Dear Dr. Piazza:
I can’t thank you enough for your incredible support. Without
your deep and heartfelt concern for those less fortunate, we would
not have been able to close the gap in our revenue for 2003.
We give special praises to God for answering our prayers, because
after Thanksgiving it looked like we were further away than ever
from what we needed to raise by December 31st. the year 2003 was
a difficult one for both our National Member Service Center here
in our nation’s capital and the hundred of local Catholic
charities agencies we serve.
Throughout the year I know Father Hehir shared some of the new
challenges that have been mounting for Catholic Charities. Even
though Father has now moved to another ministry the reports are
still the same. All over the country, I hear the same message from
local Catholic Charities agencies…”show us how to serve
more people with fewer resources…what can we do?”
Our economic recovery has been uneven and this means thousands
of families are going without the basics of food, clothing and
affordable housing. Nearly 60% of local Catholic Charities agencies
report increases in need – the three most critical items
were 1) greater need for food services; 2) health aid and assistance
to at-risk populations in urban and rural areas; and 3) basic needs
like clothing and help with soaring utility and medication bills.
I hope you take great heart in your role here with the National
Membership Service Center. Your gifts are what makes our work possible.
And in turn, our work supports and enhances the efforts of local
Catholic Charities agencies on behalf of people with nowhere else
to turn. We put God’s directive to serve the least of our
brethren without regard to race, religion or economic status into
action.
I am pleased to enclose your copy of our Catholic Charities USA
winter newsletter – the first of the new year. Don’t
miss the first page article which will give you a full report.
Also take a look at page three with some new ways to become involved,
if your time and talents allow. And don’t miss our new feature
on the life and writing of St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of
charitable societies.
I hope you and your family were blessed over the holidays and
will continue to be in the New Year. Thank you again for your compassion
and support.
Most sincerely,
John Keightley
Vice President
P.S. Please include us in your prayers as Catholic Charities strives
to serve its member agencies more efficiently than ever before.
So much depends on the guidance and leadership that we offer to
our local members.
P.S.S. I’ve enclosed two reply forms – one for you
to return today and the other for later, if you can manage. Thanks
again for whatever you are able to send. God Bless.
Dear Dr. Piazza:
Catholic Charities USA gratefully acknowledges your generosity
and commitment to our work. Your contribution enables
us to support local Catholic Charities agencies as they provide
the vital social services for people in need.
Catholic Charities USA’s network of 1,640 agencies and institutions
nationwide provide help and create hope for more than nine million
people each year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds.
Thanks to your recent gift, we can ensure that Catholic Charities
agencies continue to be successful in their mission of supporting
families, reducing poverty and building communities.
As the cold weather approaches, your care and concern for the
least among us are greatly appreciated and needed. For all the
lives your act of charity will touch, thank you again.
Sincerely yours,
(Rev.) J. Bryan Hehir