The theme for this year’s annual appeal is: “Why Catholic Charities?”

If the emphasis is on the word charities, then the answer to the question is because those works are the most important ones we do as followers of Jesus.

Love-inspired care for our neighbor is the most effective way to show love to God, which is the first of all the commandments.

Also, Jesus says that he takes personally how we treat our neighbor in need, and that those works will serve as the basis of judging whether we’ll spend eternity in Heaven, or not.

If the emphasis is on the word Catholic, then the answer to the question is that we hope that others will know we are Catholic Christians by our love.

Also, as the word catholic comes from the Greek word meaning universal, our love-inspired care for our neighbor includes anyone, everyone, no matter who, or whether the person is deserving, or says please and thank you.

And if the emphasis is on the word why, then the answer to the question is… why not?

As the Apostle John teaches in his third epistle, when we share our money in support of the Church’s ministries, we receive the heavenly reward for the good deed as much as those who actually do the work. 

Thanking you in advance for support of the good work of Catholic Charities, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Michael O. Jackels

Archbishop of Dubuque