Annual Catholic Appeal Dinner showcases donors' impact on ministries
Every spring, Bishop Cote and the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) hold a dinner to personally thank our Christopher Society donors, for their continued generosity. Christopher donors are those who give $1,000 or more to the Annual Catholic Appeal, One Faith, One Family. This year’s dinner was hosted at The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam.
No matter the personal challenges they face, members of the Christopher Society remain committed to give with compassion and grace, enabling our many ministries and programs to continue the works of Christ both here and in Haiti. Last year, 631 families made the commitment to be Christophers, and they accounted for just over half the ACA monies received during the 2023 campaign.
The evening opened with Mrs. Mary Ellen Mahoney, ACA executive director, welcoming Bishop Cote and members of the Christopher Society. Mrs. Mahoney thanked the Christophers for continuing to rise to the challenge each year, and she provided a brief synopsis of the 2023 campaign. She shared how well our ACA-supported ministries and programs continued to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors for spiritual, educational and physical sustenance. She noted that close to 8,000 people received help with basic needs, financial assistance, housing support and help with parenting, while more than 1.3 million meal and meal equivalents were distributed.
Mrs. Mahoney also reported that nearly 9,000 students were educated in faith and hundreds of folks attended programs and seminars, through our Office of Faith Events and Spiritual Renewal, bringing people closer to Jesus, giving them strength to face life's challenges as well as preparing them for marriage. In addition, Mrs. Mahoney made special mention that Outreach to Haiti’s medical clinic has remained open and functioning, even during the current gang violence consuming Port-au-Prince. Last year, the clinic cared for 6,209 patients and provided 8,861 vaccinations.
Bishop Cote greeted the Christophers, thanking them for their “strong and constant support of the Annual Catholic Appeal.” He continued, “You truly do live your faith each and every day and because of your sacrifice and generosity, you keep our ministries doing the work of Christ.” Quoting St. Teresa of Avila, Bishop Cote reminded each of us that we are all the hands and feet of Christ.
Wayne Gignac, director of the Office of Communications and executive editor of the Four County Catholic magazine, topped off the evening with his insights and humor. Mrs. Mahoney welcomed Wayne, noting that due to the positive reception of his presentation last year, he was invited back. She highlighted his various roles as a diocesan director, published author, professional speaker and magician.
Introducing the topic of his talk, “Living a Legacy of Love, Laughter and Joy: Growing Older Gracefully,” which he offers to parishes and organizations, Wayne said, “Today, we live, on average, 34 years longer than our great-grandparents. That’s an entire second adult lifetime. So how do we use our last three decades?” Using magic, music and storytelling, he communicated just a few of the ways that we might choose to do this.
To view the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal video and learn more about how you can help support the ministries and programs in the Diocese of Norwich, please visit www.norwichdiocesedevelopment.org. You may make your pledge online or you may call the Office of Development at 860.886.1928 to do so. For specific questions, Heather Harris, our campaign manager, may be reached at hharris@norwichdiocese.net or 860-886-1928, ext. 111. Thank you so much for helping your friends and neighbors!
By Maryellen Mahoney
Photos by Heather Harris