This weekend, we hear the familiar gospel story of Jesus casting the money changers out of the temple and demanding respect for His Father’s house. Needless to say there is a time and place for raising funds to run our churches; but Jesus is angry how making money had taken center stage in the temple. Money changers made a very lucrative living by overcharging people for the animals they had to buy for their annual sacrifices. Jesus saw the injustice and the His anger blazed out.
 
Ironically, this weekend is also the kick off for the Annual Catholic Appeal. We will be listening to Cardinal Sean’s homily and we will be asked to take pledge cards and to contribute as much as possible to this important fund drive.
 
As you can imagine, the archdiocese’s services reach out to millions of people each year. The many offices at the Archdiocesan Center in Braintree administer to all these programs. One of these offices that has been helpful to us in recent years, is the Archdiocesan Real Estate office. Without their expertise and hands on help, the sale of our school buildings would still just be a hope. They have worked closely with the buyers and have navigated the innumerable ins and outs of the long process.
 
Each year, every parish has an assessment which they are required to meet. Our assessment this year is $36,878.   If we do not raise that amount of money, then the remainder is deducted from our account.
The last two years we have fallen short by a few thousand dollars. Fortunately, we have applied for and been granted forgiveness. I doubt that will happen again this year.
 
Please be as generous as possible and help us reach our assessed amount.