MADISON — Have you ever modeled your charitable life around the Holy Family?
You may not give of yourselves the same way as Mary and Joseph did, but modeling your charitable giving through your time, talent, and treasure is your way of giving back.
One way to live your mission of charity is through giving to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Each year, the ACA asks each parishioner in the Diocese of Madison to prayerfully consider what they are able to give back to their diocesan Church.The Diocese of Madison lives on your generosity to support its missions — missions that are critical in helping our neighbors in need, teaching those that need education and training on our faith.
The Annual Catholic Appeal reaches every corner of our diocese in some way, here are just a few.
Marriage Preparation — Does your parish offer marriage preparation classes to those seeking the sacrament Sacrament of Marriage? The ACA funds the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, which oversees the training and materials needed for marriage preparation classes around the diocese.
Catholic schools — Do you know of a child that attends a Catholic school? Just like every school district in the state, the Office of Catholic Schools is directed by the superintendent of Catholic schools. This office oversees all of the administrative functions supporting the Catholic school system in our diocese.
Catholic Charities — Has your parish community benefited from the Mobile Food Pantry? It travels around the diocese helping those that need that extra assistance at difficult times. This is just one mission that Catholic Charities does for our neighbors in need.Seminarian education — Prepares our current seminarians for their journey to the priesthood. Support for the Annual Catholic Appeal helps fund immediate needs while the Priests for Our Future campaign is endowing money for future seminarians.
As you can see, your support is critical to sustaining the ministries that touch us all. This year’s Annual Catholic Appeal is asking once again for your generosity. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to do to support these important ministries.
You should have received an envelope with a letter from Bishop Robert C. Morlino recently. Take some time to review the materials that describe how your donation dollars will be used. Then please tear off the pledge form at the bottom of the letter, complete it and mail it back with your pledge or donation to the 2015 Annual Catholic Appeal.
I invite your participation and thank you for your support.
God bless you and your family this Lenten and Easter season.
Jill Driscoll is the director of stewardship and development for the Diocese of Madison.