How many people do you pray for? Who is on the top of your prayer list, today, in 2019?
Intercessory prayer, the act of praying to God on behalf of others, is a powerful and unifying reality in our lives, thanks be to God. Jesus modeled for the disciples, and for the church the importance and beauty of intercessory prayer. When we pray for others, we bring in our prayer to God, the needs, the struggles, the joys, and the hopes of loved ones, that God will shower blessings, bestow grace, and send the Holy Spirit upon those for whom we pray.
Last fall, as you were leaving Mass at St. Mary's, you were asked to take a piece of paper with the name of one of our students that are actively and prayerfully preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. I encourage you to continue offering intercessory prayer for our students. Next Saturday, these students will be coming together participating in a Confirmation retreat. This retreat comes two months before Bishop Perry will seal these students with the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Rite of Confirmation.
In addition to praying for our students, the students have been encouraged to pray for their classmates, their confirmation sponsors, their families, and their parish. May a deep rich prayer life be part of their life of faith. Please remember the student's name that you chose last fall and their classmates. May this Confirmation retreat encourage them as they complete their preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation that they will receive in April.
Recently the Archdiocese of Chicago shared with parishes and past donor's information regarding the 2019 Annual Catholic Appeal. More information regarding the Appeal will be shared with parishioners through the bulletin and parish website in the coming months. Parishioners of St. Mary's have been very generous in their support of the Archdiocese appeal. The following breakdown shares with you information the Archdiocese provided to inform how the contributions to the Appeal were used in the 2017 Annual Catholic Appeal. The Annual Catholic Appeal supports the work of the Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
$9,511,345 -
Parish and School Funding
- Funds raised in excess of parish goals as well as support for
parishes and schools serving financially challenged communities
$1,358,737 -
Parish Life
- Programs to support parish vitality - evangelization initiatives, liturgy
enhancements
$564,730 -
Religious Education
- Support for youth, young adult, campus and adult religious education
ministries
$503,667 -
Lay Formation
- Continuing education for lay volunteers and staff serving parish communities
$640,000 -
Catholic Relief Services
- Assisting the poor and vulnerable overseas
$499,915 -
Human Dignity and Solidarity
- Activities promoting respect for life at all stages,
immigration, Kolbe House prison ministry, and Peace & Justice initiatives
$483,552 -
Priest Education
- Continuing education for seminarians and priests ordained for the
Archdiocese of Chicago
$275,000 -
Parish Transformation
- Programs to revitalize local parish communities
$397,942 -
Family Ministries
- Programs for marriage preparation, marriage support and family ministry
$14,234,890-
MINISTRIES TOTAL
- funded by the Annual Catholic Appeal
$1,217,478 -
Cost of Annual Catholic Appeal
- Design, printing, postage, production, staff and vendors
for the Appeal
Know that you are on my prayer list, each and every day. May we pray for those whose lives impact our lives the most. Let us also pray for our parish and the Roman Catholic Church.
God bless you with a prayerful and faithful heart this year!!!
