Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal 2002 Begins

Ten years since established by Cardinal William H. Keeler in 1992, the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal has raised over $30 million dollars, providing crucial support for programs including:

  • Educating children and youth
  • Helping the poor and those in need
  • Strengthening the Church – through evangelization, liturgical programs and social ministries
  • Supporting the work of the Holy Father.

Several characteristics set this year’s appeal apart from those that came before:

  • Parish-to-parish partnerships are flourishing. Begun last year, 42 parish pairs are working this year to make “Beyond the Boundaries” regional concepts a reality. These partnerships hold great potential for urban community revitalization. [https://www.archbalt.org/cla/ParishPartnerships.htm]
  • More than 1,000 lay Advocates, volunteers in parishes, have committed to explaining the appeal to their Catholic neighbors. [https://www.archbalt.org/cla/advocates.htm]
  • Unprecedented accountability information with campaign video clips have been posted on the archdiocesan website at [https://www.archbalt.org/cla/]. There, readers can find information about programs with wide scope that receive help through the appeal and also about plans for meeting needs in individual regions or parishes.
  • The $5.5 million goal for this year’s campaign is highest yet for the appeal.

Media interested in speaking with archdiocesan and/or local contacts about the appeal may contact Ray Kempisty or Matt Lane at 410-547-5379.

Sean Caine

Sean Caine is Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Communications