Faithful in parishes across the Diocese of Trenton will be asked to reflect on the teaching of St. Paul VI as the 2019 Annual Catholic Appeal is introduced at Masses Feb. 23 and 24. 

As related in a message for the Appeal from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., St. Paul VI once said, “Never REACH OUT your hand unless you are willing to EXTEND AN ARM.” 

Bishop O’Connell states, “With these words, St. Paul VI challenges us to do all we can to build up the Body of Christ in our communities and provide assistance to those in need. He urges us to offer our help with free hearts and a generous spirit …”

Related:  2019 Annual Catholic Appeal supplement  

The Bishop continues, “With your support, the Diocese of Trenton has been able to embrace that challenge to reach out a hand, to extend an arm and provide the essential ministries, programs and services that make a critical difference in the lives of so many.”

Coming off the heels of the successful 2018 Appeal, for which $6.2 million – or $600,000 over the previous year’s Appeal – was raised, the 2019 campaign will have a goal of $7 million. The funds will be used for such ministries and initiatives as serving the physical, mental and spiritual needs of the marginalized; supporting parish and family life; finding and forming priests and deacons and serving religious women and men; and the work of communications, evangelization, education, catechesis and lay formation. 

As in the past, 15 percent of the collected goal, and 50 percent of any overage, is returned to the parish for local needs. 

For more information, including a list of parishes that reached their 2018 goals, see the digital report on the Annual Catholic Appeal recently published by The Monitor.

To view this year's Appeal video or to make a pledge, go to dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal.