BISHOP'S MINISTRIES APPEAL 2022

A LETTER FROM FR. MARK ON THE BISHOP'S MINISTRIES APPEAL: "FEED MY LAMBS, FEED MY SHEEP"
 
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Every year at this time, the Bishop’s Appeal is held in our Diocese. This year, you may note the name of the appeal has been changed. Rather than call it “The Bishop’s Appeal”, it is now called “The Bishop’s Ministries Appeal”. This is a more accurate name for what the appeal is about. All the monies raised by the appeal are used for ministries that benefit the entire Diocese which fall under the oversight of the Bishop’s Office.

The theme for this year’s appeal is “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep” (See John 21). This was Jesus’ instruction to Peter as Peter confessed his love for Christ. We are to follow suit and to care for our brothers and sisters, both abroad and here in our own Diocese.

Your gift to the 2022 Bishop’s Ministries Appeal provides the financial support for many essential needs of our own Diocese; many of which are ministries that no parish on its own could provide. Your gift is one way we “Feed my Lambs” and extend our care towards others in the wider Church of Oakland. Each parish of the Diocese has an appeal goal that is determined by the Development Office of the Diocese. This year our goal is the same as the last several years: $117,500. Last year we reached 57.44% of that goal. I am sure that uncertainty around the pandemic impacted our result. However, I am very grateful to those 228 members of our parish community who gave to the 2021 Appeal. Thank you.

This year it is my hope we can reach at least 70% of our goal. Should we exceed 100% of our goal, anything raised in excess is returned to the parish for our use.

As we look around our parish and community, it is clear that God has been gracious and extremely generous to us. The appeal is a concrete way of sharing God’s generosity with our Catholic brothers and sisters throughout the Diocese of Oakland.

Donations to the Bishop's Appeal are restricted for use exclusively in four different areas of ministry:
  1. Pastoral Ministries and Services: This category includes ministries that no parish could provide on its own, such as Respect Life Justice programs, the Safe Environment for Children Program, the Youth Retreat Center in Lafayette, Diocesan wide Marriage Preparation retreats, CYO operations, Catholic Scouting, Young Adult and Children, Youth ministries and so much more.
  2. Religious Education and Formation, including teacher training, evangelization and outreach efforts, and The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
  3. Clergy Formation and Support, including the permanent Diaconate program, Priest retirement and long-term care, and ongoing Education Programs for Clergy.
  4. Support for Catholic Schools and parishes in need including operating subsidies, capital expenditure grants, and emergency funding support.
No money collected in the Appeal is used to pay off Diocesan debt or legal expenses. None of the funds are redirected to other causes nor can they be used for settlements in any legal case.

In just a few weeks, those who have supported the appeal in the past will receive a letter from the Diocese asking for your continued support this year. Informational brochures and appeal pledge envelopes will be available in in the vestibule of the church for everyone. Should you use one of the appeal envelopes, you can mail it directly to the Diocese or drop it into any collection here at your parish.

I realize that everyone’s financial situation is different. The decision to support the Appeal you make is between you and God. I ask you to please discuss your support of the Bishop’s Appeal with your family and prayerfully reflect upon the graces that God has bestowed upon you in your life. I know that through prayer and reflection, you will come to a meaningful response. Normally, the appeal looks for 10-month pledges, however, one-time gifts are also welcome. You can learn more and donate to the appeal online by visiting: https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-ministries-appeal
 
Should you donate online, please be sure in the appropriate field to let the Diocese know you wish your gift to be credited to the Catholic Community of Pleasanton. You will be able to select our parish from a drop-down menu. I recently made my pledge on-line and it was simple, fast and convenient.

While CCOP is our parish and our spiritual home, we are also part of a much larger, universal family. We have been entrusted with their care as well. If we act together as members of one family, united in Christ’s love, we can realize and accomplish great things. I thank you in advance for your generous response to the 2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.​

Peacefully,
Fr. Mark
2022 Bishop’s Ministries Appeal Prayer
Loving and merciful God, we are your family, brothers and sisters entrusted with the mission of your Church in the Diocese of Oakland.

We call upon our blessed Mother, Queen of the World and patroness of our Diocese, to guide us as a people committed to serving the needs of all God’s people, to tend the flock entrusted to our care.

Look upon us, loving Shepherd, the sheep you have redeemed by your Precious Blood. We offer you our grateful prayer and ask your blessing on all our endeavors. Amen.