Together we bring hope: A Catholic Services Appeal Letter

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My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As I begin my service as the Bishop of Austin, I am humbled by the faith and generosity I have witnessed in our diocese. In that spirit, I invite you to participate in the upcoming Catholic Services Appeal (CSA), which begins the weekend of October 25-26. Your prayers and financial support are vital for providing programs and services to thousands of people across Central Texas. I also want to sincerely thank all who made a sacrificial gift to last year’s appeal. We achieved a record participation rate and raised $8 million, surpassing our goal of $6.6 million!

This year's CSA theme — “Together we bring hope”— is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we unite in Christ’s mission. Our goal this year is to raise a minimum of $7 million to fund our critical ministries. In contributing to the CSA, we demonstrate our deep commitment to the two greatest commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments are the very foundation of the CSA’s mission of charity and evangelization.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common” (Acts 4:32). In this same spirit of unity, Christ calls each of us with our unique gifts to share in a common mission to know, love, and serve others through him.

Together with many others, your contribution to the CSA is essential to continue offering more than 100 ministries and programs across the Diocese of Austin. Our Catholic schools, seminarians, campus ministry centers, senior and retired priests, Catholic Charities, and many parish ministries all depend on your generosity.

I encourage you to take time to read and understand the CSA materials recently mailed to your home to understand the impact your gift to the CSA will have on your neighbors here in Central Texas. Then, I ask you to prayerfully consider how God is calling you to share your blessings through this appeal.

Let us give thanks to God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us, and let that gratitude inspire us
to give cheerfully. May we entrust this appeal to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the
Church, asking her to lead us ever closer to her son and his saving work.

Gratefully in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia
Bishop of Austin