Tag: ACA

On
Kristen Beckett, For the Catholic Herald

2017 Annual Catholic Appeal


MADISON — As I say it for the Diocese of Madison, I invite every priest to do so for his parish, and every individual to say it for their home, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This is Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s intent for the theme of this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).

We can serve the Lord in many different ways. This year, we are challenged to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in our households, in our parishes,­­ and throughout the diocese.

One way to encompass all three of these is to make a donation to this year’s ACA – your pledge will go to support many missions and works of mercy throughout the diocese. Below are just a few examples of some of the ministries supported by the ACA that allow you to Know, Love, and Serve the Lord.

To Know Him

Our increased love and service to the Lord begins with getting to know Him. The ACA helps support Catholic schools, religious education programs, and religious formation programs by educating disciples of all ages.

Your donations to the ACA allow the Diocese of Madison to provide funding for ministries that allow many in the diocese the ability to begin to know Him better and, in turn, to love Him more.

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Kristen Beckett, For the Catholic Herald

2016 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Contemplating the Face of God’s Mercy’

annual catholic appeal

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.

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Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Do we sacrifice and carry crosses with Jesus?

This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop.

Dear Friends,

I pray that your Lent continues to be fruitful and full of hope!

Here below, I want to extract one short line from our readings this past week and reflect upon it very briefly.

I know that many of you did not receive much in the way of a homily this past weekend because many of our pastors wisely decided to shorten or even forgo their homilies due to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) and the parish request that took place this week.

Before I go further, though, I wish to offer a word or two in that regard.

Thank you for service, support

The first word I have to offer is my thanks. With every ounce of sincerity, I thank you for all that you’ve done in the past, are doing this year, and may continue to do into the future, in service to our diocesan Church.

So much of the good that we do as a Church relies upon our united effort and our cooperation in and with the Spirit. While I would not stop trying to carry out the mission I have been given, no matter what, we certainly could not be as effective without your prayerful support.

 

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Why I give to the Annual Catholic Appeal

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

This is the time of year when Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison are hearing and reading about the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA).

Members of parishes have received a letter and pledge form from Bishop Robert C. Morlino. In addition, there have been prayers and announcements about the ACA at Masses each weekend.

There was an insert about the appeal distributed last weekend in parishes; it is also included in this week’s Catholic Herald. Next weekend, we will watch a video message from our bishop.

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Jill Driscoll, For the Catholic Herald

2015 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Living Our Mission of Charity’

Annual Catholic Appeal 2015

MADISON — Have you ever modeled your charitable life around the Holy Family?

You may not give of yourselves the same way as Mary and Joseph did, but modeling your charitable giving through your time, talent, and treasure is your way of giving back.

One way to live your mission of charity is through giving to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). Each year, the ACA asks each parishioner in the Diocese of Madison to prayerfully consider what they are able to give back to their diocesan Church.The Diocese of Madison lives on your generosity to support its missions — missions that are critical in helping our neighbors in need, teaching those that need education and training on our faith.

The Annual Catholic Appeal reaches every corner of our diocese in some way, here are just a few.

Marriage Preparation — Does your parish offer marriage preparation classes to those seeking the sacrament Sacrament of Marriage? The ACA funds the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, which oversees the training and materials needed for marriage preparation classes around the diocese.

Catholic schools — Do you know of a child that attends a Catholic school? Just like every school district in the state, the Office of Catholic Schools is directed by the superintendent of Catholic schools. This office oversees all of the administrative functions supporting the Catholic school system in our diocese.

Catholic Charities — Has your parish community benefited from the Mobile Food Pantry? It travels around the diocese helping those that need that extra assistance at difficult times. This is just one mission that Catholic Charities does for our neighbors in need.

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Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison

Annual Catholic Appeal

Dear Friends in Christ,

What better place to look for the theme of this year’s diocesan appeal than to the witness of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis? His powerful example of charity will be our focus as we approach our 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal and its theme: “Beacon of Faith; Fire of Charity.”

Brothers and sisters, we are each chosen to be a Beacon of Faith to our friends, family, co-workers — a beacon radiating the light of Christ to all with whom we come into contact. Pope Francis has made clear that as the world grows darker, we must continue to strengthen our own faith; allow ourselves to be evangelized anew; to become part of the New Evangelization; and work together as one with the mission of Christ and His Church.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Annual Catholic Appeal: Why I give to the appeal and why you should, too

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

This is the time of year when Catholics throughout the Diocese of Madison are hearing and reading about the Annual  Catholic Appeal (ACA).

Members of parishes have received a letter and pledge form from Bishop Robert C. Morlino. In addition, there have been prayers and announcements about the ACA at Masses each weekend. There was an insert about the appeal distributed last weekend in parishes; it is also included in this week’s Catholic Herald. Next weekend, we will watch a video message from our bishop.

Why the ACA is important

Why is this so important? The ACA funds the ministries and services benefitting every Catholic in the Diocese of Madison. It supports the work of diocesan offices and agencies in the 11 counties of our diocese and also the work of our Church beyond the diocese.
Perhaps the best way to talk about the ACA is to explain why I give to the appeal — and why I think you (other  Catholics in our diocese) should, too.

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Jill Driscoll, For the Catholic Herald

2014 Annual Catholic Appeal: ‘Beacon of Faith, Fire of Charity’

MADISON — As we prepare for Lent as a Catholic community, we prepare to give alms. What does it mean to give alms? The definition includes the charitable giving of money, food, or goods to people in need. It is one form of sacrifice we as Catholics are asked to perform during the season of Lent, just as Christ sacrificed himself for each of us.

This year’s theme for the 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal is “Beacon of Faith, Fire of Charity.” The focus this year is on evangelization and the Corporal Works of Mercy. The Annual Catholic Appeal funds both of those ministries, plus many others. Here are a few examples:

• Evangelization and Catechesis — Each of us as Catholics is asked to share Christ’s message through evangelization. The Church catechizes the young through religious education classes and adults through RCIA, retreats, and classes.

• Catholic Charities — As the Corporal Works of Mercy arm of the Diocese of Madison, Catholic Charities touches so many lives. They visit the sick through the Respite Care Program; feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty through the Mobile Food Pantry and the Catholic Multicultural Center. These are just a few of the programs supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal and provided through Catholic Charities.

 

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