Programs Helped by the Annual Appeal

11-01-2020Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

I wish you all a Happy Halloween!!

This week too, I would like to write more about our Diocesan Annual Appeal. Again, we have prayerfully begun it in our parishes last week. The number and variety of programs and offices it funds is too long to list here. However, some of the various programs are of special interest are listed here. It is amazing how broad the scope of Diocesan involvement is! When you receive the pledge card in the mail, keep in mind all the people you are helping with your generous donation.

Here are just a few of the programs which the Appeal helps to fund.

Seminarian Education & Religious Formation

Currently we have 13 seminarians with additional young men discerning their path in life with an eye to the priesthood. The Office of Vocations also offers discernment retreats for all ages, continuing education for ordained priests, and regular spiritual enrichment. There are several men in Deacon Formation. Vocation recruitment the training and support of our international priests, assistance with healthcare costs for clergy, and the Office of Consecrated Life are also funded.

Televised Mass

How many Catholics in our Diocese participated in Mass, and may continue to do so, by tuning in on Sunday during this most unusual time? How many who are home-bound or in nursing home care and find Mass on TV a real comfort? It is a Life-line! And it is costly to produce! The Appeal makes it happen. Close-captioned, as well.

Mary of Good Help Among Ministry

This new parish assists the many Hmong Catholics who live in our Diocese and brings the good news of Christ to those who haven’t heard it yet. Some of our basic Catholic resources are being translated to make this happen. And our brothers and sisters in Christ are led by a full-time

Office for Evangelization & Catechesis

This office serves our clergy, parish, and school staffs, as well as the laity, in our life-long formation as disciples of Christ. Education programs, in-services, certification for Catholic school teachers and catechists, faith enrichment opportunities, outreach to those with special needs, etc. are just a smattering of all this office does, along with the RCIA process and adult faith formation.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Presently we cannot gather for the many events this office plans, such as World Youth Day, Adventure Camps, Immersion Retreat, Mission trips, and national conferences. This office assists parishes with growing their own youth programs so the new generation of Catholics feeds the Church with their enthusiasm and energy rooted in Jesus!

Communication and Public Relations

Many enjoy reading CATHOLIC LIFE, a great communication tool between the Diocese and our own homes. We all know communication is essential in any organization, and this office makes that its daily focus, keeping all the Curia offices up to date with one another, and helping us all know what’s happening. It is important, as well, that our Diocese is in close contact with the other Wisconsin (arch) dioceses. It all can happen only with knowledgeable folks who handle the technical and data-based aspects.

Chancery and Archives

The Chancellor is responsible for safeguarding official documents, for consulting about Church (canon) law, processing prenuptial files for marriage, and preparing data for official communications, such as the Wisconsin Pastoral Handbook and Official Catholic Directory. The Archives, maintaining a history of the parishes and institutions within the Diocese, is also the source for sacramental registrations. This is an on-going and technical process.

Thanks to: diolc.org/stewardship/appeal-portal.

We are celebrating All Saints Day today. I will be preaching a homily on this weekend Masses. Now I wish you all a Happy and Blessed All Saints Day!!

Yours In Christ Jesus,
Fr. Doss