2017 Annual Diocesan Appeal: “Proclaiming God's Love – Together in Christ”
February10,2017
2017 Annual Diocesan Appeal: “Proclaiming God's Love – Together in Christ”
"Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incoprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it." St. John Paul II
I hope that each of us has much peace and comfort in knowing that we have a God that loves us so much that he has given us life and wants us to live this life in abundance. God is love; the source of all love; and there is nothing greater in this world than loving and being loved. This is our first and foremost vocation as we head out into the world each day.
“Proclaiming God’s Love - Together in Christ”— is this year’s theme for the 2017 Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA). Every day our parishes and our Diocese are actively engaging people from all walks of life through a variety of ministries and programs—remembering that the Church is the visible plan of God’s love for humanity.
This year, I am asking you and every parish family to prayerfully consider making a 10-month pledge or a one-time gift in support of the ADA. Last year, six out of 10 of our identified donors to the Sunday Offertory partici- pated in the ADA. We are at our best as the Church when each one of us uses his or her gifts and talents to bring God’s love into our world. When everyone gives, everyone benefits.
Your generosity toward the 2017 Annual Diocesan Appeal will provide essential support to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and the other 53 parishes of our local Church. The ADA supports diocesan offices including Pastoral Services, Youth & Young Adults, and Liturgy, as well as Vocations, Missions, and Detention Ministry, the Institute for Leadership in Ministry, Seminarians, and Catholic Education.
The 2017 Annual Diocesan Appeal is now underway. Our parish portion of this year’s ADA is $135,000. I am so appreciative that you share with me a heartfelt belief in the work and ministry that is made possible by your gift. Pledge Sunday is in early February. Please pray over the gift you will be able to make and bring your ADA envelope to Mass. Early pledges will also be gratefully accepted.