THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

January 21, 2007

The Good News

...How Much?

I am hoping that every Catholic person living in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is asking themselves the above question! I am also hoping that your response is short but sincere and you say: “Generously.”

Sunday, Feb. 4, is the 2007 Archdiocesan Development Fund appeal. This annual ADF appeal is the principle source of revenue for the Church of this Archdiocese. Our goal this year is again $3 million, which is absolutely necessary for the work and ministries of our Archdiocese for the next year.

When Jesus observed people putting money into the temple  treasury, He commended the poor widow who contributed two coins. He even extolled her, saying that she was more generous than all the others. Jesus praised her not because of the amount she gave but because she gave all that she has, whereas others gave only of their surplus.  

It is my prayer that you will be generous in responding to this year’s ADF appeal. The above little story from the Gospel is a challenge to every one of us, rich or poor, young or old. It is a reminder that we should contribute to God’s work generously from whatever we have. We should support the work of the Church.

What is the work of the Church supported by ADF pledges? Well, Jesus gave the Church the obligation to go forth and teach all that He had revealed about the kingdom of heaven. He told them to baptize all those who believed. He instituted other sacraments so that after baptism, people could be nurtured in the faith and led safely on their pilgrim journey to life everlasting in heaven.

In order to obey the Divine Command by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus and celebrating His sacraments for the people, the Church needs a structure and a plan.  This mission of the Church is therefore accomplished principally through evangelization and catechetics. Both of these sacred ministries require people trained and committed plus material resources.  They need to be financed. This financing comes from the ADF appeal. Remember that our Archdiocese relies totally on the sacrificial generosity of our Catholic people.

Through the kindness and help of your pastor, I plan to address all of you on ADF weekend by means of a pre-recorded message.  My request is simple but sincere, “Please, please be generous to our 2007 ADF appeal!”

In my ADF appeal tape, as well as in this article, I ask you to make a pledge of financial support for the works and the ministries of the Church of this Archdiocese. In the past, many of you have made generous pledges and you fulfilled them. For that, I thank you most sincerely. In fact, as I explained before, I take all the pledge cards and place them in a basket in my chapel. Then, every day I am reminded of your commitment and  generous support. Each day at Mass and in prayer, I commend you to the good Lord. I thank you by asking Almighty God to bless you and your families and your loved ones.

Unfortunately, in the past, there were many Catholics who did not make a pledge. I say unfortunately because those who do not support the Church financially are not fulfilling a basic responsibility. Those who do not support the Church financially are shirking their obligation and are not helping to fulfill the mission which Jesus gave to His Church.

The reality is that I am asking every Catholic who lives in this Archdiocese to make a pledge of financial support. Everyone can make an ADF pledge this year even if it is hard to fulfill. I don’t think it was easy for the poor widow to give her few coins, especially since that was all she had. Jesus praised her and held her up as an example for us.

Catholic people of Oklahoma, please make an ADF pledge of $25 or $50 or even $100 a month for the ongoing support of the Church.  Making a pledge and then keeping it isn’t always easy but it is always commendable. Your ADF pledge, made generously and sincerely, is a visible sign of your love of God, your love of your brothers and sisters and your love of the Church and your Catholic faith.

Dear people of God, thank you for responding to my urgent plea for the financial support of the Church of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.