541 Washington Ave Kenilworth, NJ 07033

Dear Parishioners,

The Archbishop's Annual Appeal will begins in two weeks with Pledge Sunday on February 4th and 5th. This gives our parish an opportunity to participate in what I like to term "Our partnership with the Archdiocese."

Our Archbishop's Annual Appeal helps support our "Family of Faith." Archbishop John Joseph Myers has told us: "Your gift helps children learn about a loving God in our schools and religious education programs that teach about life here and hereafter." I thought about our excellent Middle States Accredited School under the leadership of Sister Emy DeFilippi and the Salesian Sisters. Our Religious Education program under the direction of Sister Monique is another shining example of spiritual strength in our community. The support service from the Archdiocesan Center which is funded through the Appeal helps to continue to offer quality education in our school and religious education activities in our parish.

The Archbishop's Annual Appeal helps aid a seminarian in training or an older priest in retirement. Father Coda, and Father Al are retired from our parish and receive benefits through the Archbishop's Annual Appeal. I also call your attention to the many seminarians who have passed through our parish in recent years - Fr. Steve Duffe, Fr. Brian Platte, Fr. Gerry Prendiville, Fr. Patrick Flannery, Fr. Ordanico De La Pena, Fr. Jose Marques, Fr. Piotr Maslanka, Fr. John Radwan , Fr. Robert Gajewski, Fr. Irek Pierzchala, Fr. Frank Fano, and in a few months Fr. Lucasz Rokta.
Your gift to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal helps seminarians on their way to the priesthood. The Archbishop's Annual Appeal also helps to support the Archdiocesan Office for Youth Ministry. Richard Donovan, our Youth Minister for our parish and St. Michael's, Cranford, is also working at the Archdiocesan Youth Office in Kearny.

As you can see the Archbishop's Annual Appeal helps provide needed services throughout the Archdiocese and has a direct impact on our own parish and parishes throughout the Archdiocese. We have consistently been over our goal since 1995. As a result we receive a rebate from the Archbishop's Annual Appeal.

Here is a breakdown of the rebates we have received since 1995:
1995 $  8,774.00
1997 $20,141.00
1998 $18,418.00
1999 $21,998.90
2000 $23,473.81 plus $   832.50 $24,306.31
2001 $25,537.00 plus $1,009.00 $26,546.00
2002 $26,196.31 plus $1,380.50 $27,576.81
2003 $17,407.31
2004 $21,665.31
2005 $17,368.64
2006 $17,416.85
2007 $18,215.97
2008 $16,732.00
2009 $14,850.83
2010 $20,121.92
2011 $16,601.88
TOTAL $319,533.23 AVERAGE $18,800.00

In the past years, we have used the rebate to help defray roof expenses, cleaning the floors in the Church, refinishing the pews in the Church, the heating and air conditioning systems in the Church and Rectory. The rebates have helped with expenses in three main areas of our parish: Parochial School, Religious Education, and Youth Ministry.

During the Homily on the weekend of Feb. 4-5, I will show a video from Archbishop Myers and then ask our parishioners to pick up an envelope and pencil in the pew and make a pledge. I thank you on behalf of the Archdiocese for your pledge last year. Your generosity has been a great help not only to the Archdiocese, but also to our parish.   The pledge cards will be filled out during the homily and collected before the first collection. I hope everyone takes advantage of the invitation to be a part of the partnership in the Appeal. Your pledge shows your confidence in our Mission. I thank you in advance for your pledge as we continue to provide quality Faith leadership and growth in our Archdiocese and Parish.

God Bless You, Father Joe