One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As the movie develops, the main character, George Bailey, feels like he doesn’t make a difference and it would be better if he had not been born.
Clarence, an angel, comes to shine a heavenly light for George. Although Clarence is an angel, he is not the miracle in the movie. The miracle is the people of Bedford Falls.
Recorded in the town ledger are the names, acts of kindness and giving of people in this small town. The people save both George and Bedford Falls. They responded to the needs and worked together and saved their town.
This same spirit lives in our work here in the Diocese of Columbus.
We have been able to evangelize, educate and nurture the needs of our parishes and our neighbors. Together, we continue to bring the Good News.
It takes prayer, hard work, sacrifices, time and continued generosity to make this happen. We see goodness in action just like the small town of Bedford Falls.
We have been blessed by sharing and learning how to be good neighbors. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are responding to each other’s needs.
We grow stronger, more connected and committed through our four pillars: evangelization, vocations, social services, and education and faith formation.
Evangelization reaches out to our communities to spread the Good News.
Vocations nurture and support our seminarians, priests, deacons and religious men and women who answer God’s call.
Social services addresses the needs of the poor, marginalized and suffering in our diocese.
Education and faith formation ensures that our schools and religious formation programs provide the best foundation in faith and academics.
We are grateful to you for stepping forward as a benefactor. Year-to-date we are approaching 15,000 gifts and commitments totaling $7.7 million toward our Appeal 2025 goal of $8 million.
I would like to give special recognition to members of our inner family, the Miter Society. We are grateful for your legacy of leadership and generosity. Year-to-date we are 3,400 members strong and account for more than 70 percent of total dollars raised through The Appeal.
If you are not yet a member, please accept my invitation to you to join. If you are currently a member, might this be the year to increase to the next gift level?
Together, we are strengthening the Diocese of Columbus for generations to come in responding to the needs of all.
As we head into this Christmas season of giving, we are very close to obtaining our goal of $8 million. It is our challenge to secure the remaining $300,000.
Your gift, large or small, is critical for our success in fulfilling our mission. Thank you in advance for your supportive and generous response to my request.
My Christmas prayer is to help us realize awe and wonder in our lives, to help us grow in patience, faith and trust. May the wisdom that we receive deepen our reverence, and may true understanding move us to acts of charity, mercy and peace.
In closing, the words of the angel Clarence echo in my heart, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. And when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he?”
In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the miracle came when the community came together.
Your gift today helps create that same miracle for someone right here in our Diocese of Columbus.
We are privileged to walk alongside individuals, families, children, clergy and religious during their most challenging moments. Through your generosity, we provide Christ’s love where it is needed most: forming hearts in faith, charity and service.
To make a gift to The Appeal, visit www.columbuscatholicgiving.org, or call the Office of Advancement at 614-241-2550.
Jim Jackson is the senior director for the diocese’s Office of Advancement.