As One Family in Mission, we are called to serve God by serving others, and the Catholic Ministries Appeal gives us an opportunity to serve more than 600,000 people each year.
The Appeal supports the multitude of ministries of the Diocese of Rockville Centre that provide evangelization and pastoral care. 100% of every dollar raised is restricted to fund the objectives, mission and programs of the Catholic Ministries Appeal including:
- Assisting people in need – those who are struggling with food insecurity, our senior citizens in need of housing or people with special needs;
- Forming our young people in our Catholic Faith through religious education programs, as well as youth, young adult and campus ministries;
- Helping in the education and formation of seminarians as they prepare for the priesthood;
- Protecting the dignity and sanctity of human life at every stage of existence;
- Helping parishes to support their Outreach and other programs through the CMA rebate program.
“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to talk to many of the people who are served by the ministries supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal,” said Barbara Kilarjian, Director of the Office of the Catholic Ministries Appeal. “They are so thankful to the people of God on Long Island for their support. But most importantly through our gifts and efforts they are experiencing the Love of Jesus. We are all so thankful for our generous donors.”
This year’s CMA theme, Revitalizing our Faith, Renewed by the Eucharist, is inspired by the Eucharistic Revival. Through this renewal of faith, we are restoring an understanding and fidelity to the great mystery of Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist. Jesus selflessly gives himself to us in the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John 6:56). This cherished encounter with Jesus Christ and nourishment in the Most Holy Eucharist directs us and strengthens us to continue His mission of evangelizing the faith and caring for those in need.
Bishop John Barres thanks us in his Easter letter for being “instruments of Eucharistic Revival.” Your donations to the Catholic Ministries Appeal have exemplified your commitment to the people of God on Long Island.
One of the programs supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal, Camp Quo Vadis, invites our young people to grow closer to Christ through Adoration and Communion. Spearheaded by Father Sean Magaldi, Vocations Director, Diocese of Rockville Centre. Camp Quo Vadis provides a welcoming place for them to explore how God is working in their life. Campers at Quo Vadis experience faith in an uplifting atmosphere that instills tools for them to become disciples in the Catholic Church. Young women, religious, young priests, seminarians, and campers experience a culture of encounter, challenged to holiness and mission.
“The camp revitalizes the faith by helping young people understand who God is and develops their relationship with Him,” said Father Magaldi. “It keeps young people close to God by learning more through the sacraments by offering Mass and time for Eucharistic Adoration. We are very grateful for the help of our generous parishioners who give to the Catholic Ministries Appeal which helps to support the formation of our young people.”
Also supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal, Campus Ministry at our secular colleges journeys with students by uniting them together in prayer and fellowship and becoming a faithful family on campus. Through Campus Ministry, there is much hope for our Catholic Faith on Long Island.
“Our job at Hofstra Campus Ministry is to evangelize, and we do that by forming relationships with people, being visible to them, celebrating Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays, praying the rosary,” said Gina Hackett, Campus Minister at Hofstra University. “Faithful young people are present here and they are on fire, and they deeply desire to find Christ. They are seeking the truth and they will find it here in the Church.”
“Hofstra Campus Ministry is a fantastic way to find students with similar interests,” said Sara, a Campus Ministry participant. “If I didn’t participate, I may not have been confirmed (during my college years). It is an exciting way for me to be involved and grow in my faith. I am so happy to be a part of it. It is like having a family. I am thankful for all the people who are here and those who came before me to make this ministry happen.”
“Pope Francis has consistently emphasized the importance of youth within the Church and their role in evangelization,” said Kilarjian. “In today’s world, there is a need for Catholic presence to our youth. These ministries provide a wonderful bridge for our youth, empowering them to take the Gospel message out to the community and to realize that the call from God is found deep within their own heart, planted there by God left to be discovered by them.”
If you have a loved one who will be investigating colleges, if it’s a secular college, encourage him or her to consider a school that has a robust Campus Ministry. To learn more about Campus Ministry in our diocese, visit: https://www.drvc.org/campus-ministry-directory/
To learn more about all the programs and ministries that are supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal, visit www.catholicministriesappeal.org or view their video at https://vimeo.com/905989400/7b1a35ed2a?share=copy. To donate, please go to: https://www.drvc.org/donate/cma/
