“Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. …As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me” (Mt 25:34-36, 40).

 

For the past 61 years, Catholic Charities Appeal has provided assistance for over 10 million people throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  This Appeal is the most important collection taken up in the Archdiocese for the benefit of people in need throughout the region.  Partnering with 50 area food cupboards, Nutritional Development Services (a division of Catholic Social Services funded by the Catholic Charities Appeal) served over 2 million meals to over 400,000 people last year.  And over 23,000 clothing items were collected and distributed to the area’s homeless and needy families.  The Catholic Charities Appeal supports 80 agencies in the five counties of the Archdiocese, from adoption services to community food programs to senior adult services to schools and homes for people who are visually or hearing impaired or developmentally disabled.

 

This could not have been accomplished without the continued support that you and all the other Catholics throughout the Archdiocese so generously provided.  Your annual commitment to this important work has helped the Catholic Charities Appeal provide much-needed assistance for men, women and children throughout the Archdiocese.  As followers of Christ, we are called to be our Lord’s heart and hands in loving care for those in the greatest need and Catholic Social Services is one of the best ways that we can show our Lord’s love to countless people right here in our Archdiocese.

 

Like all households in our parish and, indeed, throughout the Archdiocese, you should have received a packet in February with a letter from Archbishop Charles Chaput inviting you to participate in the annual Catholic Charities Appeal with a sacrificial gift.  The theme for this year’s appeal is “Giving Hope to All,” and the goal is $12.5 million.  Aware of God’s love for you, we are asking you to embrace those with special needs.  You are crucial to the success of this campaign so, if you have already given, I thank you in the name of all those who will benefit from your generous support.  If you haven’t already given, I encourage you to do so at this time.  As in the past two years, our parish goal this year is $152,390.00.  To date, our parish has been credited with $144,942.00; we’re close to our goal and I’m sure that you, like me, would like to reach it before the end of the year.  As you may recall from Abp. Chaput’s letter, “when you give to Catholic Charities Appeal, you shine a light of hope.  You feed the hungry.  You aid the poor.  You bring joy to those suffering.  You Give Hope to All.”

 

Your Catholic Charities Appeal mailing included a return envelope.  Please use it to send your donation.  In case you have misplaced the mailing, you can make your donation online at catholiccharitiesappeal.org.  And, be assured that your generosity will be used wisely; 95 cents of every dollar you give goes directly to care for those in need!