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CMA
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Fr. Derek AaronAs vocations Director for the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana, Fr. Derek has a unique insight into the impact your funds have on the formation of seminarians for the Priesthood. Discernment of the priesthood could pose a financial burden to many who might feel God calling them to serve as His priest. Catholic Ministries Appeal funds go, in part, to ensure that the Diocese can provide for the education of all those called to the Priesthood.
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We Each Have a Role in CharityGod has blessed each of us in many and varied ways. These gifts are signs of His love for us but also a call to love others. This takes many forms but something each of us can do is share financially with the mission of the Church.
Each year we are invited to share our gifts and participate in the ministries of our Diocese (Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana). We do this through the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal – CMA (formerly Fruitful Harvest and Seminarian Appeal). This is the primary way ministries and programs are funded. To those who contributed to the 2024 appeal, thank you. Your gift changes lives.
Contribution to the Catholic Ministries Appeal funds diocesan programs and services to parishes including ours. This year’s appeal highlights three important ministries and the impact of your financial support – vocational promotion and seminary formation, permanent diaconate formation, and building and architecture support to parishes. Videos illustrating the impact of your gift will be on our parish and diocesan websites. Of course, numerous other ministries are funded, such as support to the Catholic campus ministry programs at Purdue, Ball State, Wabash College, and ongoing education for priests. The 2025 Catholic Ministries Appeal theme is Called to Love – acknowledging how we each have a role to play in charity to others through Church ministry. The overall funding is separated into goals for each parish (their share of the diocesan need). Parish goals are based on annual Sunday collections averaged over the previous three years. The 2025 appeal goal for Holy Spirit at Geist is $391,000 and $86,000 for St. John Vianney. These are both easily attained if everyone does their part. God calls us all to share our gifts as we are able.
You may have already received a brochure and pledge card in the mail. Note that the return envelope is addressed to an out-of-state PO Box. This is the processing company’s address. We all get a lot of junk mail, so please don’t place it in recycling. You may also go to www.dol-in.org/CMA to make a pledge, a one-time gift, or a sustaining gift. Checks should be made payable to The Diocese of Lafayette IN and returned with the pledge card.
Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to invest
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the parish office and leave me a message. The Catholic Ministries Appeal is an important and meaningful way to serve others as a steward of God’s many blessings.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Dale Ehrman, Pastor
