We are blessed to be part of a generous parish that contributes 6% of its annual play giving to a defined list of organizations. Parishioners also make contributions through our gold envelopes which are specifically designated for social justice ministries. So each year we distribute approximately $200,000 to organizations that are aligned with our vision and mission and any important requirement is that our parishioners are actively engaged in faith in action experiences.
The vetting process for these organizations is comprehensive and involves a grant application and a clear definition of how parishioners are invited and encouraged to participate.
Included in your handouts is a summary of our criteria and requirements for the social justice fun and also extensive list of ministries that are either financially supported or supported with parishioner time and talent.
Our goals are to become the living presence of Christ in our world and to serve one another with kindness and compassion. Our hope is to enable the sharing of our God-given talents and strengths in the service of other and to create transformational experiences for everyone in our parish.
The gold envelopes provide an opportunity for us to come together as a community and provide financial support. This financial support not only provides a needed resource for people in need but also facilitates new opportunities for each of us to engage.
And in the words of Pope Francis: "mercy is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality...We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart to see how much generosity everyone is capable of."
Thank you for your continued generosity