CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL UPDATE
Every year, you are invited and encouraged to join with all of the parishes throughout our archdiocese in participating in the annual Catholic Charities Appeal and every year you respond with great generosity! Although there are 60 parishes in the archdiocese with more parishioners than we have, only one or two parishes contribute more than we do to this very important appeal which provides a variety of services to people throughout our archdiocese. To date, your contributions to CCA total $107,932, 71% of our $152,390 goal for this year. Your contribution helps thousands of needy people throughout our archdiocese with food, housing, educational assistance, and other important social services.
This year, three of the organizations that our parish has supported for many years received special attention through Nutritional Development Services (NDS), a division of the Catholic Charites: St. Martin de Porres, Mercy Hospice and Women of Hope.
NDS received a generous donation to support children and youth who attend programming at NDS sponsored Seamless Summer Option (SSO) meal sites. With this donation, NDS was able to purchase various cooking club supplies for the kids at St. Martin de Porres as well as balls, mats for mindfulness exercises, social skills games, and a cooler for their outings. Representatives from NDS visited St. Martin de Porres to help the kids make healthy snacks with the items purchased. This summer, NDS is partnering with approximately 300 sites – including St. Martin de Porres – to ensure that students 18 years and younger throughout Greater Philadelphia have access to free and healthy meals in the summer months when school is not in session.
On Friday, July 22nd, clients served by Women of Hope and Mercy Hospice, ministries both located in downtown Philadelphia, were treated to a special “Queen for a Day” luncheon complete with food, music, and door prizes. The “Queen for a Day” luncheons, which take place at Women of Hope, aims to build community among all in attendance. Over 75 individuals including staff, residents, and volunteers were on hand for the event.
These are but two examples of the very practical ways that your support of the annual Catholic Charities Appeal helps those in need experience God’s love and care for them. If you have already given to the 2022 Catholic Charities Appeal, I thank you in the name of these and countless others throughout the archdiocese who have benefited from your generosity. If you haven’t done so yet, I encourage you to use the form you received in the mail earlier this year or take home an envelope that you will find at the church entrances. You can also give electronically by going to Catholic Charities Philadelphia. May God bless you for your care for those in our community who need your assistance!