Archbishop's annual appeal inspires people to help others

 HARTFORD – Archbishop Henry J. Mansell launched the 2013 Archbishop's Annual Appeal at a Sunday luncheon at which over 270 donors attended. Joe and

Ann Marie Marsilio of Seymour were among the guests who said they support the Appeal every year, because it is "always inspiring" to see how the proceeds help people who are in dire circumstances.

 

The Archbishop first thanked the audience for their overwhelming support of last year's Appeal, which raised a record-breaking $10,055,967, surpassing the previous year's record by over $260,000.

 

He talked about the many services that the Appeal is able to provide such as the Malta House of Care mobile health clinics in Hartford and Waterbury that have treated over 25,000 people, who were uninsured.

 

"People are helped and in some cases their lives are saved because of your generosity," said the Archbishop.

 

The Emergency Assistance program is another vital program supported by the Appeal, which is available through parishes and administered by Catholic Charities. It helps people who have fallen behind on their rental payments, have trouble paying their utility or grocery bills, or need help with urgent bills like medical or car repairs.

 

Hundreds of vicariate outreach programs across the state such as food kitchens and homeless shelters as well as tuition assistance for Catholic students, faith formation, and seminarian

programs also benefit from the Appeal.

 

"You make this explosion of care possible. It is you, the donors, who make this wide variety of services possible," continued the Archbishop. "The Catholic Church enjoys an extraordinary record in this regard."

 

He also thanked the priests of the Archdiocese of Hartford for their generous donations to the Appeal. On average, they each donate $1253 a year.

 

For a complete listing of programs supported by the Appeal, visit: archdioceseofhartford.org and click on Archbishop's Annual Appeal.

Photo: Joe and Ann Marie Marsilio of Seymour support the Archbishop's Annual Appeal every year, because they say it's "always inspiring" to see how it helps people in need. Submitted