During my travels around our diocese, I am often reminded that we are ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Jesus’ name. One of those extraordinary things is adult faith formation. Adult faith formation leaders in our parishes share their faith with parishioners who then go on to share their more vibrant faith with family and friends.
Another extraordinary thing we are doing is forming strong parish and school leaders through the Emmaus Program. This program provides lay leadership training to people interested in serving as parish business managers, pastoral associates, liturgy coordinators and religious educators. They are future lay leaders for our parishes.
Teaching young people about the faith is challenging, but thankfully we have well-trained teachers like Kari Kruser of St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Two Rivers. Kari receives her training from Sr. Jackie Spanolia of the diocesan Education Department. For Kari, sharing her faith with teenagers has been a deeply rewarding experience.
As a diocese, we are blessed to have such dedicated leaders in our parishes and Catholic schools. I am also thankful for the strong support the people of the diocese give to the Bishop’s Appeal each year. This generosity helps provide this important training to many people throughout the diocese and demonstrates we are “Alive in Faith.”
That is why this year Bishop’s Appeal theme is Alive in Faith. For me, it sums up who we are as Catholics. We are indeed Alive in Faith when we are prayerful, kind, caring and generous with our brothers and sisters. Through the Bishop’s Appeal we reach out to people in need of the compassionate, loving assistance provided through the social services of Catholic Charities. Many of the individuals and families served through Catholic Charities have no insurance and nowhere to turn for help. The church is there for them with open arms, welcoming them in from the cold.
A gift to the Bishop’s Appeal changes lives and even saves lives. This impact happens through the work of our parishes, Catholic schools and the other ministries of the Diocese of Green Bay. Please prayerfully consider making a generous pledge to the 2013 Bishop’s Appeal. Thank you for helping the work of the church move from ordinary to extraordinary.
