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.

Have a Super Sunday!