When I return on Tuesday to my work desk after the weekend and my day off, I usually face the largest collection of mail of any day of the week. This Tuesday's pile was unusually large and consisted of many solicitations to me, some of which was already their "Christmas Angel" for help, which included Christmas Cards for my use. (I'm sure many of you have received similar solicitations already as well). In addition, I've been asked by mail and e-mail for our parish to participate in an Advent program to help some of the poorest families in the world (in Haiti) to have a home to live in. Finally, an organization called "Food For The Poor" is asking that one of their priests come one weekend in the year 2020 to preach and ask for assistance in their ministry to feed the many hungry people in Central America.
All of this came before me as I was preparing to write my pastor's column on the subject of the Catholic Sharing Appeal 2019 which kicked off in early February of this year. I am inclined to start out by saying "charity begins at home" as I appeal to many of you who have not given anything to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal this year. Since however, this is a year-long appeal, and the need is so great to help so many people and programs that cannot support and sustain themselves without the help of Catholics throughout Arkansas, I prayerfully and sincerely ask that you consider giving generously or at the very least SOMETHING soon and certainly before the end of this calendar year. To this point our number of donors is around 220 families which is down from our total givers last year (around 275). Please use the envelopes provided at Church and either mail it in yourself with your donation or put it in the collection basket and we will be sure and get it to the diocese.
The readings from last weekend and this weekend are strongly about generosity to those in need. I thank God for those who are giving regularly and generously to so many causes, including our parish needs, and a prayer that we ALL become cheerful givers who recognize that it is in giving that we receive and in dying that we're born to eternal life. (Prayer of St. Francis)
All of this came before me as I was preparing to write my pastor's column on the subject of the Catholic Sharing Appeal 2019 which kicked off in early February of this year. I am inclined to start out by saying "charity begins at home" as I appeal to many of you who have not given anything to the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal this year. Since however, this is a year-long appeal, and the need is so great to help so many people and programs that cannot support and sustain themselves without the help of Catholics throughout Arkansas, I prayerfully and sincerely ask that you consider giving generously or at the very least SOMETHING soon and certainly before the end of this calendar year. To this point our number of donors is around 220 families which is down from our total givers last year (around 275). Please use the envelopes provided at Church and either mail it in yourself with your donation or put it in the collection basket and we will be sure and get it to the diocese.
The readings from last weekend and this weekend are strongly about generosity to those in need. I thank God for those who are giving regularly and generously to so many causes, including our parish needs, and a prayer that we ALL become cheerful givers who recognize that it is in giving that we receive and in dying that we're born to eternal life. (Prayer of St. Francis)