jill driscoll – Madison Catholic Herald

When the Annual Catholic Appeal began in 2009, the Diocese of Madison had hopes of being able to give back to diocesan parishes and parish schools through grants of funds received over the goal amount. The 2015 Annual Catholic Appeal was the first year this reality came to fruition.

2015 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Living Our Mission of Charity’

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.

‘Beauty’ film to be shown at parishes for appeal

Lent is a time for prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. Catholics look at Lent as a time of beauty, a time when Jesus gave His life to save us. What a beautiful gift he gave.