My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,

As we begin a new year and a new decade, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the faithful of Brooklyn and Queens, for your continued outpouring of generosity to the 2009 Annual Catholic Appeal. The final results of the Appeal were extraordinary, considering the state of our economy. The people of the Diocese of Brooklyn have come through once again and have risen to the challenge. This is a true indication of your love for the Church in Brooklyn and Queens and for your brothers and sisters, who are deeply affected by your kindness.

As you know, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has designated 2009-2010 as the Year for Priests. The life of sacrifice and service to others of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, exemplifies the theme of the 2010 Annual Catholic Appeal, which is “God’s love shines through us; we are a priestly people.” It is a beautiful theme which celebrates the Year for Priests and is a call for each of us to fulfill our own priestly ministry. This year is not only meant to support our priests, but it is also meant to benefit the laity who through Baptism have become members of Christ and His Priestly People.

All of us have faced many challenges with financial difficulties which our nation has not seen in decades. We continue, however, to face these obstacles together. Now, more than ever, the Annual Catholic Appeal is a critical funding source for everything we do in the diocese, including supporting our parishes, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, faith formation and pastoral life, scholarships for our Catholic school students, Catholic Migration Services, chaplaincies and Catholic Charities, and providing countless outreach ministries for those who are in need.

Your prayerful pledge makes a significant impact, and enables and enhances the ministries we offer to the many families here in Brooklyn and Queens. It is in just such times as these when the services offered by the diocese are most needed and appreciated. God’s love shines through us when we help those in need. The faithful of Brooklyn and Queens truly are a priestly people always responding to the call for support to provide the resources necessary for the diocese to help our fellow brothers and sisters.

With St. John Vianney as an example, Pope Benedict XVI has said this year is “meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world.”

Each of you will receive an invitation to participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal. I ask you to once again “put out into the deep” by considering joining me in renewal of our support to this great endeavor with your sacrificial gift. This will enable us to sustain and increase our efforts to enrich the lives of many people. As all of us continue to serve the Lord as a priestly people, my hope is that God’s love continues to shine upon all of us in this richly diverse and great diocese.