Preparing for the Second Collection

Approaching the second collection weekend for the 2010 ShareLife Parish Campaign, we're less than halfway to our $12 million goal, but we're optimistic.

The ShareLife Community Challenge continues to draw interest from parishioners and from companies contributing to the campaign - many are returning after a lapse in giving and others are increasing their gifts, all directly linked to this gift matching program. I hope this generous program will help bring us to our goal in what is proving to be a challenging year. (We have a sense that Haitian and Chilean relief, as well as international abuse scandals, have affected some people's giving levels to ShareLife this year.)

There is another international disaster response under way - this time in China, following the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We are accepting contributions and can ensure they get to the workers on the ground as they assist the thousands and thousands of victims affected by this natural disaster.

With people at home and people abroad all in need of our help, it may sometimes be difficult to keep our hearts open to the needs presented to us. Please pray for the vulnerable and needy around us, for the Chinese people, and for the success of the ShareLife Campaign as we head into the second collection weekend, April 24-25.