UPON THIS ROCK UPDATE

                On February 18th, Bishop Richard Malone unveiled a bold new initiative for the Diocese of Buffalo called Upon This Rock. Upon This Rock is a five year initiative to raise $100 million to support the ongoing ministries of the Diocese. Each Parish in the Diocese will be involved in this endeavor in the coming years. Each Parish is given a goal to assist in reaching the overall goal of $100 million. As of this past week, the total goal raised for Upon This Rock is over $54 million or 54% of the overall goal for the diocese.

                We were part of what is known as the Block 1 Parishes. We began this program before Christmas and have received a good deal of support from our parishioners. Our Parish goal was $959.000. As of this writing St. Louis has raised $1,383,285 toward this effort. This represents 144% of our goal. We are in the process of finishing up our segment of the Upon This Rock program.

                From our $959,000 goal, Catholic Charities has received $129,000 toward the 2016 Appeal. For every dollar we raised toward this Parish goal, the Parish will receive $35% of the goal. From the $424,285 over and above our goal St. Louis will receive 55% of that amount.

                The benefits of the Upon This Rock initiative are many.  Not only are we supporting our own mission at St. Louis Church, but also the continued mission of the Diocese and the mission of Catholic Charities.

                I am always highly impressed with the generosity and kindness that comes from our parish community. Thank you once again for your generous support of the Church in Western New York and the Diocese of Buffalo. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to prepare for the future of the Church in Western New York.