Dear Friends,
We have moved into February already. Wow. Hoping that you will make it to our Sacred Music concert Sunday afternoon 5–6 pm in Church. It will be beautiful and will conclude with Benediction.
This past Thursday was the feast of the Presentation of our Lord when Mary and Joseph brought the Infant Jesus to the Temple in accord with Jewish law. That day is also set aside to recognize and to pray for all those men and women who live in consecrated religious life, who give witness to Jesus by living the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Friday was the feast of Saint Blaise. At the end of all our Masses this weekend, we will bless throats, asking Saint Blaise’s intercession for us. Next Sunday, of course, is Super Bowl Sunday. And the Eagles will be there! What a fantastic year they have had. One more game to win!!
Very importantly, this weekend launches the 2023 Catholic Charities Appeal: Giving Hope to All. The overall Appeal goal for this year is $12.5 million. Our parish goal once again is $135,000. Last year we raised $132,808, ninety-eight percent of goal. The year before (2021) we exceeded the same goal by almost $2,800. I know we all get many, many requests for worthy causes. This request is on behalf of tens of thousands of people in need locally. It is impossible for us to reach out to them personally, but our generous support of Catholic Charities allows our local church, our Catholic parish family, to be a part of doing just that.
Every gift, whether large or small, is critical and important. Every gift is a blessing that will benefit someone in need here in our local area. As we work together to raise these funds, all of us won’t just be “achieving a goal,” but rather, we will be working together to make sure that necessary assistance and help is given to our brothers and sisters in the name of Jesus Christ. Given the uncertain circumstances we are in, the need is even greater.
In the weeks ahead, our bulletin and our website will highlight those who do benefit from your generosity. The Charities Appeal video will be playing on one of the monitors in the narthex (near Chapel) and you can link to that video through our website. Take a few minutes to learn about all that the Catholic Charities dollars support here at home. So much of what Catholic Charities does, just isn’t being done by anyone else.
Regarding the “how to” ~ envelopes and pledge cards were or are being sent to your homes by Catholic Charities. You can mail your contribution in directly or place it into the collection basket. You can also go online to donate electronically at catholiccharitiesappeal.org. Be sure to include our parish name in the appropriate box.
Thank you for your generous and thoughtful gifts to Catholic Charities over so many years, and, if you have given already this year, thank you for your donation in 2023. Everyone please prayerfully consider whatever amount you cheerfully are able to give to help those in need and to make visible the holiness that is yours as a temple of God. Together, we will continue Giving Hope to All.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
