Communicating what’s most important: John Cuccaro named Diocesan Director of Communications

John Cuccaro, new director of communications for the Diocese of Fort Worth, poses for a photo at the video studio inside Nolan Catholic High School on July 25, 2024. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)

FORT WORTH — A lifetime of experience, service, and purpose is converging for John Cuccaro in his new role as director of communications for the Diocese of Fort Worth.

“I feel like God did prepare me for it,” said Cuccaro, who combines knowledge gained during his professional career with his volunteer service to the Church as he manages the diocesan websites, social media, videography, photography, the North Texas Catholic, and other diocesan communications. He will also provide communications guidance to other diocesan departments, ministries, parishes, schools, and the chancery.

Pat Svacina, who served as the director of communications for the diocese for 17 years, has been appointed to a new role as director of community relations, effective July 1.

Stephen Becht, chief financial officer and chief operating officer for the diocese, said Cuccaro will “build on the solid foundation Pat Svacina and our communication staff has laid.”  He expects Cuccaro to maximize an array of media to reach parishioners and “and make an impact for Jesus Christ beyond the borders of the Fort Worth Diocese.”

For Cuccaro, the position combines his professional expertise with his passion for the Catholic faith.

He began sharpening his skills as an advocate for Catholicism in high school, then at college at Baylor University. Most of his friends were Southern Baptists, and he earned the nickname “the pope” by answering their many questions about the faith.

Cuccaro’s commitment to his faith developed into a strong history of service to the Church. At his parish, St. Philip the Apostle in Flower Mound, he volunteers as a safe environment facilitator, contributes to parish communications, and serves on the stewardship committee.

At the diocese, he serves on the diocesan conduct review board and is a past chair of the diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

The Boy Scouts have been part of Cuccaro’s life from his earliest days. His father’s career as director of compensation and benefits for the national office of Boy Scouts of America brought the family from New Jersey to north Texas. Cuccaro earned his Eagle Scout award, and later volunteered for the Scouts, serving on leadership committees at the national, area, council, district, and unit levels. He currently serves on the advisory board for the Circle 10 Council.

Another organization where Cuccaro has devoted much of his time and skill is the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, where Cuccaro served as team leader, director of training, and a member of their board of directors.

Professionally, Cuccaro has many years’ experience as an independent marketing and communications consultant, providing clients with marketing leadership and development of websites, video production, and other content. He recently worked as the director of communications for a technology company and, in past years, produced a television program and promoted music to radio stations.

In his new position, Cuccaro hopes to build awareness of the many services and ministries of the diocese, as well as assist Bishop Michael Olson.

“There’s a lot of good people doing really good things,” he said. “Our big goal is bringing souls to Christ … to convey what our faith is about, why we believe, what we believe, and hopefully in such a way that’s attractive to other people.”