Truth in charity (February, 2025)
by The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico
02/11/2025
In this Year of Jubilee, the Holy Father has called us to “fan the flame of hope that has been given to us.” It is our mission to help share opportunities to engage in spiritual renewal whether at home in our diocese or on pilgrimage to Rome.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we approach this year’s Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and share the tremendous impact your contributions have on our diocesan family. Our theme, “One Faith, One Family,” symbolizes our connection. The CSA unites us, extending our ability to reach well beyond the efforts of any single parish. Together, we fulfill our mission to evangelize, educate, serve, proclaim the Word, celebrate the sacraments and bring hope to people in need across the Diocese of Erie. This year, we’re excited to share how your contributions make a tangible difference in three significant areas: prayer, discipleship and service.
IN PRAYER
Faith is a lifelong pilgrimage, and through your contributions to the CSA, we can accompany individuals on their journey from baptism to adulthood and beyond. The CSA funds essential programs that support every stage of life — from faith formation 9 for young children and Catholic education to the sacraments of confirmation, marriage preparation through Pre-Cana and ongoing adult formation. Your support ensures that everyone, regardless of age or stage of life, has the opportunity to grow closer to God and deepen their Catholic faith.
IN DISCIPLESHIP
Evangelization is central to our mission, and the CSA allows us to bring the Gospel to life through our communications outreach. Your generosity helps produce Faith magazine, a publication that reaches tens of thousands, sharing inspiring stories and teaching the beauty of our Catholic faith. From accounts of everyday discipleship to reflections on Catholic teachings, Faith magazine serves as a beacon of hope and learning for families across the diocese. This past summer, our communications professionals could attend the National Eucharistic Congress — an assembly of more than 60,000 faithful Catholics — to bring the spirit of the profound gathering back home to our diocese on multiple platforms. Thanks to your support, these stories continue to inspire and engage our community in its faith journey, deepening its connection to the Eucharist.
IN SERVICE
Your generosity to the CSA enables us to meet a growing need for mental health support through the initiatives of Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services (CCCAS), an agency of Catholic Charities. With your help, we can provide a wide breadth of mental health services, offering hope and healing to those in need. Expanded locations throughout our 13 counties — and our new telehealth options — make it possible to reach even the most remote areas, ensuring that support is accessible to all. By supporting the CSA, you are directly contributing to “providing hope for a better future” for those struggling with mental health challenges.
The Catholic Church’s reach in northwest Pennsylvania is vast and diverse, spanning from bustling cities to serene rural landscapes. Your contributions to the CSA empower diocesan offices to serve every corner of our diocese, keeping alive the spirit of Christ’s love across all communities.
I invite you to be a part of this year’s Catholic Services Appeal, uniting as “One Faith, One Family,” helping to sustain and expand this beautiful legacy. In giving, we receive, embodying the Gospel message to love one another as Christ loves us.
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