In the year 1993, the Archdiocese, recognizing that many of our parishes and parish schools were finding it more and more difficult to pay their ordinary expenses, began the annual appeal Together in Mission. Over the course of almost 20 years, almost 220 million has been raised to pay for operating expenditures such as salaries, electric bills and insurance as well as for emergency expenses such as new roofs, broken water mains, etc. Together in Mission is a restricted appeal and is the only annual appeal in the country which is dedicated solely to the upkeep, maintenance and operation of the poorest of our parishes.

Thirty five of our parishes and fifty two of our parish schools depend on Together in Mission to keep their doors open and 92% of all funds collected go directly to these financially challenged communities to keep the Catholic Faith alive.

Over the past 19 years, St. Margaret Mary has raised a total of almost 2 million dollars for Together in Mission. What a wonderful expression of our sense of unity in the mission of the Local Church. Last year, 593 of you chose to make a contribution to this fund, allowing us to achieve our goal of just over $130,000. This year we are approaching you again to contribute to this very worthy appeal. Our parish goal for 2012 is $128,826. As you know, this appeal is a pledge that can be paid off over the year. I invite each of you to think about sharing with our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese, regardless of how much you are able to give. Our gift is an expression of our gratitude for what the Lord has given us as we strive to work together in the mission of sharing the Gospel.