By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor
The new video produced for the 2026 Annual Catholic Appeal offers a glimpse into how some parishioners are impacted by the campaign and why they made the decision to personally support it through their donations.
Screened during Masses Feb. 7 and 8 (Launch Weekend) and available throughout the campaign at www.giveaca.org, the video begins with a message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., followed by a series of stories shared by actual donors. Among the 10 featured stories are a young married couple; a recently ordained diocesan priest; a retired teacher; a Vietnam war combat veteran; a member of the Mount Carmel Guild board, and a construction worker.
Watch the video below:
“In the quiet of prayer and the embrace of community, in moments of uncertainty and of joy, we are strengthened by one thing: our faith,” Bishop O’Connell begins the video. “Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to live our faith, not only in belief but in action. Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, we share in the mission of the Church, bringing hope and healing and strength to those who need it most.”
Married for one year, Christopher and Samantha Kinzler, members of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral Parish, Freehold, celebrated their anniversary at the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass this past fall.
“As a young married couple, the Annual Catholic Appeal has played an important role in our faith journey,” Christopher said. “Through programs like Pre-Cana, we learned how to prepare not just for our wedding day, but for a lifetime of marriage grounded in prayer and communication.”
Samantha said that the couple donates to the ACA “because it’s our way of putting gratitude into action and supporting the Church that continues to support us and so many others.”
Another featured donor, Walter Krause, was disabled during his service in the Vietnam War. He explains that his Catholic faith has strengthened him in his struggle with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Krause, a member of Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly, states, “I feel I have received so much and I believe it is important to give back and help others in need.”
He now serves in his parish as a Eucharistic ministry and usher and said of his support for the ACA “I give what I can, because together we can make a difference in the lives of so many.”
Andres Luna, a welder who worked to create the Diocese’s St. Carlo Acutis Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit, said he has been “blessed by God, and one way to show my gratitude is by helping others.” The parishioner of St. Ann, Browns Mills, notes that “I’ve been blessed by God and one way of showing my gratitude is helping others. I might not have much, but I’m always joyful in giving what I can.”
Funding from the Appeal “was instrumental in providing my education and formation as well as for my fellow seminarians,” said Father Alan Bridges, who was ordained in 2025 and serves as parochial vicar in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River. “I’m happy to give to the Annual Appeal so I can support our seminarians on the road to priesthood, as well as helping our retired priests who have served us all over the years.”
“I have witnessed many people who have no place to live, are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage, and some who just need to feed their families,” said Dr. Cassandra Brown of Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro. “Annual Catholic Appeal funding helps struggling families like this through its support of the Office of Catholic Social Services, Seeds of Service, the Mount Carmel Guild and parish services through Catholic Charities – and I’m grateful that my donations will continue to support these and other goals of the Annual Catholic Appeal.”