My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For almost six decades, people from across the fourteen counties of the Diocese of Albany have joined together each year to support the Bishop’s Appeal. The generosity shown by so many people over the years has made possible untold acts of service, compassion and love, keeping alive the mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ here in our local Church.

We have chosen for this year’s Bishop’s Appeal campaign theme: “Being Christ for Others.” Throughout our diocese, there are dedicated individuals who bring the healing and compassion of the Lord Jesus to people who are homeless and hungry, to those who are sick or living in despair.

Since the beginning of the present Great Recession, we have witnessed a dramatic rise in people needing the services of the Church as public funding for social programs has significantly decreased. People of all age groups and economic levels, especially the poor, are having difficulty in these most challenging economic times.

It is never easy to ask for money, and in times such as these, it is especially hard. Yet the important work we do in caring for God’s people and in keeping our Catholic faith alive relies on the donations received from the Bishop’s Appeal.

So my dear friends, I ask you to please make a gift to the 2011 Bishop’s Appeal. No gift is too small. Let us all be like Christ for one another. Thank you and may Almighty God bless you and those you love.