Editor's Note Because it’s deeply personal By Darcy L. Fargo

Sept. 11, 2019

This is personal.
As I mention in an earlier column, my son attended Camp Guggenheim for the first time this year. There, he met new people, had a ton of fun and grew in his faith. There, he was helped and accepted despite his developmental disability. He experienced Christ’s love in the counselors and other campers.

A family I know was aided by the Good Samaritan Fund in purchasing equipment needed to help their son, who has autism, get the sensory input he needs to help him cope with the sensory overload created by the world around him.

Several friends and acquaintances completed the Formation for Ministry program, helping them further their ministries and serve the Lord and their parishes. The director of religious education at my parish, the person who leads the efforts to help my family teach our son his Catholic faith, was one of them.

I know quite a few of the men who are currently discerning and studying as they answer God’s call and pursue their vocations to the priesthood and diaconate. These are outstanding men who may some day be serving my parish or yours.

What do all these things have in common? They’re all ministries supported by the Bishop’s Fund Appeal. And Camp Guggenheim, the Good Samaritan Fund, Formation for Ministry, the diaconate and seminary are just a few of the many ministries supported by the appeal. There’s also Family Life programs, Natural Family Planning, Respect Life Ministry, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Catholic education and more.

These are programs and ministries that directly impact our lives and our faith. They truly help us all be “Alive in Christ.”

Please pray about it. Think about it. Consider supporting the 2019 Bishop’s Fund Appeal.

It’s deeply personal.