Dear Friends,

One of the mission priorities for the Archdiocese of Dubuque is to teach stewardship as a way of life.
 The biblical teaching on stewardship begins with the fact that we don’t own anything; everything is on loan from God.
God entrusts time, talent and treasure to us, to manage according to his good pleasure.
 It is God’s pleasure that we provide for ourselves and our dependents, but also that we support the Church’s mission and provide for the poor.
Catholic Charities is the principal way our Church provides for the poor, especially by asking people to support this important work financially.
 Each of us has to decide how much of our money isn’t ours to use for ourselves, but which God intends that we share.
And when we share, it is important that we do so cheerfully and freely, neither compelled by threat, nor enticed by reward.
That being said, Jesus promises that we will receive back in proportion to what we share: the measure you use will be measured back to you.
Won’t you be a co-worker with Catholic Charities in providing for the poor?
Confident of your generosity, and grateful for it,
I am
 Sincerely yours in Christ,

Michael O. Jackels, Archbishop of Dubuque