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Hannah Storm and Dan Hicks step up to serve others as Chair-Couple of the 2008 Living Our Faith Annual Bishop's Appeal
By BRIAN D. WALLACE
Fairfield County Catholic
February 9, 2008
Page One: Introduction / New Generation
Page Two: Good Works / Faith as Foundation
Page Three: Doing Our Share / Prayer
Doing Our Share
"We can all do our share to help others, and the Appeal is a great place to make a real difference," Hicks says. "It's easy to say, 'I don't have enough to give' or 'I'm too concerned with my own family.' We all have issues like that, but we can't write others off. Take a real honest look at what you can do, as well as what you do with the money you now spend. There's always room to help. You can start out with a small donation, but make sure you participate. Too many lives depend upon it."
The statistics are impressive, the couple points out. The Diocese of Bridgeport, through Catholic Charities, is the largest provider of social services in Fairfield County to people of all faiths, after the government. Last year, Catholic Charities served 700,000 meals to the poor, elderly, and homeless, while also offering 45,000 counseling sessions for troubled families. The diocese also runs the largest private pre-K through grade 12 educational system (also open to all faiths), with more than 11,000 students. The faith education of 42,000 children and teens in 87 parishes is assisted through donations to the Appeal.
Prayer
Echoing her husband's strong message on participation, Storm adds a final thought.
"Please make a donation, but don't forget to pray, too," she concludes. "Prayer is very powerful, and we can all offer it. We should pray for our Church and our diocese. The good works made possible by the Appeal will follow, and are a very effective way of helping people."
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