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Saint Clement Church

Letter from the Pastor: Annual Catholic Appeal

Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11, all Masses

Dear Saint Clement Parishioners,

As Catholics we are part of something larger and greater than ourselves. We are always more than “our parish.” We are part of a larger local church, in this case the Archdiocese of Chicago. But, we are also part of something even larger than that – the connection among all the Catholic Churches throughout the world. As the Body of Christ, we are connected to people throughout the world who share with us the same faith and the same responsibility to do our part to live out the gospel message.

Next weekend we will be given the opportunity to show, in a concrete way, this deep faith connection by making a pledge commitment to the Annual Catholic Appeal of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Last year our parish reached its goal and contributed approximately $102,000 to assist the work of the church, especially to the poor. And throughout the entire Archdiocese over 11 million dollars was raised.

What is the money used for? Consider just some of the following:

• To assist inner city schools and parishes so that tomorrow’s leaders who are African American and Hispanic can take and play a strong part in our church and society.
• To help the tremendous work of Catholic Relief Services and their response to places in the world where disaster has struck, to bring food and medical supplies to war torn areas like Darfur, Lebanon and many others.
• To help train lay men and women to assist in ministry in our parishes where there are fewer priests.
  To help men and women in Cook County Jail and to assist them in beginning their lives again when they come from prison through the great work done by Kolbe House, begun by a Chicago priest who recently passed away.
• To bring the love and message of Christ to children with special needs through the Special Religious Education program.
• To support the work of the Respect Life Office upholding the value and dignity of human life from the womb to the end of life for the elderly.

All of these important works, and more than there is room to mention, are works I am very proud to be connected with as a member of the Catholic Church and specifically of the Archdiocese of Chicago. I ask you on the weekend of February 10 & 11th to generously make a commitment and pledge what you are capable of, in order for the church’s work in our diocese to continue.

I am proud to tell people that I am the pastor of Saint Clement because your generosity is known far and wide.

-Fr. Tom Hickey

"...your reward shall be great in heaven."

How to pledge:
Pledge cards can be found in the back of the church, or with the parish receptionist.

For more information, contact the Archdiocese of Chicago at
312-655-7959 or visit www.annualcatholicappeal.com.