CMA Newsletter Winter 2009-2010

Winter 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Please accept my sincere thanks for your support of the 2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA).

Your gift allows us to work together, to build the faith and serve those in need both in your parish community and throughout the Church of Long Island. As Catholics, all of us are unified by a mission that calls us to share our abundant gifts and provide for our brothers and sisters in need.

This Appeal supports the many endeavors that we take part in as Church that no one person or parish could support on their own. Through your generosity we work together to ensure that faith is strengthened in the lives of our children through our religious education program, sacramental preparation programs, and education at the elementary and high school levels. We are also able to make certain that our seminarians receive the training they need to face the challenges of our modern Church. Your support also allows us to continue to provide services and programs for the hungry and disadvantaged on Long Island.

It is only because of your generous support that we are able to serve God’s people in so many important ways. Thank you for all that you do in support of the Church of Long Island.

With my prayers and best wishes, I am Sincerely yours in Christ, Bishop of Rockville Centre

Your Gifts at Work: Because of you, Catholic Charities continues to provide housing and assistance for adults with developmental disabilities.

Because of you, our parishes can provide assistance to people in need.

Because of you, others are able to answer God’s call to serve.

Because of you, dedicated teachers in our Catholic schools continue to inspire our young people to do community service.

Because of you, youth ministers at parishes across Long Island share the “good news” and volunteer their time to serve others.

Because of you, Carmen, a senior citizen living on a fixed income, is able to receive nutritious food from Catholic Charities.

Because of you, this year we have raised more than 11 million dollars.

CMA YOUTH CONTEST WINNING ESSAY We would like to thank all of the wonderful young people from our youth programs, religious education classes, Catholic elementary and high schools and our parishes for the excellent essays we received.

The winner of our essay contest is 12-year old Colin Mortimer.

Here is his thoughtful essay.

The Catholic Ministries Appeal is a great organization that helps many people. The ministry reaches out to the church, the community and the world. It feeds the hungry and brings food to the elderly. The monies raised from the appeal contribute to many different programs including Catholic Charities, Education, Religious Formation, Parish Share and Pastoral Outreach. The impact of this Appeal helps in the well-being of our faith.

Until I began this essay I really never noticed how much Catholic Ministries supports the community. Many people don’t even notice how much Catholic Churches, and organizations contribute to their lives.

Many Catholic Churches have food pantries.

These pantries have run low on food due to the economy. The Catholic Church and the economy are closely tied. When times are bad the Church reaches out to people who need help. The Church tries to make their lives easier with prayer, food and donations to help them. People look at the church as a safe haven to go during a bad day, week, month or year. Because of bad economic times people are in more need than ever, needing support from the Church.

Religious education and formation are very important to children. Children need to be taught about our faith if they are to grow up responsibly.

Religious education also touches people who do not practice their faith until later in life.

Religious Formation also helps men to become priest and deacons.

I feel that the Catholic Ministries Appeal is important because it helps people and helping people is what Jesus would like us to do.

CONGRATULATIONS COLIN!

Ask the Expert #7 To ask your question on Charitable Gift Annuities,Wills and Bequests or other Life Planning issues, write to Barbara Kilarjian, Office of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 4000, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-4000 or email your question to bkilarjian@drvc.org

A Gift By Will

Q: I’ve decided to include my parish in my will. Do I have to tell my Pastor?

A: Thank you for your question.

A bequest for your parish in your will is a perfect way to leave your legacy in the faith community you obviously love.

You demonstrate a commitment to the long-term vitality and financial wellbeing of your parish. We call it your Legacy of Faith.

Alongside your bequests for loved ones would be a provision for your parish.

Here is sample language that your attorney can use to prepare your bequest: “I hereby give, devise and bequeath to your parish’s name and address, a Parish within The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, federal tax ID number 11-1837437, whose current address is 50 North Park Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, the sum of $ insert dollar amount to be used for that Parish’s most urgent priorities.”

You do not have to tell anyone—but we hope you will. If you tell your pastor, you’ll give him the opportunity to thank you while you’re still with us. You will also be welcomed into our Patronus Society, for Catholics throughout the Island who have remembered a parish or mission in their long-term plans.

For more information about a gift in your will, you can speak to Barbara Kilarjian, Director of Development, at 516-379-5210 x229.

2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal “Hands of Christ�

Supporting the Community Around Us

Our Corporate Sponsors, through their support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal, have demonstrated their commitment to the Long Island Community.

Welcome to our new Corporate Sponsors

100% of every dollar raised goes to support the community around us.

Catholic Ministries Appeal Diocese of Rockville Centre PO Box 4000 Rockville Centre, NY 11571-4000

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 85 Hicksville, NY