Organizers of the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal are having meetings throughout the diocese to share details of the 2018 Annual Appeal with pastors and parish volunteers. Bishop Nelson Perez has been attending the meetings, including one on Jan. 16 at Immaculate Conception Parish in Willoughby where he thanked attendees for making Catholic Charities a real gift in the Diocese of Cleveland.
The bishop reminded those gathered that 400,000 people are served every year through the charitable generosity of people from throughout the diocese. It doesn?t happen on its own, ?It happens because the pastors and the parishes make this happen,? he said.
Regarding charitable giving, the bishop said, ?This is who we are. It is part of being Catholic. It is rooted at the very heart of Christianity. It has its roots in the Eucharist. We can?t serve that table without serving the table of charity. The Church of Cleveland has understood that and it?s a tradition that is legacy, that has put together such an incredible charitable outreach,? he said.
?Many of the people served by Catholic Charities are not even Catholic. And that?s not a concern of the Church. Charity is not a means to an end. It is a good in and of itself rooted in the fact that we gather around the altar, around the Eucharist, and from there are sent forth,? he added.
Attendees also previewed the Catholic Charities Appeal video that featured the good works being done to help others at Camp Christopher, the Saint Martin De Porres Family Center and the St. Elizabeth Center in Lorain.
This video and other materials will be used to conduct the annual parish in-pew appeal that is set for the weekend of Feb. 9-10. The goal for the 2018 Appeal is $12.5 million.
Additional information about the 2018 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal can be found at
