Dear Friends,
One of the most important things we can and must do is to plan for the future and do so prudently. There has been much discussion in the news lately about how little so many have saved for their retirement years and how challenging it will be for those who do not. While many of us hope to have supplementary income through Social Security payments and perhaps a pension plan, it is also wise to try to set aside, save and invest money for the future so that one might live decently and comfortably.
That being said, Archbishop Blair, with an eye to the future needs of the Archdiocese of Hartford, its parishes and its ministries, established several years ago The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation. The purpose of this foundation, which is under the direct control of a lay board of directors, is to insure that the Archdiocese in the future will have sufficient funding to enable it to fulfill its vital mission. We, as members of Precious Blood Parish, are part of a family, a community of parishes that comprise the Archdiocese of Hartford. We are not entities unto ourselves. In communion with other parishes in the Archdiocese we are united under the Archbishop, and through him, united with other Catholics around the world who, as the Church, are one with the Holy Father, the Successor of Peter and our link to Jesus himself.
That being said, it is now our turn as the people of this parish to make a sacrificial gift to The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation. This gift can be made in the form of a pledge that can be paid monthly over several years. The amount suggested as a gift might seem daunting, but it is a one-time request that, when taken with all the pledges and gifts of other parishioners around the Archdiocese will insure that the Foundation will have adequate funding to meet the needs of the future. It is our chance as the Catholics of today to leave a legacy behind us for the Catholics of tomorrow. It is sad to say that the Church in the Archdiocese of tomorrow will be smaller in size. But we can insure here and now that the future will be provided for quite well financially by making a gift to the Foundation.
As we have received as a legacy the parish buildings and grounds from the people of the past, we are invited to leave behind us a legacy of financial security for the Church of tomorrow.
In the weeks to come, some parishioners will receive a letter from me asking for a bit of time to meet with them and present them with a packet containing information about the Foundation and a specific request for a sacrificial gift. In the fall, everyone else in the parish will receive a letter from me asking for their support in the form of a sacrificial gift. All that I ask of you is that you receive the information, look it over carefully, take into consideration the request and then do what you can given your financial circumstances. For the record, I myself fully support the idea of the Foundation. I believe it is vital for the future of the Archdiocese and its mission and I myself have made a pledge to the Foundation. I invite all of you to do what you can in doing the same.
I will have more to say about The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation going forward.
Have a good week!