Annual Appeal supports more than 30 ministries in archdiocese

By Shannon Roh
For The Catholic Week
MOBILE — Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi and Executive Director of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Mobile, Mrs. Shannon D. Roh, have announced that the 2023 Catholic Charities Appeal goal is $4.7 million. The basic pledge is $636 per year, which is $53 per month for 12 months. The 2023 Catholic Charities Appeal theme remains "In all things Charity." Each of our ministries funded by the Catholic Charities Appeal emulate St. Matthew’s lesson on the beatitudes as they show Christ’s mercy to those in need throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” — Matthew 5:7.
For 92 years the faithful in our archdiocese have shown mercy for those in need through their generosity to the annual Catholic Charities Appeal. The appeal supports more than 30 ministries throughout central and southern Alabama. These ministries feed the hungry, clothe the naked, assist the elderly and those with disabilities, help a family adopt a child, provide life sustaining medication for those who cannot afford it, strengthen the faith of our youth, minister to the seafarers, love the abandoned, provide outreach to the imprisoned and even give hope to the unborn. Alabama is the sixth-poorest state in the nation according to alabamapossible.org. The need is tremendous, and your generosity is a blessing to tens of thousands of individuals in mental, physical and spiritual need.   
Everyone should have received a letter from Archbishop Rodi attached to a brochure and pledge card. Please update your information on the pledge card, add your pledge intention and return this pledge envelope to your parish by Jan. 29, Catholic Charities Appeal Sunday. It is our goal to have all pledges returned by Appeal Sunday. To make your donation online, text CCA to 91999 or visit mobarch.org and click on the Catholic Charities Banner on the main page to give online. Every dollar donated is used to fund ministries in the southern half of Alabama that makes up the Archdiocese of Mobile.
Fr. Paul Zoghby shared some inspirational words with our priests and Catholic Charities parish teams at the Catholic Charities training dinners in November. Fr. Zoghby, pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland in Foley, is certainly no stranger to Catholic Charities as he once ran the annual Catholic Charities Appeal. 
Fr. Zoghby explained that “when we talk about Catholic Charities, we realize that every human need that our blessed Savior mentions is really a ministry of Catholic Charities. Children in the womb are protected. Troubled young people and couples are given counseling. The elderly poor are given a home. These ministries provide direct aid, food, clothing, life-sustaining medication and so much more.” He shared the message from the Gospel of Matthew 25:30-46 on the judgement of the nations and how our gifts to the Catholic Charities Appeal are separating us as sheep from the goats. He went on to explain that “the Lord’s mission to fill the needs of the people is achieved through the ministries funded by the Catholic Charities Appeal.”  
Archbishop Rodi closed the November training meetings with more inspiring words of wisdom which we will all hear at Mass on Catholic Charities Appeal weekend. 
Archbishop Rodi continues to offer a monthly Mass for all the intentions returned through the Catholic Charities Appeal.  Please pray the Catholic Charities Prayer and consider how you will answer the call to be Merciful to our neighbors in need.