank J. Caggiano recently launched the 2024 Bishop’s Appeal, encouraging the faithful to “unite as One in Christ to bring to life all the diocesan ministries, programs and agencies that deliver the pastoral care and human services that no single parish can provide on its own.”
The One in Christ appeal, which has an $8 million goal, will provide for works of charity, formation in faith, education and catechesis.
The appeal will be led by Father Gregg D. Mecca of St. Peter Parish in Danbury, who is the new Pastor co-chair, along with co-chairs Paula Summa and Jim O’Neill of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich, and Vice Chair Couple Morgan and Mark Mooney of St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield.
“We’re all called to serve. We’re called to serve one another and through the Bishop’s Appeal—we serve not only members of our family but also others in Fairfield County,” Father Mecca said. “Jesus calls us to sacrificial love, and we see an example of sacrificial love in the life of Christ and the Lord on the cross. This means we must give of ourselves, and fight those tendencies to just look after those closest to us, because the Lord wants us to look well beyond that.”
Among the ministries and services that benefit from the Bishop’s Appeal are Catholic education, Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, and the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence, which provides independent living for retired priests.
Father Mecca said that his own parish has received assistance from the appeal in faith formation, youth ministries and the parish school.
“We have a vibrant school that has a waiting list,” he said. “Many of the Brazilian and Hispanic families, as a people of faith, look to the Church and consider Catholic education a better way for their children to get a leg up in society. They trust the Church with their kids.”
Father Mecca also applauded the ministries throughout Danbury and the rest of the diocese, which are made possible through Catholic Charities.
“All of us are well aware of the good work that Catholic Charities does transitioning people into housing, offering counseling and providing meals and food,” he said. “Catholic Charities plays a big role here with the Morning Glory Breakfast Program, which has served more than 100,000 meals since it began in 2007. The citizens of Danbury are very familiar with the outreach that the Church offers, which is funded by the Bishop’s Appeal.”
Father Mecca also cited the important role that retired priests play throughout the diocese, assisting in parishes and administering the sacraments.
In his letter announcing the 2024 Appeal, Bishop Caggiano said: “I invite you, all of you, each of you, to please prayerfully consider giving generously to the Bishop’s Appeal. Your gift, whether large or small, is a tangible sign that we are together as One in Christ. We are blessed to have many new initiatives to accompany others on their faith journey to carry out Christ’s mission in the world. I pray that each of us may recommit to the unity we share and the mission that is ours to give hope to a waiting world. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity!”
In his role as Pastor Co-chair, Father Mecca will urge participation among the laity and clergy.
“Everyone should have a role in this,” he said. “No gift is too small. If you can just give five or ten dollars, that says you care and want to be in the partnership with all the other Catholics of the Diocese of Bridgeport. We want to act as one body and be part of the family of God.”
He encouraged everyone to “give what you can” and not to say, “I don’t make enough money to give a substantial amount. Just participate however you can.”
As Catholics, he said we are called to participate in the charitable works of the Church.
“This is what Christians are called to do,” he said. “We can’t sit on our hands … because love propels us to do this.”
Pamela S. Rittman, Director of Development and the Bishop’s Appeal, said the appeal serves the community in many ways by “uniting us as One in Christ to help the needy and most vulnerable, providing supportive services that enable families to rise up out of poverty, overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency and independence.”
Rittman said this year’s appeal began in anticipation of building upon new programs developed last year, “with new opportunities for continuing the work or our diocese to provide for all aspects of our Catholic faith, care for the poor and becoming One in Christ by serving one another. Our donors are generous and compassionate and we are grateful.”
