Grace and peace to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, for God is with us - He is truly with us. In fact, during my travels throughout our diocese over the past year, I’ve witnessed God’s hand at work in our parishes, in our schools, and in the love and joy of Christ thriving in hearts young and old.

At the same time, I, like you, have seen the great need of those who are suffering - perhaps with hunger, without a place to live, facing mental illness, or in the loneliness of life lived apart from God. They are all around us, and Jesus Himself calls each of us to tend to their care.

But amid that suffering, it has been wonderful to see the tremendous work of our parishes serving those in need, following in the footsteps of Christ. I also have seen the impact across our region of our Catholic Centers of Concern, Catholic Family Services, Multicultural Services, and other diocesan-wide ministries - ministries which you make possible by your support of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Catholic Charities and Communities.

Across our diocese, we join together to care for those we encounter, and then we teach. We spread the Good News through the sacraments, through small groups, in classrooms and fellowship, through so many stages of life. It’s a beautiful thing to witness at our parishes and schools. And again, I also thank those in our diocesan ministries who support those programs and who help put into action our coordinated vision for formation across Central and Northern Alabama. The opportunities in our diocese in the caring of those in need and in lifelong faith formation are astounding and beautiful.

As we move forward together, I ask you to join even more deeply in this work. If you haven’t participated in the Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Catholic Charities and Communities, please consider doing so this year. And if you have been supporting our work, please accept my deep gratitude and consider, if you’re able, increasing your contribution. The need for healing is great. The opportunities for faith formation immeasurable. Thank you so much, and may God bless you.