Together we are stronger. Together, we are on mission.
Together, we are one heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
At the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus extends to his disciples and us the Great Commission. In other words, he sends us on mission to proclaim the living Gospel–each one of us.
One of the ways we do this is by being united across the Diocese of Saginaw in support of Christ’s Mission Appeal. Our annual diocesan appeal impacts each of our 56 parishes in 11 counties. Our theme for this year’s Christ’s Mission Appeal is, One Heart and Mind, which comes from the early Church as reflected in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:32), “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” Luke goes on to write…“and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” “And the Lord rewarded them – “… and great favor was accorded them all.”
What a beautiful description of how you and I are called to live, following their example!
So too, with our Church today. I deeply appreciate the amazing things happening within our parishes, and while this is true, there are many more ministries across the diocese supported by Christ’s Mission Appeal. The monies we receive through the Appeal are the largest source of support for the ministries of our Diocese.
Some of those ministries are very visible like the ordination of priests and deacons and Great Lakes Bay Catholic Magazine. However, these resources also allow us to do things no single parish could do on its own. Some of these ministries include forming seminarians and supporting our clergy, training lay leaders, reaching out to youth and young adults, and providing the kind of pastoral and educational resources that strengthen parish life across our entire Diocese.
In other words, your gift to Christ’s Mission Appeal touches lives in ways you may never see, but in ways that build up the Body of Christ. We could not do what we do in carrying out the mission of Jesus without your support. In our coming together as disciples on mission, let us be “of one heart and mind,” as were those first century disciples, by caring and supporting one another across the Diocese. Your partnership really matters!
I am deeply grateful for your past support of Christ’s Mission Appeal. I invite you to join me on mission by prayerfully and generously supporting this year’s Christ’s Mission Appeal. With assurances of my prayers, may God continue to bless you and your families abundantly.
Peace and joy in Christ,
Most Rev. Robert D. Gruss
Bishop of Saginaw