Charity and Development Appeal 2019

02-10-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

Around this time each year, we are invited to participate in the Charity and Development Appeal (CDA) from the Diocese. During all Masses last weekend, we listened as Bishop Thomas Olmsted invited us to participate in the CDA. He explained how the appeal helps fund more than 70 charities and ministries that help the poor and needy around our Diocese. He showed us some very touching, real-life examples of how your donation to the CDA has helped transform the lives of thousands of people.

This weekend is the official Kickoff Weekend for the CDA all over the Diocese. I invite you to pray about how you will participate and support the CDA this year. The goal for our parish this year is $85,000. Personally, I find it very difficult to ask you for donations again, after all of your overwhelming support for our current capital campaign in addition to your weekly financial support. However, like Peter said to Jesus, "To whom shall we go." As we all know, the church always depends totally on the generous support of each one of us to survive and be able to serve those in need around us. Within the next few weeks, you will be receiving the CDA envelope from the Diocese, if you have not already received one. We will also have the CDA in-pew donation envelopes available to those who may be participating for the first time.

Welcoming Guest Speaker, Fr. Fernando Camou

Fr. Camou, the Associate Director of Vocations in the Diocese of Phoenix, will celebrate the Sunday 11 am and 5 pm Masses with us this weekend. After the 11 am Mass, he will meet with our youth to talk about discernment. Fr. Camou is a dynamic speaker. He pulls from scripture, church teachings, history and his own story to articulate the good news that there are real, tangible ways to know "who" is inspiring our thoughts, and how to know if we are on track to following God's will for our lives. Fr. Camou's talk on discernment is very timely as we reflect on this theme in the First Reading with the dramatic call of Isaiah, the call of St. Paul in the Second Reading, and the call of Peter and his companions in the Gospel. I encourage all of our youth, and their friends, to take advantage of this get-together with Fr Camou. His presentation will help you learn how to discern, not only about whether God is calling you to be a priest or a nun, but to learn how to make decisions about the right vocation for you in life.

Thank you and Remain Blessed.
Fr. James

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