By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer

“Our Catholic faith begins with the Mass, but the Gospel is for every day,” declares Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in his letter introducing the 2015 Annual Catholic Appeal. “From Sunday to Sunday, our parishes are places of bustling activity, reaching out and delivering sustenance – both spiritual and physical – to children and families; our youth and young adults; to those who are sick, lonely, suffering and grieving; and to people who have not yet heard or embraced the Word of God.”

The daily life of the parish is the focus of this year’s “Act of Faith, Works of Love” appeal to faithful from throughout the four counties of the Diocese of Trenton. The secondary theme of the appeal, “From Sunday to Sunday,” will spotlight the innumerable ways the parishes of the Diocese sustain and nurture sacramental life, catechize their people, support their students, serve the poor and minister to their members and their wider communities.

Inviting Support

Parishioners around the Diocese will learn about the Annual Catholic Appeal, which has the goal of raising $7 million, via a mailed packet of information from Bishop O’Connell. During the kick-off weekend, Feb. 14-15, a video will be shown at all Masses, and priests and parish leaders will further explain the appeal. In-pew commitments can be made by parishioners during this weekend, either by submitting the pledge cards from the mailing, or by completing those available from the parish during the weekend.

The website, dioceseoftrenton.org/catholic appeal, contains information on the many needs funded by the appeal and offers three methods by which the faithful might donate: via mail, phone or online.

The Annual Catholic Appeal video to be shown in all parishes “gives a clear case of the elements, with the passion and emotion of the Bishop, to illustrate what we do in the Diocese,” declared Stephen Nicholl, director of the diocesan Department of Development. “It highlights the life of the parishes, the day-to-day ministries, and the efforts and responsibilities they need to fulfill to survive.”

The three-and-a-half minute video portrays the faithful of all ages living their Catholic faith by ministering in parishes, schools, food pantries, hospitals and community outreach projects of the Diocese. “This is our mission Annual Catholic Appeal strengthens ‘Sunday to Sunday’ works in Diocese  than 300 men and women who are brought into full initiation with the Catholic faith through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Appeal support will offer the more than 17,000 students that attend our Catholic elementary and secondary schools a broader range of services and resources to achieve higher educational plateaus and become active members of their parish communities. Professional development for educators, tuition assistance fund management, alumni support, curriculum and performance standards are all enabled by the appeal.

Needs of the poor and suffering, first addressed by pastors and their ministry teams, are addressed by a network of parish social service programs bolstered by regional programs such as those offered by Catholic Charities and other agencies. The appeal invites donors to partner with the Diocese to provide these essential services through grant programs, disaster and recovery efforts, parish counseling programs and the Mount Carmel Guild’s services.

An array of ministry programs in parishes nurture families at all stages of life. Contributions to the appeal enable the Diocese to provide support for youth events, young adult gatherings, bereavement ministry, respect life programs, campus ministry and programs enriching the lives of all those who reside in our four counties.

Finally, 15 percent of the amount collected by the appeal goes back to the parishes who reach their goal and 50 percent of any amount over the parish’s goal is returned to the faith community for repair and restoration projects, new areas of growth or ministry development and other needs.

Participation Is Key

The 2014 appeal reached a total of $7.2 million, with 59 parishes exceeding their individual stated goals. The number of donors overall increased 1.2 percent rising to a total of 330,321 contributors to last year’s campaign, Nicholl said. To achieve this increase, the Diocese relied upon its pastors for both leadership and personal donations, and a letter sent to non-donors requesting at least $25 yielded 2,300 new contributors with an average gift of $48.

“Seventeen parishes received an increased rebate of five percent because they made their goal and increased their donors by 10 percent,” Nicholl noted, “and 24 parishes increased their donors by more than 10 percent.”

The needs of the Diocese and its parishes are greater than ever before, he said, urging all people of faith to contribute to this year’s appeal. “We again are looking for an increase in the number of donors to the appeal,” Nicholl stated. “Participation is key.”

In the appeal video, the Bishop concludes, “Your generous support [in the Annual Catholic Appeal] makes it possible for “our Diocese to truly journey with you as you live out your call, from Sunday to Sunday, to be the hands, the feet, the face of Christ in each corner of the Diocese.” (The video may be found on the diocesan website at dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal.)