GREENWICH—When Jim O’Neill and Paula Summa were asked to once again lead the Bishop’s Appeal, they said yes. As Jim tells the story, his first response was “I have to check with my ‘manager.’”
Fortunately, Paula gave him the green light, and the couple were reenlisted as co-chairs of the “One in Christ” 2024 Bishop’s Appeal, which provides for works of charity, formation in faith, education and catechesis.
In launching the appeal with an $8 million goal, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano encouraged 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 co-chairs, who are members of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich, will be joined by Father Gregg D. Mecca of St. Peter Parish in Danbury, who is the Pastor co-chair, and Vice Chair Couple Morgan and Mark Mooney of St. Pius X Parish in Fairfield.
“When people ask for help, if we can do it—and I believe in what they’re doing—I have a very difficult time saying no,” Jim explained. “First of all, we want to thank all the people who participated last year and stepped up to the plate. And also say thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who work in the ministries the appeal supports. I’m awed by their dedication and the proper stewardship of the administrators.”
Last year’s appeal exceeded the goal of $8.1 million. In addition, just under $500,000 of over-goal funds was shared with our parishes.
Paula urges all Catholics in the diocese to learn more about the good works their contributions accomplish by considering giving of their time in addition to their treasure.
“I encourage people to donate and to also understand where the money is going and how it is being used,” she said. “Take the time and pick one ministry that resonates with you and make it personal. Give financially and give of your time. The appeal is not just about money but also engaging as a community of Catholics and getting back to what the Gospel is about.”
Jim wants to see greater participation and encourages everyone, including clergy, to give to the extent that they can because no dollar amount is too small or too great, and all the faithful of the diocese can “participate financially, intellectually and prayerfully.”
“There are thousands of people in the diocese who have not yet had the opportunity to participate, and we encourage them to pray about it and try to give as much as they can,” Paula said. “Whatever they give is appreciated.”
They both caution against the attitude that says our charitable obligation as Catholics ends at our parish borders.
“We have to acknowledge our responsibilities to help others, as the Gospel tells us to,” Jim said, “by contributing in the charitable works of the Church.”
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.
Pamela S. Rittman, director of development and the Bishop’s Appeal, said it 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 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. Our donors are generous and compassionate and we are grateful.”
Jim also urges people to make their pledges to the appeal early because parishes that exceed their goal by June 30 will receive the excess for their church needs, with the stipulation that the pledges are redeemed by December 31 of this year.
“We’re both products of Catholic schools, K-12, and believe it is one of the key things that help people succeed and do what they want in life,” Jim said. “We support them all, along with St. Catherine Center for Special Needs and the work of the Thomas Merton Family Center. You could talk for hours about the great work that Catholic Charities does.”
Paula, who is on the board of Greenwich Chaplaincy Services, visits town nursing homes to pray the Rosary, give Holy Communion and arrange for Masses. She has high praise for Monsignor William Scheyd and the retired priests at Queen of Clergy, who always make themselves available to celebrate Mass for the elderly.
Paula was recently appointed to the Diocesan Finance Council and serves on the board of Foundations in Education and various ministries, including as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, catechist in the parish religious education program and lector.
She has many years of experience in various financial executive and general management positions at IBM. She has a bachelor of science degree in accounting as well as an MBA in accounting and finance from Pace University. She was a member of the Pace University Lubin School of Business Advisory Board and Executive-in-Residence.
Jim is a non-practicing CPA, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a retired IBM financial executive and board member of Atradius Trade Credit Insurance. He has a BBA in accountancy practice from Pace University and an MBA in finance from Columbia University. He also served as non-executive treasurer and board member of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
Currently, he serves on the Finance Council of St. Paul Parish, the Finance Committee of Foundations in Education and assists at Kolbe Cathedral High School. He is a member of the Gentlemen of St. Paul, an usher and an altar server at funeral Masses in his parish. Both Paula and Jim are members of Legatus.
(Please prayerfully consider a gift that is within your means and know that your sacrificial gift no matter the size, will make provide for the future of our Catholic faith and the most vulnerable in our communities. You may make your gift on-line at 2024BishopsAppeal.org or by calling 203.416.1470. Thank you for your generosity.)
By Joe Pisani
