PARISH LIFE & EVANGELIZATION

In these challenging times, we must fortify our parish faith formation programs and find new and creative ways to pass on our faith to future generations. Your gift to the 2011 Diocesan Annual Appeal will enable us to strengthen and renew our parishes.

We are grateful to our parents and caregivers who initiate and foster a love of God and a love of learning in the home. By offering comprehensive, parish-based religious education programs for more than 27,000 children, we provide the additional support needed to instill an intimate knowledge of the Catholic faith.

The Diocesan Annual Appeal provides services such as Marriage Encounters, the Ministry of the Deaf and Persons with Disabilities, innovative approaches to religious education, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, post-Confirmation ministry and other important initiatives.

Belonging to a parish where you are known, valued and invited to share your gifts is central to our identity as Catholics. Since many of you now belong to new parish communities, I promise to work with you, our priests and the Office of Parish Life and Evangelization to encourage and increase the vibrancy of our parishes.