Pastor's Pen - February 21, 2016

Two weeks ago a video about this year’s Catholic Stewardship Appeal was shown at all the Masses. Archbishop Listecki spoke about some of the services and programs that are supported in the 10 Counties of Southeastern Wisconsin, which makes up our Archdiocese. The Archbishop only touched on a few of them in the video. Here is a fuller list of people and projects that are served by the CSA --- the aged, social justice needs, the disabled, the training of parish leaders, Catholic education, parish worship, adoption services, persons in ministerial formation, marriage and family counseling, needy families, retired clergy, respect life and many other persons and apostolates. It is so important that we understand that these services and programs are those that individual parishes are simply not able to take on because of a lack of people and financial resources. So it is absolutely necessary that the parishioners of all 198 parishes pool their support so the Gospel can be employed more easily and extensively. (Many Hands, One Vision!) Your participation in the 2016 CSA helps work miracles in all of the areas listed above. That is awesome!

The CSA goal of this year is $7.65 million. Our own parish is asked to support an individual goal of $30,000. We can easily reach this goal if everyone gives ‘something.’ This is God’s work that we are doing and we are making a difference in the lives of others! Not only are others being “Transformed by the Spirit” of our giving, but we ourselves are transformed and blessed by the Spirit. Grace shooting out in two different directions!

Consider making a donation to the 2016 Catholic Stewardship Appeal. (Checks are made payable to the “Catholic Stewardship Appeal or Online-giving can be done by visiting www.catholicappeal.org. Please identify our parish on the “memo line” of a check.) Thanks for the blessings you bring to our parish community by this generosity.

May God the Spirit enrich and transform you!
Blessings in this Year of Mercy!
Fr. Ralph