Exiit qui seminat

This weekend is the kickoff of the 2024 South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal (formerly the House of Charity: Bishop's Annual Appeal). This year's theme is "Through Him and For Him" reflecting the Eucharistic renewal of the Catholic Church in the United States. Our theology teaches us that the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the source and summit of all grace. Truly, the Eucharist is the greatest and infinite source of divine help and nourishment from God, as well as what fuels the grace of all the other Sacraments and the life of the Church herself. This reality is echoed in the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, “The Eucharist is the heart of the Church. Where Eucharistic life flourishes, there the life of the church will blossom.” The Eucharist is the true presence of Jesus Christ, it is the spiritual food that gives us strength to carry out His work each day and everything we do as Catholics emanates from that. As the Lord nourishes and feeds us with His Body and Blood out of love, we too are called to nourish and feed one another as reflections of His divine love. This is what is at the heart of the South Jersey Catholic Ministries Appeal. I understand the ... complicated relationship that many in the parish have had with the appeal in the past. However, the $93,900 goal for St. Padre Pio Parish will help our diocese continue the work of the Gospel through Catholic Charities, assisting our Catholic Schools, aiding the work of St. John of God Community Services for those with disabilities, the Vocations Office and Faith Formation of our Seminarians, Vitality Catholic Healthcare Services, supporting our Youth, Young Adult and Catholic Campus Ministries, evangelizing and catechizing through Lifelong Faith Formation, and our compassionate outreach to so many of our brothers and sisters in need. I am in constant awe of the generosity of this community. As Lent draws near, I humbly ask you to pray concerning a financial sacrifice and giving alms to help the least among us. May the Lord bless you for your generosity and goodness!