I have been a pastor in the Diocese of Savannah since 1993.  I have always been humbled by the generosity of the parishioners in the 6 faith communities (Waynesboro, Louisville, Dublin, Sandersville, Augusta, and Tybee) in which I’ve served.  Every year we have worked together to meet our goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal (formerly known as the Bishop’s Annual Appeal).  Since in recent years our Church has been racked by scandals and is greatly in need of reform, I am amazed at how generous our faith community has been to the ministry of the Church.  With consumerism and indifference choking off the faith of so many, I am grateful that you still see gathering on a Sunday to worship as a faith community as an important aid in your relationship with God.  So, I once again trust that you will support the many ministries of the Diocese that help people throughout Southern Georgia.  With the generous support of my parishioners, I’ve reached the parish ACA goal for 25 straight years.  I hope to make it 26 years in a row.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The ACA supports numerous diocesan ministries. Some address needs beyond the scope of individual parishes and some exist for the sole purpose of assisting parishes in their mission to teach and evangelize. Our parish goal this year is $26,245.  The theme of the appeal this year, “Sowing the Seeds”, is based on the ongoing call to cultivate our faith so as to bear fruit by serving those in need.   As Bishop Hartmayer reminds us in the video introducing this year’s ACA, “Ours is an active faith that has visible results in the world.”  Everything we do as a Church comes down to helping people have the encounter with Christ that brings them ever closer to the reality of God’s love.
  To continue with the imagery that Bishop Hartmayer uses in today’s ACA video, the seeds of faith have produced a beautiful Church, a beautiful tree as it were.  I am so pleased with the way that the recent renovation turned out.  It was an effort that could not have grown into a reality without the ongoing generosity of the members of this faith community.  I especially want to thank those who stepped forward to provide the funds for different elements of the project:

• The Thrift Shop Ladies                      The Altar
• Bruce and JoAnne Remler                St. Michael Alcove
• T. I. Catholic Women’s Club              Sanctuary Furnishings
• Anne Blanco and Family                   The Ambo

 But a beautiful tree hopefully will begin to bear fruit.  And I am so pleased to see that the harvest is beginning to come in.  In recent weeks I seen our Nursing Home outreach bear fruit as three of the residents of the Oceanside Nursing Center are now joining in worship with us every Sunday.  I’ve also noticed that your efforts to invite family and friends to join us in worship are beginning to bear fruit.  Our faith community is blessed by good sowing!!!