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Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit… for the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)
This Gospel reading beautifully illustrates the extraordinary success of the Forward in Faith, Hope, and Lovecampaign. Beginning in 2011, the seeds were planted with the early involvement of both clergy and laity, who laid the foundation for this historic initiative. In 2013, the first seeds began to sprout and grow with the efforts of our Pilot parishes. Over the last eighteen months, with pastors and volunteers conducting their local parish campaigns, this remarkable growth continued as parishioners opened their hearts to the mission of the Church and made sacrificial gifts to help build God’s kingdom in western North Carolina.
This will be the last Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love electronic newsletter update. The stories of sacrifice, ministry, blessings, and community that have been reported from parish campaigns are humbling. To all the dedicated pastors, leaders, and volunteers, THANK YOU for the weeks and months of commitment and support you gave to this effort. Your service exemplified the Diocesan Mission Statement at every milestone and challenge:
We the people of God in the Diocese of Charlotte, fortified in the Father, redeemed in the Son, empowered in the Spirit, are called to grow ever more perfectly into a community of praise, worship, and witness. We seek to become ever more enthusiastically a leaven of service and a sign of peace through love in Piedmont and Western North Carolina.
Now, as we conclude the active phase of the Campaign, the fullness of the harvest is being realized through the distribution of funds both to our parishes, and throughout the 46 counties of the Diocese. Thousands will benefit from this incredible outpouring of generosity – students in our Catholic schools, men in formation in our seminaries, retired clergy, those in faith formation programs and all in need who turn to Catholic Charities for assistance. The Diocese of Charlotte has already distributed more than $10 million to the case components and will continue to make quarterly distributions until pledges have been fulfilled.
Please, continue to pray the Campaign Prayer:
Loving and Gracious God, We thank you for all the ways you have been present to your Church in Western North Carolina. Look with favor on our petitions and bless our endeavor to promote the splendor of your truth. Guide us as we progress forward on our pilgrim journey, through faith, with hope, in love. We ask this through the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
May God bless each and every one of you for your commitment to His mission! |
