Many parishes around the Diocese of Cleveland will conduct a second in-pew appeal for Catholic Charities this weekend – June 3-4. All funds raised will be used to strengthen services that care for women and children.
The theme for this year’s appeal is “A time to heal. A time to help.” Goal for the 2023 parish appeal is $14 million.
Double the impact of your gift this weekend thanks to a $100,000 matching challenge grant. Any new, increased or additional gift to Catholic Charities made through June 30 will be matched up to $100,000.
One example of a ministry that will benefit from this appeal is Zelie’s Home, where women thrive and embrace motherhood.
Zelie’s Home began in 2009 as Zechariah House in Parma. After closing for anticipated renovations, Zechariah House moved into an old convent in Garfield Heights in 2016 and continued to serve young mothers by supporting them on their motherhood journey from pregnancy to infancy. It transitioned to Zelie’s Home in 2020 and continues to aid women and their young children. The women get an opportunity to grow through a variety of programs and services, including counseling, parenting classes, financial literacy and more.
This month, a second Zelie’s Home will open in a former convent in Lakewood, thanks to a partnership with Catholic Charities. As a result, an additional 10 young women will have a caring, compassionate home where they can thrive and embrace motherhood.
The new location was blessed recently by Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost and residents will be moving in soon.
In addition to benefiting Zelie’s Home, this weekend’s Catholic Charities pledges will be invested to expand programs that respect life including providing children with safe, happy homes through foster care and adoption. Funds also will encourage early prenatal and well-baby care with the Help Me Grow visiting program; educate and inspire people to be stewards of the gift of life through the diocesan Office for Human Life and support pregnant and parenting women with physical, emotional, spiritual and professional support through pregnancy support centers.
This weekend’s in-pew appeal is not a special collection. Rather, the Catholic Charities Appeal represents the chance for all Catholics to make a significant pledge, payable in installments, to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland in order to support its mission of serving “the least among us.”
Support by the faithful of the 2023 Catholic Charities Appeal helps Catholic Charities to carry out the mission that Jesus entrusted to us: ‘I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Bishop Edward Malesic is asking the faithful to prayerfully consider making a pledge or increasing their pledge.
“I am asking you to open your hands and hearts to embrace the poor, just as Jesus did. I am asking you to prayerfully consider making a gift to this year’s Catholic Charities Appeal. We understand the importance of giving in return to the Lord for all he has given us. Your financial gift to this appeal will make a real and lasting difference to many,” he said.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest comprehensive health and human services organizations in the region. It delivers more than 150 services at 60 locations to nearly 400,000 people each year – providing help and creating hope for people of every race and religion in each of the eight counties in the diocese.
Pledges can be made online or text to give by texting CCHUMAN to 41444.
Click here to read more about the new Zelie’s Home.