YOUNGSTOWN — Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown is asking Catholics in the six-county diocese to join him this year by participating in the 2021 Annual Bishop’s Appeal.

The diocesan goal for the 2021 appeal is $4 million.

Bonnar is asking for support from diocesan households to help Catholic Charities and the diocesan ministries continue their ministries to brothers and sisters in need.

Bonnar said with this level of commitment to the appeal, more than 50,000 individuals throughout the six-county diocese will benefit from services and ministries ranging from assistance with food, utilities, and housing, to faith formation, education, evangelization, and social services. The Diocese of Youngstown encompasses Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull counties.

The majority of the funds generated through the appeal directly benefit the services provided by Catholic Charities. For every dollar raised for Catholic Charities through the appeal, an additional $2 is leveraged through other grants, contracts and other revenue sources.

Officials said while the vast majority of appeal dollars are donated by Catholic households, Catholic Charities serves all qualifying individuals as resources allow, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Other diocesan ministries supported by the Annual Bishop’s Appeal include the Catholic Television Network of Youngstown (CTNY); Office of Catholic Schools; Office of Religious Education and Evangelization; Office of Pro-Life, Marriage, and Family Ministry; seminarian formation and Office of Vocations; Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Office of Campus Ministry; and Office of Vowed Religious. These ministries ensure all Catholics in the diocese have access to spiritual and faith formation resources through the ministries themselves and at all of our parishes and Catholic schools.

“The needs of the church are always greater than our own. The current pandemic has in some cases heightened the needs of our community as people have lost jobs and livelihoods. The work of the church and of serving others must continue,” Bonnar said.

Bonnar, who was ordained as the sixth bishop of Youngstown on Jan. 12, is continuing this customary practice of the appeal during Lent.

The appeal will continue throughout the Lent and Easter seasons, concluding on Pentecost Sunday, May 23.

For information, visit doy.org or contact 330-744-8451 ext. 298 or lpolitsky@youngstowndiocese.org.

news@tribtoday.com