Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This year is a unique time of grace and responsibility. Together in the universal Church and with the guidance of Pope Francis, we are observing a Jubilee Year of Mercy. This holy year of prayer, reflection, and action centered on the mercy of God present in our lives and in our world inspires the theme of our Annual Catholic Appeal: The Hands of God’s Mercy.

As our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis reminds us, we are called to know the ways of God’s mercy in our own lives and

then to be The Hands of God’s Mercy for others in our world. Pope Francis invites us to reclaim and support the spiritual and corporal works of mercy—something we can do through the Annual Catholic Appeal.

In a partnership of generosity, the Annual Catholic Appeal enables us to be The Hands of God’s Mercy in our world. The Appeal supports efforts to share the joy of the Gospel, inviting generations to become Jesus’ disciples. In addition, the Appeal helps to sustain Catholic schools, needy parishes, programs of religious education and ministerial formation, the many initiatives for the protection of life and the promotion of peace and justice, and the many other ways we as an Archdiocese proclaim the Gospel in our midst. The Appeal also funds Catholic Relief Services in reaching out to the poor and to those whose lives are devastated by natural disasters, illnesses, wars, and famines, no matter their religious affiliation.

Please join hands with me and so many others in the Archdiocese in this good work by making a generous gift to this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal. We want to be The Hands of God’s Mercy. Having known God’s mercy in our own lives, we now want to share it with others. I promise you that we will be good stewards of your generous gift.

As I thank God for many gifts, I offer each of you my pledge of prayers and a remembrance at the Lord’s Table.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich Archbishop of Chicago

Archbishop Quigley Center • 835 North Rush Street • Chicago, Illinois 60611 • (312) 534-7959www.annualcatholicappeal.com

2016

Archdiocese of Chicago

Annual Catholic Appeal

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How Your gift is Used2016 annual catholic appeal

Any funds raised are carefully spent; it is money for God’s work and we use it accordingly.

When you acknowledge your God-given blessings by making a gift of $1,500 or more to the Annual Catholic Appeal, Archbishop Cupich welcomes you into the Lumen Cordium Society. In addition to the spiritual benefits of God’s gifts, Society membership includes:

• Invitation to the annual Mass and Reception with the Archbishop• Recognition in the annual publication of the Lumen Cordium Society members• Inclusion in the Prayer Intention Book of Society membership

Additionally, those who make a gift of $5,000 or more are invited to an annual reception at The Residence. Please note that your Lumen Cordium Society pledge can be made payable in installments.

The Annual Catholic Appeal supports the work of the Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago. No money donated to the Annual Catholic Appeal has been or will be used to defray expenses related to misconduct issues.

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO

www.AnnualCatholicAppeal.com

Annual Catholic Appeal 2016

Ministry Priorities of the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal$ 5,000,000 Local Communities: support for parishes and schools serving financially

challenged communities

$ 1,000,000 Religious Education: support for youth, young adult, campus and adult religious education ministries

$ 900,000 Parish Life: programs to support the mission of the Church in parishes

$ 700,000 Parish Transformation: programs to revitalize local parish communities

$ 650,000 Catholic Relief Services: assisting the poor and vulnerable overseas

$ 500,000 Lay Formation: continuing education for lay volunteers and staff serving in parish communities

$ 500,000 Priest Education: continuing education for priests ordained for the Archdiocese

$ 200,000 Respect Life: activities to promote the dignity of life from conception to natural death

$ 200,000 Social Justice: activities supporting Catholic social teaching through Kolbe House prison ministry and Peace & Justice initiatives

$ 3,750,000 Parish Rebates: when an individual parish exceeds their Annual Catholic Appeal target, all funds raised over the target are returned to the parish for use with their local ministries

$ 13,400,000 Ministries Total

$ 1,600,000 Cost of the Appeal: design, printing, postage, production, staff and vendors who implement the Annual Catholic Appeal

$ 15,000,000 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal Goal

The earliest disciples heard the words of Jesus, and so do we. Centered

on Jesus and bonded by His word, we ourselves make up the Catholic

Church - the Body of Christ - in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

We have known the gifts of God in our lives, beginning with God’s

call and love given generously to each one of us. God’s generosity to

us prompts us to support those in need and to support the Church

herself, for she connects us to Christ and has been a rich source of

blessing for us and so many others.

Each year, the Archdiocese of Chicago reaches out to the Catholic Faith

Community and asks for support for the schools, programs, agencies

and ministries that serve the educational, physical and spiritual needs

of our people. Your gift provides the much needed financial resources

to help advance the mission of the Church in Chicago.

“The Annual Catholic Appeal reminds us that we are part of a bigger church and participate in the ministry of the Bishop across the Archdiocese. Through our participation, we try and support other parishes so that they can enjoy what we enjoy-excellence in religious education and in our school. We are reminded that we are a missionary Church and need to reach out across many boundaries to be in solidarity with brothers and sisters we will never meet personally, but with whom we gather in faith at the Eucharistic table. The future Church will depend on those in formation programs today. It’s in our own best interest, and that of our children and grandchildren, to invest in them with trust and hope in the Holy Spirit.”

Father David DowdleSt. John of the CrossWestern Springs

“The Church has the capacity to bring peace, love and healing to the world. It is a source of hope. That is why we contribute what we can and why we give to the Lumen Cordium Society.”

Belinda & Lancy RodriguesSt. Edna, Arlington Heights

Catholic Relief Services represents the Church’s healing presence throughout the world. Without regard for religious affiliation, their work promotes human development by

responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies.Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, the generosity of the people

of the Archdiocese of Chicago is passed on to support this important ministry.

we welcome . we serve . we support“ We are happy to help people

through the Annual Catholic Appeal because we have been so blessed and want to help others who are not as fortunate.”

Elizabeth KieferOur Lady of the Brook Northbrook

We are the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Graced by the gospel and spirit of Jesus

Christ, we nourish faith through Catholic schools and religious education programs, and support the

many critical agencies and ministries of the Church. Through your support of the Annual Catholic

Appeal, you assist in passing on the treasures of faith to a new generation of Jesus’ disciples.

annual catholic appeal 2016

The Hands of God’s Mercy

“ We taught our children from an early age what God wanted them to do - to look out for and take care of others.”

Lois & Ulysee NelsonSt. John de la Salle Chicago

Annual Catholic Appeal 2016

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO

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