Dear Parish Families,
"Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith." I'm sure that we recognize those words as the words that begin the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. We sing those words at Mass, we pray them in our own hearts often, seeking and striving after peace.
I think that perhaps the most important, and most challenging words of that prayer are the first two, Make me. Not make my husband or my wife, or make my neighbor or my coworker, but Make me. Each of us are called to pray that we might be transformed more and more each day into a channel of God's peace and love in our world. And certainly there are so many ways that I know each and every one of you does that throughout your life. Our Advent Giving Trees that are sponsored by our St. Vincent de Paul Society or our Helping Hands Ministry is just one example of the ways that we become those channels of peace.
Another opportunity that we have to be that channel of God's peace and love here in our own Diocese is our annual Catholic Charities appeal. I'm sure that we are very familiar with the Catholic Charities Appeal, we have been doing it for many years. And we know that when we hear that it is Catholic Charities Appeal weekend to look for the envelopes at the end of the pews. But the Catholic Charities Appeal is about much more than money and envelopes, it's about being that channel through which God can and will work to transform lives.
From helping to provide support to parents whose children are struggling with serious, life-changing illnesses. To helping to provide a gathering space and social opportunities for seniors. To providing emergency assistance to those struggling with financial burdens brought on by sudden illness or job loss. These are just a few of the ways that our Diocesan Catholic Charities works to be the heart and hands and feet of God to those who are in distress.
And they're able to do what they do because of the generosity of people like you and me who take those first words of the "Prayer of St. Francis," as we call it traditionally and put them into practice. This year's Catholic Charities Appeal will take place the weekend of February 15th and 16th. If you've given in the past you've likely already (or will soon) receive an invitation in the mail for this year's appeal. Or you can give online at any time at
If you give via the mail or online, you do not need to fill out an envelope on the appeal weekend.
I would invite you to consider what you might be able to give to this year's Appeal, how God might be inviting you to be a channel of His peace to those most in need in our area. Not everyone will be able to give in the same way, but we can all consider how we can give to support the great work of Catholic Charities. This Appeal isn't primarily about money (though that's what is asked for), it's about the opportunity to transform and change people's lives, including our own. We have a wonderful opportunity to become a channel of peace for those. Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to do that and thank you for your generosity to this year's Catholic Charities Appeal and in so many other ways. We are Alive in Christ and He is alive in us!
In the Peace of Christ,
Fr. John
