To our beloved St. Joseph Parish Family:
As we journey through the holy season of Lent, the Church invites us to devote time to the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As we reflect more deeply on the meaning of this season, we become aware of God’s blessings bestowed upon us, we are called to share those blessings with others, especially the poor, as well as the ministries of our parish and those of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Mid-January, the parishioners in the Archdiocese of Newark received an invitation from Cardinal Tobin to participate in the Annual Appeal. The Annual Appeal is an opportunity for all of us to express our gratitude, and to consider our support of the vital ministries that are central to our Catholic mission and our beautiful Archdiocese. In doing so, we continue serving so many people in Christ’s name. Your financial support of the Appeal provides our Archdiocese the resources to minister to the poor, welcome those on the margins, provide seminarian education to our future priests and much more. Be assured that 100% of the funds collected are solely used to support the ministries in the Annual Appeal materials.
Your pledge and gift to this year’s Appeal will also help St. Joseph receive possibly two financial incentives. Pledges made by June 30, 2023, that exceed the Stretch Goal of $35,233 will make our parish eligible for a rebate. The actual rebate amount will be based on the funds collected by December 31, 2023. This year 50% of our rebate will come to us and the other 50% will be used to help parishes in need.
Also, if we meet or exceed this goal in funds collected by June 30, 2023, St. Joseph Parish will receive a 2% assessment rate reduction in our parish assessment for Fiscal Year 2024. We will use any rebate money or savings towards our parish needs including other small upgrade projects which we will share with you, to support our ministries, or to pay down our legacy debt.
To make a gift online, visit www.rcan.org/sharing. Please don’t forget to select our parish name when making an online gift. You are also invited to submit a prayer intention by going to www.rcan.org/submit-prayer-request. Thank you for all that you do for our parish and for the ministries of our Archdiocese. You are in my prayers. I ask you to keep me, our parish and the success of this year’s Annual Appeal in yours as well.
To GIVE to God is to TRUST. “It is to acknowledge that God will provide, that God will protect. It is creating an investment in your own spirituality, your community, your family, and yes, your faith.” (Judith Briles).
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito