Thursday, August 13, 2009

ARCHDIOCESE — Archbishop Daniel E Pilarczyk thanked the faithful who gave their time, talent and treasure towards the success of the 2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) at three recent Masses of Thanksgiving.

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk celebrates Mass at Holy Redeemer Parish in New Bremen on Aug. 2 in recognition of the area’s generosity to the Catholic Ministries Appeal. (CT/E.L. Hubbard)

The prayer intentions the archbishop has received over the past several months were offered at three liturgies — July 19 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains; Aug. 2 at Holy Redeemer Parish, New Bremen; and Aug. 9 at Ascension Parish, Dayton.

The 2009 CMA received an average gift of $104 from 166,073 parishioners at 230 parishes throughout the archdiocese. Proceeds from the campaign assist ministries education for seminarians, deacons and lay pastoral ministers; Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio; chaplains for hospitals and prisons; college campus ministries; St. Rita School for the Deaf; and the Retired Archdiocesan Priests Fund.

Michael Vanderburgh, director of the archdiocesan Department Stewardship, called the results of this year’s CMA “a hope-filled expression of faith on the part of parishioners.”

A short cookies and punch reception followed Mass at each location.