We all know that recently the Archdiocese of Hartford reconfigured its parishes, closing some and merging others--into a stronger and proactive group of Catholic communities. For some, and understandably so, this is very difficult. It is hard and we must be honest about it. However, times are changing. People do not practice their faith, families do other things on Sundays--sports, work--and there is much confusion and misinformation about important Church teachings.
We need to do a better job in Evangelization and confidently proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ - Our world needs this message!
To that end, and to better proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, we must actually show the world--not just tell them, who we are as Catholics. We are a Church that cares: Just look at our Catholic hospitals, Catholicfood and homeless shelters, Catholic programs for special needs and child advocacy, Catholic Knights of Malta and Knights of Columbus in service to the community, Catholic schools--elementary, high schools and colleges; look at our Catholic shelters for battered and abused women, our Catholic support for housing for the poor like the St. Joseph Cathedral housing, Catholic Charities, and so much more. We impact in a positive way our culture providing assistance not just to fellow Catholics, but to anyone in need.
The 2018 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, which supports all the above-mentioned needs, is behind last year’s amazing goal of $11 million. Even with all the changes in our culture, we cannot let this impact the Church’s ability--Christ’s ongoing ministry--to feed the hungry and care for the disadvantaged. Archbishop Leonard Blair and I are asking that if you did not contribute to the AAA yet--or have never given in the past--please consider doing so this year. Any and all gifts are vital and answer the call of Jesus Christ to “Feed my lambs/Tend my sheep.” (John 21) St. Catherine of Siena Parish has already reached its goal and surpassed it, and I thank those who have already given, but that is with only 24% of our parishioners participating. If you would pray over this, consider what you can do, and do it--the Archbishop and I would be most grateful--and I am confident that God is rightly pleased. This weekend we will have envelopes in the Church to assist this noble need. --Father Michael