Dear Friends,

Every Catholic parish receives the challenge to go beyond its own walls and be willing to serve the community at large. This comes from the Gospel and also our Catholic writings. We look within our community to be nourished, inspired, and motivated to go out into the world to make the presence of Christ known.                                                                           

Our Catholic Diocese is a fast-growing Diocese, and there is always a need to develop, grow, and be a Church that serves the entire state and beyond. Since the early 1970’s, our Diocese has asked all Catholics to support our faith services through an annual Campaign called CHARITY AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL (CDA). Since the beginning, Catholics and others have given millions of dollars to equip our Catholic Community to meet the needs we find in our area.                                 

I am grateful that my formation to become a priest was supported through CDA and continues to support priestly formation even today. There are parishes that need extra assistance as they find themselves serving an economically challenged area. The many vulnerable groups are children, the elderly, veterans in need, the homeless, and the hungry. Important human support services of all types are served by the CDA.  

I am an annual giver to the CDA. I have seen firsthand the tremendous good this campaign does for the Catholic Community it serves, not only Catholics but anyone who finds themselves in need.                          

Next Sunday at all our Masses we will present the CDA which will help you become even more aware of all the good that comes from supporting the CDA. The Diocese is still growing and we strive to meet the needs of all who live in our Diocese and State.  

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Eric