Every year, Foundations in Faith invites several organizations throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport to apply for general operating support grants. These grants, which are by invitation only, support the crucial work of pastoral ministries in the Diocese.At last month’s board meeting, Foundations in Faith’s board of trustees approved over $1.1 million to support these efforts through six of its funds.The heavy hitter of the evening was the St. Charles Borromeo Fund for Vocations and Seminarians, which awarded $589,000 in general operating support grants. These funds will be divided up among the Diocesan Office of Vocations, Redemptoris Mater Seminary and the Diocesan seminarians.The Office of the Superintendent received two general operating support grants. One was from the St. John Bosco Fund for Special Needs at Catholic Schools, totaling $50,000. The other was from the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Fund for Catholic Schools, totaling $265,500. Both will support the educational needs of the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Catholic school students.The Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Priests Retirement Residence received a $196,300 general operating support grant courtesy of the St. John Vianney Fund for Retired Priests. This grant will support the needs of the retired priests who call Queen of the Clergy home.The St. John Paul II Center in Danbury received a $1,400 general operating support grant courtesy of the Lourdes Fund for Pastoral Care at Catholic Nursing Homes. And finally, the St. Catherine Center for Special Needs received a $500 general operating support grant through the St. Catherine Center for Special Needs Fund.These grants will be incorporated into the fiscal year budgets of each of the organizations. The fiscal year begins on July 1.It certainly was a busy evening for Foundations in Faith’s board of trustees. But when it comes to supporting pastoral ministries in the Diocese of Bridgeport, it’s all worth it.
