At all of this weekend’s Masses, I, as your
pastor, am speaking on behalf of our Archdiocese of Chicago’s
Chief Pastor—Francis Cardinal George. We, as an Archdiocese of
Chicago, are now beginning the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal.
Each winter, Cardinal George writes to former
contributors and new parish members asking for financial support
of this fund that maintains ministries, programs and services
benefiting all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago and
throughout the world.
The funds raised from the Annual Catholic Appeal
help to sustain Catholic schools, parishes, programs of
religious education and ministerial formation and many
initiatives to foster respect for life. The mission of this
Appeal—which is really the mission of our own life—is to make
our world more just, peaceful and loving. And through its
support of other projects like Catholic Relief Services, the
Annual Catholic Appeal serves people worldwide, without regard
for religious affiliation, whose lives are devastated by natural
disasters, illness, wars and famine.
The Appeal supports parish ministries that
provide religious education to children, youth and adults in
economically disadvantaged communities. It is one of the largest
philanthropic sources of financial assistance for Catholic
schools in the Archdiocese.
The overall theme of this year’s Annual Catholic
Appeal is “Be Imitators of Christ.” This theme paraphrases the
Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians from the Sacred
Scriptures—”Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ!” The Annual
Catholic Appeal also is an opportunity to remind ourselves that
we are part of this larger church called Catholic. Every
Catholic is part of our local church and part of the universal
Church.
Each of us is responsible not only for our St.
Thomas of Villanova parish but also for the well-being of the
Church throughout our Archdiocese and throughout the world.
Every parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago is
participating in the Annual Catholic Appeal. And every parish is
given a monetary goal which is 6% of their parish offertory
income from the previous fiscal year. So when our parish reaches
its goal of $83,008.00 in paid pledges, 100% of the additional
funds will be returned to us for use in our parish. Consider
pledging a significant amount to support the work of our
Archdiocese. In order to make it easier to give, pledges are
payable in installments. Pray about your pledge to the Annual
Catholic Appeal.
Go New York Giants! And go New England Patriots!