This weekend is Commitment Weekend which kicks off the 2025 Annual Parish Appeal in all the parishes throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh.  This year’s theme is, “ Come...and you will see” (John 1:39), where Jesus not only called his disciples to follow him but also to witness the wonders of God’s love in action.  You and I continue to respond to that same invitation, drawing closer to Christ and sharing His love with our neighbors and the world.  Our parish, like the first disciples, is called to bring the love of Jesus to life through our actions, prayers, and service.  We do this not only within our own parish, but also through the broader work of the Church.  One important way we answer this call is through the Annual Parish Appeal.

The Annual Parish Appeal supports vital ministries of the Diocese of Pittsburgh that extend beyond the reach of any single parish.  It enables the formation of future priests and deacons; supports Catholic chaplains who bring comfort to those in hospitals, nursing homes, and colleges; and provides essential resources for religious education in our parishes and schools.  These services, along with many others, are crucial to sustaining the mission of the entire Church of Pittsburgh.

Your giving to the Annual Parish Appeal also helps St. John XXIII as your gift goes toward meeting our parish goal, set by the diocese, of $289,000.  Money given beyond our goal stays in our parish and we use toward capital improvement projects within the parish.  By contrast, if we don’t meet our goal, we would need to take the difference from our operating budget of the parish and would hurt us.

Last week you received a brochure and a pledge card from me in the mail.  If you didn’t, there are pledge cards in the back of our churches this weekend or you can follow the QR code found on the Parish Appeal posters on the church doors.  This weekend, I’m asking all of us prayerfully to consider making a financial commitment either by making a one-time gift or by making a pledge to give to the Parish Appeal throughout the year.

Again, the reason we give is in response to God’s generous love already present in our life and to respond to His call to “Come and See.”  By supporting the Annual Parish Appeal, we help both our own parish and participate in the broader work of the Church, bringing Christ’s love to all who need it.  As always, “Thank you” for your generosity both to the Annual Parish Appeal as well as to St. John XXIII Parish.