Nov. 6-7 is the annual United Catholic Appeal intention weekend in archdiocesan parishes

By Natalie Hoefer

The weekend of Nov. 6-7 is the archdiocesan annual United Catholic Appeal (UCA) intention weekend in parishes across the archdiocese.

The goal for this year’s appeal is $6.3 million. The money will be distributed to various ministries and organizations throughout central and southern Indiana, providing help that no single parish or deanery could independently offer.

The theme of this year’s appeal is “United in the Eucharist.”

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson cites a prayer attributed to St. Teresa of Avila that captures what he says “we are called to do as Eucharist-centered people.”

Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on Earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
compassion on this world
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world
Yours are the hands
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes
You are his body
Christ has no body now on Earth but yours

The archbishop notes how donations to the United Catholic Appeal have brought hope to people throughout central and southern Indiana in the last year, including:

• 867 veterans and 6,641 people with a disability received food, shelter and clothing from the Archdiocese’s Catholic Charities agencies.
• More than 800 homeless families received a safe place to rest.
• More than 48,000 people who were hungry were served hot meals.
• Nearly 1,100 children in the archdiocesan Notre Dame ACE Academies in the Indianapolis center-city received a Catholic education.
• Provided catechetical programs for 30,000 youths and adults.
• Our seminarians at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis and Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad received much-needed financial support.
• 83 retired priests who have devoted their lives to serving others received care.
• Countless mothers after receiving support chose life for their babies instead of abortion.

“Thousands of lives have been touched through our many ministries, and I know that many, many more will continue to be served thanks to your generosity,” the archbishop said.

In advance of intention weekend, he offers his thanks “to each of you for being the eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart of Jesus.”
 

(For more information on the United Catholic Appeal, visit www.archindy.org/UCA or call the Office of Stewardship and Development at 317-236-1415 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1415.) †

 

Related story: Annual appeal is about ‘loving God, serving your neighbor’