Revitalizing
the Diocese
"We must lean into our identity as One Church. When one parish struggles in the Diocese of Bridgeport, we are called to rise together in fellowship and support."
One Church. Shared Mission. Lasting Impact.
The St. Francis Xavier Fund for Missionary Parishes
Faithful supporting faithful. One Church united in mission.
Your Support Makes a Difference
Every gift—at every level—helps ensure our parishes are safe, sustainable, and alive in faith.
$2,500 – $5,000
Minor Building Repairs & Enhancements
Restores dignity and safety through lighting, minor repairs, and essential furnishings for fellowship and faith formation.
$10,000 – $20,000
Major Building Repairs & Enhancements
Repairs leaking roofs, replaces failing boilers, or updates parish technology to reconnect communities and expand outreach.
$25,000 – $40,000
Facility & System Upgrades
Replaces aging sound systems, revitalizes worship spaces, and equips parishes to grow their community.
$50,000+
Comprehensive Infrastructure Renewal
Provides funding for building renovations and improvement, coupled with fiscal sustainability planning – stabilizing a parish for generations to come.
How the Fund Makes an Impact
Impact by the Numbers
$500,000
Annual distribution benchmark
$2.5M
In grants funded by end of 2026 fiscal year
20+
Parishes and quasi-parishes supported
9
Annual grant recipients
<2
Days for funds to be made available
Funding applications are approved on a rolling basis
"The Cathedral was in desperate need of a boiler, we barely made it through the winter season last year. The piping was old and rusted and also needed to be replaced. The costs to heat and cool The Cathedral were becoming a crippling monthly expense and a true burden. In exploring Geothermal heating and cooling we were convinced that the benefits to the environment and the cost savings were compelling. Unfortunately, we could not afford the upfront costs. The SFX fund stepped forward and provided an unprecedented two-year grant totaling $400,000 to make the first geothermal Parish project happen here in the Diocese. Our hearts and hands are warmed by this generosity."
— Very Rev. Arthur Mollenhauer
Pastor, Cathedral Parish
"The Cathedral was in desperate need of a boiler, we barely made it through the winter season last year. The piping was old and rusted and also needed to be replaced. The costs to heat and cool The Cathedral were becoming a crippling monthly expense and a true burden. In exploring Geothermal heating and cooling we were convinced that the benefits to the environment and the cost savings were compelling. Unfortunately, we could not afford the upfront costs. The SFX fund stepped forward and provided an unprecedented two-year grant totaling $400,000 to make the first geothermal Parish project happen here in the Diocese. Our hearts and hands are warmed by this generosity."
— Very Rev. Arthur Mollenhauer
Pastor, Cathedral Parish
"I write to express my sincere gratitude to you for choosing St. Charles Borromeo Parish as a recipient of your generous $35,000 grant. This is a wonderful support to a very needy parish. This SFX Grant is answered prayer and on behalf of the Parish Family of St. Charles please accept my thanks and praise for your generosity. Warm kind wishes to you for your good work. I shall look forward to reporting back to you how the parish has implemented the proposal to reveal just how much your Grant has made a difference in our inner- city Ministry and service to the poor."
— Rev. Jose Abelardo Vasquez
Pastor, St. Charles Borromeo / St. George Church
"Christ is risen! Thank you for all that you are doing to support our ministry: it’s invaluable! We continue to hold you in prayer daily and we give thanks especially for Foundations in Faith, SFX fund during this joyful time of Thanksgiving. With deep gratitude and Happy Thanksgiving."
— Sr. Máire
Our Lady of Good Counsel Quasi Parish
"I was moved to want to give DIRECTLY to the SFX Fund. Our future Church very much depends on the success of most if not all mission churches, in addition to bringing our mainstream churches along in their faith formation and rejuvenation."
— Dr. Lisa Rooney
Foundations in Faith Board Member
"I am most grateful to all the members of the SFX Fund for your assistance in awarding these requests. The projects being funded are truly transformative in nature and will accelerate the work underway to foster the long term spiritual and pastoral renewal of the Diocese. They also give me great hope and encouragement. God bless."
— The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
Bishop, Diocese of Bridgeport