The 2022 Bishop’s Appeal calls us to renewed hope and a deepened commitment to serve our neighbor.  Your gift enables the diocese to continue works of charity, formation in faith, education and catechesis.  It provides programs and ministries that feed the hungry and counsel the homeless who live among us; help youth develop their minds and grow in faith; sustain our priests, active and retired; prepare men for the diaconate and the priesthood; provide Catholic education through scholarships; and much more.

Catholic Charities of Fairfield County is one of the largest private social service providers in Connecticut, offering assistance throughout the 23 towns in the Bridgeport Diocese. The agency’s mission is to help the needy and most vulnerable of all faiths to permanently improve their lives by providing supportive services that enable families to rise up out of poverty, overcome barriers, and achieve self-sufficiency and independence. Catholic Charities envisions a Fairfield County where all individuals have the basic necessities – food, shelter, and support – in order to reach their full potential as healthy, educated, and self-sufficient individuals. The

agency serves all people without regard to age, race, religion, or ability to pay.

Catholic Charities cannot do it alone; it depends on gifts to the Bishop’s Appeal and helps them to do the incredible work that it does for our most vulnerable neighbors in Fairfield County. Your Bishop’s Appeal gift will truly change lives. Mack Wade, a 90-year-old homeless man who lives in the Super 8 Motel in Danbury and receives food from Catholic Charities through the Morning Glory Breakfast Program said: “I thank God for Catholic Charities. The food they bring us every day allows us to eat. The joy and happiness that we homeless people receive here in Danbury through Catholic Charities…I thank them.”

This year the Academy will serve 900 children. Despite tuition being only $5,150 a year, 85% families cannot afford this so the school must award more than $2 million annually in financial assistance. More than 80% of students perform at grade level compared with only 23% in the Bridgeport public school system, and 100% of student’s graduate high school compared with barely 70% of Bridgeport public school students.  Donations to the Bishop’s Appeal enable inner-city youth to become faith-filled, industrious, responsible and well-educated adults. Our world and the Church need these young students to excel academically and to develop a strong and active faith in God.

Whatever you decide, your gift will be greatly appreciated and make a difference in the lives of others.  Today you have the opportunity to help us reach the goal 

 If you have already given your gift, we thank you.  If you haven’t yet, please consider extending your generosity in order to reach the goal and to be of service to our needy brothers and sisters.  No gift is too great or too small.

Thus far our parish has raised ­­$93,284 for the Annual Appeal bringing the parish to 103% of its $90,500 goal.  Thank you for your generosity.  If you have not yet responded to the 2022 Bishop’s Appeal, please reflect upon the importance of your support to ministry and outreach that relies upon the charity of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The challenge is immediate and far-reaching, but the solution is within our reach!