May 1, 2007 - 2007 Catholic Appeal Launched
Giving in Faith, Giving with Love
Brighton, MA - Inviting all Catholics to come together as one family in support of the good works of the Church, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley today officially launched the 2007 Catholic Appeal, Giving in Faith, Giving with Love. The Catholic Appeal continues the tradition of Catholics generously sharing their time and financial resources to sustain many programs, ministries and services. The Catholic Appeal strengthens, supports and builds on the work done in each of our parishes.
The 2007 Catholic Appeal launches in parishes this coming weekend, May 5th & 6th. The goal for the Appeal campaign is $14 million. This past year the Archdiocese raised $13.8 million, an increase of 15% from the previous year and 55% over the past four years.
"Each year our Catholic family lives the call to stewardship by generously giving from the blessings we have received," said Cardinal Seán. "This support allows the Church to continue the good works of serving those in need, proclaiming the Good News, and coming together to pray and celebrate the sacraments."
Held in the Library of Sacred Heart Elementary School in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the Cardinal was joined by Scot Landry, Secretary for Development, Sacred Heart Pastor Rev. Daniel Riley, students, teachers, staff and benefactors of the Archdiocese. At today's announcement, the Archdiocese unveiled a new video, which is being made available to parishes and on the Archdiocesan website.
Mr. Landry said, "We are a blessed community of Catholics which has a real opportunity to impact thousands of lives by giving to the 2007 Catholic Appeal. The support of Catholics throughout the Archdiocese helps to fund programs that care for those in need, open the doors of education to thousands of children, and pass on the faith. It also helps us to provide services to parishes and schools and to support the Cardinal in ministering to nearly two million Catholics here in the Archdiocese."
A Parish Community Overcomes Tragedy
The 135-year old Sacred Heart Church was destroyed by a 7-alarm fire in June 2005. Mass has been held in the elementary school auditorium since the fire. The construction of the new Church is expected by completed by the end of November (2007).
Fr. Riley said, "We are grateful for the help the Archdiocese provided to Sacred Heart Parish following the fire that destroyed our Church. With the help of departments like facilities, insurance, the Office of Worship and with the support of the Cardinal we have met this crisis head on as one faith community. The Lord has graced us with a loving faith community here at Sacred Heart that cares about one another and which cares about the future of our Church here in the Archdiocese. These are blessings we hold very dear to our hearts."
What Contributions Fund
The Catholic Appeal helps to fund over 50 ministries and programs, including many services for parishes and schools. While many Dioceses' across the United States "tax" parishes for these services, the Archdiocese of Boston relies solely on the support of generous Catholics to meet these important needs. The Catholic Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parishes or what an Annual Fund is to a university. 31.2% of gifts received support specialized services to parishes, 25.2% supports education, formation and evangelization, 17.5% of gifts received support general and operational services, 16.1% supports the Cardinal's and Bishops' Ministries, and 9.17% supports the work of Development.
2007 Catholic Appeal Video and Pledge Packets Unveiled
At today's event, the Archdiocese unveiled a new video for use in parishes across the Archdiocese. The message from the Cardinal through the power of this new and exciting video, "The Appeal has always been about love - love for God, love for others. I am proud of the sacrifice and the dedication of so many parishioners throughout our Archdiocese. There is so much that has been accomplished through your generosity, but there is so much more we can do. I invite every Catholic to join us this year."
The video was produced by the Catholic Foundation and showcases the music of Martin Doman and others. Information and pledge packets will be available in every parish and information is online at http://www.bostoncatholicappeal.org beginning this weekend.
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