The 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal is being rolled out in most parishes of the Diocese of Trenton Feb. 17 and 18, with the theme “This Is What Love Looks Like.”
In his message for the appeal, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., recalls a question posed 1600 years ago by St. Augustine of Hippo: “What does love like?”
The Bishop explained, “Love, said St. Augustine, ‘has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.’ In the Diocese of Trenton, we are those hands and feet.”
In announcing the new campaign, Bishop O’Connell encourages faithful of the Diocese to reflect on “acts of love” are performed through the many works of outreach, ministry and service in parishes around the Diocese.
“Every year, the good people of our Diocese accept the Lord Jesus’ invitation and respond so generously, as their means will allow, to support and grow the essential programs, ministries and services of our Diocese. I rely on you and ask for your continued support,” he said.
Parishioners will be asked on Appeal Weekend to support the campaign so that the goal of $7 million can be achieved. For more information about the
2018 Annual Catholic Appeal, or to make an online pledge, go to the
website.
The 2018 State of the Diocese report has been published and will be distributed to 100,000 parishioners during Masses beginning the weekend of Feb. 16 and 17.
The 36-page, full-color magazine includes:
the State of the Diocese message from Bishop O’Connell;
an in-depth report on the status and scope of the pastoral planning initiative, Faith in Our Future, with a special focus on the year ahead;
the roll-out of the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal;
a wrap-up report on the Faith to Move Mountains endowment campaign, and
the Annual Financial Statements of the Diocese
The report also includes other helpful resources for parishioners, such as a compilation of media sites to connect with the Diocese and a Save the Date listing for diocesan events in 2018.