The natural environment awakens from its winter slumber to new life in the springtime. The flowers poke up their heads above the ground. The buds of the trees begin to swell in anticipation of the colours of spring. The robins and swallows return to create new families. New life returns with the strengthening of the warming rays of the sun.
The vaccines have arrived! All of humanity is feeling the first stirrings of new life for our social relationships and economy with the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Whether or not you have received your shot yet, we all feel the weight of the struggle against this withering pandemic beginning to lift. We anticipate hugs and kisses.
We hope to gather with friends and family in our homes or in our favourite restaurants. We look forward to new economic activity; stores operating at full capacity, jobs returning, financial well-being for families and communities.
I offer you these images of new life to speak with you about FaithWorks. New life is the goal of FaithWorks.
A smile to someone who hasn’t seen one in a long time; a bite to eat and a cup of coffee to fill an empty stomach; a new jacket to keep the rain off; a patient ear to listen; a gentle voice to advise; an opportunity to learn; these are the works of FaithWorks that give new life, hope for something better, or maybe just getting through the day, to those whose struggle continues.
For this work to happen, FaithWorks needs you. It needs you to do your part, to offer your assistance, to make your donation. It needs you to participate in the work of FaithWorks too!
Giving, sharing, making a sacrifice is work. It isn’t easy. It’s not supposed to be. If it were, it wouldn’t be a sacrifice. Where would we be without the sacrifice of Christ? Where would we be without the sacrifices of all the front-line workers during the pandemic. Now it’s your turn to make a sacrifice for the sake of others.
I ask you to consider your donation to FaithWorks as your participation in the work of so many who sacrifice so much to give life to others.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of FaithWorks, a generous donor has offered a $100,000 matching challenge grant for all new and increased donations. This means that for every dollar raised over last year’s amount, by an individual or parish, FaithWorks receives an extra dollar. Let us make a special effort to honour this incredible offer. Doing a little more can make twice the difference.
Will you join me and my fellow bishops in this effort by making your donatation of $100, $250, $1,000 or whatever you can today? Perhaps you might even consider a monthly gift.
FaithWorks ministries have had a transformative impact on people’s lives. Thank you for helping make our work possible again this year.
May God bless you in this joyous Easter Season.
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil
Bishop of Toronto
P.S. For 25 years, FaithWorks Ministry Partners have offered a hand up to all God’s children in times of difficulty. Your gift today will allow us to continue that important life-giving work.
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