The turning of the calendar to February means the archdiocese Annual Appeal is at hand. I am happy to share with you that the 2022 Annual Appeal attained its overall goal of $11 million. On behalf of Cardinal Gregory, thank you to all o ur families who made a contribution in 2022 to help the archdiocese reach its goal.
Now, I ask you to prayerfully consider your gift to the 2023 Annual Appeal. If you are not familiar with the Annual Appeal, you may wonder how it is different and separate from your offertory giving to the parish. First, the Annual Appeal unites us with our archbishop in serving the many, charitable needs of the Church of Washington. Second, the Annual Appeal funds ministries that our parish could not sustain on our own, such as seminarian formation, campus ministry programs and Deaf and disabilities ministries. Third, the Annual Appeal supports our parish ministry life, from schools and catechesis, to family and pro-life ministries, to many more in between.
The Annual Appeal is a call to stewardship. It is not mandatory, This means that the many vibrant ministries we have in the archdiocese are the result of families such as your own who have responded generously each year with your free will offering. I am particularly grateful, as a priest of the archdiocese, for your contribution which helps to inspire new vocations and form our new generations of priests.
I am also asked to remind you that, as in every year, 100% of your gift to the Annual Appeal is restricted to the ministries that are a part of the Annual Appeal and cannot be used for any other purpose. Furthermore, your gift will be credited towards our parish goal. You can read more about the 2023 Annual Appeal at appeal.adw.org Next weekend will be our commitment weekend. Thank you in advance for your prayerful commitment to the 2023 Annual Appeal. Your steadfast generosity not only is a source of inspiration for me but a force for good in our Church today.