My dear friends,

Our Archdiocese encompasses a vibrant region filled with an extraordinary group of people. We are blessed with more than 530,000 faith-filled, industrious, and committed Catholics of all ages from Litchfield, Hartford, and New Haven counties who represent the diversity of God’s human family and our greater Church. We are here to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, to offer sacrifice and praise, and to reach out to those in need.

Where we are today as an Archdiocese, both spiritually and materially, is a result of what has been passed down by generations of Catholics before us who moved our Church forward by their faith and their commitment to our parishes, our schools, and our ministries. Now is a pivotal moment for us and our generation to do the same for the sake of a vibrant future. We are called to be “missionary disciples” who build and invest for the future, both spiritually and materially, to serve better the communities in which we live, and for the sake of our children’s children.

To that end, after much prayer and consultation, it is with confidence in divine providence and in the commitment of our Catholic people that I share with you Forward with Faith, an historic undertaking for the Archdiocese of Hartford as the first archdiocesan-wide capital campaign in our 175-year history.

What does it mean to move Forward with Faith? We are being called upon to:
• Ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for our parishes to nurture the next generation of Catholics;
•  Provide high quality educational, catechetical, and formational opportunities for students in our Catholic schools  and catechetical  programs, as well as for adult leaders, volunteers, and everyone seeking lifelong learning in the f aith and in service to the church’s mission;
•  Respond to the growing needs of the disadvantaged and vulnerable by increasing the reach and capabilities of our  social service programs across the Archdiocese of Hartford; and,
• Innovate to meet the evolving needs of our diverse communities in each of our three counties.

It is my hope and heartfelt desire that you will join me in making this great endeavor a success. The campaign will be conducted by The Hartford Bishops’  Foundation, Inc., which will serve as the vehicle to help the Archdiocese fulfill its strategic vision and mission. A successful campaign will ensure a sustainable future for our mission at every level – archdiocesan and parochial, short-term and long-term, spiritual and material, inwardly and outwardly in church life, education, charity, and social engagement for the good of all. Thanks to your spiritual and financial support, and with God’s blessing, I am confident that we will be successful in moving  “Forward with Faith.”

God Bless You,

Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair Archbishop of Hartford