Letter and Prayer

January 2006

Dear Friends in Christ,

I have chosen to continue the theme of Journey Together for our Pastoral Services Appeal once again as a reflection of our continuing journey of faith. The important work of the local Church of Orange is carried out through many ministries that serve every parish and pastoral center in Orange County as well as thousands in the wider community. These services are our response to God in continuing the work of Jesus Christ.

I invite you to visit the pages on this website and see a sampling of the essential work being done through your gifts to the PSA. Work such as formation of seminarians, priests and deacons, reaching out to our incarcerated brothers and sisters with God’s presence and word, providing inclusive liturgies and religious education for all our diverse communities including the deaf, support and training for our teachers and catechists who pass on our faith, facilitating leadership in our ethnic communities, supporting the faith of our young adults through campus ministry, providing assistance to parishes in critical need and so much more.

At the same time, parishes earn rebates to fund important projects with all gifts received over your own parish goal.

I would ask you to prayerfully consider how abundantly each of us has been blessed with God’s gifts and consider what first portion of our God-given resources you will commit to the work of Christ’s Church in the Diocese of Orange.

May I ask you to journey together with me and your fellow Catholics in the Diocese of Orange by making a pledge to the PSA?

You remain in my prayers always, trusting that I am in yours.

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

Most Reverend Tod D. Brown
Bishop of Orange

Campaign Prayer

Creator God,

At Baptism, we accepted the call to follow Jesus.
Be with us as we move along on our faith journey.

Send us your Holy Spirit, that we might have wisdom for the journey.

Help us to develop and share our gifts as good stewards,
that we may use them in love and service in your kingdom.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.