Bishop Earl Boyea has launched the annual Diocesan Services Appeal 2021 with a note of gratitude for all those who have sustained the Catholic Church in this part of Michigan during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“My friends, because of you – even amid this pandemic – our Church has been able to sustain and expand its work,” said Bishop Boyea in a video message broadcast across all parishes, March 7.
“I am heartened by the innovation, hard work, and financial support that have enabled us to feed the poor, visit the lonely, educate our children, anoint the dying, and bury the dead.”
“These works of mercy, and many dozens of ministries and services across the diocese and in your parish, can only carry on with your renewed support of our annual Diocesan Services Appeal.”
The Diocesan Services Appeal or DSA is an annual appeal which is used to sustain the ongoing, day-to-day work of the Church across the Diocese of Lansing. Contributions are put to work, right away, in a multitude of ministries and activities that offer direct assistance to individuals and families and to our parishes, schools, and affiliated Catholic organizations.
The theme for this year’s appeal is taken from the words of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians: “The word of God is at work in you who believe,” (Thessalonians 2:13).
“Brothers and sisters, our DSA is an opportunity to put God’s word into action, to participate personally in the many good works of our Church in communion with fellow Catholics,” concluded Bishop Boyea.
“I ask you to join me, and join together, in contributing to DSA. With your support, and nourished with God’s word, we’ll be equipped to carry out the work of our Church in the year ahead.”
To find out more about the Diocesan Services Appeal 2021 go to: https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/DSA. Meanwhile, the text of Bishop Boyea’s video message is reproduced in full below:
My sisters and brothers in Christ,
“The word of God is at work in you who believe.” This scripture text from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians affirms a fundamental truth and teaching of the Catholic Church – the word of God is alive here and now, it is active in you and in the work of all who believe. Thanks be to God for His Holy Word!
The challenges of the past year have proven again our need for God’s presence, God’s word, in our lives. As the pandemic has necessitated some physical separation, God’s word and the actions it inspires have helped us to be spiritually united with God and with each other.
My friends, because of you – even amid this pandemic – our Church has been able to sustain and expand its work. I am heartened by the innovation, hard work, and financial support that have enabled us to feed the poor, visit the lonely, educate our children, anoint the dying, and bury the dead. These works of mercy, and many dozens of ministries and services across the diocese and in your parish, can only carry on with your renewed support of our annual Diocesan Services Appeal.
DSA contributions are put to use in the year received to offer direct assistance to individuals and families, to our parishes and schools. They help to provide for basic personal needs and counseling services for the most vulnerable in our communities, for vocational formation, marriage preparation and life ministries, for the education and catechesis of our youth and young adults, for campus and hospital ministries, and for helping others come to know the love of Jesus.
DSA also supports the education and formation of our seminarians. This year we have been blessed with the largest group of new seminarians in our diocese for more than a decade. Our prayers for new priestly vocations are bearing fruit, praise God!
Brothers and sisters, our DSA is an opportunity to put God’s word into action, to participate personally in the many good works of our Church in communion with fellow Catholics. I ask you to join me, and join together, in contributing to DSA. With your support, and nourished with God’s word, we’ll be equipped to carry out the work of our Church in the year ahead.
Thank you! And may God bless you for all that you do with and for one another.