Weekend of February 5-6, 2022

Dear Friends,

This weekend, the Archdiocese officially kicks-off the 2022 CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL, the theme of which is Giving Hope to All. The Catholic Charities Appeal reaches out to those among us with special needs, and the fact that the Archdiocese is the single largest provider of social services in the Delaware Valley is a testament to its far-reaching effects.

I am very happy to inform you that, in the 2021 Catholic Charities Appeal, we, as a parish, exceeded our goal of $21,864 by raising a total of $27,677! This is the second year in a row we have exceeded our parish goal, and the 2021 total is an increase of almost $4,000 from the 2020 total. This is certainly an amazing achievement, but is, in every way, a reflection of the great sense of generosity and sacrifice for which the good people of Saint Timothy’s are well known.  

I now ask you to please prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift to this year’s Appeal, for this very important campaign of the Archdiocese, which directly helps our ministries to those who are most poor and vulnerable. Every gift counts, and it is my hope that every family and wage earner will make a significant contribution to this year’s campaign, as their means allow. Our parish goal of $21,864 can be met, and even exceeded, if everyone does his or her fair share (we have certainly proven that with the results of the last two years!).

I remind you that Catholic Charities is no longer a second collection in church, like so many other special collections we take throughout the year. It is now a direct mail campaign that basically lasts for a whole year. You should have received a mailing from the Archdiocesan Catholic Charities office, containing a campaign brochure and a gift/pledge card, along with an envelope within which you would be able to send your gift or pledge. The Archdiocese prefers you to use this direct-mail method to make your Catholic Charities gift. In light of this preference, I would ask you not to place your Catholic Charities contribution in the collection basket in church. Thank you for your cooperation and your understanding.

I invite you to pray, once a week, as an individual or as a family, the official 2022 Catholic Charities Appeal prayer:

God, our Father, we thank you for all the gifts and blessings
that you give out of your love for us all.                                                                                                               
You call us to open our hearts to share what we have been given.
Grant that through giving to the Catholic Charities Appeal,
we may bring joy, hope and strength to those most in need.
Our charity towards those in need is a real way in which we show our gratitude and love for you.
Through this year’s Catholic Charities Appeal,
may we help as many people as we can, including
a young person striving to learn and grow in Faith;
a deaf child receiving a quality Catholic Education;
a veteran who is struggling with homelessness;
a parish carrying out vital local missionary work;
a retired priest who has dedicated his life to the needs of the faithful.
Help us to do all we can to make sure the “poor have their fill” of your blessings. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
OUR LADY OF CHARITY, PRAY FOR US.
SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL, PRAY FOR US.
SAINT JOHN NEUMANN, PRAY FOR US.

This weekend we welcome the Little Sisters of the Poor, who are visiting us to make their annual appeal. I remind you of the great work the Little Sisters do in serving the elderly at Holy Family Home in West Philadelphia. The sisters perform their great ministry worldwide, without any financial assistance from the government. They depend solely on the providence of God and the generosity of good people like ourselves. I ask you, as always, to be attentive to the sisters’ message and to be as generous as you possibly can. The sisters will be at the entrances of the church, where you will be able to greet them and to give them your financial gift personally.

            Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere