LENT A TIME TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD

Lent has begun with a call to penance, prayer, and almsgiving or charity. In Lent, we are all invited to practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as outlined in the Gospel for Ash Wednesday. These practices are meant to help us to put aside those things that are blocking us from God, and to ask God to use that space to bring us closer to him.

Penance or fasting typically brings to mind food. But it can refer to giving up anything that hinders our access to God’s love and mercy. Prayer is the most obvious of all invitations to draw closer to God by spending more time with God in prayer, transforming us, and opening our hearts and minds to the grace and love of God.

Almsgiving, charity are important aspects of our Season of Lent and so it is most appropriate that we direct our attention to the Annual Catholic Charities Appeal. As we know, Catholic Charities serves thousands of Western New Yorkers in need throughout the 8 counties of our Diocese. The goal of the 2021 Appeal again is $10 million. The Appeal is under the patronage of St. Ignatius Loyola and runs until June 30th.

Commenting on the 2021 Appeal, Bishop Fisher said, “With your continued support, the work of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith is addressing real needs of real people each and every day person to person, providing comfort and healing. This is the work that is so needed, and which should inspire renewed zeal for manifesting the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is who we are as Catholics Christians and simply put it’s just what we do. I look forward to seeing the work of Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith in action,  and doing all that I can to support and extend their work to ensure an even greater impact among those who need it most.”

Last year in spite of a Pandemic, St. Louis parishioners donated $116,227.92 to Catholic Charities which was $6,000 over our goal. This year our goal is $118,552 of which $26,180.55 has been donated to date. We are confident that your generosity once again this year will allow Catholic Charities to continue its good works.