This weekend we initiate discussion of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2019 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 so that we can meet the spiritual, educational, and temporal needs of our parishes and its people.
A substantial portion of our contributions to the Appeal provide funds that go directly to the training and support of future happy, holy, and healthy priests needed to serve the Church of tomorrow. As you may know, Fr. Tri Nguyen, who served the people of Saint Brigid so well for many years, is now the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Our contributions assist Fr. Tri as he guides our seminarians in their training and formation. Currently, two of our parishioners, Robbie Cotta and Chris Jobe, are seminarians in the Vocations program for the Archdiocese.
Our contributions are also used for the training and formation of permanent deacons. Last month, two of our parishioners, Randy Ortiz and Tim Tye, were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. They will assist in the sacramental and outreach needs of our Parish. As you can see, our support of the Annual Appeal is clearly bearing fruit. Through your generosity and your prayers, Saint Brigid benefits directly from the Appeal.
In addition, the Appeal supports Catholic Charities which is making an exerted effort this year to assist homeless military veterans in the Atlanta area and in other local counties to stabilize their lives with housing and employment assistance. The Appeal also supports priest retirement programs as well as other Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our Parish as well as our larger Church community.
We invite you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2019 Appeal, and ask you to give generously and sacrificially. We thank all who have already given via the mail or online. For those who have not yet contributed, we ask you 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.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to answer the call to “go therefore and make disciples.” May we respond in faith.
Thank you for all you do to support our Church community.