It is with extreme gratitude that we announce that our 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) surpassed its goal of $2.7 million. Because of your sacrificial giving, the 2022 ACA met 101.41% of its goal, receiving a total of $2,737,980 in gifts/pledges. This is truly an amazing feat, especially in light of the challenges of this past year, such as unemployment, sickness, the high price of essentials and other effects of steep inflation and severe stock market declines. We know how much our parishioners have sacrificed to donate to our ACA. It is not easy for many to do, but, year after year, we each recognize that, as members of One Faith, One Family, we do whatever we are able. Thank you to each and every person who has helped us over this past year.
Our ACA received a much-needed boost in the last quarter of the year, when the Rossi Foundation and the Padre Pio Foundation of America announced that they would match all new donations received up to goal, for a total combined match of $100,000. This generous match encouraged new donors to give and established donors to make new gifts. We cannot thank the Rossi Foundation and the Padre Pio Foundation of America enough for their kindness.
“The Padre Pio Foundation is thrilled to have been able to offer a contribution match to the Diocese which enabled you to meet your appeal goal through the beneficence of all the other individual contributors,” said Andrew Becker, president of the board of the Padre Pio Foundation of America. Ted Rossi continued, “The Rossi Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the matching contributors that helped the ACA achieve its goal this year. We are proud to have been a part of this successful collaborative effort that will allow the ACA to continue its meaningful and needed generosity to those less fortunate.”
We also thank the directors, staff and volunteers who work tirelessly at our ACA supported ministries and programs doing the work of Christ each day. While we are all called by Jesus to love one another as He has loved us, many of us cannot directly teach the faith, help the homeless or comfort the dying, so we are so thankful that our ministries and programs are doing this important work on our behalf. Whether it be educating our seminarians, providing food or essentials to those in need, connecting with those searching for spiritual guidance, supporting a person facing an illness or instilling our faith in our children, the work of our ministries is endless and reaches many. The beneficiaries of our ACA supported ministries and programs are ever so grateful for the assistance received:
“I’m very grateful for the ACA and all the generous benefactors who support seminarian education and aid the men that are striving to be priests of Jesus Christ and lay down their lives to serve the faithful in our diocese.” — Julian Cuervo, 3rd year Theology, Mount St. Mary Seminary
“Being able to eat a hot meal and be with other people is the high point of my day. I am very thankful.”
— Tom,
St. Vincent de Paul,
Middletown
“We truly valued your class so much and appreciate all that you taught us in preparation for our life together and with God. We still talk about class and things that we have learned. We are so excited for our next chapter and feel prepared in a new way thanks to you.” — Couple, Catholic Marriage Preparation Class
“I would never be able to keep my family fed without the food from St. Vincent de Paul Place. God Bless them.” — Vincent, St. Vince de Paul Place, Norwich
“The groceries and baby supplies I received from Catholic Charities have been lifesaving to me and my family.” — Anita, Catholic Charities
“The spiritual support I received during a very troubling time brought me closer to God and made such a difference in my life.” — Martin, Ministry to the Sick
“Living at St. Joseph Living Center and being able to attend Mass right here has brought a lot of joy to my life. I have wonderful friends and am treated very kindly.” — Resident, St. Joseph Living Center
As we kick off the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal, One Faith, One Family, let us recall the words of Jesus, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister,” (Matthew 12:50). We truly are a family of faith. This year’s ACA will be launched on the weekend of March 11-12 with the showing of a video of Bishop Cote working at the Amazing Grace Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown and also visiting with residents of St. Joseph Living Center in Windham. The following weekend, March 18-19, parishioners are asked to make their ACA commitment by bringing their completed pledge envelopes to church and placing them in the collection. For those parishioners who did not receive a packet in the mail, they can find pledge envelopes and brochures at their church.
Thank you for your continued assistance. Please keep the ACA, and the many ministries and programs it supports in your prayers. If you need more information or would like to make a gift, please see our website at www.norwichdiocesedevelopment.org, or contact our ACA Campaign Manager, Heather Harris at hharris@norwichdiocese.net or at (860) 886-1928. May God continue to bless us all.
Mary Ellen Mahoney
Director of Development