J.D. Long-Garía/CATHOLIC SUN
Fr. Greb Schlarb, vicar of Stewardship, Julie Nackard, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and Patrick Nackard pose for a photo May 25 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted prayed for the intentions written on more than 4,000 prayer cards distributed to parishes as part of the 2010 Charity and Development Appeal.
The prayer cards were presented to Bishop Olmsted at a Mass celebrated at the downtown Diocesan Pastoral Center May 25.
“We lift one another up to God in gratitude but also in petition,” Bishop Olmsted told those who attended the Mass which fell on the feast of St. Bede, one of the 33 saints declared Doctors of the Church.
“His name, Bede, means prayer,” Bishop Olmsted said, “so it’s very appropriate to this occasion.”
Missie D’Aunoy, director of the Office of Stewardship, said she was touched by the intentions listed on the CDA prayer cards. The cards featured the CDA logo and a quote from St. John Vianney stating that, “This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love.”
Some asked for help finding a job, while others asked for a restoration of health, the healing of relationships or the ability to overcome a challenge in their lives.
The CDA prayer cards also drew the attention of some of the youngest members of the Church when they were distributed to students in Catholic schools.
D’Aunoy said one student asked for prayers for his dog, his parents and his grandmother. “He colored a picture on the card,” D’Aunoy said.
The inclusion of the prayer intention cards in the CDA began last year and D’Aunoy said they are key in helping people understand the concept of stewardship.
“CDA is truly the treasure part of a stewardship way of life,” D’Aunoy said. “Being able to pray for others in need and praying for what you need is extremely important to the appeal.”
The overflowing basket that contained thousands of prayer requests from the faithful served as a poignant reminder of the needs in the community and the ways in which funds raised by the annual appeal help address them.
Fr. Greg Schlarb, Vicar of Stewardship, said prayer petitions were presented to Bishop Olmsted along with the bread and wine at the offertory.
“At the offertory, the works of the Church are presented symbolized in the bread and wine,” Fr. Schlarb said. “At this Mass the prayer cards were offered symbolizing the needs of our community which we try to address through the work of the CDA.”
At press time, the CDA had reached nearly 80 percent of its $10 million dollar goal. The annual appeal helps fund more than 70 charitable organizations and ministries in the Diocese of Phoenix.
