FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK:

The 2009 Cardinal's Appeal is underway throughout the Archdiocese. You will be receiving (or have already received) your mailing from the Appeal Office. 

I do not need to tell you how important the Cardinal's Appeal is. One program that the Appeal supports is Rosalie Hall, right here in the Bronx. The sisters and the staff there have helped countless numbers of unmarried teenage mothers who have nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. Without Rosalie Hall, perhaps they would fall into the temptation of having an abortion. Instead, Rosalie Hall helps them to bring healthy babies into the world and then either to raise them on their own or to arrange for an adoptive home. Rosalie Hall is one of the shining lights of the Church of New York. When you help the Appeal, you are helping Rosalie Hall.

 Our aim this year is to ask every parishioner and every family to make an Appeal offering. I am well aware that many of you are facing financial hardships, as so many other Americans are facing at this time. But I earnestly ask you to make the special sacrifice of making your Appeal offering. We ask every person to help us reach our goal of $39,000. The theme of the Appeal is "Sharing God's Gifts." Let your Appeal offering be your way of thanking God for His gifts to you and of your sharing your gifts with those in need. How pleased Our Lord must be when we truly share His gifts!"

 You will find below a form you can use for your Appeal offering, if you did not receive one or misplaced it. You may place this form and your offering in an envelope and return it to church on Sunday by putting it in the collection. We will forward it to the Appeal Office.

           I am most grateful for your love for the Church-the Church in our Archdiocese and the Church right here in St. Helena's Parish. Please pray for the success of the Appeal, as we all "share God's gifts."

Sincerely in Our Lord,

Father Thomas B. Derivan

(c) 2008 mdvalenti