Catholic Ministries Appeal
supports a myriad of ministries
Along the Way column
by Bishop Matthew Clark
I think you’d agree that it’s crucially important for the church to educate not only Catholics but also our government leaders and the larger society about our beliefs about the sanctity of life from conception to death.
As Catholics, we must oppose abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, the use of embryos in stem-cell research and unjust war. We must support economic justice, dignity and peace for all. Indeed, these beliefs, which form what we term the “consistent life ethic,” stir us to build a culture that affirms and defends life through education, personal service and public advocacy.
As Catholics, we are called by Christ to treat all people with dignity and respect because, as a gift from God, all life is sacred. We cannot remain silent. While we do this every day of the year and maintain an active diocesan life-issues office to coordinate our activities, we turn up the volume further during Respect Life Month in October. Jann Armantrout, our diocesan life-issues coordinator,
works fervently to ensure that programs and events are in place to reaffirm
our life teachings and make sure the unborn, marginalized and vulnerable have a strong voice through our words and actions.
Important work? I daresay you would agree. Worthy of your financial support? I think you would say yes. This ongoing work to herald the sacredness of God-given life is one very good example of the ministries and programs supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). Indeed, Jann’s work is fully supported by the CMA.
There are other good examples.
For instance, would you support passing on the faith to young people
through religious-education programs and curricula? Or gathering
teenagers together to experience their faith in a guided, inspirational
way? Both of these ministries are a fruit of your gift to the CMA!
How about encouraging young men to think about the priesthood?
Or helping young adults on our college campuses anchor themselves in
that challenging environment through Catholic campus ministry?
Would you offer whatever comfort you could to a child of a hardworking
migrant family? Would you, within your means, give some assistance to making sure those new to our faith are properly prepared and initiated in a welcoming,
spirit-filled way?
What about offering help to couples who are about to receive the sacrament of marriage? Many long-wed couples have told me that the marriage preparation they received was the foundation for the rich life they built together. What a wonderful program we have!
These ministries are all a result of your gift to the CMA every year, along with life-giving and nurturing through our Catholic Charities and other programs.
Finally, I would venture to say most people would make an offering
to help their parish receive the kinds of help it needs to do its work in an organized, professional way. Such assistance might come in the areas
of materials support, human services, technology, accounting, communications — crucial services any parish would be hard-pressed to provide on its own.
I am mindful that these past few months have been particularly challenging
economically for many families in our diocese, and I do pray
things will and are beginning to turn around. I only ask you to support the
CMA if you are able. If you simply are in no position to offer a financial
gift, I would thankfully welcome your prayers for a successful campaign.
At a news conference recently announcing the 2009-10 CMA, I was
asked if I were worried the economy would affect the overall $5.49
million goal. In my response, I reminded the gathered journalists
that having 30 years experience as bishop gives one perspective.
What I have found over the years in other tough economic times is
that Catholics just seem to understand that the ministries and services
of the church are needed all the more to offer hope and help to
people of every walk of life.
I ask you to pray about your gift to the CMA and, if you are able, to make a gift that truly will help your parish, your diocese and those whose lives and well-being would be reduced without our ministries.
Peace to all.
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The CMA, which runs until May 31, 2010, helps fund ministries for more than 314,000 Catholics and others in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Cayuga, Livingston, Steuben, Tioga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins and Yates counties. This year’s campaign goal is $5.49 million. Materials are being mailed this week to more than 115,000 households. Every pledge received is used to help fund ministries such as:
- Reaching out to the poor, the homeless, the hungry
- Assisting Catholic Charities and Catholic Education
- Welcoming new Catholics through special education programs (RCIA)
Providing faith formation programs for youth - Encouraging religious vocations
- Honoring marriage and preparing engaged couples
- Spreading the Gospel through communications media
- Teaming with other dioceses in the USA, supporting the Vatican
- Providing parishes with needed services and resources they would be hard-pressed to obtain on their own
- Giving support to families, elderly and the sick
View the Latest Diocesan Audited Financial Statement for a precise breakdown of how diocesan funds are allocated.
(*A portion of CMA funds go to support Monroe County Catholic Schools, which operate under a separate budget): View the latest Audited Schools Financial Report)
