Archbishop Gregory often reminds us that the Archdiocese of Atlanta shares in the mission of the universal Church.  One way it does this is through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.  Archbishop Gregory stated that the Appeal “…is one way for our parishioners to participate in the mission of the wider Church beyond their parish.  It is a source of support for the ministries beyond the individual activities of any one of our parishes.”

This weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2018 at our Masses.  The theme of the Appeal is “Go Therefore and Make Disciples.” (Matthew 28:19).  At this time, Catholics are invited to make a significant pledge to our Archdiocese so that it can meet the spiritual, educational, and temporal needs of our parishes and its people.  Through your generosity, Saint Brigid benefits directly from the Appeal.  Our contributions to the Appeal provide funds that go directly to the training and support of future happy, holy, and healthy priests and deacons needed to serve the Church of tomorrow.  Next weekend, parishioner Jim Wolf will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate.  Last June, parishioner Brian Kuhr was ordained to the Priesthood.  We can clearly see the fruits of our prayers and financial assistance as we contribute to the Appeal.

As you may know, this Appeal also supports Catholic Charities and many other Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our parish as well as our larger Church family.  Anyone who gave to the Appeal last year should have recently received a letter in the mail from Archbishop Gregory inviting you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2018 Appeal.  If you have already given via the mail or on line, the Archbishop thanks you.  The Archbishop also asks those who have not yet contributed to make a commitment using a pledge envelope that will be provided during Mass this weekend. Information about the Appeal has been provided in the Church Bulletin and on the Parish APP and website.

Our Church challenges us to give of ourselves.  As previously mentioned, when we give of ourselves by supporting the Appeal, we are serving as Christ’s hands; we are serving as Christ’s feet; we are serving as the Body of Christ; and in the end we are going forth to make disciples as we serve His one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church.  Please give as generously and as sacrificially as possible as we continue to strive to faithfully answer our call to discipleship.