BRIDGEPORT—“A Bridge Home,” is the theme of the 2022 Bishop’s Appeal which launched in all parishes at the end of January. The appeal is the major source of funding for ongoing diocesan ministries and new initiatives to unify the diocese and celebrate the faith.
“I am very grateful for your support this past year as we met the needs of our sisters and brothers whose lives were upended by COVID-19, especially the poor in our midst. This was possible because of your faith and generosity,” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said in a letter that has gone out to parishioners across the diocese.
“In my recent December Pastoral Exhortation, “Let us Go Forth from the Upper Room,” I proposed a three-fold mission to teach and preach the Gospel with clarity and conviction, transform our local communities into spiritual families united in faith, and to create bridges to those persons who feel neglected by the Church or whom the world considers, ‘outcasts,’” the bishop said.
This year the bishop is asking the faithful to continue the work of renewal in the diocese by supporting new initiatives that engage the young, invite people back to Church, and celebrate the truth and beauty of the Catholic tradition.
According to Joe Gallagher, chief development officer of the diocese, this year’s Appeal goal of $8.1 million remains unchanged from last year and will support these vital new initiatives while continuing to feed the hungry, reach out to the most vulnerable, foster vocations and so much more to promote the life of faith in our diocese.
“A Bridge Home” is the theme—highlighting hope, renewal and evangelization in our diocese, and it asks people to build bridges to one another in a way that supports unity and reaches out in service to all those in need,” Gallagher said.
This year’s appeal will also continue the successful “Parish Partnership” in which each parish will determine how to utilize any funds that are raised over the appeal goal set for the parish. Last year, many used their over-goal funds to partner with parishes that are pastorally vibrant but financially challenged.
Gallagher said a new Bishop’s Appeal Advisory Committee has been created to replace the Pastor’s Advisory Committee (PAC). This new committee consists of pastors and lay representatives and will be chaired by Father Paul Murphy, pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Darien. Additional members of the new committee include Father Jose A. Vasquez, Father Henry Hoffman, Father Luke Suarez, Brian Young, Mary Jo Dyer and Patrick O’Keefe.
“I would like to thank the prior chairs, Father Reggie Norman and Father Mike Jones for their many years of service to the PAC and for agreeing to serve on the new advisory committee,” Gallagher said, who noted that the advisory committee will provide strategic advice regarding the Bishop’s Appeal.
Pam Rittman, director of the Bishop’s Appeal, said that “A Bridge Home” is a call to missionary discipleship, and to support new initiatives including the expanded Institute for Catholic Formation, a resource center that will invite, engage and connect people of all ages to our parishes; The Bridge, a mentoring program for young adults, and the Sacred Heart Guild, which will celebrate and inspire through the truth and beauty of Catholic tradition as discovered in sacred arts, music and culture.
The 2022 Appeal also helps to support the more than 200 men and women Ambassadors who are now going out to the community to welcome people back to Church. A second cohort of Ambassadors will be commissioned this year.
“The appeal invests in services that continue to engage those in their faith and build a strong bridge to so many who are struggling. Now it is more important than ever to support our bishop’s mission to reunite our Church, affirm our faithful and welcome others back,” Rittman said.
Pledges can be made online at www.2022BishopsAppeal.org; or text the word APPEAL to 475.241.7849.
