Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

FAIRFIELD—During the troubled times in which we live, Morgan Mooney believes we are stronger as Catholics if we support one another through participation in the One in Christ 2024 Bishop’s Appeal.

“There is so much going on in this world, with people against the values of the Catholic Church, that we need to have strength in numbers and be supportive of the Catholic mission in the diocese,” she said. “And if we truly believe in Catholic values, we must have a sense of the bigger picture and not just focus on our parishes.”

Morgan and Mark Mooney of St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield are the Vice Chair Couple of this year’s appeal, which is led by Father Gregg D. Mecca of St. Peter Parish in Danbury, who is the Pastor Co-chair, along with Co-chairs Paula Summa and Jim O’Neill of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano launched the 2024 Appeal in January, 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 Mooneys served as Vice Chair Couple of last year’s Appeal, which exceeded its goal of $8.1 million.

“The campaign is grateful to everyone who participated,” Mark said. “There is something in Bishop Caggiano’s message that will strike a chord with everybody, and there is something they can get behind and support. If you feel moved, do something about it. Get your uniform dirty and see what’s going on. As Catholics, we can’t sit on the sidelines. We have to get involved in our Church, our parishes and our diocese.”

The Mooneys said 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 our retired priests.

Mark praised Bishop Caggiano for his focus on the theme “One in Christ” and his enunciation of his goals for the diocese. He urged everyone to go online to the Appeal’s website and watch Bishop Caggiano’s videos as he articulates his vision for the future.

“He has a plan for change, and the way I see it, we’re at a point now where there is a lot going on in society, and we need the Church more than ever. So if you’re an adult, lean on what you learned growing up as a child and pass it along to your children.”

The Appeal furthers the work of the Church throughout Fairfield County, and Mark cited two ministries in particular that have benefited from the appeal—the Thomas Merton Family Center in Bridgeport and St. Catherine Center for Special Needs in Fairfield, which had major expansions that will enable them to help even more people in the future.

A primary goal for the Mooneys is to increase participation in the Appeal. They say that no donation is too small. That is a message they plan to share with others as they visit parishes throughout the diocese.

The Church asks Catholics to give of their “time, talent and treasure,” and the Mooneys believe that taking some time to volunteer and learn about the mission of the different ministries will help people be more receptive to responding to the Appeal.

“We have to make sure we’re spreading the message about the importance of the campaign and let people know where the money is going,” he said. “It is important for us to support the diocese this way because we have to look beyond our parishes.”

Morgan cited the Letter of St. James, in which the apostle says, “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

“We can’t go to church each week and listen to the Gospel and not live it out,” she said. “We’re all part of this greater mission. We need to support the diocese because the diocese supports our churches, not just monetarily but spiritually. We have to stand strong and stand together. So for me, my focus remains the same—to continue to grow participation because if everybody contributes a little, we have a lot.”

The couple is firmly committed 
to Catholic education, and their four children—Jack, Grace, Andrew and Emery—attend Catholic schools. Jack is a student at St. Joseph High School and the others attend St. Thomas Aquinas School in Fairfield.

Mark, who is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for NBC Sports, is a graduate of Fordham University. Morgan, a graduate of Lafayette College, has held positions at ABC and Discovery, and is, according to Mark, the “Chief Operating Officer of the Mooney family.”

Pamela S. Rittman, director of development and the Bishop’s Appeal, said this year’s Appeal began in anticipation of building upon new programs developed last year, “with new opportunities for continuing the work of our diocese to provide for all aspects of our Catholic faith, care for the poor and becoming One in Christ by serving one another.”

She added: “Our donors are generous and compassionate and we are grateful. 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. As the bishop highlights, ‘The One’ is our commitment to focusing every aspect of the Church on bringing individuals closer to God. We achieve this goal by creating opportunities for encountering God and fostering communities that accompany and support each other on their faith journeys. The Bishop’s Appeal does just that.” Thank you for your support.