Editor’s Note: At this time of year, the diocesan Charity and Stewardship Appeal is typically ready to launch in parishes, with pledge cards distributed at Masses. While people are quarantining at home, the campaign will continue, asking for donations made online, or using pledge cards which will be mailed in coming weeks.
The Charity and Stewardship Appeal supports vital diocesan ministries that help perform the Spiritual Works of Mercy through the Evangelization, Family Life and Youth Ministry offices, the Newman Center, Camp Kateri, Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House and Hispanic Ministry; and the Corporal Works of Mercy through Catholic Social Services, and ministry in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. The appeal also supports diocesan ministries such as the archives and tribunal, priest studies at the Vatican, and retirement for religious sisters.
Father Eric Clark, director of the annual campaign, provided the letter below explaining the need for the campaign this year:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I look forward to beginning a new year of the Charity and Stewardship appeal. The theme for this year is “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). St. John Chrysostom once wrote, “God appointed almsgiving not only for the nourishment of the needy but also for the benefit of the providers, and much more so for the latter than for the former.” As Christians, we have a need to give before we have a cause to give to.
Some may say, ‘Now is not a time for asking for almsgiving.’ However, now is a time like no other in recent history to appeal to the generosity of the people of God. Tithing in the U.S. was proportionally the highest in the midst of the Great Depression. In times of crisis, we value our parishes, schools and diocesan ministries the greatest, and particularly our ministries to hospitals and nursing homes.
Each one of us are called to cheerfully give of our gifts to the needs of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The Charity and Stewardship Appeal is an important way of participating in this work, since it aids a wide number of ministries from our Diocese, such as the Family Life Office, Catholic Social Services and especially, our Evangelization Office which brings the T.V. Mass to thousands. Last year, 76% of Charity and Stewardship funds went directly to support our parishes by giving back over 2 million dollars.
For nearly fifty years, the Charity and Stewardship Appeal has allowed each parishioner to continue the mission of Christ in southern Nebraska. I am in gratitude for your enduring support. This year, I ask everyone to join me by cheerfully supporting the Charity and Stewardship Appeal. All of us are called, in one way or another, to be generous stewards of our gifts.
Please prayerfully consider giving to the Charity and Stewardship Appeal by giving online on the Diocese of Lincoln website: https://www.lincolndiocese.org/diocese/charity-and-stewardship-appeal.
Brothers and sisters, all that we have and all that we are, we have received from the Lord. Together, may we cheerfully return to Him what He has granted to us. Thank you, and may God abundantly bless you and reward your generosity.
Fr. Eric Clark,
director of the appeal
