Many people have told me recently how quickly summer has flown by. I think it’s because with the rescheduling of so many 2020 events, our weekends were full of weddings, showers, bachelorette parties, along with the usual number of graduations, birthdays, and family parties. While so busy with work and social activities, thinking about giving to your favorite charities sometimes takes a backseat. This year, though, I am thrilled to say that was not the case.
As our Annual Catholic Appeal, “One Faith, One Family” enters its last few months, we are happy to report that some of those who had not yet made gifts or pledges, have done so. We realize that although people often plan on making a gift, time gets away from all of us. So, this year a few weeks ago, we asked our ACA Chairpeople to reach out to a select group of past donors with personal notes. Thankfully, in the past two weeks, we have received a steady influx of new donations attributable to these notes, amounting to more than $35,000. While this may not seem like a lot to you, given our overall goal of $2.7 million, it is to us. If we continue to receive new donations at this rate, we will exceed our 2021 goal. Every donation is so appreciated as it allows our more than 25 ministries and programs to carry out their missions, doing the work of Jesus Christ in our churches, schools and communities. Whether it be providing spiritual guidance to one struggling with his faith, food to a family with an unemployed parent, or the sacraments to those in a nursing home or hospital, our ministries are there for each of us in a very special way.
After Mass last weekend I spoke to two people who expressed their appreciation of the Annual Catholic Appeal. The first was a woman in her 60s who told me how wonderful her experience with St. Joseph Living Center had been. When her mom needed help, they were there for her, providing compassionate, loving care as well as nourishing her spiritually, with Rosary and Adoration. A second parishioner, a young mom, said how happy she was that her son’s elementary school would be opening and running just as it did last year, during the pandemic. Like many of our Catholic school parents, she was very grateful for not only the quality faith-based education but also the fact that the school was small enough to safely maintain in-person learning throughout the pandemic.
As of this writing, the ACA has currently reached 92% of its goal. We have 21 parishes that have met their 2021 goal. Your parish bulletins should contain information about your parish progress towards its goal. If you would like to get the most current information, please feel free to contact our office. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge to the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal, we would appreciate any size donation. You may make them online at norwichdiocesedevelopment.org or by contacting our Campaign Manager, Heather Harris at (860) 886-1928 or hharris@norwichdiocese.net .
Thank you and God Bless you all.
By Mary Ellen Mahoney