I am heartened at how the faithful of the Archdiocese embrace the spirit of unleashing the Gospel. Through our annual Catholic Services Appeal, we have opened doors to encounter Jesus as well as to grow with him. This year, our theme emboldens us to witness Christ through the ministries, programs, and services the CSA funds.
Fully living as a disciple of Jesus Christ requires following his commission to make disciples — Opening Doors to Witness Christ to others. We accomplish this when we allow his Good News to inspire joyful words and deeds each day. As we become conscious witnesses to God’s everlasting mercy, we unleash the Gospel to everyone we meet.
Each year when we support the CSA, we renew this opportunity to witness Jesus. The CSA fuels the engine of the Gospel mission of our Archdiocese. Supporting our annual appeal unites us as a faith community in all of the good works we are able to provide together. The spirit of joining together to witness Christ in carrying out these works of mercy is what Pope Francis envisioned when he encouraged us to become a “joyful band” of missionary disciples.
As you prayerfully consider your pledge to the 2019 CSA, please take a moment to reflect on the many ways your friends and neighbors are able to witness Christ because of the many doors we have opened through the CSA. I am sure you will be inspired to once again make the most generous gift possible.
The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit
Opening Doors to Witness Christ
To live fully as a disciple is to make disciples. (Unleash the Gospel, Marker 9.3: Witness)
In the pastoral letter, Unleash the Gospel, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron asks us to make Jesus “known by our word and deed” — Opening Doors to Witness Christ, the theme of the 2019 Catholic Services Appeal.
The CSA gives us an opportunity to live out our discipleship in Christ through the many benefits our annual appeal provides. These ministries, programs, and services meet the spiritual and physical needs of parishes and countless people throughout the Archdiocese. Our support demonstrates our own Catholic faith as we strive to grow in our love of Jesus as His missionary disciples.
When we embrace the CSA for carrying out the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, we witness Christ, and in turn, we open doors so others may also develop a deeper relationship with Him. We also extend our personal involvement in our local Church beyond our home parishes.
The CSA enables Archbishop Vigneron, his auxiliary bishops, the clergy, religious men and women, and the lay faithful to carry out Christ’s ministry of mercy and love throughout southeast Michigan and beyond — works no one individual or parish could possibly do alone.
Please take a moment to read how gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal are helping your brothers and sisters in Christ witness our Lord in southeast Michigan.