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MADISON — While in the midst of this Year of Mercy, we are truly given a wonderful opportunity to “Contemplate the Face of God’s Mercy” and reflect upon the ways that God’s mercy will lead us to greater works of mercy in our families, parishes, communities, and throughout the diocese.
We can tangibly contemplate and live out God’s mercy through both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. One way to support many of those works is through giving to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).
Each year, for the ACA, each parishioner in the Diocese of Madison is asked to prayerfully consider what they are able to give back to the Church. Your pledge to the ACA goes to support many missions and works of mercy throughout the diocese. Some of these include:
• Support Services and Teacher Training in Catholic Schools — Do you know any children that attend a Catholic school in the diocese? The
ACA funds trainings for principals to assure schools are compliant with state and federal laws and accreditations and best practices. It also supports mentorship training, renewing of teachers licenses and trainings for diocesan catholic school teachers.
• Family and Youth Ministries — Does your parish offer or participate in marriage preparation or enrichment classes, the celebration of milestone wedding anniversaries, or have someone working to grow young disciples? The ACA helps fund these ministries which provide so many opportunities and learning experiences for the families and youth throughout our diocese.
• Evangelization and Religious Formation — Do you know someone who is preparing to receive a sacrament or looking to deepen their faith? The ACA helps fund the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis that provides support, mentorship training, and certification for faith formation leaders and Catholic school faculty.
Commitment weekend
As you can see, your support goes to help many different ministries throughout the diocese. This year’s ACA is seeking your help and asking for you to prayerfully consider what you are able to do to support these important works in our diocese.
This weekend, parishes across the diocese will participate in commitment weekend. You will view a video highlighting more of the ministries that the ACA supports to get a good idea of where your donation is going.
You should have already received a pledge card and letter from Bishop Robert C. Morlino in the mail as well as an informational brochure in the bulletin from last weekend’s Mass.
Please take some time to review this material and prayerfully consider what you can give.
I invite your participation and thank you for your support. For more information on the Annual Catholic Appeal or to make an online donation, visit the diocesan website at www.madisondiocese.org
May God bless you and your family during this Lenten and Easter Season.
Kristen Beckett is associate director of the Office of Stewardship and Development of the Diocese of Madison.