dla

 

​Thank you to all who have supported the 2018 DLA and congratulations to 72 parishes who exceeded their parish target, raising money to be used towards their local parish case for support!

Read the Parish ReportView Your Parish's Case Statement

The Diocesan Lenten Appeal supports ministry at the diocesan and parish levels. The diocesan goal for the 2018 Appeal is $4.9 million. Each parish is asked to raise a specific amount in support of ministry at the diocesan level. All funds raised over that amount are returned to the parishes and used to support needs that the parishes have identified. Parish needs for 2018 total $1.3 million.

​For more information about the Diocesan Lenten Appeal, please call 724-837-0901.

The Lenten season is a time of renewal, one during which we can look forward to bringing a new vitality to our faith and our souls. Personally, I am looking forward to this Lent presenting us all with an opportunity to renew our love for one another and spread that love throughout our Diocese.

The theme for this year’s Diocesan Lenten Appeal is Love One Another with Great Love. Loving one another is one of the two great commandments that we received from our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Diocese strives every day to ensure that people are cared for and loved. This takes place first and foremost through the sacraments and pastoral ministry provided by our priests, deacons and lay ministers to the faithful. This ministry and care is extended in the work done with our children in our schools and youth ministry programs. Catholic Charities brings love to so many through its compassionate programs and, especially, in its recent efforts to combat the opioid crisis and comfort the families of those struggling with addiction and those in recovery.

It is love that makes us all more Christ-like and strengthens us as a community of faith. During Lent and throughout the year, please remember this in your daily life and support us in our efforts to Love One Another with Great Love throughout our Diocese.

Youth Ministry helps our children learn the beauty of helping those in need and the satisfaction that comes with loving one another.

“One of the things I’m always telling young people is that we’re taught as Catholics and Christians to serve one another. The simplest things we do can spread Jesus and His love to other people.”
- Elisa Esasky, director of Youth Ministry, St. Barbara Parish

“We do a different service project each month. Last week, we put together birthday boxes for families who can’t afford to have parties for their children. I’ve learned that every small act of kindness I do really makes an impact on other people’s lives.”
- Layla Welsh, 17, member of the Youth Ministry program, St. Barbara Parish

Catholic Charities brings comfort and compassion to those in spiritual and physical need. Recently, it has made a concerted effort to help those who are suffering due to the opioid crisis.

“Having lost my sister to the opioid crisis, it means a lot to me personally to feel supported by the Diocese. Every gift to the Diocese goes toward a mission of loving other people, of doing things for other people.”
- Mary Sampey, Director of Evangelization, Catholic Community of Connellsville

“Simply accepting people for who they are, even in the midst of their addiction, even in the midst of their struggles, that’s an act of love. From our perspective, that’s how God accepts all of us.”
- Dr. Paul Niemiec, Director of Counseling, Catholic Charities

Our deacons help extend the reach of our church and touch even more lives.

“The opportunity to help and show God’s love to others is really an opportunity for the deacon to do the kind of things that are necessary for us as human beings, so the deacon benefits as well as the people in the Diocese.”
- Deacon Bill Hisker, Director, Office for the Permanent Diaconate  

Our parishes enable their members to experience the love of God through the Sacraments. The strong communities of our parishes are built on their members’ love for one another.

“That’s what the church is built on – love. We are to help one another and love one another. In today’s world, we need our church and we need to support our brothers and sisters in need.”
- Theodore and Judith Pettko, Parishioners, St. John the Baptist Parish, Perryopolis