Help spread God's mercy in diocese

Published: February 5, 2016

Download MP3 file to your device

The 2016 Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal (CASA) begins Feb. 6-7 in parishes across Arkansas. A recorded homily from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will be played at all Masses in English and Spanish and pledge envelopes will be handed out asking parishioners to meet this year's $2 million goal.

CASA supports various diocesan, parish and school ministries. This year's theme focuses on the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which continues through Nov. 20. 

"This is the first jubilee in history in which holy doors are to be opened in all dioceses, not just in Rome. Ours is at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Little Rock. Access to our holy door is available every day, but starting this weekend, the first Saturday of every month will be a special day of mercy," Bishop Taylor explained in his homily.

"We need your CASA donations to help fund those things that we do as a diocese to benefit us all." — Bishop Anthony B. Taylor

"On that day confessors will be available, the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed, and information will be available about many of the works of mercy in our diocese — mostly funded through your CASA donations.

"These include: information about annulments for those who are divorced; Project Rachel for healing for those who have participated in an abortion; Retrouvaille for marriages that are in trouble; Courage for those dealing with same-sex attraction; and a wide variety of retreats and other opportunities for spiritual growth."

"Just this year we finished paying off the construction of our House of Formation, where I now live and 11 of our 39 seminarians are studying," Bishop Taylor added.

"Now we need to turn our attention to remodeling our 50-year-old Fletcher Hall retreat center, which will be very expensive. I note also that at Pope Francis' request, we have dropped all fees connected with annulments, so we will need to cover this from CASA going forward. Our fees were actually pretty nominal, covering only 10 percent of the tribunal budget, but this way it will be even more clear that there is no connection between money and justice in the Church," Bishop Taylor said. For a complete list of ministries supported by CASA read Arkansas Catholic.

Beginning Feb. 6-7, parishioners are asked to turn in their pledge/gift envelopes indicating their total gift and the method through which they will give it. They may choose from a one-time gift or pledge to be paid in 10 monthly installments. Donors may pay by check, credit card or bank draft. New this year is the ability to donate online. If you wish to donate online, visit Online Giving. To learn more, see Options for Giving.