BRIDGEPORT—Foundations in Faith has launched the St. Francis Xavier Fund for Mission Parishes thanks to a significant initial donation to support vital, but financially challenged parishes during the COVID-19 crisis.
The announcement was made by Kelly Weldon, director of Foundations in Faith, which was created last year through the “We Stand with Christ” capital campaign to support parish ministries in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Weldon said St. Francis Xavier Fund grants are now available to provide short-term relief for parishes experiencing cash problems as a result of declining collections due to the pandemic.
“These funds would be issued as grants to support basic operating expenses. While there are limited funds available for this emergency effort, we are hopeful that we will be able to provide some support to all those who demonstrate immediate need,” she said.
On March 31st, 2020, Foundations in Faith Board of Directors approved an Emergency Funding proposal put forward by Bishop Caggiano that “In light of the extraordinary crisis that we are facing, it is proposed that portion of the St. Francis Xavier Fund for Mission Parishes be made available to grant limited emergency financial assistance to those parishes that face an immediate cash liquidity problem due to the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
Weldon said that while churches have suspended public Masses for health and safety reasons, they have been unable to take the weekly in-pew collections that pay fixed cost bills such as utilities, staff salaries, internet for remote communications, even basic needs such as food for our priests.
“Our Parishes are making drastic cost cutting decisions. They are levering loans, grants and government assistance but for some churches that will not be enough. On-line giving mechanisms are being put in place,” said Weldon who noted short-term aid is essential.
Bishop Caggiano thanked donors for creating an additional resource to reach out to financially challenged parishes during the crisis.
“The grants are yet another opportunity for managing these challenging times. I want to express my sincere gratitude for the generosity and willingness of our diocesan donors to assist each of our ministries in this time of great need,” he said.
For a parish to be considered for such assistance, it must meet criteria for eligibility established by Foundations in Faith and will be required to submit an application to be vetted and recommended for action by the St. Francis Xavier Fund Committee, which will assume the responsibility of overseeing the distribution of grants from the Fund.
Weldon said applications will be made to assist in meeting the parish’s ordinary financial obligations for a given month. A renewal of any application will be required if the parish seeks cash assistance beyond one month’s time.
All parishes seeking emergency financial assistance must first present the request to Michael Hanlon, the Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese, for review and approval before it is submitted to the Board of Foundations in Faith.
Parishes are also being encouraged to establish an online giving platform and pursue other grant or reimbursable loan opportunities, such as the CARE Act options, which diocesan officials presented to the parishes last week.
Once a parish has been approved by the diocesan CFO to proceed, the applicant will receive the electronic application which should be submitted, with specified documentation as required, to Kelly Weldon, director of Foundations in Faith, for submission to the committee for the St. Francis Xavier Fund for Mission Parishes for review and approval.
For questions on the application process, further information or to make a donation to the fund, visit Foundations in Faith website www.foundationsinfaith.org.
