2015 Bishop's Annual Appeal

Bishop’s Annual Appeal helps the poor in Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties

MADISON  With Pope Francis visiting clients of Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C. and Catholic Charities in New York City, he made a point to the world of the importance of remembering the poor and recognizing the agencies that serve those most in need.

In his speech while visiting Catholic Charities in Washington, Pope Francis said, “The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person. The Son of God knew what it was to start life without a roof over his head. We can imagine what Joseph must have been thinking. How is it that the Son of God has no home? Why are we homeless, why don’t we have housing? These are questions which many of you may ask, and do ask, every day. Like St. Joseph, you may ask: ‘Why are we homeless, without a place to live?’ And those of us who do have a home, a roof over our heads, would also do well to ask: ‘Why do these, our brothers and sisters, have no place to live? Why are these brothers and sisters of ours homeless?’ Joseph’s questions are timely even today; they accompany all those who throughout history have been, and are, homeless.”

The work of the Paterson Diocese’s Catholic Charities agency, Catholic Family and Community Services (CFCS), here reflects the words of Pope Francis during his United States visit about care and concern for the poor and underprivileged whether they be immigrants from a foreign land in Passaic County, an elderly grandmother in Morris County or a disabled adult in Sussex County.

Every year, thousands and thousands of people in need turn to CFCS because they are at risk of losing their homes, in need of food or clothing or because of some other emergency, such as needing assistance with medical and utility bills. Last year, more than 70,000 people were served by the agencies of Catholic Charities in the Paterson Diocese.

Through the 2015 Bishop’s Annual Appeal, the faithful across the diocese can follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps and remember those most in need by “Serving Christ Among Us,” this year’s Appeal theme.

Diane Silbernagel, executive director of CFCS, said, “We were thrilled to see Pope Francis visit a Catholic Charities agency during his visit to the United States. So often, people aren’t aware of the scope of services and volume of work we do in so many communities. The Pope made us visible and he helped show the world what we do to serve not just Catholics but all people in need.”

CFCS is comprised of the Hispanic Information Center in Passaic, Hope House in Dover, the Partnership for Social Service Family Center in Franklin and the Father English Center here. It has more than 40 locations throughout Passaic Morris and Sussex counties.

Joe Duffy, president of diocesan Catholic Charities and executive director of Straight and Narrow, recalls the story of a couple in their late 50s living in an old house in Sussex County who was referred by their pastor to CFCS. “The husband was on Social Security disability and the wife, though disabled, has so far been denied disability and worked when she could. It was a situation where they could not afford to live in their home but could not afford to move,” said Duffy.

Through Bishop’s Annual Appeal contributions, CFCS was able to help repair the couple’s roof, replace their refrigerator and stock it and also fix their air conditioner. In addition, donations helped fix the couple’s car so the wife could take both her and her husband to doctor’s appointments and go out on job interviews.

Duffy said, “We could not have helped this family and the hundreds of other elderly and disabled clients across Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties without Bishop’s Annual Appeal money.”

Donations to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal are vital to keep many programs running. Silbernagel said, “Especially in Morris and Sussex counties, the Appeal fills in the gaps, which government funding does not. We really rely on the help. We have continued to see our numbers increase especially for those families requiring emergency services and it is expected to continue to grow.

CFCS runs a variety of programs to fulfill the many needs of the community. These include early childhood programs in four locations, youth at risk programs, behavioral health services for children, teens and families, services to several vulnerable populations, legal services and senior services in all three counties.

In addition to all diocesan Catholic Charities including Straight and Narrow and Department of Persons with Disabilities, the 2015 BAA will support seminarian education, retired diocesan priests living at Nazareth Village and inner city Catholic school students.

To donate to the Appeal, parishioners can provide financial support through one-time gifts or pledge paid over several months, credit card contributions or online contributions.

Silbernagel said, “We don’t do this work alone. The community continues to be extremely giving and that is especially evident during the holidays. Parish communities provide almost 10,000 Christmas gifts to families and more than 65 percent of our food pantry donations come from parishes. We are grateful to anyone who will give to the Appeal. We know our work isn’t anything anyone can do alone.”

[To make a donation online, go to www.2015appeal.orgor call (973) 777-8818, ext. 218 for information.].