Archbishop’s Message on Annual Archdiocesan Appeal, Stewardship
Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
I offer blessings and gratitude to all who participated in last year’s annual appeal. All deserve a hearty round of applause! It is a wonderful testimony of sharing and stewarding God’s abundant gifts.
The 2010 Catholic Charities/Archdiocesan Annual Appeal begins on the 4th Sunday of Lent, March 14, with a goal to raise $150,000 or better by Pentecost Sunday, May 23. This new goal marks a 1.1% increase from last year’s collection.
Traditionally, since the 1940s under Bishop Apollinaris W. Baumgartner, the funds collected through the appeal supported the education of our diocesan seminarians and continuing education of our priests. In time, the annual appeal extended to include the ministries to the sick, imprisoned, youth-at-risk and the Redemptoris Mater Seminary.
This year I would like to build on the generosity of our people to include other areas of pastoral need: family ministry; youth, young adult and campus ministry; adult education; persons with special needs; and marriage ministry.
In 2009, a total of $139,529 was collected from our parishes, schools, and organizations, including a donation from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Our clergy kicked off the annual appeal and contributed a total of $16,280, setting a spirited pace for the Archdiocese. I ask that we continue to build on that spirit for this year’s annual appeal.
Archdiocese of Agana pastors and team captains attend an informational meeting on the 2010 Catholic Charities/Archdiocesan Annual Appeal Wed, Mar. 10 at the Chancery. L-R: Antonia Santos and husband Francisco, Our Lady of Guadalupe; Former Agat Mayor Antonio Babauta, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; Susan Gumataotao, June Regalado, Nino Perdido; Fr. Lonilo Torres, Frank Camacho, St. Joseph; and Wayne Santos, Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey.
A couple months ago the Archdiocese of Agana was once again introduced and challenged to a deeper sense of living the Christian spirituality of Stewardship as a way of life. At our Stewardship and Development training, we were reminded that we are stewards of God’s abundant blessings. Our stewardship is about recognizing God’s generous and plentiful gifts to us. It is about making a joyful return to God through our time, talent and treasure. We are all asked to care for one another with an attitude of sharing our gifts especially with our brothers and sisters in need of our love, our charity.
Parish and religious communities, schools and CCD classes, and church organizations are all invited and encouraged to participate.
I am asking all Catholics to offer to God a day’s wage to this year’s appeal.
Individually or collectively, you can make a one-time contribution for this year’s appeal or make your contribution by installments during the remainder of the Lenten season and throughout the 50 days of Easter.
I also call on businesses owned by Catholics, to offer a day’s revenue. Your gift is tax deductable and a receipt for your contribution will be issued.
Let us all help make the 2010 Catholic Charities/Archdiocesan Annual Appeal a stunning success. Let us be of one heart, of one mind, and of one will to build a strong and healthy Catholic community in Guam.
Si Yu’os Ma’ase’.
Most Reverend Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana
March 5, 2010