Dear St. Ephrem Parish family,
Our support to CSA helps to continue the good work in our Archdiocese by supporting the ministries, programs, and services that reach the people in our neighborhoods.
The CSA is one of the most efficient ways to give to our parish. Any amount raised above our goal comes back our parish without an assessment. Thus far, we are just over halfway to our goal. If we do not reach our goal, that amount still has to be paid by the parish.
Thank you for the generosity you have shown to our parish over this past year and for all who have already made their 2023 donation. We are living in challenging times, however, these sacrifices will be blessed by the Lord.
For those who have not given yet, I humbly ask that you prayerfully consider giving to help meet our goal. If you are unable to donate financially, please offer prayers that we reach our goal. Pledge cards are available in the church, as well as the parish office. You may also give online by visiting the website listed below. Thank you in advance for your generosity. I continue to hold you all in prayer. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions or need assistance.
With love in Christ,
(Fr. Aro, MSFS)
Fr. Arokiaselvam Nithiyaselvam, MSFS
St. Ephrem's 2022 CSA goal is $57,529.00.
Please prayerfully consider making your contribution to this year's CSA. Thank you!
Letter from Archbishop Vigneron
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The First Letter of Peter addresses persecuted Christians living in Asia Minor. St. Peter writes to these early followers of Jesus to prepare them for suffering in imitation of Christ. The core message is not just about enduring trials but also “indescribable joy.” St. Peter shows that the Christian life is marked by suffering and, also, by a living hope and profound joy.
The Scripture verse for this year’s Catholic Services Appeal comes from this letter: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10). The passage in which we find this verse is about Christian Charity, a call for hospitality and service and to “let love for one another be intense.”
It is timely for us, the Church in Detroit, to reflect on these themes. In the midst of ongoing distress and tribulation as our region and the entire world emerges from a global pandemic, we are called to witness the love of Christ to a suffering world. It is in the way we serve each other and in the way we love one another that we give effective witness to Christ.
We are called to this witness immersed in the reality of Christ’s victory over death and the inexpressible joy of the new life we now have through our baptism. Joy, love, service, and hospitality are the hallmarks of Christ’s followers and the gift we offer to the people in southeast Michigan.
Each year, the Catholic Services Appeal provides us an opportunity to celebrate the ways our Church in Detroit responds to the material and spiritual needs of individuals and families. One parish alone could not meet these many needs. It is through the sharing of our gifts and our service that we, together, can be the Church Christ wants us to be.
I am deeply grateful for the ways you have contributed to this work in the past. I ask that you prayerfully consider renewing your gift this year. Your generosity makes it possible for more than 170 ministries, services, and programs to love intensely and bring the indescribable joy found in Christ to our communities.
Entrusting you to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, Blessed Solanus Casey, and St. Anne, our patroness, I remain,Sincerely yours in Christ,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit