Annual Catholic Appeal

WITH HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We have faced many challenges in our world — from diseases to social upheavals to economic uncertainty. Still, we remain people of gratitude, because the Lord has walked with us, and we have walked with each other. This year’s Annual Catholic Appeal echoes these experiences of accompaniment.

Our theme for this year is Walking on the road with Jesus. It evokes the gospel scene of the two disciples who find themselves walking toward the village of Emmaus with a stranger, who, in fact, is Jesus. (Luke 24:13–35) They come to know Jesus as one who listens to their hopes and fears, and they are consoled and encouraged as they walk together. Pope Francis points to this passage as he calls the Church to a great synod, literally, a walking on the road together (syn-hodos). We take up the journey with the Lord and each other in trust and with generosity.

The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us the opportunity to discover that the Lord is with us every step of the way as we walk together in supporting his mission in our local Church and reach out to all who are in need. I invite you to join me in that journey with the Lord by responding generously to this year’s Appeal.
May God bless you for your willingness to share and support the journey. And may God bless and keep all your loved ones.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop of Chicago