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Dear Father/Pastoral Associate,

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the introduction by Archbishop Christopher Prowse of the annual Good Shepherd Sunday Appeal. Envisaged as a vocations observance, the Appeal is now well established within our liturgical calendar as a time to reflect on the call of God to the priesthood.

This year we especially give thanks for the vocations that have sprung from our own communities – those young men whose families and lives are planted in our local parishes and who, God willing, will return as ordained priests to serve here.

Formation of men for the priesthood requires the support of the entire Church community – please encourage people to contribute financially and to pray for the future of the priesthood in our Archdiocese.

The May edition of the Catholic Voice contains an inspirational article about Fr Mark Croker’s vocational path. Please draw your parishioners’ attention to this story, which can also be viewed on the Catholic Voice website www.catholicvoice.org.au.

This year, the envelopes will be delivered to your parish along with the next edition of the Catholic Voice on 3rd, 4th or 5th May. The Appeal will be conducted in all parishes of the Archdiocese on the weekend of the 11th & 12th May 2019. Your assistance in making the envelopes available from church pews, along with encouragement from the pulpit to give generously, will ensure the success of this Collection.

Please note that this Appeal is not eligible as a tax-deductible gift.

A Pay-in Slip will be included with the parcel of envelopes for use when your parish remits the Collection to the Archdiocese.

Rev. Fr. Anthony Percy
Vicar General
26th April 2019