October 16, 2005

Dear friends in life and in ministry,

I'm writing this on Saturday night in the hopes of watching the Bills try to lose again on Sunday afternoon. Fortunately they were unsuccessful at losing last week. Despite multiple attempts, Miami managed to rack up enough penalties that Buffalo was force into winning.

Enough sports talk.

Today I officiated at the wedding of David Wheat and Beth Brouneous at St.
Mary's in Corning. A great couple. Next weekends wedding is at Norton Chapel at Keuka College - then a wedding break until December.

I'm looking forward now to four upcoming Baptisms. The first is tomorrow at the 9:00 Mass. St. Mary's Bath celebrates most of their baptisms in the context of Mass and I've yet to hear a complaint. It just adds such an aura of joy to the celebration. Following the Baptism, I hold the baby high (Simba style) and everyone applauds the "newest member of our faith community." Then the choir sings "Welcome Gillian" or whatever the child's name happens to be. I love this place!

This week's Sent to Serve offers information concerning the Annual Diocesan Appeal - formally known as the "Thanks Giving Appeal." Once again I've relied on recycled but localized material. There is not much out there that is original when it comes to fund-raising. Thanks Ed.

Blessings to all . . .

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October 16, 2005 DIOCESAN MINISTRY APPEAL

Fall is the time of year in which Bishop Clark comes to us with an invitation and an appeal. His invitation is to share more fully in the spread of the Gospel of the Lord. The appeal is to be part of the annual Thanks Giving Appeal, the TGA, which this year is transforming in name into the Annual Diocesan Ministries Appeal. The name change is being made to more fully reflect how our annual gifts are used in the spread of the Gospel.

The Diocese of Rochester has an annual operating budget for this fiscal year of $10.7 Million. The TGA has a goal to $5.3 million – about one half that figure. Our own parish goal is the same as last year - 27,244. The funds raised by the campaign are used to provide specific programs, services and ministries that meet real needs. We’ll learn more about them next weekend in the video presentation at Mass. These programs, services and ministries are usually diocesan wide in scope and impact, and they are well beyond the ability of any one parish to fund. Not every parish receives equal benefits but we all benefit from the collective effort.

St. Mary’s regularly relies on the expertise and support of our diocesan information technology and human resources departments and our Marriage Tribunal, Evangelization, Youth Ministry and Social Ministry staff provide
important assistance to our staff throughout the year. For the past 25 years, the TGA has allowed our Diocese to grow and expand to meet the challenges and opportunities of strengthening our faith.

By now everyone in our parish has received a letter from Bishop Clark and a brochure with an explanation about the need. The Bishop is asking each of us to consider giving just a little more so that the TGA will be able to respond to the needs of our diocese. Everyone has a different sense of charity and sacrifice, so each of our gifts to the TGA will be different.
But I ask you to make your gift to the TGA this year be from your heart. Let be a sign of your commitment to the Gospel and your willingness to be a partner in spreading the Word of the Lord among us.

Pledge cards can be placed in the Sunday Collection or mailed to the diocese. Every gift is needed and important. Working together and giving together, we can accomplish so much for our parish and the larger church.

Thank you in advance for your generous response. I know the Lord will bless your generous hearts.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

I pray that you will enjoy this visit, and if you like,
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