“The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly born anew…I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.”
This introduction from Pope Francis in the “The Joy of the Gospel” calls all believers in Jesus to become followers of Jesus; calls us to experience this joy, to live this joy and then to share this joy with the whole world. Pope Francis is calling for our Church to grow by seeing God in all things and to help others to see God in all things.
Our 2022 Annual Diocesan Appeal, Growing Together in Christ, reflects this message and puts the focus on today’s Church’s need of the evangelization in today’s world by living the joy of our faith. Here at St. Simon Parish, we are a great example of this joy in all of our ministries and we want to help others see this joy in all we do and say. Each year, we ask you to support the bishop in his Annual Diocesan Appeal and bring that joy alive in our work throughout the whole diocese.
Our 2022 ADA Goal is an increase over the previous year (from $213,131 to $244,727) as the Chancery tries to move back to pre-pandemic staffing levels. Last year our goal decreased and now it has returned to its former higher goal. Your gift allows us to continue to share the joy through the many ministries in the diocese, our catechetical, liturgical, educational and social justice ministries. We need to support the diocesan offices because they support us in all we do, especially those parishes most in need. The pandemic response by the local Church shows us what we can do when we act together in Christ. It was a great testimony to the work of the central offices and how they support us. You make all of these good works possible and we will continue to do this because of your support of this year’s ADA.
Every dollar received over our goal comes back to St. Simon Parish and will be directed to our parish efforts to grow our ministries especially our music ministry, youth ministry, pastoral care to the elderly, and outreach to the needy. We hope that we can count on your support.
Pope Francis has challenged us to be a Church that is joyful in all we do. Thank you, in advance, for your prayerful consideration of this year’s Appeal and together we can make a difference. You can go the website and make your donation here.
May God bless you and your families in the year ahead.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan