Share Life - 2014 Campaign

“To love God and neighbour is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely."  - Pope Francis

Pope Francis calls us to be generous in our love for each other as we serve one another in need, reflecting the example that Jesus left us to follow. Our charitable challenge to “love God and neighbour”as a community takes on various forms across our archdiocese. Initiatives like out of the cold programs, food banks, and parish visitation programs that minister to elderly, sick and disabled people are examples of outreach that we can actually see, touch and feel.
Our annual ShareLife appeal is an excellent example of how we bring the Gospel to life in our communities, offering an opportunity for us to serve as the hands of Christ, embracing those struggling among us. A contribution to ShareLife is more than a gift of our financial resources; it is a tangible demonstration of the way that we reach out to care for those in need.

Last year, ShareLife agencies provided over 354,000 services to over 96,000 people and assisted countless others in developing countries around the world. In 42 municipalities, in 225 parishes, and in more than 20 languages, those in need received compassionate care as a result of our generosity. Yet with more resources, our agencies can extend their effectiveness even further. Our goal in 2014 is to raise $12.65 million through the ShareLife parish campaign in order to sustain the vital work of these agencies, a goal that can be achieved by all supporting our annual appeal.

Each one of us is called to “love God and neighbour” and to view those who are poor and marginalized as the face of the Lord to be served. How are we living that call each day? The ShareLife campaign provides an opportunity to demonstrate that. This year I hope you will join me as together we work wonders in answering God’s call to serve joyfully through a generous gift to people in need.  Today is Sharelife Sunday.
Please be generous!
Peace