Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

After retiring as director of sales and marketing for Eli Lilly and Company 15 years ago, Ford Lynch walked into the Catholic Center of the Diocese of Bridgeport looking for work…and he got it. Plenty of it.

“I was looking for some way to give back, so I went to see the head of development and asked, ‘Do you need any help? I’ll do whatever you want.’”

Lynch, a parishioner at St. Luke Church in Westport, has generously volunteered his services and done everything from working at the Thomas Merton Center to helping at the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence for retired priests. He has assisted pastors with the Annual Catholic Appeal and delivered materials throughout Fairfield County to the many charitable organizations the diocese supports.

“I do whatever I can,” says Lynch. “I deliver things to churches, driving around picking stuff up. Nothing is too big; nothing is too small.”

His latest project, which began several weeks ago, is a simple, yet powerful initiative on the part of the diocese to express its gratitude to the many people who have donated to the annual appeal.

Lynch sits at his desk at his home in Westport several days a week and calls parishioners from a list he has been given by the Development Office. Since he began, he has made more than 1,000 calls.

“I call up folks on the list and tell them, ‘This is a ‘thank you’ call for your support and to let you know that during the pandemic, the diocese is continuing all its programs,’” he said. “I call to thank them and tell them to stay healthy.”

The calls are not only thank you calls, but wellness calls. He asks parishioners how they are doing in the crisis and updates them on how the diocese is continuing its programs, such as online Masses, nutrition services providing increased meals, distance learning and children continuing their schooling, hospital chaplains with patients where families were unable to see their relatives, and faith and sacramental programs.

Many of the people he reaches out to have questions. Some even share the struggles they are facing during the pandemic, so Lynch reminds them of the services the diocese provides and urges them to look on the website and not hesitate to seek help themselves.

“I want to thank them, but also remind them that we are here for them,” Lynch said.

“I can guarantee them their money has been well-spent since I have seen it firsthand, from the soup kitchens to the Blue Ribbon schools, and the work the priests do,” he says.

People are encouraged by his phone calls and often write down the information about the services. They are also grateful for the recognition and to know the Church cares about them during this crisis. Others ask if he has any information about when things will return to normal in their churches. And still others share stories of their personal hardship.

“I hear all kinds of stories. Some say, ‘My business is falling apart. Or I’ve been furloughed. Or I’m going to lose my job. Or I’m afraid what will happen to me in the future,’” Lynch said. “We are facing something that has never been seen in 100 years.”

Lynch, a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduated from the College of Pharmacy at Northeastern University, before starting his career at Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company. He has been a committed lifelong Catholic.

“I have always gone to church…always, always, always and still do now,” he said. “I felt this was an opportunity to help the Church and other people. Then, once I got into it and saw how the contributions were spent helping people in Fairfield County, it fortified my belief that it was worth my time to be doing this.”

(For information about the services the Diocese of Bridgeport offers, visit www.bridgeportdiocese.org.)

By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT—Response to the emergency needs outlined in this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal has been strong, personal and encouraging, says Pamela Rittman, director of the ACA for the diocese.

The appeal, which was suspended in March as the pandemic closed down the state, was re-launched in a April 20 letter to the faithful from the Bishop Frank J. Caggiano urging people to give.

“I come to you in this emergency to ask for your help to ensure that the Annual Catholic Appeal, which has provided basic human services of food, shelter, education and counseling to many in the past can be maintained and, to the extent possible, be expanded to the many others who are facing real hardship for the first time in their lives,” the bishop said in his letter.

Rittman said that people throughout the diocese have heeded the bishop’s urgent call for help. The re-started campaign is nearing the halfway mark toward its $9 million goal to fund the major ministries of the diocese.

“We’re off to a very good start but we have a lot more work to do to reach our goal, and for this appeal to be a success, we need everyone to give whatever is possible. The bishop has spoken many times in the past about how we are one diocesan family. That is truer than ever as so many are struggling and concerned about the future,” she said.

Rittman said she’s very encouraged by a few trends in this year’s Appeal, including an increase in first-time givers and the growing number of people who are making a second gift to the Appeal as they become more aware of the needs and the overall diocesan response. “As we open the mail and read the many kind notes that accompany gifts, we are personally touched,” says Rittman. “Donors thank the bishop and diocesan staff for their service. I talk to donors who are empathetic about what we are all going through they tell me they want to support their parish and pastor and they continue to give.”

“These are unusual times,” said Rittman, “and now more than ever the ACA is responding to the emergency needs of people throughout the diocese. A strong response this Spring is crucial in our ability to provide resources to diocesan ministries in a time of crisis.”

Rittman said the response to the ACA has also been lifted by significant support from our leadership donors who want to ensure that diocesan ministries are available when most needed by the people of Fairfield County.

Rittman said the pandemic very quickly taxed diocesan and parish resources as more people needed help and services had to be re-designed to reach out to them.

Catholic Charities nutrition programs and soup kitchens reported a tripling of demand for meals in some locations and a surge in the number of families coming forward for groceries provided by its food pantries. The demand for counseling has increased due to anxiety and stress. Likewise, diocesan schools had to make a quick pivot to distance learning for more than 7,000 students in Catholic schools, and ministries such as the Leadership Institute made the transition to online marriage prep, faith formation and other training.

She said the diocese has been able to quickly respond to distance learning due to the support of a very generous donor who invested in new technology that provided the platform to implement. And past support from all donors to the Appeal’s programs and ministries now serves people in crisis.

To support the request for emergency help the diocese has released its second 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) video, “New Faces of Need.” The video offers a brief glimpse into three lives struggling with the pandemic; a man experiencing homelessness who relies on the New Covenant Center for food and to help rebuild his life; a mother who visits the food pantry to help feed her family and students from The Catholic Academy of Stamford who miss their classmates but are appreciative of the online learning provided by the school.

In the first video the bishop praises the heroic response of all frontline workers during the crisis and he noted that many people who never had to ask for help in the past have come forward to seek food and other assistance.

Rittman hopes the video series, filmed and donated by Brian Russell of Fairfield, demonstrates the impact of the coronavirus on every aspect of the diocese from sacramental preparation and ongoing catechesis to schools, charities and other ministries. The videos can be viewed at www.bridgeportdiocese.org.

“As the human toll from this terrible pandemic continues to increase in our midst, I am aware of the great suffering that a growing number of our neighbors are experiencing. Your generosity allows us to continue the mission of the Church and provide for these “new faces of need” in our midst,” said Bishop Caggiano in announcing the video.

(Please join those who have already given by using the envelope in this issue. You can also make a gift online at www.2020ACABridgeport.com or text the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849. All donations of whatever amount will help us to help those in need.)

By Brian D. Wallace

BRIDGEPORT—On April 20, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano sent a letter to the faithful throughout the diocese announcing the May re-launch of the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) and asking all to give as generously in an emergency situation.

The Appeal, which was launched in January, was temporarily halted because of the disruption caused by the coronavirus, which has led to the suspension of public Masses and the curtailment of all events throughout the diocese.

“In these days when we celebrate the promise of new life in Easter, I write to you now to ask your heroic help to re-launch the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal in a moment of extreme, urgent need,” said the bishop.

In his letter, the bishop praises the heroic response of people at all levels of society who have put their own lives at risk to provide emergency response, healthcare, food, pastoral care and other essential services in Fairfield County.

“I ask that you join the efforts of these heroes and heroines in responding to this emergency appeal. Your contribution will help to allow the Church’s mission to endure so that we can respond effectively to the spiritual, psychological and physical needs of our people.”

The bishop also indicates that during the crisis, many people have turned to the Church, and it has been able to respond because of the past generosity of donors who have given to the ACA and supported the core ministries that serve the needy throughout the diocese.

“I come to you in this emergency to ask for your help to ensure that the Annual Catholic Appeal, which has provided basic human services of food, shelter, education and counseling to many in the past can be maintained and, to the extent possible, be expanded to the many others who are facing real hardship for the first time in their lives.”

“In this hour of need, let us together become the living stones of the Church by loving and serving one another by building a bridge that will carry our sisters and brothers safely through this crisis. And let us do so joyfully in the name of the Risen Lord who has triumphed over sin and death and who will never abandon us.

Pamela Rittman, director of the Annual Catholic Appeal, said the re-launch of the 2020 Appeal will be divided into two major phases. Phase one will run from May 4 through July 15. The second phase, from September 6 through October 31, may be altered or eliminated depending on the initial response.

Rittman said that the ACA re-launch will also be supported by three videos that feature interviews with Bishop Caggiano and highlight people throughout the diocese who are in dire need and who have been hit especially hard by the financial repercussions of the coronavirus. The videos are being produced by Brian Russell of Fairfield.

Rittman said that now more than ever the ACA is responding to the emergency needs of people throughout the diocese and that a strong Spring response is crucial in providing resources to diocesan ministries in a time of crisis.

The bishop said that the challenges are considerable going forward, but he has confidence in the generosity of the faithful.

“As your bishop, I have seen first-hand your extraordinary generosity and I remain deeply grateful. Every time I have asked, you have responded with compassion, with sacrificial giving, and with deep and abiding faith in the Lord and the work of his Church.”

(Please use the envelope enclosed in this issue to make a donation to this year’s Appeal as generously as your means allow. You may also make your gift online at www.2020ACABridgeport.com or text the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849. All donations of whatever amount will help us to help those in need.)

By Brian D. Wallace

TRUMBULL—When Kelly Anne Murphy talks about the good works the Church does, she recalls her grandmother Margaret Conlisk, an immigrant from County Mayo who like many others came to America from Ireland and brought their faith with them. They took jobs as housekeepers and laborers and lived lives centered on Christ.

“My grandmother always said that you never miss anything you give to the Church,” Kelly Anne recalled. “You went to Mass and put your money in the basket…and it better not jingle.”

She and her husband Dan share that ethic, and this year were named the vice chair couple of Renew 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal, whose goal is $9 million. Members of the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull, they regularly volunteer at Thomas Merton Center and St. Catherine Center for Special Needs, along with other ministries.

“Our parents raised us in a Catholic house and it has carried on down the generations,” said Dan, who admits to becoming fully immersed in the faith after their oldest daughter Alana started asking theological questions at 6-years-old, which he describes as “pretty deep.” He must have done a good job answering them because today Alana is a senior at Boston College with a double major in philosophy and English.

The Murphys are committed to Catholic education. All four of their children attended St. Catherine of Siena School, where Kevin is a 7th-grader. Sean is a freshman at Trumbull High and Bridget is a junior at Fordham University, majoring in mathematics.

“Catholic education is very important because it reinforces what is happening at home,” said Kelly Anne, who is also a catechist for eighth-graders. Service was a fundamental part of their family life. “Whenever we were involved in different activities, we would bring our kids with us,” Dan said, “so they could see Mom and Dad in action with other families.”

Both daughters participate in programs that include tutoring children in the South Bronx and traveling to Lourdes with members of the Order of Malta to work with other volunteers hospitalers assisting the sick and infirm.

The Murphys are members of the Order of Malta and also volunteer during the organization’s annual pilgrimages to Lourdes for the sick visiting the shrine to Our Lady.

Dan, a CPA with 20 years of executive finance and accounting experience, is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The Murphys have seen firsthand the programs that benefit from the Annual Catholic Appeal. Kelly Anne is especially focused on St. John Fisher Seminary and Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence for retired priests because her uncle, Father John Conlisk, was a priest in the Diocese of Bridgeport. She still recalls the first time she volunteered at the Merton Center. “I was on the line, scooping out the food and trying to interact with the guests, and I looked across at these people and thought any one of us is two steps away from being in that line, and it hit home that we were really blessed. We’re not in the line and we are blessed to be serving in the line.”

“Nearly eight out of ten families are living paycheck to paycheck nationwide,” Dan said.

“That means if the next paycheck doesn’t come in, people don’t eat and they don’t pay the bills to keep the lights on….We see families with young children and unless you’ve been there, you don’t understand that it is a much wider demographic getting services from Merton and the other programs in Fairfield County.”

The Murphys live less than five miles from the Merton Center and often bring their sons with them to help serve so they see the poverty that is so close to home, even in Fairfield County.

“The people who come in that we serve are our guests. That is the Catholic way of looking at it.

There’s no other way to view it,” Kelly Anne said.

“What we are able to do for our brothers and sisters, we are doing for Christ,” Dan said.

“To be part of the Annual Catholic Appeal and bear witness to all the works that are done on behalf of Catholic Charities is a privilege. You can serve in three ways—with your time, your talent and your treasure. The fact is you need all three.”

By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT—“Renew” is the theme of the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) launched by the diocese in January.

“We speak of renewing the Church, and renewing the Church is a spiritual exercise,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. “It is bringing hope where there may not be a message of hope. It is bringing faith into action in the lives of people in need. It is to mentor young people and show them a better way, which is the way of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

This year’s ACA goal of $9 million will fund ongoing operations, programs and initiatives sponsored by the diocese to reach out to the poor and needy, educate and form young people in the faith, promote vocations, support retired priests, and create vibrant ministries that evangelize and serve all those in need in Fairfield County.

The bishop said most parishes throughout the diocese will be resuming the normal Annual Catholic Appeal, having completed the public phase of the “We Stand With Christ” capital campaign.

The capital campaign was an effort to provide for the strategic, long-term programs of the Diocese of Bridgeport by investing 50 percent of donations in endowments in three newly created foundations in education, charity and faith. These lay-run endowments will provide investment income that will make the ministries of the diocese financially secure for the future. The remaining 50% of funds provide for parish projects and improvements, many of which are already underway.

The bishop said that as successful as the “We Stand With Christ” capital campaign has been, the day-to-day needs and operating expenses of the diocese require the Annual Catholic Appeal to fund ongoing, day-to-day operations and unplanned needs.

“Those needs continue to grow and will never totally go away. However, my hope and expectation is that in the next few years, our Annual Catholic Appeal will diminish in the amount we will ask for and need. As the capital campaign endowments grow, we hope to reduce the yearly Annual Catholic Appeal parish goals,” he said.

During this period of transition to a new funding model, Bishop Caggiano has asked every parishioner to resume their yearly gifts to the appeal.

Last year, the annual appeal was suspended in many parishes because the capital campaign was underway; however, a portion of the gifts were designated to provide for yearly needs in the diocese.

Bishop Caggiano expressed his sincere gratitude to the faithful who gave to the capital campaign and urged them to help continue the renewal that has begun in “the healed and vibrant Church in Fairfield County.” He also asked that they join him in bringing a “message of reconciliation, of hope, of new life to our communities and to the larger community that we share with others of every faith and way of life.”

“We live in continually challenging times, but those challenges are opportunities to evangelize, to preach and to bring a message of hope, to do the works of the Church, to be faithful disciples in the world,” Bishop Caggiano said. “And so I thank you and I ask as always that you be as generous as possible, as you and I do this work of renewing the Church in hope of renewing the face of the whole world.”

Pamela S. Rittman CFRE, Director of Development and the Appeal, said, “When I think of ‘renewal,’ it reminds me of a fresh start. The Annual Catholic Appeal is just that—to renew or start again each year. Without the vital ministries the Appeal supports, we cannot continue to serve those in need and continue the Gospel message on a daily basis each year.”

She said that over the past two years, the diocese has worked to secure the future through a financial commitment made through the We Stand With Christ capital campaign for long-term, strategic planning that will serve future generations in perpetuity.

“Now, we continue with our annual commitment to the day-to-day funding for our ministries that the capital campaign does not provide for,” Rittman said, adding, “The faithful of Fairfield County have always been generous in their leadership, personal and financial resources at the parish and diocesan levels and we are grateful for their support and look forward to a successful 2020 Appeal.”

This year’s chair couple are Jason and Roxanne Melaragno of Holy Family Church in Fairfield and the vice chair couple are Daniel and Kelly Anne Murphy of the Parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Trumbull.

Parish chairpersons and pastors will launch the Appeal in January and the first letters will be sent out in February. The Appeal will be concluded by the end of June although gifts will be accepted through December 31, 2020, Rittman said.

People also may make a pledge by texting the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849.

(For more information or to donate please go to 2020ACABridgeport.com or call 203.416.1470.)

“There’s a joy in giving back if you have been blessed in terms of your own life,” says Msgr. Laurence Bronkiewicz, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield and chair of the Priest Advisory Committee (PAC) for the Annual Catholic Appeal.

While parishioners in Ridgefield tend to be blessed financially, Msgr. Bronkiewicz, who was raised in Norwalk and served at parishes throughout the diocese, says that hearts filled with the joy of faith are always eager to share their gifts with others. In their generous response, richness of faith counts for more than financial wealth.

“‘Joy in Christ, Our Gift to Share,’ the title of this year’s appeal, is how parishioners respond in love and thanksgiving for the blessings they have received from God and want to give to others,” notes Appeal Director Pam Rittman, echoing his observation.

“The Annual Catholic Appeal reaches people who need help in their life journey in so many different ways,” Msgr. Bronkiewicz says. The appeal helps to fund ministries and programs and activities throughout the diocese, many of them far beyond the ability of any single parish.

“The most appealing piece for our people is the assistance offered by Catholic Charities,” he says. “We neighbor on Danbury, and our parishioners are involved in helping at the Dorothy Day shelter and Morning Glory breakfast program. A number of them are involved in making the Midnight Run to New York City, bringing down food and clothing—that’s especially needed in the winter months.”

St. Mary’s has also benefitted from the assistance of a number of seminarians over the years, and enjoyed the presence of James Bates, who was ordained to the priesthood this month, during his service as a transitional deacon. “We will have another seminarian this summer, Anh Vu, who is originally from Vietnam,” adds Msgr. Bronkiewicz.

St. Mary’s partners with St. Peter Parish in Bridgeport, and parishioners have shared projects together. Beyond that, St. Mary’s parishioners are aware of the wider world served by the diocese and areas of ministry that even their parish’s energetic outreach will never directly contact.

“When we talk about the Annual Catholic Appeal, we tell them ‘You’re touching lives you never meet, people you will never know and experiences you will never have.’ They respond to that,” says Msgr. Bronkiewicz.

“I’ve heard many reflections of the joy they experience knowing that they have had an impact. They realize that what they are giving is making a difference in someone’s life.”

In Ridgefield’s neighboring town to the south, Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Wilton shows an equally generous response to the “Joy in Christ, Our Gift to Share” Annual Catholic Appeal.

“Peoples’ generosity comes from the recognition that they’ve been blessed,” says their pastor, Father Reggie Norman. Vice chair of the Priests’ Advisory Committee, he had previously been pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bridgeport. Although that parish lies in an inner-city neighborhood, its parishioners, too, responded to the blessings they have received.

“People are spiritually wealthy when they realize that God is working with them,” Father Norman says. They share that joy in every way they can. “Time and talent are just as valuable as treasure,” he says, noting that parishioners in both his former and his present parish are generous in every way.

The Annual Catholic Appeal assists ministries and programs throughout the diocese. “Sometimes the parishioners don’t know all the needs, or exactly what the diocese does,” says Father Reggie. The programs assisted by the appeal are many and varied. Future priests discern their vocation through St. John Fisher Seminary in Stamford and retired priests retain independent living at Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Retired Priests Residence. Chaplains bring the love of Jesus to nursing homes and hospitals. The Leadership Institute enriches the faith formation of adults. Young couples are prepared for marriage through the pre-Cana program, youth can take part in the Catholic Service Corps and the C4Y chorus, directors of religious education and catechists receive support and training, and the most vulnerable unborn and elderly have a voice through the Respect Life Office.

“We’re the universal Church,” says Father Norman. “People are happy to do their part. Ours is a culture of giving. It resonates with them and expresses the joy of their faith. They trust that their support will go where it will be most useful.”

There are a number of ways to donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal. Pledge envelopes are available at every parish, and may be placed in the Sunday collection. The appeal also offers the opportunity to make gift and pledge payments online. Some companies have a Matching Gift Program, particularly to Catholic Charities or to education in Catholic schools, including St. Catherine Center for special needs. It is also possible to make a charitable gift from a traditional IRA without having to pay federal income taxes on the distributions.

“It’s easy to make a gift this way, but please contact your financial representative for more information,” says Rittman.

(For more information or for assistance on donation opportunities, call 203.416.1479 or email 2018ACA@diobpt.org.)

“De una u otra manera, la Campaña Anual Católica es de un gran impacto entre todos los miembros de la parroquia”, dice Joel Aquino, miembro de la parroquia de San Benito-Nuestra Señora de Montserrat en Stamford.

“Es como nosotros”, dice su esposa Alexandra. “Nuestros hijos han estado en escuelas católicas desde pre-K3 y nuestro grupo de jóvenes ayuda en la despensa de alimentos, que va a la gente en necesidad. Tenemos un nuevo sacerdote en la parr-oquia, el Padre Abelardo, sólo siete meses de ordenado. Hace mucho con los jóvenes e invita a los padres a unirse a él. Todos nos beneficiamos de eso”.

Joel y Alexandra se conocieron cuando ambos estaban en el grupo de jóvenes de Nuestra Señora de Montserrat. En su apoyo continuo a las actividades de la parroquia, están siguiendo el ejemplo establecido por sus padres. “Vinimos a este país desde Guatemala, un jueves”, dice Joel; “el domingo, la fami-lia estaba en la iglesia. Nunca hubo un descanso o vacilación. Cuando estaba en el grupo de jóvenes, mi padre y yo éramos lectores en la Misa”.

“La parroquia siempre ha sido nuestra segunda casa”, dice Alexandra. “De alguna manera u otra siempre hemos estado activos en la parroquia”. La pareja ha sido facilitadora en las sesiones de Pre-Cana, y Alexandra se encuentra actualmente en el Concejo Parroquial. Ella también es parte del V Encuentro de Pastoral Hispana, un fenomenal proceso de actividad pastoral que está involucrando a los católicos hispanos en Estados Unidos y, por su ejemplo, a toda la iglesia, para llegar a aquellos que, en palabras del Papa Francisco, están en la periferia. El propósito es el de llegar a ellos y hablarles del amor salvífico de Jesús.

Siguiendo el ejemplo de sus padres, están animando a sus hijos a continuar esa tradición. Sus dos hijas han sido servidoras del altar en la parroquia, y su hijo podrá ser el siguiente.

“Una parroquia es una fami-lia de familias”, dice el Padre Gustavo Falla, párroco de las parroquias de Santa María y San Benito-Nuestra Señora de Montserrat. De la misma manera, la diócesis es una familia de parroquias, trabajando unidas. “Cuando nos unimos en la Campaña Anual Católica, fortalecemos a la comunidad, ayudando a otros, alcanzando a los más necesitados, proporcionando lo necesario a los sacerdotes ancianos y formando seminaristas para que se conviertan en futuros sacerdotes”.

“La Campaña nos permite ayudar a un nivel más grande”, añade Joel. “Va a fortalecer nuestras escuelas y programas de educación religiosa y actividades juveniles. Llega a la gente en necesidad, para alimentar a los que tienen hambre”.

Debido a que comprenden el valor de una comunidad que trabaja unida, la pareja aceptó aparecer en el video de la Campaña Anual Católica, en español. “Somos muy tímidos, en realidad”, dice Joel. Pero se dieron cuenta de que demasiadas personas no sabían de las muchas maneras en que la Campaña les ayuda a ellos y a quienes los rodean. “Es nuestra responsabilidad hablar.”

“La gente escucha acerca de la Campaña pero no siempre sabe por qué se le pide apoyar económicamente”, dice Alexandra. Ella espera que, una vez que conozcan los programas que la Campaña apoya, todos querrán ayudar en más maneras aún.

“El comedor comunitario y la despensa de alimentos en el New Covenant Center en Stamford ayuda a las personas en necesidad”, dice. “Queremos animar a la gente no sólo para asegurarse de que haya comida, sino para estar allí para servir la comida, para ser parte de la manera en que ayudamos a nuestra comunidad”.

Lo más importante de todo, Joel y Alexandra están de acuerdo, es que la Campaña ayuda a formar nuevos sacerdotes para el futuro de la iglesia. “Hemos tenido párrocos maravillosos”, dice Joel. “La razón por la que esta parroquia ha crecido tanto es por ellos. Hemos tenido grandes y maravillosos sacerdotes. La ayuda financiera para los seminaristas traerá más sacerdotes. Son la clave del futuro.”

La Campaña asiste en la educación de los seminaristas que entran en el seminario de San Juan Fisher, en la formación continua de sacerdotes activos y en el cuidado de los sacerdotes jubilados que viven en la Residencia Reina del Clero, de- dicada a Catherine Dennis Keefe. “La iglesia es un comunidad de amor”, dice Alexandra; “estamos tratando de construir una mejor comunidad. Esta es la forma en que agradecemos a Dios por todo lo que tenemos.”

(Para donar a la Campaña Anual Católica, comuníquese con Pam Rittman: prittman@diobpt.org o 203.416.1470. Usted puede hacer su regalo en línea en: www.2018ACAbridgeport.com.)

“In some way or another, the Annual Catholic Appeal has a big impact on all the members of the parish,” says Joel Aquino, a member of St. Benedict-Our Lady of Montserrat Parish in Stamford.

“It’s like us,” his wife Alexandra says in agreement. “Our kids have been in Catholic schools since pre-K3. Our youth group helps at the food pantry, which goes to people in need. Our parish has a new priest, Father Abelardo, only seven months ordained. He does a lot with the youth, and invites the parents to join him. We all benefit from that.”

Joel and Alexandra met when they were both in the youth group at Our Lady of Montserrat. In their continued support of parish activities they are following the example set by their parents. “We came to this country from Guatemala on a Thursday,” says Joel. “On Sunday, the family was in church. There was never a break or hesitation. When I was in youth group, my father and I were both lectors at Mass.”

“The parish has always been our second home,” says Alexandra. “In some way or another we’ve always been active in the parish.” The couple has been facilitators in pre-Cana sessions, and Alexandra is currently on the parish council. She is also part of the V Encuentro Nacional, engaging Hispanic Catholics, and by their example the whole Church, to reach out to those who have fallen away and tell them of the saving love of Jesus and the Catholic faith.

As they carry on the example of parish involvement set by their parents, they are encouraging their children to continue that tradition. Their two daughters have been altar servers at the parish, and their son may follow in his turn.

“A parish is a family of families,” says Father Gustavo Falla, pastor of St. Benedict-Our Lady of Montserrat and St. Mary parishes. In the same way, the diocese is a family of parishes, working together. “When we join together in the Annual Catholic Appeal, we strengthen the community, helping others, reaching out to the needy, providing for elderly priests and forming seminarians to become future priests.”

“The appeal lets us help on a larger level,” adds Joel. “It goes to strengthen our schools and religious education programs and youth activities. It goes out to people in need, to feed those who are hungry.”

Because they realize the importance of the community working together, the couple agreed to be featured on the Annual Catholic Appeal Spanish-language video. “We’re really shy, actually,” says Joel. But they realized that too many people did not know about the many ways the appeal helps them and those around them. “It’s our responsibility to speak out.”

“People hear about the appeal, but they don’t always know why they’re being asked to support it financially,” says Alexandra. She hopes that, once they know the programs the appeal supports, they will want to help in even more ways.

“The soup kitchen and food pantry at New Covenant Center in Stamford help people in need,” she says. “We want to encourage people not just to be sure there is food, but actually be there to serve the food—to become part of the way we help our community.”

Most important of all, Joel and Alexandra both agree, the appeal helps form new priests for the future of the Church. “We have had wonderful pastors,” says Joel. “The reason this parish has grown so much is because of them. We’ve had great, marvelous priests. Financial aid to seminarians will bring more priests. They are the key to the future.”

The appeal assists in the education of seminarians entering St. John Fisher Seminary, in the continuing formation of active priests and in care for retired priests at the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy retired priests’ residence.

“The Church is a community of love,” says Alexandra. “We are trying to build a better community. This is the way we thank God for everything we have.”

(To donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal, contact Pam Rittman: prittman@diobpt.org or 203.416.1470. You may make your gift online at: www.2018ACAbridgeport.com.)

(Para leer este artículo en español, vea la página 27.)

Among the many programs and ministries it supports, the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal, “Joy in Christ, Our Gift to Share,” assists Catholic Charities, the largest non-government provider of social services in Fairfield County. Rooted in the Catholic philosophy of faith in action, Catholic Charities of Fairfield County (CCFC) has fed the hungry, sheltered the homeless, strengthened families, and empowered the vulnerable by providing a broad spectrum of social services to the extended Fairfield County community.

Last year, CCFC served over 10,000 people throughout twenty-three towns in the county. That’s 10,000 people who may never have received the help they needed were it not for Catholic Charities.

As you most likely know, the government has been reducing funding for almost all nonprofits—Catholic Charities being no exception. When you give to the Annual Catholic Appeal, you are supporting all of Catholic Charities’ programs.

That means your donation is helping house the homeless, you are helping educate preschoolers from lower income families, you are helping immigrants find the way to documentation and you are helping feed the hungry.

For the hungry, CCFC’s food programs provide over 1.3 million meals annually through its soup kitchens, food pantries, Morning Glory breakfast program and Senior Nutrition Program. The Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport and New Covenant Center in Stamford provide not only meals but food pantries as well. Last year, these two pantries welcomed over 2,600 individuals to shop for nutritious groceries for their families.

These centers are not only about food. Thomas Merton Center (TMC) offers support groups to help individuals address issues like abusive relationships or addiction problems, which might be impeding their road to self-sufficiency. TMC also provides case management to assist guests with paying rent, budgeting their finances, and obtaining state and federal benefits. New Covenant Center offers a shower, a laundry room and barber services. NCC also collaborates with other local programs to train individuals in the skills needed to find better jobs and financial independence.

“We have many former and current clients who also volunteer here as their way of saying ‘thank you’ to New Covenant Center,” said John Gutman, the executive director. “One of those is Charo, who came to us from Ecuador many years ago to eat a daily meal. Once Charo learned to become a hair stylist, she returned to New Covenant Center—but not for food. She came back to offer free haircuts to our guests, which she does about 15 times a month.”

Catholic Charities’ Homeless Outreach Team is always on the move, leading Northern Fairfield County’s initiatives for those experiencing homelessness. It is the only program searching the woods, under bridges and in the community for the homeless in the greater Danbury area. The team links these individuals to mental health and substance abuse services, health care access and housing opportunities.

“When we are able to link someone to housing and watch them walk into their apartment for the first time, it is a very emotional experience because we know that we have assisted a person with obtaining stability and enabled him or her to launch into a new phase of their life,” said Regional Director Michele Conderino.

What if you came to this country with the hopes of making a better life for your family, but you did not know how to navigate our immigration system? Catholic Charities’ Immigration Services is a welcoming place to turn to for those in need of affordable counseling and legal assistance with issues involving family reunification, documentation, U.S Citizenship and protection of status.

“We help newcomers and the foreign-born population, regardless of race, religion, sex, creed or economic status,” explained Immigration Counselor Alex Arevalo. “Our mission is to promote the dignity, self-sufficiency and human potential of these newcomers to our county.” Last year alone, CCFC’s Immigration Services conducted almost 400 consultations and assisted 22 individuals with obtaining U.S. citizenship.

Imagine if you were a parent who couldn’t afford the cost of a preschool education for your children, but wanted them to have a solid foundation before they entered kindergarten. What would you do?

You could turn to Catholic Charities’ Room to Grow Preschools (RTG) to meet your needs. Parents pay tuition on a rate based on their income. RTG is not only a preschool for children ages 3-5, but also a daycare for parents who work. Mothers can help support their families, confident that their children are in a nurturing environment.

“Supporting Catholic Charities through the Annual Catholic Appeal is crucial to providing services to those in need and for the most vulnerable,” said Bill McLean, chief development officer of the Diocese of Bridgeport. “In addition, many companies will match an appeal gift for Catholic Charities, so the impact can be doubled or tripled and more people can be helped.”

Catholic Charities puts faith into action. Supporting Catholic Charities through the Annual Catholic Appeal—what better way to put your own faith into action.

(To donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal, contact Pam Rittman: prittman@diobpt.org or 203.416.1470. You may make your gift online at: www.2018ACAbridgeport.com.)