Wednesday, February 24, 2010

ARCHDIOCESE — Recession, unemployment, bailouts, natural disasters, military conflicts — there is much to pray about today. But these crises also offer us many reasons to express our gratitude for what we have and to share it with others.

The annual Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), administered by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Department of Stewardship, will begin at area parishes the weekend of Feb. 27-28. This year’s theme is “Always and Everywhere, Give Thanks,” with a goal of $4 million.

At a recent meeting of pastors from the Cathedral Deanery, Michael Vanderburgh of the Stewardship Office outlined the 2010 CMA program. (CT/E.L. Hubbard)

The appeal’s aim is to make area Catholics more aware of the ministries that benefit thousands of people throughout 19 counties of southwestern Ohio. These ministries include education for seminarians, deacons and lay pastoral ministers; Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio/Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley; hospital and prison chaplaincies; college campus ministries; St. Rita School for the Deaf; and the retired priests’ fund.
 
Cincinnati’s new archbishop, Dennis M. Schnurr, is encouraging every Catholic household to participate in the appeal, noting that “our work as church is to give thanks by giving — to seek the light of God’s presence and to share it with a world too often enveloped in deep and terrifying darkness. There is no better way we can show our gratitude to God than by showing God to others who are so hungry for Him.”
 
The archbishop describes the CMA as “a unique opportunity to show God’s face and share God’s love.” Responding to the appeal is “truly an opportunity for us to be united in our mission to be the church universal,” he said. “I’ve seen countless examples of the good work we are doing in our individual parishes, but there are some things we can be do much better together.”
 
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley assist thousands of people, regardless of their faith background, with food, shelter, a job or new home for a child.
 
The support of the CMA  is also vital to the work of chaplains who minister to those in area jails, prisons and hospitals, bringing God’s healing, hope and reconciling love to hundreds each year. Funds from the appeal help to cover program costs, salaries, volunteer stipends and materials.

The CMA is also an opportunity to support the education and formation of priests, deacons and lay pastoral ministers at the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. Theology and ministry training at the Athenaeum provide for the spiritual needs of more than 200 parishes. This ministry also includes outreach efforts to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Father Ryan Ruiz, ordained in 2008 and currently serving as an associate pastor at Incarnation Parish in Centerville, said, “The Athenaeum and Mount St. Mary’s nurture the whole diocese. It’s a true blessing to have this institute, this place of higher learning in the archdiocese — the fruits of our prayer for vocations and a priceless resource for the future of the church, right in our own backyard.”
 
For more information about the CMA, contact Michael Vanderburgh, director of the Stewardship Office, at 513-421-3131 or visit www.catholicappeal.info.