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Archives 2017 Bishop’s Fund Appeal opens in parishes Sept. 16-17
‘One Bread, One Body, One Family’

Sept. 13, 2017

By Valerie Mathews
Diocesan Bishop’s Fund directorBishop Fund

“At eighteen, feeling isolated and alone, I finally asked God, what do You want me to do?  One day, while at Mass, I felt a stirring in my heart.  I experienced an overwhelming feeling of purpose and a calling to serve God’s people from the altar, preparing for them the Lord’s body and blood,” reflected newly ordained Father Michael Jablonski.  

As a seminarian, Father Jablonski received assistance with tuition and books from the Bishop’s Fund Appeal.  “The assistance that I received from the Bishop’s Fund Appeal has made a tremendous difference in my life.  On behalf of my brother seminarians and myself, thank you.  Thank you for your generosity, kindness and prayers.”  

This fall, nine young men will be enrolled as seminarians for the Diocese of Ogdensburg.  What a hope-filled blessing this is for our entire faith family as we continue our journey of Creating a Culture of Vocations. 
Your gifts to the Bishop’s Fund Appeal make this possible. 

The Bishop’s Fund Appeal will begin in all parishes across the Diocese the weekend of Sept.16-17.  In this year’s appeal, we hope to raise $1,300,000, with any gifts over the goal to further supplement the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund. 

The Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund provides emergency assistance for heating and utility costs, rent or mortgage payments and prescription or medical expenses such as the situation Dixie of Copenhagen faced this past year:
“I thought I was having a heart attack but it turned out to be an ulcer that burst in my stomach,” Dixie said.

“Our insurance did not cover all the expenses of my surgery and one week hospital stay.  I was out of work for a month without pay.  During this time, our regular bills were coming due and on top of that, hospital bills nearing $100,000 started to roll in. 

“This situation became overwhelming, disheartening and very worrisome,” she said. “We were fortunate enough to get help from the Bishop’s Good Samaritan Fund.  I am so thankful for the prayers and grant that we received to help us with these unexpected bills.

“Because of the generosity of others, we were able to pay a small portion of my medical bills,” Dixie said. “Thank you.”

Your gifts to the Bishop’s Fund Appeal made this possible. 

Your support of this vital Appeal has a direct and powerful impact on the lives of your sisters and brothers in Christ. From the children in faith formation and religious education classes in our parishes and Catholic schools, to the teens who attend Camp Guggenheim and Youth Rallies, to the young couples and families who participate in Pre-Cana and Family Guggenheim, to the women and men who are discerning a Church vocation, you are making a difference.

Please take a moment to prayerfully consider a gift to the 2017 Bishop’s Fund Appeal.  Every gift is important.  Donations can be mailed to:  The Bishop’s Fund Appeal, PO Box 150, Ogdensburg, New York 13369 or made online at www.rcdony.org/bishop-s-fund-appeal .

To learn more about the Appeal and to view the 2017 Bishop’s Fund video, please visit www.rcdony.org/bfavideo.

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