AAA (Annual Appeal)

AAA (Archdiocesan Annual Appeal) 2019

January 28, 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest thanks for the very generous support you gave to this past year’s Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. We exceeded our goal and so the proceeds will be used for parish needs and operations. This demonstrates our common mission to serve the larger Church and one another.

This coming year’s assessment is $65,273. The theme of this campaign is “I will show you my faith by my works.” We will be kicking off this year’s appeal on the weekend of February 2nd and 3rd. On Monday, January 14th, I was asked to speak on behalf of the pastors of San Mateo County on how the Appeal supports our local parish ministries. I articulated a few thoughts I’d like to share with you. Most obviously, pooling resources together allows parishes, through a central system, to access human resources expertise, legal services, reduced insurance costs and support for our schools and pre-schools. If each parish were responsible for procuring these services on its own, it would simply be cost-prohibitive, most especially for smaller and financially-strapped parishes.

I also noted that we are a local Church bound together by faith and a common bond of working together in building up the kingdom of God. As Saint Paul tells us, we are united by Baptism and thus are called to share our gifts and talents for the service of all. This baptismal imperative is expressed in many diverse ways. One way we express this as local Catholics is in our financial support of our parish and archdiocese.

I am asking that all of our parish families contribute whatever resources you can to support meeting our goal. I believe it is both fundamentally fair and part of our Christian identity to work together rather than to rely on a few persons or families to meet our financial obligations. Please prayerfully reflect on this appeal and contribute what you can. Together, in a spirit of unity and mutual charity, we will meet our goal this year!

Please be assured of my continued prayers and gratitude for all that you do to support our mission of working and praying together to build up the Kingdom of God in our midst.