During the Christmas season this year, I was blessed to receive a number of gifts from parishioners at Our Lady of Grace. These gifts were as varied as the people of our parish! I was given gifts of baked goods, quality bourbon, family Christmas cards, and children’s drawings, all of which show the tremendous generosity of our community. This year, however, I also received many notes, letters, or messages from parishioners that were deeply touching to me. I heard from you about the way you notice how we have a great awe and reverence for God, particularly in the Eucharist, and how this has helped you adopt a new vision for the Lord. I had parents share about how participating in ministries and apostolates at Our Lady of Grace has been transforming the faith lives of their children. I read about the excitement people have for the direction our parish is heading, that they feel as though there’s real momentum here.

These messages of hope and conversion accompanied me in prayer as we began the new year. Upon reflection, I can see that these testimonies point to the fact that the mission of Christ and his Church are taking root in our parish. We are putting God first in our lives, and that is changing everything.

In the fall, we officially launched our new parish mission to form a culture of enduring faith. I preached about this mission at Masses and we hung banners on the light posts in the parking lot, but for this mission to truly take hold, it has to go deeper than homilies and signage. We need parishioners who believe in Christ and His Church so strongly that they make the Faith and Our Lady of Grace the center of their lives. If our parish is filled with people who live this way, it will form a culture that nourishes the Faith in others and invites them to a deeper relationship with Christ.  I do not desire for you to simply be an observer of what is happening at Our Lady of Grace. I want you to be a partner in this mission!

One way to partner with us is by contributing to our Mission Campaign. During the Mission Campaign, we ask all of our parishioners to discern your annual ability to give financially. We’re asking all of our parishioners to make two financial gifts. One of these gifts will support our diocese as a part of the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana is more than a governing body; it is our connection to the larger Catholic Church, founded by Christ and perpetuated by apostles. A gift to the CMA means that priests and parish staff continue to be supported and that seminarians are able to be formed into future pastoral leaders. The other gift is to your regular giving to Our Lady of Grace as a part of our Offertory fund. By giving weekly or monthly, you make a statement that the Catholic Church in Noblesville is valuable and vital. Many of you already give generously in this way, but I would ask that you consider increasing your regular contribution not only to further our mission but also to practice the self-sacrifice that is a hallmark trait of a Catholic Christian. If you would be willing to make a significant commitment to these two elements of our Mission Campaign now, then our mission as a parish can continue to flourish.

The back of this letter includes more information about details for giving to our Mission Campaign.

As you pray about what you are able to sacrifice, know of my prayers for you, your family, and your invaluable place in the Body of Christ. 

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Clayton

• Give a one-time, recurring, or pledged gift at dol-in.org/cma.
• Use the mailing you received (or soon will) from the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana to mail a cash or check gift or make a pledge.
• Make a pledge at our Giving Weekend (February 4-5, 2023) or at another upcoming Mass by placing a payment in the collection basket.

MAKE A GIFT TO CMA

• Give a one-time or recurring gift using OSV. Click the button below to log in or create an account.
• Use envelopes or check/cash in the weekly collection basket at Sunday Mass.

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