By Ana Rodriguez Soto - The Archdiocese of Miami
MIAMI | As the song says: Love isn’t love ‘til you give it away.
That could be the modern equivalent of the Apostle John’s advice in his first Letter: “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth” (1Jn 3:18)
That is what Archbishop Thomas Wenski is asking South Florida Catholics to do in this year’s ABCD (Archbishop’s Charities and Development) campaign, whose theme is “Love in Action.”
The campaign kicked off in parishes throughout the archdiocese at the end of January, with the pledge drive continuing through the end of February. Money raised by ABCD goes directly to the archdiocese, as opposed to the weekly Mass collection, which goes to the individual parishes.
Rather than a one-off contribution, ABCD asks parishioners to pledge a larger amount to be paid over a 10-month period. The funds go toward archdiocesan works of charity, such as assisting parishes and people in poor communities (37%); the education and formation of seminarians (33%); and efforts at evangelization and faith formation (30%) – last year’s breakdown, as shown in this year’s campaign brochure.
“ABCD is Love translated into concrete gestures and actions by helping those in need with the means to overcome difficulties and obstacles,” Archbishop Wenski writes in an online message asking support for the campaign. “The Church is called to be an ‘advocate of justice and of the poor’ in the face of intolerable social and economic inequalities, which ‘cry to heaven’. Your gift to the ABCD helps the Church here in South Florida to walk with the poor as their friend.”
The overall goal for this year’s drive is $12.6 million, with each parish assigned an individual goal depending on size and demographics.
As of Jan. 31, the 2023 campaign had raised $13.72 million from 19,659 donors, with $13.18 million already in hand, for a collection rate of 96%. The final tally for 2023 won’t be available until Feb. 29 of this year, said Katie Blanco Bourdeau, cabinet secretary for Stewardship and Development.
According to the Official Catholic Directory, the Archdiocese of Miami has about half a million registered parishioners, although the number of people in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe who identify as Catholics is around three times higher: 1.5 million.
In his ABCD letter this year, mailed to every parishioner who has donated in the past, the archbishop wrote:
“As disciples, we are all called to look beyond our differences and unite in ways that allow us to demonstrate love in action. We must serve one another by advocating for the sick, needy, and unborn; by showing compassion and patience for one another; by sharing our blessings with those less fortunate; and by forgiving one another like God forgave us. Your support of the Archbishop’s Charities and Development Drive (ABCD) is an act of love that can change your life and the lives of others.”
He added: “This past year, the Archdiocese celebrated 65 years of its unwavering dedication to our faith and service in our community, but our work is not done. As we look to future, we are reminded that we need to act today to make for a better tomorrow. Together, let us unite our efforts, recognizing that the power of transformative love can influence positive change in our world.”
FIND OUT MORE
- A pie chart in the 2024 ABCD brochure breaks down how the dollars were spent last fiscal year, based on the $11.8 million previously collected:
- 33%, or $3,916,581, went to the education and formation of seminarians, clergy, deacons and religious.
- 30%, or $3,637,627, went to ministries, evangelization and faith formation.
- 37%, or $4,445,791, went to social ministries and assisting parishes and people in poor communities.
- To donate to the ABCD, go to: give.adomdevelopment.org/abcd.
