Dear Parishioners:
This weekend we launch the Catholic Charity Appeal (CCA) at OLM. Our parish goal this year is $190,000. Your sacrificial gift to the CCA multiplies God's love in our community. A gift to the Appeal immediately helps individuals and families struggling with food insecurity, homelessness, heating assistance, and more.
Your financial support also builds up key ministries and programs of the Church in the areas of Evangelization, Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Seminarian Education, Catholic School Tuition Assistance, and Life and Family Ministry, to name a few.
The CCA supports numerous ministries and programs of the Diocese of Providence. Some examples are St. Martin de Porres Senior Center, Project Hope, St. Gabriel's Call for mothers in need, Emergency Services Network through Catholic Social Services, Campus Ministry at Brown, RISD and URI, Mother of Hope Youth Camp in Chepachet, Keep the Heat On, Vocations, Special Religious Education for those with disabilities (SPRED), St. Clare Nursing Home, Care Breaks (Respite Care), Emmanuel House Homeless Shelter, Cabrini Fund and much more.
This weekend we are having our in-pew solicitation for the CCA. We ask every parish family to consider a pledge of $350, made payable over ten months at $35 per month. There are several ways to contribute to the Annual Catholic Charity Appeal. You may make your gift quickly and securely by pledging your donation online at givecentral.org/2023CCA. As a donor, you can make a one-time gift, recurring gift, or a pledge by using your MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card online. The "pledge" option has a start and end date. In contrast, the "ongoing" giving option provides ongoing monthly support until you end payments.
There are three giving society levels for the CCA: Bishop's Partner in Faith: $1,000 - $4,999; Bishop's Partner in Hope: $5,000-$9,999; Bishop's Partner in Charity: $10,000 or more. We are blessed at OLM to have many parishioners who donate at these levels. Participation at this level is an inspiring example of Christian Stewardship for others to follow. We invite you to become a Partner this year. By doing so, you will join many other good stewards in our journey of faith together. Your charitable gift to the CCA qualifies for tax benefits as allowed by law. But please know that any gift or pledge to the CCA is greatly appreciated and helps us to reach our parish goal.
Please note that both civil and Canonical laws dictate that all funds received by this charity can only be used for the designated programs and ministries. No gift or pledge can be diverted to fund lawsuits, settlements, or any other agencies of the Diocese. The CCA is an annual fund, meaning monies must be raised, collected, and spent every year by the charity. It supports the day-to-day ministries and services essential to our sisters' and brothers' spiritual, pastoral, educational, and human needs throughout Rhode Island. Donor-designated gifts to the CCA can be made by utilizing the United Way Philanthropy Fund and designating your gift to "Catholic Charities of Rhode Island."
We thank Mr. and Mrs. Jerry O'Connell, the General Chairs of the CCA at OLM, and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mita for Chairing the Bishop's Partners in Charity portion of the CCA. I am grateful for their leadership in helping us reach and surpass our parish goal this year. Last year we exceeded our parish goal by nearly $70,000. It is a great witness to the generosity and charitable spirit of the parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy.
Bishop Tobin serving meals at Emmanuel House Homeless Shelter.
We can do the same again this year, but only if every parish family makes a donation or pledge. In a parish of over 2,000 families, just 440 supported the CCA last year. We can do better this year, and I ask you to prayerfully consider financially supporting this vital charity that funds the good works of our Church in aiding the poor, the needy, and the downtrodden.
As the Gospel of Luke reminds us: "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless! Make your CCA pledge this weekend!