While I write this pastor's column, I have just opened the box which contains the material for the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal 2016 which will be kicked off next weekend in our parish and throughout the diocese. A message and plea will be given from Bishop Taylor and an opportunity to give to CASA through an envelope that will be passed out by the ushers to every family as they arrive for Mass. I have every reason to be confident (given past history) that at least 300 families will respond in mercy, and some in great generosity, to support the many ministries and activities in our diocese that are unable to fully, or even in part, support themselves. There are so many who benefit from the help of people through the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal, that I don't want to single any one of them out. From school age children at the grade school level through colege-age students, who need religious education and the influence of Christ-like people to combat the secularism of our time, to seminarians who need formation to be priests of tomorrow, and retired priests who need care in their declining years, to families who are poor or who face tragic circumstances and who need assistance from Catholic Charities to many others, the list is long and the needs are great.
This year, there is a great need for funds for a major restoration of Fletcher Hall, one of the buildings at St. John's Center in Little Rock that is used to house young people and adults for retreats, priests for continuing education, deacon candidates who are being prepared for ministry, and others who gather for diocesan meetings or events. I realize that is is much easier to get people to give money that will be used directly for the benefit of people, but practically speaking, we need good, strong facilites to host people for gatherings that will benefit them and those they serve.
I am putting out a special plea to those who have not given anything to this appeal last year and/or in the past years, to give at least SOMETHING to support CASA this year. While we have been blessed in and through the generous gifts that have enabled us to reach and surpass our goal of around $58,000 in previous years (and I pray this appeal will say to our diocese, our bishop, and FIRSTLY to God, that MANY, if not most, Sacred Heart Parishioners are kind, merciful and willing to help in some way whether that gift is as little as $5 or as much as $500 or more. Thanks in advance for making the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal a record year here at Sacred Heart in money given and ESPECIALLY in numbers of people that give. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!
This year, there is a great need for funds for a major restoration of Fletcher Hall, one of the buildings at St. John's Center in Little Rock that is used to house young people and adults for retreats, priests for continuing education, deacon candidates who are being prepared for ministry, and others who gather for diocesan meetings or events. I realize that is is much easier to get people to give money that will be used directly for the benefit of people, but practically speaking, we need good, strong facilites to host people for gatherings that will benefit them and those they serve.
I am putting out a special plea to those who have not given anything to this appeal last year and/or in the past years, to give at least SOMETHING to support CASA this year. While we have been blessed in and through the generous gifts that have enabled us to reach and surpass our goal of around $58,000 in previous years (and I pray this appeal will say to our diocese, our bishop, and FIRSTLY to God, that MANY, if not most, Sacred Heart Parishioners are kind, merciful and willing to help in some way whether that gift is as little as $5 or as much as $500 or more. Thanks in advance for making the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal a record year here at Sacred Heart in money given and ESPECIALLY in numbers of people that give. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!