Dear Friends in Christ,

Feed the hungry.  Counsel the doubtful.  Shelter the homeless.  Comfort the sorrowful.  Visit the imprisoned.  These are just a few of the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy each of us tries to fulfill every day to respond to the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of our brothers and sisters.  Unfortunately, we sometimes wonder, “How does my response ever make a difference?”

During Jesus’ three years of ministry in Palestine, He did not cure everyone’s ailments nor did He counsel every confused individual.  What He did do, however, was reveal Himself to those with whom He came in contact and touch their lives with true hope.  Jesus told His disciples—which also includes us—to go about doing the same things. While we will never heal everyone's problems, we can continue to reveal Jesus to others in very significant ways.

The theme for this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal—Revealing Jesus through our Works of Mercy—reminds us that, as we perform these Works Of Mercy, we are given the opportunity to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ all across Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland through our actions, which touches people’s lives and offers hope.

These same Works of Mercy are the driving force behind every ministry and service supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal.  By pooling our resources and acting together, we no longer wonder whether we are making a difference, but, rather, we look in wonder at how much of a difference we have made.  We become richer—and more like Jesus—when we pull together to reveal Jesus through our works of mercy. 

Our daily action in support of others is our daily walk with the risen Jesus.  I encourage you to respond generously to the 2008 Annual Catholic Appeal and join me and our fellow brothers and sisters of the diocese in Revealing Jesus through our Works of Mercy.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli

Bishop of Wilmington