Foundations in Faith Committee Approves Grants for Missionary Parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport
Last night, the Foundations in Faith St. Francis Xavier Committee approved four grants aimed at supporting missionary parishes in the Diocese of Bridgeport. These grants, which total $160,500, are part of the ongoing effort to provide financial and human resources to help build long-term, sustainable parishes in the diocese.
1) Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Bridgeport
Fr. Adriano Biccheri of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church (163 Ortega Ave, Bridgeport) submitted a request for funding to support the much-needed and extensive renovation of the church rectory. The committee approved a grant of $120,000 to help cover the costs of this important project.
2) Blessed Sacrament Church, Bridgeport
Fr. Skip from Blessed Sacrament Church (275 Union Ave, Bridgeport) requested funding to assist with the installation of a new parish sound system. This will help enhance the parish’s ability to serve its community. A grant of $20,000 was approved for this project.
3) St. Mary Church, Stamford
Fr. Falla of St. Mary Church (566 Elm Street, Stamford) sought funding to hire a consultant to guide the parish through a fundraising campaign. The goal is to leverage a generous $250,000 matching grant for necessary water infiltration renovations. The committee approved $13,500 to support this critical initiative.
4) St. Charles Borromeo Church, Bridgeport
Fr. Abelardo Vasquez from St. Charles Borromeo Church (391 Ogden Street, Bridgeport) requested funding for Spanish-speaking Bible study materials. The committee approved $7,000 to help provide these essential resources for the parish’s Spanish-speaking community.
With this round of grants, the St. Francis Xavier Fund has now distributed a total of $300,500. This includes the recent grant approval of $160,500 and previous awards totaling $140,000. These funds are part of a broader effort to alleviate the financial burdens faced by urban churches, particularly those that demonstrate strong leadership, pastoral vitality, and a commitment to missionary outreach.
The St. Francis Xavier Fund is designed to empower pastors to focus on nurturing and growing their ministries, furthering the work of evangelization, and ensuring their church facilities are equipped to meet future needs. By providing financial assistance for essential projects, the fund helps parishes continue their work of service and renewal.
In addition to supporting physical infrastructure, the fund plays a key role in fostering connections within the diocese, helping to build bridges between pastors, parishes, and parishioners. This strengthens the community’s appreciation of the rich diversity within the Diocese of Bridgeport.
For more information or to support the transformative work of the St. Francis Xavier Fund, please contact Kelly Weldon at kelly.weldon@foundationsinfaith.org.
