My dear friends in Christ,
In the Gospel of Jesus issues a call, to the first Apostles. He simply says: “Follow Me.” That call will eventually prepare them for their role as Shepherds of the Church.
It is a call to all of us to respond with generosity and commitment to our baptism. Each year the Diocesan Service Fund (DSF) operates in our local Church of Galveston-Houston to help her carry out the task of teaching and sanctifying. The sixty-plus ministries under its umbrella, DSF brings the needed financial resources to carry out those same ministries.
DSF also brings an answer to the hopes and needs of so many in our archdiocese. Few of the programs that receive support through DSF: Sacramental preparation classes, Special Youth Services for at risk-youth, disaster relief and food programs for the poorest among us, the Catholic Chaplin Corps providing comfort and strength to thousands of hospitalized Catholics and the Pope John XXIII retirement residence for our faithful priests at St. Dominic Village.
The gifts given are gifts to be shared, in time, talent and treasure. I invite you to be involved actively this year in our DSF summons and to be generous in your response.
Your faithful shepherd,
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
Diocesan service Fund 2010
