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Diocese of Ogdensburg
Diocesan Administrator
Bishop’s Fund Appeal
622 WASHINGTON STREET · P.O. BOX 369 · OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK 13669
TELEPHONE: 315-393-2920 |
Pastors’ Advisory Committee
Rev. Msgr. Robert Lawler
St. Mary’s, Waddington
Rev. Msgr. John Murphy
Moderator of Curia
Rev. Thomas Kornmeyer
St. Bernard’s, Saranac Lake
Rev. John Yonkovig
St. Peter’s, Plattsburgh
Rev. Scott Seymour
CC of St. Philip of Jesus
and St. Joseph
Willsboro and Essex
Rev. Msgr. Dennis Duprey
Malone Catholic Parishes
Rev. Joseph Giroux
St. Bartholomew’s, Old Forge
St. Anthony of Padua Parish
of Inlet and Raquette Lake
Rev. Steven Murray
Church of the Holy Family
Watertown
Rev. Andrew Amyot
Church of the Visitation
Norfolk
Mrs. Janice Shoen
Executive Director
Development Office
Mrs. Valerie Mathews
Director
Bishop’s Fund Office |
Dear Friends In Christ,
“We, Though Many, Are One Body,” the theme for this year’s Bishop’s Fund Appeal, provides us with the opportunity to reflect upon the larger Church, to look beyond ourselves, to care and lend support for the entire family of God, the one Body of Christ.
We know that the Church is not merely a building constructed of brick and mortar where we gather to worship. No, the Church is comprised of millions of individuals from all walks of life. The Church, the family of God, includes:
- The seminarian, studying to become a priest, who will one day baptize your children and grandchildren.
- Your children in Catholic school or faith formation class learning their faith, traditions and Christian values.
- Your teenage daughter spiritually energized after attending Confirmation retreat or Camp Guggenheim.
- The young couple preparing for the sacrament of marriage.
- The inactive Catholic whom we are calling to “come home,” “we need you,” “we love you.”
- Your neighbor or friend who is having difficulty providing food for mealtime at home.
- Your parent or grandparent who is struggling to pay for prescription medication.
For more than fifty years, the people of the Diocese of Ogdensburg have so generously supported the Bishop’s Fund Appeal and for that we are most grateful. Although, at this time, we do not have a bishop to call our own, the important works supported by this Appeal continue and are especially critical in these difficult economic times. The Bishop’s Fund Appeal is not, strictly speaking, a “fund” for our bishop. Your gift to the Bishop’s Fund allows the programs and vital services of the Bishop’s Fund agencies to continue.
Your generous support of this Appeal is essential to the spiritual growth of the faithful across our diocese. Thank you for being as supportive as possible of the 2009 Bishop’s Fund Appeal through your prayers and financial contributions.
Wishing God’s blessings to you and your loved ones, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Terry R. LaValley, J.C.L.
Diocesan Administrator
Diocese of Ogdensburg |
Bishop’s Fund Appeal Continues as We Await a New Bishop
A Bishop’s Fund Appeal without a Bishop? “Why are we still having a Bishop’s Fund Appeal when we don’t have a bishop?” In the past, as we have awaited a new bishop, many have asked this very question. The Bishop’s Fund Appeal is not merely a fund for our bishop, it is a fund for every member of our diocesan family. It is essential for us to carry on and continue building the foundations of faith in our lives and in the lives of our children for “We, Though Many, Are One Body”. The agencies of the Bishop’s Fund Appeal through your support provide the many programs and services which are so vital to the spiritual growth of every member of our family of faith here in the North Country.
Rev. Terry R. LaValley, Diocesan Administrator, reflecting on the Bishop’s Fund Appeal states, “The Diocese of Ogdensburg has been blessed with remarkable shepherds who have, in recent years, been called to serve the Church in other dioceses. Yet, during these times of transition, our Bishop’s Fund Appeal hasn’t experienced a hiccup in the generous giving of the people of the North Country. Clearly, we know that the ministries supported by this annual appeal are essential to the growth of this One Body of Christ, the Church. We are never more Church than when we see the Christ in others and respond with generous hearts to their spiritual and material needs.”
. Your support of the Bishop’s Fund enables:
- Young men and women to answer God’s call to the priesthood or religious life.
- Our priests to continue to attend programs and conferences on education and formation.
- Lay men and women to become involved in parish ministry as a Lay Minister.
- Our entire family to come to the assistance of our friends and neighbors who are experiencing hardships due to work loss, health concerns and unexpected financial difficulties.
- Parents to send their children to a quality Catholic school or Religious Education program.
- Youth, the future of the Catholic Church, to grow in faith through retreats and camps.
- College students to participate in campus ministry programs while they are away from their home parish.
- Adults to become active in “Why? Catholic” faith-sharing groups.
The Bishop’s Fund Appeal will take place in all parishes across the Diocese the weekend of September 19 & 20. Please consider a gift to support this year’s Appeal. Your gift, whatever the amount, helps the Diocese reach out to thousands each year. Donations can also be mailed to: The Bishop’s Fund Appeal, PO Box 150, Ogdensburg, New York 13669.
To learn more about the Appeal and to view the 2009 Bishop’s Fund video, please
visit our website at www.dioogdensburg.org/development. |
