Let the Light Shine

Annual Parish Appeal Illuminates Hope for Southern Minnesota's Communities

this year, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a call to action: "Let Light Shine," and urging donors to support their vital work, bringing light to the lives of people in need throughout the region.

The Diocese held its first Annual Charities Appeal on Sunday, September 17, 1950, with collections in every church and institution. In 1972, the appeal moved to May, on Mother's Day Sunday. To honor its 75th anniversary, Catholic Charities is reviving the tradition this year. Many parishioners will find a special insert and donation envelope at Mass on Mother's Day, May 14.

“Our goal is to raise $100,000 this month through this special appeal,” says John Meyers, Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota Interim Executive Director. “If each of the 140,000 Catholics in the diocese makes a donation, we will more than meet our goal.”

Catholic Charities

The funds raised will directly support the agency’s ongoing efforts to assist the community's most vulnerable members. Your donation will help provide essential services and support to those in need in our community, including emergency shelter, counseling, helping to pay for crucial medications, and much more.

Here are just a few examples of how your donation will help Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota continue its transformative work in the community:

• The Onward and Upward Program helped Jennifer*, a determined single mother with a vision of becoming a Registered Nurse. She received the support and guidance necessary to achieve her goals. Thanks to the program, Jennifer graduated in December with an Associate's Degree in Nursing and passed her boards, allowing her to get off government support and provide financial stability for her family.

• The Refugee Resettlement Program helped Abdi and Sahra* move their family to the U.S. after 16 years as refugees. The couple fled Somalia in 2006 because their lives were in danger. Catholic Charities caseworkers set them up in an apartment, helped Abdi find a job, got their older children ages 6, 7, and 9-years-old into school, and enrolled Sahra and their 2-year-old into Family Literacy Program to learn English and make connections in the community.

• The Active Aging Program provided free exercise and wellness classes for people 55 and better in 19 southern Minnesota counties. The Stay Active for Life (SAIL) and Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program helps more than 1,000 people every month, empowering older adults to improve their lives through activities they can do at their own levels.

The "Let Light Shine" campaign serves as a reminder of the incredible difference that can be made when people come together to support those in need.

This Mother's Day, we invite every Catholic in the Diocese to heed the call of "Let Light Shine" by contributing to the Annual Parish Appeal. Together, the southern Minnesota community can illuminate the lives of those in need and continue to make a lasting impact for years to come by helping us to shine a light of hope, compassion, and love. May God bless you for your generosity, and may we continue to work together to build a brighter, more just, and more compassionate world.

To learn more about all the Programs Catholic Charities offers, go to www.ccsomn.org, email info@ ccsomn.org, or call 507-494-8021.

*Names changed