The Annual Catholic Appeal: St. Louis

The Annual Catholic Appeal is a yearly fundraiser sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. This annual giving event benefits countless organizations and people regardless of race, gender or religion. The Annual Catholic Appeal is an instrumental part of growing Church influence throughout the Saint Louis area and around the region. Without money received from the Annual Catholic Appeal, many of these organizations would struggle to keep their doors open and continue the ministry of Christ.
As Saint Francis Assisi said, “Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.” Catholics throughout the Saint Louis area must recognize this quote and understand God’s calling for all His people to give to those less fortunate

or in need of assistance. Our city is full of division and the Annual Catholic Appeal calls for all Catholics to come together and give what they can. This uniting force will begin to eradicate the pain that has torn our city apart and promote a better understanding of each other.
Service is an integral part of being a Catholic that is rooted in Scripture and Jesus’ actions. When area Catholics donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal, they are furthering the messages of Christ. It is important for all members of the Church to donate to the Annual Catholic Appeal to support organizations that are aligned with Church views to promote love and combat fear and ignorance.
As God says in the book of Matthew, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” We are called to share the wealth that we have in our lives with those who could use a little help. The least among us are those most impacted by the Annual Catholic Appeal. God is in each of those people and calling out for us to do what we can to help them live comfortably. All around us, people are struggling to get by each day. The Annual Catholic Appeal helps provide monetary help for our brothers and sisters, but also helps all those who give to grow closer to God.
As Hurricane Irma pounded the coast of Florida and the Caribbean, most people in our community felt a call to help our brothers and sisters impacted by the storm. The Catholic Charities of St. Louis worked hard to secure donations and then give their collections to people most devastated by the hurricane. This money was gifted to them by private individuals, but also through the Annual Catholic Appeal. The Catholic Charities of St. Louis is just one example of how the donations collected through the Annual Catholic Appeal are used to promote Christ’s mercy.
Although the Catholic Charities of St.

Louis donated to Hurricane Irma victims thousands of miles away, every organization that receives money from the Annual Catholic Appeal of the Archdiocese of St. Louis will give a service or provide help to St. Louis regional citizens. Catholic schools across the St. Louis area depend of the help of the Annual Catholic Appeal to keep their doors open. Thousands of young students attend Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the St. Louis area each year. Without financial help from the Archdiocese, some of these schools would be forced to close. Their closures would greatly hurt the St. Louis Catholic influence on the area by reducing the number of children who hear the Word of God each day in class and by preventing students from receiving the incredible education that comes through a Catholic

school.
Stewardship, to me, is taking care of God’s creation in all of our thoughts and actions. God calls us to be stewards of his creation in Scripture, specifically in John 13:1-16. In this Bible verse, Jesus washes the feet of the Apostles. While this might seem like a minor detail in the story of Jesus’ last night, I believe that this is where our call to stewardship is rooted. Jesus knew that he was going to die a very painful death and that there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop it. With all these thoughts racing through his mind, he still took the time to wash the feet of his followers. I look to Jesus and his care for others in his time of great fear as a guideline of how I should show my love towards others.
As a Catholic, I believe I practice stewardship everyday through my thoughts and actions.

I show my love and appreciation for God’s creation by first appreciating what God has given unto me. I was made in the image and likeness of God and with this, I have qualities and skills that are unique to me. For example, I am a very good student. I believe that God has gifted me with great knowledge and the ability to understand material with relative ease. I practice stewardship by not only using the gifts God has given to me, but also by recognizing others’ unique qualities so that I may get to know them better. Stewardship is not only a calling to take care of God’s creation, but also to recognize the individuality that each person possesses. I believe that when we look at each other as other unique humans instead of as strangers as the street, we will grow closer together. Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, we are called to look upon others with the love God has shown us and also to see others in need as our brothers and sisters that need our

assistance.
The Annual Catholic Appeal embodies all aspects of what it means to be a Catholic. I believe all Catholics are called to serve others. The Annual Catholic Appeal is a great way to help those in need and also support our faith. As people give, they should think about the people they are helping and not only contribute monetarily, but also through prayer. Money will provide those in need with items that will make their lives easier, but through prayer these people will be able to rest easier in God’s arms. As Catholics, we are challenged each day to show God’s love in our world. Christ calls us to be our brother’s keeper. Will you unite with fellow Catholics to make the world a better place? Will you answer the call of Christ to help the least among us?