Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
When we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, something marvelous happens: we become one with God and with each other. That’s not just a metaphor but a transforming reality. We are truly United in the Eucharist-united to God and united to one another! As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren” (CCC, 1397). As members of Christ’s Body, we are called to reach out to the world with his loving presence by freely sharing the blessings we have received.
Today I am inviting you to join me in doing just that. When you give generously to the United Catholic Appeal, you enable the Church to strengthen the bonds of unity between us and respond to the needs around us not only in the Name of Jesus, but as members of his Body.
No one can fulfill Christ’s mission alone. But together we can:
• form children in faith;
• bring the mercy of God to those who suffer the lack of basic needs;
• promote the dignity of every human person;
• care for the aged and sick;
• support our clergy and train a new generation of priests;
• bring the presence of Jesus and the power of God’s transforming grace to all.
As we return with joy and participate in the Eucharist regularly, we must also return to the challenge of becoming a truly eucharistic people-one that has the power of God’s grace to change not only our lives but the whole world. As Pope Francis observed in his homily on this year’s Feast of Corpus Christi, “Even now, our Eucharistic celebrations are transforming the world to the extent that we are allowing ourselves to be transfo1med and to become bread broken for others.”
Will you prayerfully consider how you can make a sacrificial gift of self to others? Thank you for all the ways you already build up the Body of Christ. We are most grateful for your generosity. Let us pray that God’s grace will truly make us one in him, United in the Eucharist. With assurance of my prayers and best wishes for you, I remain¬¬
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson
Archbishop of Indianapolis