I would like to share with you some of the specific areas of ministry that are supported by your CMA gifts that are a blessing for our parishes. The diocese supports faith formation programs in which many of our youth have participated. One is the National Catholic Youth Conference that is held every other year.  Our diocese usually has the largest contingency attending other than the host diocese. The Diocesan Youth Office coordinates this endeavor and assists parishes in the planning process.  I hope that many of our youth will take the opportunity to experience NCYC during their high school years. The Diocesan Youth Office also provides Senior High Retreats for students in grades 9-12.  The next Senior High Retreat, called Source and Summit is scheduled for January 19-20 at Camp Stella Maris in Livonia.  Junior High Retreats are also scheduled this year.  November 3, 2018: Face to Faith Junior High Event will take place in Elmira for grades 6-8 and November 10, 2018: Encounter: Junior High Day Retreat will be held at St. Boniface Church in Rochester.  The Diocesan Youth Office also aids us with the Hands of Christ awards that are presented by Bishop Matano to high school seniors who are active in their faith. All these youth ministries are made possible through the CMA.

Also, our parish offices receive services from the diocesan offices of Human Resources, Financial Services, and Legal and Information Services. These offices might not seem to have much to do with ministry or in dealing with parishioners on a daily basis, but I assure you they are of vital importance in the everyday running of our parish.  All these and other diocesan offices are there to help our parish staff minister to you.

Every year each parish in the diocese is assigned a CMA goal.  Your gift to the CMA can help Good Shepherd Catholic Community reach our parish goal of $37,686.  I have already made my personal gift to the appeal and I sincerely hope that you will as well.  Last year we surpassed our goal and received a check back for 50% of our overage.  To help us reach our goal again this year it is our hope that we can increase the number of households supporting the CMA.  If every household can give us their support I am confident we will achieve our parish goal.

All registered parishioners should have received a brochure, letter, pledge card and return envelope in the mail.  I encourage you to read the material carefully and give prayerful consideration to your participation. If you are a newly registered parishioner or if you didn’t receive a mailing, extra copies of the brochure and pledge forms are available in the church vestibules.

Every gift is important!  If it is easier for you, you can make your gift online at www.dor.org by clicking on Give on - Line. There you can also view a video about this year’s appeal. You can also pay your pledge off in six installments; pledges can be paid through May 31, 2019. Pledge forms can be mailed directly to the Diocese. You can pay by a check made payable to Catholic Ministries Appeal.

The Catholic Ministries Appeal helps to bring service and assistance to so many people throughout our diocese, but it takes the support of us all to make it possible. Please prayerfully consider making your gift, whether large or small each gift is needed to help our diocese and parishes to continue to grow in faith and minister to God’s people. God’s blessings and peace, Father Bill