By Emily Clark
BRIDGEPORT—A tremendous blessing. An honor. A great privilege. These were phrases used by recent retirees Anne McCrory and Brian Wallace in reflecting on their many years of service to the Diocese of Bridgeport—and the same ones their colleagues used in describing them, a testament to their leadership, character, and commitment to serving God’s people.
Originally hired by the diocese as Vice Chancellor, Anne McCrory then served as Chancellor until she was appointed by Bishop Frank J. Caggiano as the diocese’s first-ever Chief Legal Counsel in 2014, the position from which she retired this summer. That new role, McCrory said, was very thoughtfully created as the bishop expected many issues at that time to become related to parish real estate.
“Working with him (the bishop) was a tremendous opportunity. He has such extraordinary vision,” said McCrory.
Though she described learning a lot on the job, McCrory relied on her previous positions in general practice and as the in-house legal counsel for organizations such as Southern Connecticut Gas Company and United Illuminating. From working with diocesan schools and parishes to charitable foundations and boards, this experienced attorney handled real estate assets and those requiring compliance, responsibilities she thoroughly enjoyed. In addition to her position as Chief Legal Counsel, McCrory’s service extended to Catholic Charities of Fairfield County and Foundations in Faith, among other organizations.
“Anne’s many years of service to the Diocese of Bridgeport have been nothing less than exceptional. We have been truly blessed with her brilliant legal mind, tremendous common sense, integrity, exceptional leadership and her indefatigable dedication to serving her Church. She will be deeply missed. I speak for our entire diocese when I say we cannot thank her enough,” said Bishop Caggiano.
“It was a great privilege to collaborate in the initiatives the bishop brought to the diocese and to work with people committed to the mission of the church,” McCrory said. “It was especially rewarding to find ways to solve problems.”
Despite the problems that sometimes arose from a legal perspective, including those in which she needed to represent both sides of an issue, she said they would negotiate and come to a resolution.
“It was always about the people—the amazing clergy, administrators, teachers, donors, and volunteers who are so dedicated to their work,” she added.
That perspective was seen firsthand by Debbie Tietjen, executive assistant to the Diocesan General Counsel.
“When a situation was presented, Anne looked at it from all sides. She did her job with ease, not looking for acknowledgment of a job well done, but rather that she was doing the right thing for the diocese,” Tietjen said. “Anne always looked for the best in people.”
For Brian Wallace, longtime spokesperson for the diocese and editor of Fairfield County Catholic, it was also the people—many of whom became his friends and mentors—that made his working environment so enjoyable.
“It was an honor to have this job, the greatest work experience of my life,” said Wallace, who succeeded Dr. Joseph McAleer in this position 15 years ago. “I was most comfortable working for non-profits that served others, so it was a natural transition to this role in the diocese.”
“Like Anne, Brian has provided the Diocese with exceptional professionalism, integrity, wisdom and leadership—especially in the most difficult moments. He has helped navigate Diocesan communications’ challenges with great aplomb and finesse, making it look much easier than it really is,” the bishop said.
“Brian is much beloved and trusted by his colleagues at the Catholic Center and beyond. His wisdom, love for the Church, loyalty, humility and extraordinary gifts for communicating have been a tremendous blessing to our Diocese. He will be deeply missed,” he added.
Wallace took this position later in his career, having worked primarily as a freelance writer and in public relations for St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Catholic Charities. While at the diocese, he edited and produced the monthly newspaper, oversaw the active website and social media platforms, and responded to press inquiries, often working in concert on legal issues with McCrory, whom he called the “best of the culture” because of her integrity, decency, and service.
Of his colleagues in the Communications Department, Wallace said, “It was always a team effort. We had a goal, and we let everyone be their best. They never disappointed me.”
One of those people was former digital media director John Grosso, now digital editor for the National Catholic Reporter. Though he credits both retirees for teaching him so much, he has a special connection to Wallace, his former boss.
“Brian’s quiet, humble leadership was instrumental in forming me in this position, forming my faith, and even forming me as a parent,” Grosso said. “He has such love for the diocese and the Catholics of Fairfield County.”
While Wallace still sees print media as a vehicle for communications, he is proud of the ongoing efforts made in the digital realm and grateful for coworkers like Grosso who built on what McAleer created years ago. The level of engagement on the diocesan website continues to grow, with hundreds of thousands of page views by the area’s faithful, proving, as Wallace said, that “they want to communicate with us.”
Though their job descriptions and backgrounds differ, Wallace and McCrory are grateful that the work they did revolved around the church.
“It was a privilege to do this in the name of Jesus,” said McCrory. “This position allowed me to follow my faith, a faith I relied on.”
Now, in retirement, she keeps that faith at the forefront of her life as she continues her work with Catholic Charities and other organizations and assumes her position as chair of the Board of Trustees at Albertus Magnus College, an opportunity, she said, that “God gave me to focus on. It’s another chapter for me.”
Wallace’s next chapter is not unlike his previous one, as he and his wife continue to live what he calls a simple, quiet life: reading, writing, and “taking a step back to see what God has in store for me.”
These early days of retirement may seem like an extended summer vacation, as McCrory plays a few rounds of golf and Wallace bikes along the Fairfield coastline, but the gratitude for their fulfilling careers and the friendships that persist.
“I cherish the relationships I made at the diocese,” McCrory said, while Wallace added, “It was a labor of love, bringing people to God.”
