Through Bishop’s Annual Appeal we can live life as a Christian disciple

As I write this article, it is June 13 and the Church is celebrating the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. In 1946, Pope Pius XII gave him the title “Doctor of the Church” for his knowledge of Scripture. He is also considered by many to be one of the great evangelizers in the history of the Church. Although, as one of our more popular saints, we know St. Anthony as the patron saint of lost and stolen articles. Thus, many of us often pray to him to find something for us.

St. Anthony’s life is an example of what a Christian life is meant to be, and as we struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic his life is one to which we can all relate, probably more than ever before. When confronted with challenges, St Anthony lived life with steady courage. He lived a life of love and forgiveness, and a life of trust and love in God.

The last few months have certainly been a time of uncertainty and filled with challenges. We have all been called to prayer to strengthen our relationship with the Lord, to pray for the well-being and safety of our essential workers and to pray for all those who have fallen ill and have been impacted by the pandemic. Like St. Anthony, we can receive strength and confidence from our encounter with and dependency on God. Even during these uncertain times our mission to bring others to Christ has continued. It has not stopped. Our mission has remained relevant and has even deepened during this time. Serving that mission, even with the challenges we are recently faced with, is a priority, is how our faith will continue and is how our Church as well as ourselves will be stronger. 

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal is an intentional and effective way to bring people to Jesus Christ.

Presently, this year’s appeal is at 91 percent of its $7.2 million goal. Thank you to all of you who have sacrificed your time and financial resources. Your contributions to the Appeal help to support initiatives, services and the spiritual needs of all but most especially to those impacted by the pandemic. Your contributions enable Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, to provide life-saving treatments and services to all those in need. Just as important, much of the work of Catholic Charities advocates respect for life at every stage. It reminds us of the innate dignity of every person and inspires us to bring others closer to Christ through a message of love, unity and hope.

St. Anthony lived a life dedicated to the needs and well-being of others. Through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, we can do the same. The Appeal ensures the continuation of the evangelization and catechesis programs in the Diocese of Metuchen and within our parishes. Other vital needs the Appeal supports include seminarian formation, youth and young adult related ministries and diversity ministries. The Appeal is among the ways we can follow Jesus, commit to him and live life as a Christian disciple like St. Anthony.

So, through prayer and reflection, please consider a sacrificial gift to this year’s appeal and give to the best of your means. With so many people negatively impacted because of COVID-19 it is important to bring people the opportunity to be a part of our faith and the work of God. All funds raised through the Bishop’s Annual Appeal are used to support the ministries and programs of the Diocese of Metuchen There is still opportunity to participate by responding to the most recent mailing or by making an online pledge at https://diometuchen.org/ways-to-give.

Please know we are praying for the safety of you and your loved ones as well as all impacted by the pandemic. Prayer intentions can be sent at: https://diometuchen.org/prayer-intention.