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Gerrie and Jean-Paul Musicco, Chairs of 2010 Appeal:
"It's About Reaching Out"
by Pat Hennessy

Gerri and Jean-Paul Musicco, members of Saint Aloysius Parish in New Canaan, have graciously accepted Bishop Lori’s offer to represent the diocese as the chair couple for the 2010 Living Our Faith Annual Bishop’s Appeal. “As a young couple with children in middle school and high school, Gerrie and Jean-Paul have first-hand experience with many of the ministries supported through the Appeal,” says Bishop Lori. He mentions in particular the couple’s energy in teaching in the religious education program at Saint Aloysius, and the entire family’s dedication to helping at New Covenant House Soup Kitchen in Stamford.

The bishop also emphasized the need for every Catholic in the Diocese of Bridgeport to recognize the importance of the Appeal, especially in difficult economic times. “Some of our neighbors are struggling,” he says. “If God has blessed you with stability, it’s more important than ever that you are generous in sharing that blessing. Every single gift counts.”

The Musiccos were drawn to their leadership role in the Appeal by their knowledge that the diocese, through Catholic Charities, is the second largest provider of charity in the area behind the government. “While the stock market is significantly off of its lows, the real economy has not yet fully healed,” says Jean-Paul, a managing director of a Connecticut based money manager, acknowledging both the challenge and the necessity of the Appeal.

The Appeal provides essential services and ministries of the Church in Fairfield County, including Catholic schools and parish religious education programs, Catholic Charities, soup kitchens, food pantries, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and parish finance services. The 2010 Appeal will be launched in all 87 parishes of the diocese the weekend of February 20 and ends on June 30. In recognition of the difficult economy, this year’s goal has been set at $12 million.

The Musiccos’ faith journey mirrors that of many of their contemporaries. Jean-Paul was born in Toronto, Canada. Gerrie was born in Northern Ireland, but grew up in Canada. Both came from Catholic families – Gerrie attended Catholic school through high school – but they drifted from the practice of the faith in adulthood.

Faith Journey

“None of my friends were going to Church, and I just thought, ‘Oh, it’s my mother’s faith,’” says Gerrie.

The couple had married in the Church, and had all their children baptized. Though they were widely traveled and had lived in London, England, a while, it was not until they moved to Connecticut in 1994 that they saw the value of a life of faith firsthand. “There’s much more of a religious community among people our age down here than in Canada,” says Jean-Paul. “Our friends were fully engaged and active at Saint Aloysius. They were wonderful examples for us.”

They saw Fairfield County as an ideal place to set down roots and raise their children. They became U.S. citizens and, as the children grew older, enrolled them in religious education classes at Saint Aloysius.

When their children came home from classes with questions and comments, Jean-Paul, in particular, began to see what he was missing. He had no formal religious education in his childhood, and enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) program at Saint Aloysius as a way to begin to understand the Catholic faith.

“The RCIA program in Saint Aloysius is so fantastic,” he says. With the encouragement of RCIA leaders Bernie and Joan Rafferty, Jean-Paul was confirmed at the Easter Vigil of 2006 – by Bishop Lori.

“I began to see what the Catholic Church was doing,” he says. The couple had already been involved in philanthropic work in their community, particularly at Kids in Crisis, where Jean-Paul served on the board, and various local charities. Now they’ve become active in parish projects as well.

Giving Back

“When we went down to New Covenant House as part of our son’s Confirmation service hours, we took all the kids,” remembers Gerrie. “We didn’t want them living in the bubble of New Canaan. The visit was eye-opening for all of us. When we came home, their first question was, ‘When can we go back again?’”

As the Musiccos became more involved in Church activities, they met Bishop Lori again. At a Malta House dinner they bid on, and won, the opportunity for a private dinner with the bishop. “Bishop Lori is so eloquent and knowledgeable,” says Jean-Paul. “I had no idea how much the diocese was doing. I had no idea about the vocations program at Saint John Fisher Seminary, or the quality of our Blue Ribbon Schools.”

This year, when Bishop Lori invited them to become lay chair couple for the Living Our Faith 2010 Bishop’s Appeal, they were eager to assist him. “How can I not help?” says Jean-Paul. “I’m honored that he asked us.”

He expects that the Living Our Faith Appeal will meet its projected goal, even in this economic climate. “You’d be amazed at how readily people respond,” he says. “They think, ‘Things are tough, but when I look into my situation, I’m not all that bad off. I know other people have it worse.’ The Appeal is just about reaching out to them.”

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