Reflecting on the past year as I traveled throughout the Diocese, I have found three themes that are mentioned by our faithful time and time again: their great love for the Church, the love for their priests and parishes, and their great desire that the good work of the Church might be clearly expressed.

As we look around at our local Church, these good works are being carried out every day by our pastors and lay faithful. These works are demonstrated by outreach to the homeless, lay formation programs, youth and youth adult evangelization and seminarian education. The charity that I see in these ministries and many others fills me with true hope and optimism.

A common thread of support for these ministries and so many others is the Annual Diocesan Appeal. This year, we are looking to accomplish three critical goals through the Appeal to productively move our Church forward: Advancing Social Justice, Cultivating Catholic Leadership, and Empowering Parish Communities.

It is my prayerful hope that you will join me in supporting these initiatives so we, as one body of Christ, can fulfill the promise of the future.

Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout Bishop of Richmond