This is the second of a two-part series on the Bishop’s
Lenten Appeal.
The theme of this
year’s Bishop’s Lenten Appeal is “Together in the Light of Christ.” During a
recent talk at a Bishop’s Lenten Appeal event at the Cathedral of St. Thomas
More in Arlington, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said, “(The theme) implies we
know there is darkness in our world, in our nation and in our church. But we’re
believers, and what we celebrate at every Mass is that by his own suffering and
death and resurrection, Jesus once and for all conquered the darkness. That’s
our faith. The darkness will never overpower us. We have to acknowledge it. We
have to work to correct it. But we do so together in the light of Christ. With
that comes a call — we have to radiate that light to others. We all know people
who are experiencing tremendous hardship, crying out for pastoral and spiritual
support, and they need our help. How else can we assure them that the light of
Christ is stronger unless we do so through our outreach, our good work?”
The Bishop’s Lenten
Appeal supports many important ministries, such as seminarian education,
religious vocation discernment, Catholic Charities, the Office of Youth,
Campus, and Young Adult Ministries and the Office of Marriage, Family and
Respect Life.
Thousands of people
are served each year by the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. In
2018, 376 pregnant women were supported by Gabriel Project; Christ House served
more than 18,000 meals to the homeless; nearly 32,000 children were enrolled in
religious education classes; and 44 seminarians are currently studying for the
priesthood in our diocese. None of this would be possible if not for donations made
to the BLA.
“The ministries
supported by the (Bishop’s Lenten Appeal) reassure people that Christ is in our
midst, that his light is stronger,” said Bishop Burbidge. “That’s our call, all
of us through our baptism. To radiate the light of Christ’s love. Participation
in the (Bishop’s Lenten Appeal) is one powerful way of doing so.”
In 2018, the Bishop’s
Lenten Appeal raised more than $19.6 million; this year’s goal is $18.85
million. The announcement weekend for the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal was Feb. 23-24.
This weekend, March 2-3, parishioners will be asked to make a pledge at Mass. Participants
can donate online, by check or make a pledge that can be paid throughout the
year.
Last week’s article focused on how
the funds given to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal only go toward specific pastoral
uses.
Find out more
Go to arlingtondiocese.org/bishops-lenten-appeal.
