A few months ago, in February, our Diocese of Trenton launched the 2025 Annual Catholic Appeal. The theme chosen by our Bishop aligns with Pope Francis’ theme for this Pilgrimage Holy Year. Bishop O’Connell chose the theme, “Fan the Flame of Hope.” This year, their financial appeal introduced a few changes.
The first is that the Diocese has concentrated their efforts in reaching out to our parish population in the first half of the year, with the last letter from the Bishop mailed in June. Related to this change, there is a parish incentive built into this first half of the year: if we receive pledges that reach our parish goal by July 31st, then our parish receives an additional 5% of the goal amount directly to OLGC. This year our parish goal was lowered, too, to $119,000. Once we reach our Diocesan goal, every dollar donated comes back to OLGC!
As of this past week, we have pledges of $114,700. That means that we are within striking distance of achieving pledges exceeding our goal, needing just a little more than $4,000 in additional pledges in July. To that end, I have personally made a new donation of $300, and I invite parishioners who have been thinking about participating this year to take a moment and complete the pledge cards which are available, or to complete your pledge online by visiting giveaca.org.
Many have already pledged or made payments to the 2025 campaign; your pledge this month could make the difference in our parish receiving an additional $5,950 rebate directly to OLGC, so I thank you for that continued generosity.
A second area of change in the campaign this year is one that you have heard me advocate for a few years: increased participation from parish families. Last year, 369 parish families contributed to the Diocesan Campaign, through which we received a direct rebate back to OLGC of $28,803. So far this year, we have had 256 families make a pledge or donation to the Annual Catholic Appeal. To reach the goal of 5% increased participation – which will also yield an additional 5% rebate to OLGC – we need 132 more families to participate in the campaign before the end of the calendar year. The amount you are able to contribute is less important as we near our goal than the fact that each family who contributes participates in the important work of our Diocese.
As you know, we have begun a push to pray for an increase in vocations from OLGC this past week, which we will continue throughout each month and year. Did you know that a substantial portion of our Diocesan costs, funded by the Annual Campaign, include the training of deacons and priests, and support for retired priests? Please consider making a pledge or donation of you have not yet participated this year, or in the past. Your donation of $5, $10, or $25 will make a difference in the training of future priests to serve each of us in the Diocese of Trenton.
I thank you in advance for your continued support of both our Diocese and OLGC
- Father Jim
Hospice Care Information
Faith at Home
These links provides you with the latest one-page resource for families, Faith At Home; it connects to the theme of the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. This resource is updated each week and can be found on the diocesan webpage at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faith-at-home and en Español at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/fe-en-casa.
May God continue to bless us and keep us close to Him.
Please support the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help local families in need. Those needing help should call the SVDP helpline at 856-291-7313. Click this link to visit the SVdP website: www.SVDPmoorestown.org
Local food pantries include:
St. Matthew's Church, 318 Chester Ave.
First Baptist Church, 19 West Main St., Moorestown
Bethel AME, 512 N. Church St., Moorestown
Prince of Peace 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053
SVDP also has Thinking of You cards available. A gift can be given to the poor in the name of someone special at your
request. You will be remembered in the prayers and works of the Moorestown Vincentians. We are so very grateful for your
generous ongoing donations.
Our Promise to Protect
The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. The Diocese has in place a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, who is available to obtain support for your needs and help you make a formal complaint of abuse.
If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or via email at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org.
The Diocese encourages anyone with an allegation to also report that abuse to their local law enforcement agency. The Diocese reports all allegations received to the appropriate county prosecutor’s office.
ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS
please click on the corresponding hyperlinks below
