The Archdiocese of Atlanta has initiated its Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for 2020, and this weekend we begin the discussion of the Appeal at our Masses. he theme of the Appeal is “You are the Light of the World.” Bishop Konzen states that this theme “reminds us of our call to live a life of service, brightly shining God’s grace for all to see.” At this time, Catholics are asked to make a significant pledge so that we can meet the spiritual, educational, and temporal needs of our parishes and its people.
The Appeal supports Catholic Charities which continues to make an exerted effort to assist homeless military veterans in the Atlanta area and in certain local counties in their efforts to stabilize their lives through housing and employment assistance. The Appeal also supports priest retirement programs as well as much Archdiocesan pastoral outreach, education, and formation programs that serve our Parish as well as our larger Church community.
A substantial portion of our contributions to the Appeal also 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, our parishioner, Robbie Cotta, is in the Vocations program for the Archdiocese. He anticipates being ordained as a Transitional Deacon this May.
Our contributions are also used for the training and formation of permanent deacons. Last year, two of our parishioners, Randy Ortiz and Tim Tye, were ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. Geza Gereben, also a parishioner, continues in the diaconate formation program. 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.
We invite you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2020 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 website.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are challenged to support the Appeal and respond in faith to this request. Thank you for all you do for our Church community.