Annual Appeal - Benefits to Ministries, Benefits to our Parish (2024-02-03)

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Explanation of Benefits of Annual Appeal 

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[__SLIDE 1 = s 1 __] I am Father Jim Ferry, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes of West Orange here to speak to you about the annual appeal with the Archdiocese of Newark, how the annual appeal benefits various ministries and how the annual appeal has also benefited Our Lady of Lourdes over the years.

The annual appeal is an effort that we participate in together with the Archdiocese of Newark.

 [__s 2 __] A QUESTION    As a personal example, there was a question that came to me years ago, a question came from my childhood friend. My friend called me up asking about “financial help”. But he was not asked me to borrow money. Rather, he was asking how he could help financially to someone in need to a family in need in our parish. And, could I identify somebody in need?

I was uncomfortable with this question uncomfortable around my friend for a little while because I couldn't I didn't have somebody immediately in mind.

[__s 3 __] MY ANSWER    But after a few more phone calls, I was able to identify somebody I came up with an answer. I was in contact with a family who was doing some home repairs due to an ailing or sick family member.  They were in need.

When I went to the family to tell them about this, they were in disbelief – incredulous – asking Why would anyone help us? Indeed, why would anybody help us?

[__s 4 __] GOD’S GOOD NEWS   Why does God's mercy and love work in the world? St. Paul, and the New Testament explains this, that this works because Jesus has given up Himself for us, body and blood in the Eucharist.

          And he reminds us that the church is also the body of Christ through which we to care about care for each other with compassion and with consideration.

St. Paul writes, now a body is not a single part of many, there are many parts but one body, God has so constructed the body that all the members may be concerned from one another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. One member is honored all the members share its joy.

 

[__s 5 __] YOUR WITNESS   And you share your joy and your resources your money in many ways your charitable support is at work at Our Lady of Lourdes through our Giving Tree Project at Advent / Christmas, the wrapped Christmas gifts to needy children and families,  food drives, in soup kitchen, the Souper Bowl soup can drive all of this is cause and effect generosity, the effect of your generosity goes to good causes.

  [__s 6 __] Annual Appeal 2024   

The annual appeal also connects us to good causes, which we would otherwise not have access to.

Proclaiming the Gospel. Example: Offering of Masses and Liturgy to children and family with special learning and sensory needs.

Passing on the Faith. Examples: Catechetical Education; Campus Ministry at Colleges with Newman Centers such as Montclair State University, Rutgers-Newark, NJIT, and 9 universities in total.

Caring for the Poor and Vulnerable. Examples: Catholic Charities; Hospital Chaplaincy.

Forming Future Priests / Supporting Retired Clergy. Example:  Seminary education at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University.

When you give, you may SPECIFY / RESTRICT your gift to the particular area(s), if you prefer!

 [_s 7 _] Goal/Incentive / Gratitude

The annual appeal 2024 goal is $28,210. There’s an incentive for us to reach the goal fully by June 30 in that we can save $12,000 in assessment expenses to the Archdiocese.

I thank you for those of you who have faithfully supported the appeal in prior years. If you have not supported the appeal in a couple of years or if you have not supported the appeal at all, I asked you to join as a returning donor or as a new donor and consider a gift to the annual appeal 2024 in accord with your means in accord with what you can do.

I have made my gift and I asked you to please join me in supporting the appeal.

The appeal is important to me because I recognize there are ministries we cannot do as a parish individually, but we can do more joining with other parishes. Also the appeal supported me directly by paying for my academic seminary education that I received on my way to being assigned here in ministry to Our Lady of Lady of Lourdes.

[_s 8 _] BENEFITS   The appeal has benefited Lourdes parish in following ways since 2014. 

1. “Repair Grants”  – $ 80,000

2. “Debt Forgiveness” - $66,000 – “unpaid insurance premiums, for example”

3. Reduction in Assessment:    $24,000     $ 170,000 = “repair”  + “forgiveness” + “reduction”

Catholic Charities also is a beneficiary of the appeal of Catholic Charities is the organization that oversees the school which school which is renting out our school building Mount Carmel guild Academy. The rent paid by the school is 50% of our parish income 50% of our revenue for the year or $500,000. So the health and well being of Catholic Charities is good for Our Lady of Lourdes.

 [_s 9 _] If you're giving to the Appeal, please choose Our Lady of Lourdes West Orange as your parish on the paper form or when you're giving online.

Your check would be payable to “Annual Appeal 2024”. Forms and envelopes are available from your pew and we can mail these to you as well.

Q’s ? – please call / email me – email Father Jim ferry at Lourdes West orange DOT org or 973-325-0110 and to

To give online, go RCAN dot org forward slash hearing.

[_s 10 _] Thank you for your personal and prayerful consideration of the appeal. The appeal is an important fundraiser for us. And I pray that God will bless you in this new year and bless you for your generosity in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit.

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