Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (AAA) is off to a good start as Catholics from across the archdiocese help in caring for and feeding the poor, healing the sick, educating the ignorant and caring for our retired priests as well as training new seminarians for the future of the Church of Hartford.   

St. Catherine of Siena Parish is also off to a grand start as we seek to meet and even surpass our goal of $125,000. As to today, 98 parishioners have donated to our parish goal, currently   totaling $85,481.75, which comes to an average gift of $872.75. These numbers represent our   parish, which has 1253 families for a participation rate of 7.82%. We are currently at 68.39% of our goal from just 7.82% of our parish. And, the AAA only began officially on March 2nd. 

So my first thoughts are THANK YOU! And I say thank-you for a couple of reasons: first and foremost, for your support of the Good Works of our Catholic Church. As you know, aside from state and federal governments—that possess the power to tax and raise money—the   Catholic Church is the single largest private entity providing social services in Connecticut, the   Nation (and world). 

Thank-you also for your quick response to the AAA, for as quickly as we meet and go beyond our goal, the sooner [and the lesser] you will have to hear from me about it. :) 

And, thank-you, for being grand Catholics. For understanding your role as a disciple of Christ in our responsibility to assist others in need. As we count our own blessings, we can see how we are called by Christ to be there for those in need. And, as I like to say, “Christ doesn’t ask us to do everything, but He does ask everyone to do something.” 

So thank you as we journey this Lent closer to God’s Love for us, and toward His Forgiveness and Mercy, let us ask ourselves how we can join Him in shining the Light of Christ in this very   divided and angry world…so that our actions and prayers do not add to the dysfunction of society, but rather build up that “Stairway to Heaven” for all of us to climb together.   

If you would like to donate to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, there are numerous ways to do so. Use one of the AAA packages found in the entrances of our church, drop an envelope and check in the parish collection, make it payable to AAA 2025, and note in the memo section   “St. Catherine of Siena Church, West Simsbury” or call the parish office at 860 658 1642. You may also go to:


and remember to note your parish affiliation as   St. Catherine of Siena, West Simsbury.   Thank you!