THE TABLET
Feb. 16, 2008

United in Faith, Sharing in Love

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we begin 2008, I first wish to express my gratefulness for all that you shared with the Diocese through the 2007 Annual Catholic Appeal.  The results were truly remarkable and they have had a profound effect on the life of the Church in Brooklyn and Queens. 

This weekend, the formal announcement of the commencement of the 2008 Annual Catholic Appeal takes place. “United in Faith, Sharing in Love” is our theme.  It is a theme which conveys our calling as Catholics to live the words that Scripture reveals to us. St. Paul teaches us that we are stewards of the mysteries of God, and that we must have respect for all things of the world as gifts from God. We know that taking for granted or abusing our material resources is a misunderstanding of our responsibilities as God’s stewards on this earth.

Church teaching helps us understand that we must return to God what He has given to us. You, the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens, have done and continue to do this unconditionally. You embrace your call to be disciples and effectively share God’s love through your heartfelt acts of charity.  You join other members of our diocesan family in this united effort to share our love through our faith.

Your generosity and commitment to a tradition of sacrifice through our Annual Catholic Appeal has enabled our Church to effectively serve the needs in our community, doing so through Catholic Education, Faith Formation, Catholic Charities, Migration Services, Vocations and parish ministries.  I am privileged to witness first-hand, the smiles of your neighbors who feel the love of Christ when the Church extends its arms to them in pastoral, spiritual and other ways. 

We must continue to share a clear understanding of our participation in the life of the Church here in the Diocese of Brooklyn. With that conviction in mind, we ask you to reflect on the theme of this year’s Catholic Appeal, “United in Faith, Sharing in Love.” Giving to the Annual Appeal is a significant means for us to serve as instruments of our Lord, in our own homes, in our domestic Church and in our many neighborhood parishes, schools and ministries of Brooklyn and Queens.

Upon hearing the word Appeal, perhaps you think about the logistical components that help raise the resources, including receptions, printed materials, direct-mail solicitations, in-pew requests, testimonials, as well as a video. 

The theme of Pope Benedict’s Lenten Message for 2008 is “Christ made Himself poor for you” (2 Cor 8:9).  In it he says, “…I wish to spend some time reflecting on the practice of almsgiving, which represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods.”  And the Holy Father goes on to say, “Almsgiving, according to the Gospel, is not mere philanthropy; rather it is a concrete expression of charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbor, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who, dying on the cross, gave His entire self for us.”

The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us a ready-made opportunity to give alms and participate in the Season of Lent. 

When the opportunity to participate in the 2008 Annual Catholic Appeal is presented to you, reflect on all that the Appeal stands for, embrace the opportunity to unite in faith and share in love, and recognize the immeasurable impact that you have on the people of your parish, as well as those across Brooklyn and Queens.  It is through the Appeal, it is through the ministries that are supported by your acts of kindness, and it is through you that Jesus is known.

None of our efforts will bear fruit unless we undertake them in the name of the Lord and always seek His help.  We must be a sign of hope to all people of good will who seek the truth revealed in Jesus Christ.  Join me, as we “put out into the deep” to renew our commitment to this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal, knowing that in doing so we are changing lives and forming disciples right here in the Diocese of Brooklyn.

                                               2008 Annual Catholic Appeal Prayer

Loving and merciful Father, giver of all good gifts, we ask your blessing on this year's

Annual Catholic Appeal.

Strengthen and inspire us as we strive to encourage vocations, to expand our ministries of

service to the immigrant, the poor and marginalized members of our society and to educate

and form the next generation of disciples through our schools and religious education programs.

United in faith and sharing in love, we acknowledge our total dependence upon you. Give

success to the work of our hands.

We ask this, as we ask you everything, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.