January 9, 2001
Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy
The Esteemed Parish
Councils
Beloved in the Lord,
As we reflect on our Christ-centered responsibilities to return to the church of the living God a fair portion of our blessings through the national commitment program, I am pleased to say that at least thirty-five of our forty-nine parishes have fully responded to that commitment. These funds help to operate our Diocese office as well as give vital assistance to our Seminary, Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology, among the various Archdiocesan ministries
In order for our Diocese to receive a larger percentage of this stewardship giving, it is necessary for the nine parishes in the Diocese who have an unpaid balance to begin to lower that balance incrementally. Such an effort will visibly affirm that those parishes recognize themselves as a vital part of the Diocese and, like the other parishes, continue to show their love and commitment to the Diocese which guarantees priestly assignments and other services.
In order for the parishes to be able to adequately respond to their commitments, it is necessary that all councils have standing membership/stewardship committees which will have special annual programs to increase the yearly membership commitment of each member towards his or her own parish. The average annual membership contribution of each parish member should not be less than three dollars per day, or at least one thousand dollars per year.
Moreover, through the priest and the council members, everyone should be convinced that an offering candle is a prayer, and even ten dollars per candle can never be excessive for a loved one, a special request, or an expression of gratitude for blessings received.
May this new year bring many blessings from God our Savior to all which will more easily convince us of our responsibility to Him and to His holy Church. And may those blessings bring stronger faith and joy to all the faithful members of the holy Diocese of Denver.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah
Presiding Hierarch
of
the Diocese of Denver