PDF: Continuing the Mission Part 2 Pledge Form
April 22, 2009
My brothers and sisters in the Lord:
Peace to you during these glorious and joyful days of Easter, as we celebrate the real event that is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ultimate reason for our lasting hope.
Even as we face many economic challenges personally, locally, and nationally, it is that time of year when I find myself having to write to you about the annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) that takes place in the Archdiocese at this time each year. The combination of so many things going on in our lives makes this a somewhat awkward and difficult letter to write, and yet it is necessary to do so for the good not only of the Archdiocese but also the good of OLGC. As many of you know well, this Appeal helps fund the Lord's work throughout the Archdiocese. In addition, with Archdiocesan approval, our Parish has combined our debt reduction campaign with the CSA. As we have stated in the past, the usual 6% Archdiocesan assessment that applies to our weekly collections is not assessed on funds collected through the CSA. This allows us to retain that 6% and apply it toward the reduction of our debt. This year our CSA assessment is $295,396. All funds collected in excess of that amount will be applied to reduce our debt.
One year ago, we began a three year CSA/Debt Reduction pledge drive creatively entitled, Continuing the Mission, Part 2. Our goal for this campaign is $3,000,000, which is the same amount that was pledged with our first three year Continuing the Mission campaign. So far we have received 720 pledges (out of 2800 families) in the amount of $1,561,428. We are a little more than halfway to our goal. I know that with everyone's help we can not only reach but exceed our goal.
This year many of us are in different scenarios in relation to our contributions to the CSA/Debt Reduction campaign. Regardless of which group we fall into, one thing I would ask of all of us is that we continue to pray for the success of the campaign. Prayer is powerful and God hears and answers all our prayers. I also ask that you prayerfully consider your own particular situation. If you are one paying on their pledge, as I am, I ask that you join me in recommitting to keeping your pledge. If you have finished paying your pledge, I invite you to consider making another pledge. If you have not yet made a pledge, I invite you to prayerfully make a pledge.
As so many people, both parishioners and visitors have commented to me, the Spirit of God is truly at work in our midst doing many great things! I want to acknowledge that, to thank all of you for the grand part that you are playing in letting the Lord do a great work here at OLGC, and to ask you to daily keep the parish in your prayers. I truly thank you for the many ways in which you share your gifts. On the reverse side of this letter is a pledge form. Please fill it out if you are making a pledge or changing your existing pledge. Place the form in the enclosed envelope, and drop the envelope in the collection basket, drop it off at the Parish Office, or place it in the mail.
Please pray daily for me as I do for you. May we praise the Lord and shine forth His light to the world.
In His Love,
Fr. John Riccardo