Thank you Father,
In the past two years, we have been deeply inspired by Pope Francis and his acts of faith, love and charity. When he visited England in 2013, he proclaimed “among our tasks as witnesses to the love of Christ is that of giving a voice to the cry of the poor.” 1
In many respects, that message echoes the spirit of Together in Mission. We are being called to be disciples of Christ, to look upon the gaze of Jesus, and to proclaim Him joyfully.
2
This year, all parishes throughout the Archdiocese are asked upon to help 81 parishes and 63 schools. Donations to Together in Mission provide essential resources and ministries that enrich parish life, strengthen families, advance Church leadership and inspire and educate future generations of children. Here are a few examples of how
Together in Mission funds were used in 2014.
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Our Lady of Victory School in Compton uses Together in Mission funds to make sure kids are able to walk safely before and after school in a community that is challenged by gang activity each and every day. They also provide meals to students living in poverty, where finding a meal at school may be the only nutritious meal they get during they day
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Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights uses Together in Mission to operate a homeless shelter 365 days a year, where many families are one paycheck away from becoming homeless
Remarkably, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the only diocese in the United States that has a campaign like Together in Mission. Many of you may have read that the
Archdiocese of New York is planning to close nearly 25% of its parishes and schools in the coming months. Imagine the pain many parishioners will have to go through to find a
Church. Parents who went to a great Catholic School must now make plans to send their children to school elsewhere, causing families to commute longer and make greater sacrifices.
Fortunately, many parishioners and students here will never have to experience that thanks to Together in Mission. Students can continue to receive a great education and parishioners can come to Church never fearing that the next day doors may be closed.
So today, we are asking you to prayerfully reflect on what you can give for this year’s campaign.
For the fifth year in a row, we have invited our candidates for Confirmation and ushers to help us with this year’s pledge process. We invite our Confirmation students to please come forward.
1
Pope Francis, Address to the Archbishop of Canterbury , 6/14/13
2 Evangelli Gaudium, p.97

Will a member of a household who has not completed their pledge for this year’s
Together in Mission campaign please raise your hand so that we may offer you a pledge envelope and pencil.
GO THROUGH PLEDGE PROCESS SLOWLY.
When you are done, please separate the commitment form on the brochure, place your gift inside the pouch, and seal it. Please raise your hands so that our Confirmation students can collect them.
For those of you who are not able to pledge today, you can also visit the Together in
Mission website at ourmissionla.org to learn more about the campaign and make a pledge.
On behalf of our Local Church, thank you for your support of Together in Mission!