Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

In the midst of the 2022 Bishop’s Appeal, St. Joseph Church in Brookfield confronted a financial setback. The agreement to rent their school building to the Danbury school system was terminated and the parish lost that income. After consulting with the finance board, Father George “Chip” O’Neill said they still chose to send their extra funds from the appeal to help an inner-city parish, just as they did with the previous appeal.

“We decided we had to continue to give sacrificially as a parish rather than use the money to help with our own shortfall,” he said. So, they will assist St. Ann Church in Bridgeport with the extra funds they raised. This year, despite the challenges and a troubled economy, St. Joseph is $16,000 over its goal of $116,000. Father said the setback over the terminated lease was a real reminder of the importance of helping others who face similar financial challenges…and to trust in God’s providence.

“God always provides, and we recognize we already have what we need…and we trust,” he said. “The more we give away freely without strings attached, the more we receive in return. It always happens that way.” It also helps that his parish family is a close-knit group, which he describes as “a good solid community that rely on each other.” They are heavily involved in ministries in the Danbury area, including those funded by the appeal.

“We are all about food and feeding people, and most of our ministries are reaching out to those in need,” Father said. Parishioners regularly help out at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House. St. Joseph’s provides from 70 to 100 meals a month, and the youth group makes 50 to 75 sandwiches. In addition, parishioners prepare 15 casseroles a month to feed the hungry at Pacific House, a Danbury homeless shelter. They are also active in the H.A.L. Bag Program—Helping Another Live—which is an ongoing drive that collects non-perishable food and personal care items for the Brookfield Food Pantry.

The parish’s success in the Bishop’s Appeal hinges on several factors, says Father, who has made the goal in his 14 years as pastor and during his previous service at St. Patrick’s. “On a weekly basis, it’s important to keep people informed of how we’re doing and setting the expectation of achieving the goal,” he said. “This is the way I’ve always done it. Communication helps, with updates in the bulletin and announcements at Mass on a regular basis.”

Their success also hinges on the diligent efforts of his staff. “They have been with me since I’ve been here and they want to keep helping in any way, shape or form they can,” he says. “They do things outside of their comfort zone and never say no…. I am very blessed.” The parishioners realize that after they reach their goal, the surplus can be used to offer financial support to an inner-city parish. “Last year was the first year we did it, and it went very well,” he said. “This year we used it as part of our marketing of the appeal.” St. Ann’s has a special place in Father’s heart because he served there for five years after his ordination.

Joe Gallagher, chief development officer for the diocese, says he is grateful to Father O’Neill and other pastors who participated in the Parish Partnership Program, which is writing a new chapter in charity and fellowship between parishes. In addition to St. Joseph in Brookfield, several other parish partnerships include the following: St. Rose of Lima in Newtown is helping St. Mary, Bridgeport and Catholic Charities of Danbury, St. Jude in Monroe is reaching out to Blessed Sacrament, and St. Thomas More in Darien is working with St. Mary Parish in Stamford. There are also multiple parishes participating in the partnership.

“Many pastors and parishioners are enthusiastically embracing the Parish Partnership program. It enables them to designate any funds over goal to support parishes that are pastorally vibrant but struggling financially, and it is uniting the diocese in faith and service,” says Gallagher. Gallagher said he realizes many parishes are not in a financial position to designate over goal funds, but for those that do, they have been blessed by the mutual sharing and deepening of relationships between parishes. “The sharing is not one way, but a genuine relationship between the two parishes where everyone is nurtured spiritually. It brings different parish communities together in a way that they grow in understanding and fellowship,” says Gallagher, who notes, as a result of the program, parishioners have prayed and worshipped together, socialized and developed new friendships.